Unique Regina business going out with a party

REGINA Musician Kieffer McLean has played many shows at the Artful Dodger. When he takes to the stage there on Saturday, it will be for the last time.

At closing time, the business on Regina’s 11th Avenue will shut its doors for good.

Part bar, part library, part jam space, the Dodger has offered a dynamic range of experiences to its customers since it opened more than five years ago. To McLean, it offered a beginning.

“I was kind of starting my musical career around the same time the Dodger was getting started,” said the now 23-year-old guitarist who released an album there.

Even when he wasn’t performing, McLean would hang around the business.

“Honestly, I considered it like my public living room,” he said, noting that what was a laid back casual space by day could often turn into a “bumping” social atmosphere by night.

“It’s not just a music venue. It’s not just a restaurant. It’s definitely a community spot,” he said, in reference to the Dodger’s studio space and art gallery.

Memories of the business will live on because of who played there and the vibe the place has created, McLean said.

“It’s legendary, in my opinion,” he said, adding that while the business was progressive for Regina, it didn’t fall victim to being too ahead of its time. “They took a really gentle, but also dogged approach to the whole model.”

While McLean feels sad about the Dodger closing, he says he’s excited to see what comes next for the members of the staff, who plan to open a new business at a new location.

“We’re hoping to be open in February,” said Kelly Cairns, one of five Dodger staffers who intend to operate the new business together.

The five have been managing the Dodger together since January, Cairns said, but rent at its 11th Avenue building has gone up, making the cost of doing business no longer sustainable.

The name of the new business and its exact location isn’t information the group is ready to release at this point, but Cairns did say they intend to transplant the Dodger’s library and to host live music events.

However, the new business will be “a lot more food and drink focused,” she said, noting that the group plans to emphasize the skills of a new chef.

Despite being excited about her new venture, Cairns, who has been with the Dodger since the beginning, suspects closing up shop will be an emotional experience for all involved.

“That’s kind of why we just want to go out with a party and make it as happy as we can — just see everybody, have all your regulars come out in one night.

“A lot of the musicians who have participated here are performing,” she said.

Around 10 performers, including McLean, are set to take the stage for a swan song performance.