I got a note last night from Ariane about a hearing she had attended in the West End with regards to the relocation of the Odyssey nightclub from Howe Street, over to Denman. She said the place was absolutely packed, warranting a second meeting, and a strong majority of the crowd was opposed to the move (check out a few videos she took on her Flickr). As this was the first I’ve heard of this, here’s what else I’ve been able to gather regarding the proposal from around town.
The Odyssey is looking for a new home because its current location is slated for demolition. The Odyssey had its home on Howe street for twenty-two years.
The Odyssey is requesting operating hours of 9:00 am to 3:00am, seven days a week. However, the area where the Odyssey wants to move is designated as a Primarily Mixed-use are that only allows hours of operation from 11:00 am to 1:00 am on week days and 11:00 am to 2:00 am on weekends. If certain criteria are satisfied, the Odyssey can extend their hours of liquor service to 9:00 am to 2:00 am on weekdays and 9:00 am to 3:00 on weekends. All types of liquor may be served without food consumption. All types of entertainment are permitted [West End Residents Association]
According to a Vancouver Courier article, the club may not be on the move until at least April 2009.
The Odyssey’s extended lease on Howe Street near Davie was to expire Jan. 31, and its owners won’t learn until March 5 whether a liquor licence for its proposed new location on Denman Street will be approved by city council.
Last week the outlook for a second lease extension seemed bleak. [Vancouver Courier]
Proposed location (above Blenz) – Photo credit: iTripped on Flickr
There is also an entire website dedicated to getting the public involved in this decision.
A nightclub is applying to move across the street from the King George Secondary School and the West End Community Centre into #200-911 Denman St, the former location of the Desi Downtown Restaurant. The Vancouver Police Department opposes this move. Don’t think a 224 person capacity nightclub that can operate until 2am is good fit on Denman Street?
Then please take action and contact the city:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (604) 871 – 6555
Fax: (604) 871 – 6394
Mail: Lucia Cumerlato, Licence Coordinator, Permits & Licences Department, 453 W. 12th Ave., Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1V4.
[Denman Nightclub]
The website also urges, “This is your chance to have a voice on the matter, so no complaining about the late night club related noise after the submission deadline of Tuesday, February 10, 2009.”
The proposed location is the Bay Theatre (recently known at the Starlight Theatre) building just above Blenz, which has been designated a heritage building.
Denman street is amazingly quiet after midnight, same goes with the lower end of Robson street (except after a playoff win by the Canucks or during the fireworks in the summer). I haven’t lived in the West End long enough to know if there have been nightclubs in that vicinity before but as for right now, I think it would definitely re-shape that corner.
I’m curious to know what others think about this proposed move — from residents in the area to even those who frequent the Odyssey — is this a good move or a bad one for the business, the community or the city?
Those who frequent this site often may notice that I have a bit of a passion for all things history in and around Vancouver. This weekend a very special event is taking place in the downtown Eastside (our city’s oldest neighbourhood) and everyone is welcome to join in person or online.
Start Time: Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 10:00am
End Time: Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 1:00pm
Location: Gallery Gachet, 88 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC
By recognizing and recording the stories of up to 20 sites of historical importance in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, mobile videographers connect past to present, creating an opening for informed reflection on the future.
This crossmedia exhibition and web project remixes Labour, Work, and Working People: A Working Class and A Labour History Walking Tour using Web 2.0 strategies to expand the number of voices heard and stories told.
Using the latest in digital technology, live video streams tell tales of 20 DTES sites through enduring memories of Vancouver’s labour history. Videographers present the history and context of each site and reveal new relationships with contemporary players. Strikes, lockouts, evictions, state suspicion, attacks on working class movements…markers of a death – each site has a unique role to play in the story of the neighbourhood.
New tools are being used to harness history and bring it forward with mobile devices, wireless networks, live screens and video mixers. [Facebook Event]
You can preview the walking tour and all of its stops on this interactive map, and there is also a booklet online featuring more of the locations and another tour that will originate from Burrard SkyTrain area.
The event this weekend will be streamed live online from all 20 sites and will also be remixed as an installation at Gallery Gachet until February 28th. More information is available on from Fearless City.
I’m a big fan of anniversaries and it may have been a little-known fact that my Best of 604 Awards were originally started because I wanted to celebrate my 5th blogaversary with others, in style, while supporting a cause.
Tonight, Toni & Guy, the world-famous hair salon, is having a special bash of its own to celebrate 10 years in Vancouver.
W.A.R. is a hair and fashion show taking place tonight at the Penthouse Nightclub that will also be supporting Beauty Night.
This worthy cause provides, “beauty care and wellness programs to marginalized adults and youth,” and you can read more information in my interview with organizer, Caroline.
Toni & Guy is located downtown on Alberni at 1088 Alberni Street and also in Kits at 2179 West 4th Ave and you can also follow their updates on Twitter. If you’re able to come out tonight at 7:00pm to the Penthouse, tickets are $30 and proceeds will all go to Beauty Night.
Update March 11th, 2009: A “generous benefactor with a business angle” has stepped up to cover/sponsor the event and the Celebration of Light is officially back on. [news1130]
Additional: It has been announced that The Keg is the new sponsor. [straight.com]
Our city has battled with these events each year, from noise pollution to crowd control, and now the future of the world’s largest offshore fireworks competition, the Celebration of Light, is pretty dark. In a press release this morning it was announced that due to a lack of sponsorship dollars the festival would not be happening again.
I’ve lived in Surrey, Kitsilano, and the West End so I’ve been able to experience Vancouver’s annual Celebration of Light summertime fireworks nights from several angles and perspectives. As a West End resident, I came to accept the fact that hundreds of thousands of people would come streaming past my building 4-5 nights a year (even during a garbage strike). When I lived in Surrey it was a treat when the family would pile into the car and head out to the beach at Jericho for an evening picnic and fireworks display off the shore.
Every city and resident has their opinion of the fireworks so for many this announcement is a blessing — for others it’s just another way our city is returning to its “no fun” roots.
[poll id=”26″]
Update: In 2001, 6S Marketing ran a “Save the Symphony of Fire” campaign as you may recall it used to be the “Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire” but having a tobacco company being a title sponsor was no longer allowed.
Update February 9th, 2009: There is now an official campaign to save the fireworks. You can donate online to support this event or join the Facebook Group for more information.
A few weeks ago I hopped on board the Twestival organization team and decided to figure out Vancouver’s event. Twestival is a high profile event for Charity:Water that will be taking place in over 180 cities o February 12, 2009. Our plan is to get together after work for food, drinks, mingling, raffle prizes, fundraising, and of course, tweeting and linking up with other cities.
We announced this morning that the venue will be the Opus in Yaletown. They have set aside a space for Twestival and can accommodate all of the above. They are also going to be giving 6% of all drink sales that night to Charity:Water.
Big thanks go to the Opus for partnering with us on this as well as our top tier sponsor 6S Marketing. If you would like to get involved by being a volunteer (like the great crew that’s helped so far) or sponsor, please feel free to contact me.
Tonight, 
