’90s dance music lives again

The face (but not the real voice) of Black Box
 
If Roxbury Montreal has proven anything after one year of existence, it’s that Montrealers still dig ’90s dance music. Since opening, the Crescent Street nightclub has been able to bring a bevy of party-hearty acts from the late ’80s/early ’90s that you might have figured were long gone. Turns out they’re not done throwing down their Videodanse-era hits just yet.

For their first anniversary this Friday, Roxbury is bringing back a personal favourite from the ether: Charvoni from Italo-house hitmakers Black Box. As is often the case with these acts, you might not remember the name, but their tunes “Everybody Everybody,” “Ride on Time” and “Strike It Up” are unforgettable slices of Eurodance goodness.
 

 
I asked one of Roxbury’s owners, Mike Sikellis, which acts brought the bacon to his club this year.
 
1.    CeCe Peniston, he said, was amazing…
 

 
2.    Robin S brought some serious vocal prowess…
 

 
3.    As did Crystal Waters…
 

 
4.    Naughty by Nature, of course, know how to keep a crowd going…
 

 
As for year two? Sikellis says they’re hard at work to bring (by popular demand): Ace of Base, Stevie B, Fun Factory (if they’re still around), Alexia and Venga Boys!
 

 
Black Box perform at Roxbury Montreal (1432 Crescent) tonight, Friday, Oct. 11, 10 p.m., $10