It’s about 6 pm on the evening of January 17th, and I’m about to complete my second loop around Pandora Street and Victoria Drive. Google Maps has been no help, and I’m growing more confused by the minute. Where the hell is this place??
“You looking for Green Auto?” Someone asks. Clearly my aimless wandering has made me stick out like a sore thumb.
“You’re gonna want to go up that way and loop around the back, that’s where everyone lines up.” My hero. I thank him for the directions and start making my way.
I was there to see Finn Wolfhard perform alongside Sharp Pins, Tom Henry, and The Private Eye. At this point, I had been to a few shows at Red Gate and Victory Square, but I was still pretty unfamiliar with Vancouver’s music scene. To be honest, I was a little intimidated. I was freshly 19, alone, and standing in line outside some mysterious venue with nothing but a private Instagram account to prove its legitimacy. However, all that apprehension washed away as soon as I got inside and was met with one of the coolest DIY spaces I’ve seen yet.
(@millenniumkids__ / Instagram)
So what is Green Auto? Well, for one, it lives up to its name. The DIY venue sits at 1822 Pandora St. and was converted from an auto parts garage, complete with industrial glass doors that can be folded up into the ceiling! They’ve described themselves as an ‘all-inclusive and accessible space for diverse creative talent and the people who support them’ and make it a point to remind us that ‘all are welcome.’
“We believe the arts should be supported and empowered. Our goal is to provide a stage where every voice is welcomed and celebrated. From emerging local talents to marginalized artists, everyone has a place here.”
-Green Auto Music, via YouTube.
Along with frequent performances from local and touring bands alike, Green Auto offers a monthly digital newsletter where you can find updates, photos from recent shows, exclusive interviews with artists, upcoming events, and more! They also post videos from their shows to their YouTube channel.
With the doors closed, the small space is easily packed. While this leads to a cozy, intimate atmosphere, like any small venue, it can feel overcrowded at times. Gorgeous, warm coloured lamps hang from the ceiling, which complement the cozy feel of the space, and all the staff I met were super friendly!
As the room continued to fill, I began to feel increasingly like a canned sardine, but just before the music started, the garage doors were opened and the space was converted from an indoor to an outdoor venue just like that! While the fresh air and room to breathe were much appreciated, the mid-January weather was less than ideal. Even though it was a cold night, the energy was high, and as far as I could tell, everyone was having a great time!
If you haven’t ever had the chance to visit Green Auto, I really think you should check it out. It’s such a unique slice of Vancouver’s scene, and the love put into what they do is reflected in every detail.