Author Archives: Sadie Kelly

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 10 – The Roxy Cabaret

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In comparison to other venues I’ve showcased throughout the series, this is one of the newer ones. The Roxy Cabaret opened its doors on August 14th, 1988.

Smack dab in the heart of Vancouver’s Granville Street, The Roxy is a fan favourite among new and old bar-goers. It’s also open 7 days a week, with various constant events happening on select days allowing for everyone to enjoy what the venue has to offer!

While there’s always something good every day of the week, there are two prime times to enjoy what the Roxy does best: Millennial Monday, and Roxy Country Sunday! While you can hear the Roxy Rollers, the venues house band, any day of the week, things are kicked up a notch.

Yearly chart toppers and fan favourites from 1995 to 2010 are in the queue for Monday nights, which yes, does mean all of your favourite white girl classics are in play!

Any and all country is on the table every Sunday! The Roxy Rollers have 3 different vocalists among them ready to give you the best quality country night.

While those events are permanent staples, there’s a newer week day event that may not be here to stay: Girls Gone Roxy.
The event is for women, made by women, in an effort to produce a safe environment for ladies to enjoy, solo or in groups! The best part? Cover is free for anyone coming in before midnight, so you can enjoy the night safely and for free. How are you supposed to turn down an offer like that?

Throughout The Roxy Cabaret’s 38 active years in Vancouver, it has made a powerful name for itself through a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, its diverse event programs featuring various local artists and bands, as well as its notoriously energetic themed parties. It started out during a difficult time, and for a while, was one of the only active nightclubs in the Granville area. Now, in an age where music venues have once again flooded the streets, the Roxy has remained a prominent venue in Vancouver’s local music scene.

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 9 – The Wolf

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If you haven’t heard about The Wolf, don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for!

The Wolf is one of, if not the only remaining dive bar in the small city of Maple Ridge. Most may here the term dive bar and wince, but this place is more then just your average dive bar!

(Facebook / Doug Diggz)

Live music is a key part of The Wolf’s atmosphere, and for good reason. Most, if not all of the bands that play there are local, be it up and comers or returning tunes, they have a place at The Wolf.

On top of it all, because most people turn the other way at the mere mention of a dive bar, the audience are all true fans who are in it for the music, entertainment, and socialization that comes with venues of any kind. Lots of people nowadays forget how to not read a book by its cover, and The Wolf is a primary example of that.

Now don’t get me wrong, while it isn’t a dive bar in the sense of it itself being sketchy and dangerous, it is true to its name in some other scenarios. For example, the surrounding area can be a little dodgy from time to time, but as long as you got a friend with you to enjoy the venues charm, you’ll be more then fine to get in. Loud music is a given for most venues open to live music, and The Wolf is no exception to that! If you’re interesting in not getting tinnitus, ear plugs are a solid solution!

While the audience and community is tight knit, they are still extremely welcoming and are more then happy to introduce you to what The Wolf has to offer. It’s bar staff are friendly, and come together like a found family, all while doing whatever they can to effective support the local bands playing there.

Most nights, cover is not needed. However, on evenings where specific bands have booked the space, cover is said to be as high as $20. It may seem like a bit of a slap in the face, but all the money is going into the pockets of the local bands, meaning you play a key part in supporting them directly!

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 8 – Rio Theatre

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Starting out in 1938, the Rio Theatre is a well known name that continues to impress and entertain its fans over its time in the business.

By Canmenwalker – Own work, CC BY 4.0

It’s wide variety of content has something for everyone and anyone to enjoy, from live music, to old cult classics, there’s endless memories to be made.

Speaking of memories, the first and currently only time I’ve been to the Rio Theatre myself was with my now ex-girlfriend. We went to see Donnie Darko, a movie I had never even heard of at the time. Upon entering the venue, the atmosphere was instantly present. It felt like stepping back in time! The entrance had that classic red velvet flooring, and the walls were littered with posters, recent and past mixed together to create a memorable collage of what the Rio embodied: Community and history. When we entered the main theatre, the pre-show made me think I was sitting in the late 90’s, it was almost dizzying.

In recent years, the Rio Theatre has seen several upgrades, including but not limited to a high quality art projector, surround sound installation, oh, and I can’t forget the comfortable seats! They even made it so the chair arms are adjustable, making holding your dates hand an easier accomplishment! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to accomplish that myself, as my girlfriend was very zoned into the movie, as it was one of her favourites.

Back in 2012, the Rio found itself fighting against the BC Liquor Board to allow theatres to hold the required licences to serve of age guests. The battle ended in a win for the Rio and wound up making the Liquor Board adjust the laws accordingly. Since then, the Rio Theatre has had an active bar space, giving local breweries the opportunity to show their product to Vancouver.

The Rio Theatre is located in the heart of Vancouver’s Commercial Drive, making it easily accessible to many in the way of walking, driving, and taking public transit. As well, the theatre has made accessibility a key priority, actively working to make the building more accessible over time.

Overall, the Rio Theatre is a place for anyone to come and nerd out, be it to a new local favourite, a long time classic, comedy tours, or even to the occasional burlesque show!

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 7 – Orpheum

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In the year of 1927, the Orpheum was built. At almost 100 years of age, the venue has a long standing history of supporting various types of performance, especially in its early years. Initially called Vancouver’s biggest vaudeville house, the Orpheum has changed the angle it focuses on a few times over its time in the business.

Currently, its known for being a concert hall!
Orpheum Theatre from under the balconey

While the Orpheum does host a large variety of concerts and other shows, they have three primary performers: The Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, that originally operated out of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

One of the Orpheum’s most popular decorative features is it’s ceiling mural. It was painted throughout late 1975 and early 1976, but not directly onto the venues dome, or even in Vancouver itself. The murals painter, Anthony Heinsbergen, resided in Los Angeles where he painted the piece on 24 canvas panels before it got shipped out to Vancouver. Upon arrival, it was then glued onto the dome. For a mural that prominent and large, you would assume there would be a better way to put it up. Maybe the glue is just that good?

The murals creation wasn’t the beginning of Anthony Heinsbergen’s time working within the Orpheum. He was a vital role in the venues decorating before it even opened, and it made him the perfect person to paint the mural in the end. Throughout the design process, Heinsbergen decided to incorporate multiple real people with ties to the venues history. For example, one of the many bearded men seen serenading a women is based off of the Orpheum’s Design Architect, Paul Merrick.

The murals existence wasn’t originally meant to be either, with the Orpheum’s restoration budget not including it anywhere. However, Heinsbergen fought for it, and for good reason as it is now one of the venues primary selling points.

On November 15th, 1979, 52 years after the venues construction, the Orpheum was officially named a National Historic Site of Canada, and continues to uphold that title with it’s high quality performances and vibrant history.

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 6 – Queen Elizabeth Theatre

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Named after it’s most famous attendee, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre was constructed in 1959, and to this day is the largest proscenium theatre in BC, followed by the Orpheum.

While the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is known for holding Opera, Musical and Broadway performances, it is also home to a local art gallery to give new artists a place to shine and enter the world of art.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

(flickr / Jeff Hitchcock)

The venue was originally built to take part in a design contest open internationally, and wound up becoming a prototype and guide for the future generation of theatres across both Canada and the U.S.

The look and feel of the Queen E. Theatre is truly a sight to behold, it almost feels like two separate worlds when looking at the main atrium and actual stage side by side. The modernity of the atrium is bold and eye catching, with its geometric style and curtain wall made up of aluminum and glass, encasing the lobby exterior in way that calls you in. The addition of the feature wall makes you think there’s something borderline magical inside, but it’s safely encased in a glass cover. In terms of what the theatre has to offer, I think it’s safe to say that magical is a pretty good way to put it.

The main showroom is a sight to behold, stepping away from the cool tones you can find in the atrium and into the warm tones enveloping the entirety of the massive theatre can be a bit shocking on your first visit. If I were to describe it, it’s like stepping into the past.

Even with its conflicting styles, it finds a way to remain effortlessly elegant. When you step inside, you instantly know the place is important. I’d go as far as to say it comes across as a government building of sorts, specifically the older ones, except it’s much nicer to be in.

The impact the theatre had on Vancouver was instantaneous, suddenly bigger musicals had a place within the city to shine, allowing residents to enjoy a whole new world of entertainment through Broadway shows. This opened up a whole new world for shows primarily being held in the States, and it resulted in them branching out, eager to have a brand new audience resonate with their respective works.

As of today, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is home to the Vancouver Opera and Ballet BC, while also hosting large concerts and other shows on tour of similar size.

If you’d like to learn more about what’s up and coming at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, you can do so here!
https://vancouvercivictheatres.com/Search/Venues/Queen%20Elizabeth%20Theatre

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 5 – The Commodore Ballroom

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The story of the Commodore Ballroom starts back in 1930, where its doors first opened under the name Commodore Cabaret.

Throughout it’s 96 years in action, the Commodore has seen dozens of musical legends and historical milestones, though the history of the building itself may outweigh both of those things alone.

Despite where the building is now in terms of success and prosperity, it didn’t start out this way in the slightest. In fact, the opening of the Commodore Cabaret was on December 3rd, 1930. A year after the disastrous Wall Streat Crash of 1929, the start of the great depression. Because of this unfortunate timing the Cabaret closed its doors a mere 3 months later.

Luckily, the Cabaret found itself reopening sooner rather then later, returning in the very same year it was closed in. This new lease on life featured a Saturday night special, dinner and dancing, all for a single dollar as the admission fee.

In the present, inflation turns that single dollar into twenty, talk about crazy.

Following the Commodore Cabaret reopening in 1931, everything went smoothly for a number of years, as the business successfully relied on a stable rotation of house bands and featured acts alongside the occasional rental request from a third party.

Speaking of house bands, the Commodore hired and enlisted band after band, scoring contract after contract in quick succession, allowing smooth transitions in and out of the event schedule. At the time, big bands and piece heavy orchestras where the fan favourite, as such, the Commodore focused on bands fitting that bill.

In 1969 ownership was shaken up for the better as the Commodore Cabaret’s lease was bought by one Drew Burns. He found himself getting a liquor license for the business, alongside beginning renovations.

The biggest change that came with Burn’s ownership? The name. It was then that the Commodore Cabaret official because what it’s now known as: The Commodore Ballroom.

Under the ownership of Burns, the Commodore faced a major boost in popularity and notoriety. All genres were welcome on the Commodore’s stage, and it showed in the variety of musical legends who made the stage their own.

Burns is also known for managing to book and bring in artists who had never come to Vancouver before.

All and all, it’s safe to say Drew Burns is a key part of the Commodore Ballroom’s history and long-term success.

However, all good things must come to an end. In 1995, his lease expired, and in time the lease went up for sale. Due to unsuccessful attempts at selling the property, it was forced to close its doors again in 1996.

Fortunately, the Commodore Ballroom reopened in 1999, and has since remained an important and well respected multi purpose venue for everyone to enjoy, hosting a rough estimate of 120,000 guests annually.

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 4 – Vouge Theatre

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the Vouge Theatre is a well known classic among Vancouver’s various musical venues. It was originally built way back in 1941, where it was strictly showing movies and performative arts, a combo seen as unusual back then. In this current day and age, it also supports live music, community events, and rentals.

In 1993, Vouge Theatre was officially recognized as a historic site in the eyes of the government due to the various reasons though one visible reason is the buildings architecture. It’s preservation of the styles the 1940’s where known for is a big seller, while also capturing the idea that functionality and aesthetic can go hand in hand. For example, the venue’s curved walls aren’t just there to please the eyes of customers, but to act as acoustic enhancements.

The style of Vouge Theatre has bled into that of other venues, symbolizing Vouge’s status as a veteran of the Granville Strip and Theatre Row.

in 2006, Vouge Theatre was bought by the Gibbons Hospitality Group (Now known as the MRG Group) who quickly proposed that the theatre be converted. Into what? Well, an ‘entertainment club’ of course… The number one concern people had with the concept of a conversion was not the loss of the movies and performative arts, but more about whether or not the change would include big differences in the buildings original interior.

While this initial plan was still being thought out, Vouge Theatre found it’s way onto the Top 10 Endangered Places list in 2007, but has since had it’s status changed to ‘saved.’ It would seem as though the original status of being an endangered place may have been due to the costs of rehabilitating the theatre, alongside the uncertainty of whether or not financial assistance from the federal government would actually come. Due to the venue being recognized as a historic site, it should’ve been able to receive any kind of support. unfortunately, there is an ongoing lack of protection and support Canada’s National Historic Sites.

Luckily, in 2010, the MRG group instead went ahead with a rehabilitation plan over a conversion plan. The results of this were a repaint with the theatre original colours, restoration of the classic neon sign, an expansion of the main stage, installation of a new boiler, and installation of a high-definition projector.

The venue’s website offers lots in terms of information, both through their about page and FAQ. If you’d like to check it out for yourself, you can do so here:
https://voguetheatre.com/

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 3 – The Pearl

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The Pearl is a well known venue located on Vancouver’s Granville Street Strip. While it’s only been open for 3 years, it’s made a name and place for itself as one of the most popular and well known concert venues in the heart of Vancouver.

While concerts are what most people think of when they consider what The Pearl hosts, the venue is capable of handling many different types of events. Some options include club nights, community events, film shoots, corporate rentals, and even daytime conferences!

This is a place I’ve been to many a time, it’s an amazing place where you can make amazing memories and hear awesome music. The Pearl is a venue that accommodates a large variety of shows. Be it big artists on global tours (singers and comedians alike) or local artists getting ready to hit the big stage, The Pearl is ready to give them a place to shine.

If you haven’t experienced The Pearl for yourself yet, I sincerely hope you get the chance to do so soon. It’s a great place for a first concert, as it gives you the chance to truly get lost in a crowd, make new friends, new memories, and leave with more stories to tell then you had before!

The venue also cares about accessibility, valuing it’s customers and fans no matter the situation. With street level entrances and main floor washrooms, people with wheelchairs or other mobility aids are accepted and welcomed with open arms.

The Pearl is a place for anyone and everyone, and they make sure to confirm that fact in many ways. Recently, they did just that yet again by giving the stage and to the Girls to the Front Fest back in march. The festival, like it’s name suggests, brought female, non-binary, and other LGBTQIA2S+ artists to the front. On top of the performance itself, the festival also showcased comedy performances alongside a DIY market and door prizes, while making sure to focus on community building throughout the event. Tickets were priced at $25, with a portion of the profits being given to a local women’s shelter to enhance the point of supporting women in Vancouver’s local music scene.

Independently owned and operated, The Pearl’s new owners have a solid goal: Contribute to reviving Granville Street and help it become the cities hub for nightlife and culture.

If you’re interested in seeing what the venue looks like, The Pearl’s website showcases the Show Gallery, a page dedicated to photos from various events that you can look through whenever you so please.

You can check out their official website here!
https://thepearlvancouver.com/

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 2 – Red Gate Arts Society

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Red Gate Arts Society is a long standing venue that remains to be a stable center for Vancouver’s local music scene. It was officially founded in 2012, and is a well known place where many people can celebrate the musical art Vancouver has to offer.

This venue is one of the few that is actively supported by the City of Vancouver, as well as Creative BC, a feat that not many local venues can come close to accomplishing. Even with these connections, I can’t help but wonder what kind of hoops the society has to do from an administrative angle to keep that support coming, as the city is notorious for working against venues that support local music, especially that of the Alternative variety.

In other news, Red Gate it is one of the few venues I’ve seen with a YouTube channel that, while no longer posts actively, still serves as an archive if you were ever interested in diving into their past content.

Unsure of where to start? Check out this old set!

This set is just one of many, so don’t be afraid to check out what else they have to offer!

If you aren’t interested in their past content, you can still keep an eye on what’s currently happening through the societies primary website, which at first glance is just a constant live feed of what is either playing right then and there, or whatever played last. That said, the entire website isn’t just that, it also allows you to see what shows are coming up, and is where to go if you are wanting to buy tickets in advance!

The space also doubles as an art space, allowing artists to express themself in more ways then one.

Unfortunately, I have not had the chance to experience this venue for myself, but from what I’ve heard and seen, online or through friends, this venue is an amazing place to have an amazing experience, so I do highly recommend checking it out. For all you know, you may run into me there!

Currently, Red Gate is collaborating with Girls Rock Camp Vancouver to host various workshops to introduce anyone interested to the basics of making music. 4 separate workshop days were scheduled, and while the first two days have already passed, there are still two more days for you participate in!

On the 23rd of May, you can be introduced to the basics of guitars, alongside their amps and pedals. You’ll be shown multiple types of everything, giving you the chance to become well versed in multiple types of guitars, amps, and pedals!

The last day is on June 20th, where the focus is recording. Different types of recording software will be introduced, and you’ll get to see and learn how to record on it all accordingly!

Do you want to know more about what the Red Gate Arts Society is up to? Follow them on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/redgateartssociety/

Vancouver Venue Showcase Part 1 – Green Auto

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Green Auto is one of Vancouver’s favourite local venues for music in the punk, rock, and alternative realms. Having opened at some point between 2023 and 2024, the venue has had a time to make a name for itself, and boy has it.

It was my introduction to Vancouver’s local music scene, and a pretty good one at that. I’m not usually a big fan of loud spaces and tight crowds, but I still found myself having a blast listening to both the bands playing and the crowd cheering. Seeing all sorts of people coming together, dancing, moshing, laughing, signing along, it really was beautiful. It wasn’t what I was expecting, though it really opened my eyes!

The venue itself is open to all ages, and while lists at the door and advance ticket prices, tends to remain PWYC (pay what you can), making it an accessible place for everyone.

If you’re new to the local punk scene, Green Auto is definitely a good place to start. It’s an active venue that always has something coming up, it’ll reel you in and keep you coming back to explore the various artists it has to offer you. It may seem overwhelming at first, but Green Auto is home to an outdoor space that allows you to take a breath and calm down if you need. Plus, it’s much easier to talk with new people you may meet outdoors where the music isn’t as loud.

Are you interested yet? If not, don’t worry! I’m here to fill you in on what’s coming up!

This Thursday is a big day, with two back to back shows featuring 4 bands and artists each! From Big Deal, Bry Lovejoy, Ira Hardly, and Hanna Harlacher, to Deaf Dogs, Blue Rivera, Too Much of Anything, and Kama Sutra Murder, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

That’s just on a random Thursday, do you want to know what’s going on in the future? Then follow Green Auto on Instagram to get updated on the latest shows, you don’t want to miss out on these awesome opportunities!
https://www.instagram.com/greenautomusic/

If you somehow aren’t interested in the music, maybe you’ll be interested in the people! The community is incredibly diverse, and you never know, it could be where you meet new friends or other like minded people. You won’t know unless you put yourself out there, so don’t be afraid to try new things!