The Naked Project

Help preserve the story of Naked Cyber Cafe, Bob Ligertwood, and Naked’s place in Edmonton’s underground music and community history.

For nearly 30 years, Naked Cyber Cafe has been more than a cafe. It has been a late-night gathering place, music venue, meeting spot, refuge, and neighborhood joint. It gave artists, organizers, musicians, and regulars a place to connect, perform, argue, create, and belong.

I am working on a book about Naked Cyber Cafe and its place in Edmonton’s underground grassroots music culture. This project will explore the history of Naked, the community Bob Ligertwood built around it, and the many people whose lives crossed paths there.

If Naked meant something to you, I would love to hear your story.

About Me

I’m a software developer who merges technical expertise with creative thinking, driven by a love for inclusive design and a dedication to LGBT rights. I grew up gaming and devouring science fiction, and now those imaginative worlds inspire my own writing projects.

For over 15 years I've been helping Bob run Naked, by taking on all online assets - creating the website, and all social media - and handling booking of artists.

I've seen first hand how Naked and Bob have positively affected people and I recognize that we need a record of this one-of-a-kind place.

What to share

You can share any memories, experiences, or reflections such as:

How and when you first discovered Naked
What the space felt like to you
Memories of Bob Ligertwood
Performances, open stages, or late-night moments you remember
Friendships, groups, causes, or projects that began there
Why Naked mattered, and still matters, in Edmonton
What you think would be lost if Naked disappeared

Instructions

Please use the form below to share your story.

You do not need to write perfectly or formally. Just write honestly, in your own words.

Short memories are welcome. Long stories are welcome too.

If you have more than one story to tell, feel free to fill out the form more than once.

If you mention other people, please be respectful and as accurate as you can.

Your Name

Email Address

May I contact you for follow-up?

How would you like to be credited?

When did you first start going to Naked?

What is your memory or story?

What did Naked mean to you?

Do you have any memories of Bob Ligertwood?

Anything else you would like included?

By sharing your story, you are giving permission for your comments to be reviewed for a book project about Naked Cyber Cafe.

Your story may be quoted, paraphrased, or used as background research. If I would like to use your words directly in a published form, I may contact you for confirmation where possible.

Please include your name if you are comfortable doing so. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can select that option below.