Paragon closing?

Mercer says “it’s been on the table” but refuses to confirm

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At Shoptalk we’d heard the rumours of the potential closing of the Gottingen concert venue The Paragon Theatre (2037 Gottingen Street, 420-0015)---formerly the Marquee---immortalized in song and baptized in rock star sweat. Everyone from Sloan to Arcade Fire to Feist have filled its space with sound.

“The state of the music scene is not what it was,” admits Paragon honcho Craig Mercer---a musician himself who performs in The Jimmy Swift Band and Craig Mercer and the Will Be Gones---but he won't concede defeat, saying the business will continue to operate for now, hoping for a resurgence in audiences. As to exactly if/when they’ll decide to close up shop, Mercer understandably equivocates.

“We’ll make that call in the weeks or months to come,” he says.

Upcoming shows at The Paragon include the John McKiel EP release on March 10, Think About Life on March 12, The Devil's Half Acre on March 16 and burlesque show A Wink and a Smile on March 18.