By Hollie Grace James
As the Covid-19 pandemic shutters businesses, entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to remain connected with their customers. Local restaurant The Third is currently unable to offer a takeout and delivery menu, so the team had to brainstorm ways to engage their regular patrons. They soon came up with the idea of e-karaoke — a virtual way to maintain their longstanding Friday night tradition.
Marketing Manager Sharif Virani said Friday night karaoke, a weekly staple, was carried over from the former location at Black Pepper Pub. It remains just as popular today as it was ten years ago.
“If you were to pick one consistent thing that has always happened at that location, besides drinking beer, it is karaoke.”
After a “really good response” to their pilot test on March 20, which used social media for the community to send in their karaoke picks or videos of them belting out their favourite ballads, the team proceeded to leverage Zoom and YouTube, creating a unique online experience.
“One window shows everyone around you, like being at the bar, and another window shows you the karaoke screen [courtesy of Shine Karaoke],” Sharif said.
With about 50 people in the room at any given time, he said they saw over one hundred people pass through over the course of the three hour event.
Hunt Club resident Tesla Gagne signed up after seeing an advertisement on Instagram.
“To me, the part I liked most was that I could participate in my own home, with my child still awake,” she said, explaining how her three-year-old son was able to join in. “It was nice to get a night out in these isolating times.”
Sharif said the online platform has allowed for some new and interesting deviations from their regular programming at the bar, including the participation of children and living room dance parties.
Sharif said the online platform has allowed for some new and interesting deviations from their regular programming at the bar, including the participation of children and living room dance parties.
“And there were a lot of Disney songs. Which doesn’t usually happen,” Sharif said, laughing.
With the uncertainty of COVID-19, it is unknown how long e-kararoke will last. But Sharif emphasized that additional revenue streams are not their priority at the moment.
“We’re focused on making sure people stay home but remain connected, and we’re ensuring that our staff are doing okay.”
He explained that it’s all about having fun while being at home and checking in on one another as a neighborhood community.
“It’s the premise behind The Third, so that’s an important activity that we want to continue.”
Karaoke night on March 27 closed out with everyone belting out Smash Mouth’s “All Star.” The high note left both participants and staff looking forward to the next installment, which they plan to hold every Friday from 7-10 p.m, at no charge.