This fall, Toronto gets a dose of nostalgia and knowledge with a unique two-part event series that asks one big question: What makes the 1990s club nights and raves still a hot topic in conversations today?
Hosted by experienced music marketer, college professor, lecturer, freelance educator, and DJ James Kekanovich, the Signals™ EDUtainment Events will blend music, storytelling, and interactivity to explore how the rave and club culture of the ’90s continues to inspire music, fashion, architecture, technology, and community
James isn’t just talking about music—he’s mixing it. Literally. The events will be about one-third music and two-thirds public speaking, with James weaving his voice work into the sound itself. By combining beats with storytelling, he’ll help participants reconnect with their own memories of the Toronto music scene while gaining new insights into the history of popular music.
Attendees will get to:
- [RE] Discover the sounds that shaped today’s music scene
- [RE] Connect by sharing and comparing personal experiences
- [RE] Live the music through hands-on activities
Alongside the interactive talks, there will also be an exhibition of books, records, CDs, flyers, and artifacts from the era. Think of it as a rave history lesson, but with real rhythm.
Event Details
📅 Part 1: Sunday, September 7, 2025
📅 Part 2: Sunday, October 5, 2025
🕑 2:00–5:00 PM (doors at 1:30 PM)
📍 BSMT254, 254 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 3X9
🔞 19+ Event
🎟️ $30 advance tickets per event (no door sales)
More info: QPoint.org | BSMT254
James brings decades of experience to these events. In the early ’90s, he was at the heart of Toronto’s music scene, marketing DJ IAIN’s club nights and remixes across genres like New Wave, Synth-pop, Britpop, Retro 80s, Industrial, Manchester, Electronica, Techno, Alternative Rock, and Grunge. He also worked on the Electronic Revolution CD with Sony Music, and co-marketed iconic Toronto rave series like Nitrous Raves (set in industrial warehouses) and Atlantis Raves (held in landmark venues such as the CN Tower, Ontario Science Centre, and even an aircraft hangar at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport).
These raves hosted local legends and global icons alike—including Moby, Orbital, Aphex Twin, Derrick May, Richie Hawtin, Mike Huckaby, 2 Unlimited, and DJ Tim of the Utah Saints—alongside countless Toronto DJs spinning dance, house, techno, industrial, jungle, and trance. Together with collaborators, James helped create unforgettable experiences that shaped the city’s nightlife and music culture.
Outside of promoting events, James worked at Sam The Record Man on Yonge Street, guiding customers through their music discoveries. Later, he transitioned into education, teaching in the Music Business Management Program at Durham College and now in the Entrepreneurship Academy at Canadore College, building on over a decade of college-level teaching experience.
His academic background includes a B.A. (Hons) in Communication Studies from York University, where he studied everything from media and advertising to popular music history, electronica, and DJ/dance floor culture.
For James, music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a tool for learning and reflection. By blending beats with knowledge, these Signals™ EDUtainment Events will let participants revisit the 1990s in fun, emotional, and memorable ways while uncovering how that era continues to influence today’s culture.
So—are you ready to rave about learning?
It’s time to share and compare your experiences. It’s time to rediscover the ’90s. It’s time to Rave About Learning!