Slated to re-open in November, the Waldorf Hotel in East Vancouver is currently undergoing major restorations and renovations. Located along a lonely stretch of East Hastings, this historic landmark is set to revitalize creative arts and nightlife in this area of town.
“The Waldorf Hotel, designed in 1947 by architects Mercer & Mercer, was remarkable from the beginning for its modernist style. In 1955, capitalizing on an emerging interest in Polynesian culture, the complex was transformed into one of North America’s most renowned tiki themed bars and hotels. A post-war phenomenon, tiki culture was rooted partially in the nostalgic tropical memories of returned soldiers but also in the erotic fantasies of a middle class fascinated by the exotic and forbidden. The original architects reworked existing interiors, creating a space dedicated to artifice and escapism.” [source]
The Tiki Room has remained intact during the renovation process and for good reason, as its historic significance is unmatched. Themed in the early 50s, it is one of the oldest Tiki Bars of its kind in the world (rumoured only to be surpassed by one San Francisco establishment).
Aside from cashing in on a trend, I was once told that the artifacts found in the room are from the owner’s trip to the South Pacific, including a painting of a naked Polynesian woman that hangs on the wall. The small flower garland worn by the woman was painted-on after it was hung up at the Waldorf (this was to comply with BC liquor board laws at the time).
The Waldorf’s multi-room grand re-opening party will take place October 30th and after that it will be a new hub for dancing, DJs, coffee chats, workshops, unconferences, tweetups, meetups, rock shows, and more.
Psychic and medium Chip Coffey, known most recently for his consulting on A&E’s Paranormal State, will be coming to town today to seek out the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver‘s “Lady in Red”.
Back in the 1940s, a lady by the name of Jennie Pearl Cox was a regular at the Fairmont Hotel’s ballroom. Tragically, she was killed in a car crash outside the hotel in 1944. She died in her favorite outfit, an elegant red dress. Her ghost has been seen on the 14th floor of the hotel where she causes the elevator to make unscheduled stops and is seen gliding down the hallways, her long red dress flowing behind her. [source]
Chip will host a Q&A session with guests at the event, with the “VIP Experience” you can meet Chip, and with “Super VIP” you can join Chip in his investigation of the hotel at around 11:30pm tonight. Tickets range from $49 to $149 for the Super VIP experience.
I have been to the Hotel Vancouver several times and have only had the elevators open inexplicably on the 11th floor, not the 14th. However, it is common knowledge among locals and hotel staff that the Lady in Red does exist and all reports have been that the spirit is not harmful.
On October 22nd the Olympic Cauldron will be lit during the dedication of Jack Poole Plaza. While the flames have been ignited since the Games for Canada Day and a few other occasions, this celebration will commemorate the memory of Jack Poole, architect of Vancouver 2010, as the plaza has finally been completed.
The ceremony will take place at 7:30pm and everyone is encouraged to bust out their red mittens for the occasion.
Even though it’s been eight months since we hosted the world, and plush toy mascots are now in the clearance bins of local stores, many who were unable to see the cauldron during the Game will now have a chance. If the event also manages to rekindle a bit of the spirit that was around town in February, be prepared for a sea of red shirts, maple leafs, and a whole lot of high-fives.
Jack Poole Plaza is located at the North end of Thurlow at Burrard Place (just North of Cordova).
In related news, the Canadian Paralympic Committee will host its first Awards Ceremony the following night to celebrate the accomplishments of those who made an impact at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.
Today is We Day in Vancouver as thousands of school-aged children congregate in Rogers Arena to hear some of the most inspirational and motivational speakers of our time. Last year I had the chance to live blog throughout the day, meeting Jane Goodall, Mia Farrow, and listening to the sage advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Today I’ll be doing the same, posting updates here over the next few hours as Al Gore, Martin Sheen, Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. and Free The Children co-founders and international children’s rights activists Craig and Marc Kielburger take to the stage in front of 18,000. Rick Hansen, Ethan Zohn, and Philippe Cousteau, will also speak as Hedley, Barenaked Ladies, and Colbie Caillat entertain. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Most parks in Vancouver are named after former Parks Board members or royalty – but not Emery Barnes Park in Yaletown. The grass, stone walkways, water features and new playground on Davie is named after a man born in New Orleans in 1929 who made his way to Canada, into BC Provincial Legislature and is forever in our history books.
In 1952 Emery Barnes was an alternate for the US Olympic high-jump team, while he also played football for the University of Oregon and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1954.
I was just out of the army, with a young family to support. I had a college degree but could not get a job. In fact I asked for help from an Oregon Alumni Booster Club Member who had tried to recruit me with athletic scholarship a few years earlier. I could not get to see him personally but was told they would try to get me a job as a Red Cap at the local train station. I had always believed in the United States, its constitution and the principles it stood for. I may have been naive but I believed all the slogans. When I left to play football in Canada I felt like a political refugee. [1987 Interview with Barnes]
It was football that led him to Canada, and ultimately Vancouver. His time in Green Bay wasn’t long and he found himself in the CFL, playing with the BC Lions when they won the Grey Cup in 1964 (although he was sidelined during the actual championship game). During this time he also attended UBC and received a bachelor degree in social work, which was a passion of his.
In the years following his football career, Barnes opened a nightclub at Harrison Hot Springs, visited Victoria and was pitched NDP and Social Credit party membership, then became the Director of Children and Teenage programs at the Killarney Community Centre.
It was Dave Barrett who encouraged him to move into politics. The first time he ran for the BC Legislature, Emery was not elected. At that time, the city of Vancouver was not as culturally diverse as today so he had less chance of success. Emery did not talk much about the barriers he faced even though, particularly during his childhood in New Orleans, he had suffered harassment which prompted his family’s move to the West Coast. [Reflections on Emery Barnes]
It wasn’t until 1972 that he was elected to the BC Legislature and there he was re-elected for four consecutive terms and served our province until 1996. He and Rosemary Brown (NDP) were the first black politicians elected to a legislative office in British Columbia.
I see politicians as catalysts. Though not elected Martin Luther King was as much a catalyst as a leader. He happened to appear on the scene at a time when a little old black lady said she was tired and wanted a seat on the bus. Many people thought that was a reasonable request. [1987 Interview with Barnes
Barnes worked with the BC Black History Awareness Society (established 1993) to develop the Greater Victoria School Board’s curriculum, to build a cultural community in Vancouver for those of African heritage, and was the first president of the BC Black Cultural Association.
In 1994 he was elected Speaker of the Legislature in BC, the first black person in any Canadian province to hold this position. Barnes passed away on Canada Day, in 1998.
I am a Canadian citizen and have no regrets. Over the years I have come to realize that prejudice is not limited to the USA. There are different kinds of people in all societies. None is perfect. I am less quick to condemn anyone and have probably mellowed a bit. With age and experience I have come to believe that we are the architects of our own destiny. I am more interested in the evolution of society and of my situation as an individual than in blaming any group or any society for all the evils on earth. [1987 Interview with Barnes]
