October 30, 1996 _Over The Edge Bcc oc 45

Sight & Sound: Almost Open

_ Monday evening, I attended

the “pre-grand opening” of
Sight & Sound’s new
downtown location. Unlike
the public Grand Opening
occurring this Thursday (flip
the paper over and check out
the cool ad on the back
page!), this event was by
invite only. So, some people
got to have a special “sneak-
preview” of the new store.
And what a store it is!

How shall I describe it? It’s
unlike any store I’ve ever
seen before. First, there is the
size of the building. Much
larger than its Pine Centre
counterpart, the new location
is roomy and well-spaced.
There’s a great selection of
music, on both CD and
cassette. However, that’s not
the only inventory in stock.
One section of the store is
dedicated to musical
instruments and accessories.
(So if you’re thinking of
joining a band or starting
your own, this would be a
good place to look for

equipment!) Sight & Sound
also has a wide array of
electronics, from car stereos
to total home entertainment
systems. And you’ve got to
try out the “Home Theatre
Rooms”! These are two
rooms designed to give you
a feel of having the surround
sound entertainment system
in your home. They even
have really comfy couches to
sit on while you’re watching
your favourite movie.

Now we come to the really
amazing (and, incidentally,
my favourite) section of the
store. Sight & Sound has a
wonderful innovation:
cappuccino/espresso bar and
“listening station”. While
resting on the bar stools, you
can enjoy a cup of excellent
coffee or Jones soda; and
discover whether or not you
like the CD in question. The
listening station consists of a
several machines which
allow you to listen to any CD
in the store. Simply bring it
up to the counter, and one of

the (very friendly) employees
will pop it into the player so
you can sample the music,
“try before you buy”. This
idea will definitely save
people from the “I bought
this CD for a certain song,
but it’s the only one I like”
collection.

The evening itself was :
remarkably similar to the '

Hollywood style cocktail
parties. We were met at the
door and given a place to
hang our coats. For the
women, there were corsages
in a variety of colour

combinations to ensure they |
matched your outfit. The '

Ap H koe

male guests received
commemorative mugs
celebrating the 35th

anniversary of. Sight &
Sound. The staff were on
hand to give guided tours of
the new store, or you could
wander through at your own
pace. A jazz quartet created
a soothing backdrop for the
evening, and added to the
soiree atmosphere. Women

circulated through the guests
with platters of wine and hors
d’oerves. (Unfortunately, to
the mutual dismay of myself
and the staff, they won’t be a

by Sheila Wanner

permanent feature.) From
my point of view, the event
was a success, and I look
forward to the Grand
Opening.

ssThePaint Music 8c YOUTH RECREATION INPACT |

PRESENT

with Locals

Deen Frigg

Featuring

Dw sane

GN
co oa

ws er

710

TICKETS
$6.00 advance
$8.00 at the door