EC was more than just a dance show on TV. It was a work of passion, energy, diversity and most of all community. It was a way of life like nothing else. While many countless individuals contributed to it's success at the end of the day it was really the creative tireless efforts of Host Monika Deol who really made the show the astounding longtime 15 year legacy it would become. Thank you Monika for bringing Canadians together each weekend like no other live TV initiative could.
From circa 1989 to 1998 (and from as early as May of those years to as late as October of those years) there were people of all backgrounds enjoying life together (on Friday evenings) at a weekly outdoor "Oldies Dance"that the folks at 1050 CHUM put on...at...the West Island Club at Ontario Place (also in downtown Toronto)...
There were weekly regulars on Electric Circus (EC) like the cowboy you see in the video. The kids also sported the latest fashions. One regular dancer was a fashion designer and created many of the weekly new clothes for other dancers. CHCH-TV in Hamilton tried to replicate the show with Chris Sheppard. They even poached some EC dancers for the show.
Oh yes.I was on a few of the CLUB 102 TV shows (MCed by Chris Sheppard & simulcast on CFNY 102-FM) in the spring of 1989.I know that specific TV show debuted in January 1989.....but.....did not last beyond circa mid-summer 1989....
I found out in early June 1990 of another TV show that was produced for only one season....but...was re-broadcast on both the Family Channel & YTV (up to circa 1994) after its initial run on the Global Television Network.This TV show was called "Dance MIx" & Justin Louis hosted it.I know that some of the folks who sang/performed on "Dance Mix" would also perform on "the Electric Circus" .
While I saw a certain amount of EC episodes from circa February 1989 to mid-June 1991,it was not often that I would see then-co-hosts Monika Deol & George Lagongennis (as well as MC Criag) just dance alongside with all the others on the dancefloor. Glad to see that these three individuals all got their own "individual spotlight" from circa 1:21 to circa 1:26....
The early years of the show was weird in that it was recorded and shown live on Saturday afternoons. Later seasons were shot Friday nights and had better production values. The early shows were shot in the newsroom. The crew had to set up the dance platforms and lighting each week. Alanis Morrissette was an early guest at age 15 when she had her dance record out.
I will now presume that then-EC-Dance-regular Tyra J is holding the Donald Trump likeness on the left....but...is that Tyra's twin sister holding the likeness on the right? (I remember then-EC-host Mike Williams speaking to both of these women on an EC episode in early April 1989....and Tyra stating that both of them are fraternal twins.)
