Dancing Days

Shawn Creamer and his team are gearing up for good times at The Hayloft Dancehall

It has been four years since Shawn Creamer and his family took the plunge and waded into the waters of business ownership in the County by purchasing The Hayloft in Cherry Valley. For Creamer, his wife Shannon Kohlmeier, and their business partner Trisha Cook, it was also step towards getting out of the madness of the city and giving their kids a chance to spend their summers in the County. Creamer is also the owner of one of hottest live music venues in Toronto. The Dakota Tavern is considered a haven of good music and known as a place to see rising talent. Acts like The Strumbellas, The Beauties (in which Creamer is a founding member), and Serena Ryder have all cut their teeth at the Dakota, and record executives from around the country know that the Dakota Tavern is the place to catch those upstarts while they are still catchable. When the idea came to him about purchasing The Hayloft, he knew the remote nature of the venue would mean that he would have to work extra hard to bring the people out. Creamer also knew he had a bit of an uphill climb to change the image of the place. There are many people who have fond memories of The Hayloft. It was the place where friends got married, or where you met your future husband or wife. But that energy changed, and in the years prior to Creamer’s ownership, The Hayloft had been known as the place to go if you are in your 20s and looking to get rowdy. In those days, it wasn’t unusual to see a lineup of police cars waiting for whatever trouble would arise during the evening’s festivities. Fighting, roughhousing and partying without regard was the name of the game back then.

Shawn Creamer leaning at the entrance of the legendary Hayloft Dancehall. PHOTO: ADELAIDE UTMAN

But since Creamer and his team took over, it has been a different vibe. The focus turned back to live music instead of DJs, and a conscious effort was made to make the place a safe, fun environment for people to have a good time. In his first year, in what was a losing venture financially but of utmost importance, Creamer rented a bus every Friday and Saturday with stops in Bloomfield, Wellington and Picton. It was a way of making sure people got home safely, which was a big concern. Another factor was making sure the door staff had the right mentality. From his years working in the bar industry, he knew that a good door staff can make or break a night. From the get-go, the door staff at The Hayloft have been personable, caring, but also tough when they need to be. It still gets crazy, but it’s mostly the live music that whips people up into a frenzy, and instead of fighting, most people now take their energy out dancing to acts like 54-40, The Sadies, Matt Mays and others. It has become the place to play in the County, and the acoustics of the old barn are still amazing.

“One of the reasons we decided to call it The Hayloft Dancehall was that we wanted that easy-going vibe. People don’t come out here to get crazy anymore. They come because there are good vibes and great music every weekend,” says Creamer.

But the past few years have also seen some turmoil. Creamer stood up for the community and made a deputation to council when the County tried to pass a noise bylaw that would force anyone making noise over a certain decibel level to stop at midnight. For Creamer, this was an affront to his business, and the businesses of many other people in the County.

“What people didn’t realize was that the bylaw was going to restrict everyone, including private homes. It was infringing on so many things. I was encouraged by the County to come and start my business here, and I felt like they were pulling the rug out from under once they got me to come out here. The bylaw was counter-productive to the County’s own Corporate development strategies” says Creamer.

Creamer’s deputation was a big step towards winning him favour in the community. He was doing the right things by revamping The Hayloft and making it safer and more accessible. Creamer jokes that his neighbours often thank him for the change of direction, noting that there are way fewer drunk people on their lawns. This season, even though he doesn’t have to, Creamer is closing an hour earlier at 1 a.m. The last bus leaves the premises at 1:15, leaving the venue clear, quiet and free of late-night trouble.

“Nothing good happens out here after 1 a.m. We are a taking a small hit financially not staying open, but it’s well worth it not to have the hassle.”

The summer lineup for The Hayloft Dancehall has yet to be announced, but Creamer already knows who’s coming back and who’s going to play The Hayloft for the first time. Although he cannot announce anything officially, the grin on his face is a telling sign that it will be another stellar lineup this summer. The County connection for Creamer goes both ways as well. He has brought county acts like Moon Sugar to Toronto to play at the Dakota. He also is looking to have County upstart Jeremie Albino and his new band En Riet play there sometime this year.

For Creamer, making waves is not about stirring the pot. The talent he brings and the vibe that he has created is one that is completely unique to the County. Another new twist this summer will see a rotating series of food trucks outside The Hayloft Dancehall for people looking to eat late-night. Good food and good music equal good times, and this summer Creamer and his team will be once again be ready for anything. All with a smile.