The Yale (also formerly known as “The Colonial Hotel”) was once a bunkhouse for CPR employees but later this century it became a hotbed of live music and blues activity. It’s welcomed acts like Colin James, Jimmy Page, Jim Belushi, Buddy Miles, and is a staple venue for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Yesterday plans were announced surrounding its renovation.
1944 – Photographer: Jack Lindsay – ITEM #: CVA 1184-624
…44 single room accommodation, or SRA, units in the building are being renovated, people living there will be displaced, at least temporarily.” [News1130].
It got me thinking about our “historic” buildings in town since things around here aren’t that old compared to an East Coast metropolis or anywhere across the Atlantic or Pacific. Our “old” and historic landmarks date back to 1910 or the 1920s, even though we knew folks were in Vancouver well before then and it was a booming port and logging town. So what happened to old Vancouver? It burned.
“In 20 minutes, Vancouver had been wiped off the earth. In 12 hours, it was rising again.” – [Chuck Davis on Discover Vancouver]
In February 1886 the CPR started clearing the townsite area north and east of what would be Burrard and Drake Streets. The clearing resulted in logs and deadfalls being left piled high for months. On a hot Sunday, June 13, 1886 a fire got away from crews clearing land around the site of the Roundhouse and this was the start of the Great Fire that destroyed the new city. The fire burned ferociously and the city was destroyed in less than an hour. 880 buildings were burned, 22 people died. A new city bylaw directed that buildings were now to be of brick or stone only. [Vancouver History]
You may notice the abundance of brick buildings in the older neighbourhoods – like Yaletown and Gastown – for this very reason. The Great Fire reshaped the community that was in its formative years and few buildings or structures survived. Even “Gassy” Jack Deighton’s hotel was reduced to ashes.
Yaletown was rebuilt and soon The Yale, that was spared by the fire due to bush separating it and the rest of downtown, became a main player in the swinging, rowdy days of Yaletown.
Hopefully the current residents of The Yale aren’t displaced for too long, and as for the Cecil Hotel next door which developers would like to replace with a 20-storey see-through teal condo tower, that’s another story about Vancouver’s vanishing buildings – that doesn’t involve a fire.
Remember when bands promoted a cause or took a stand not just because a record company told them they were going to be on a hit pre-fab compilation CD? When they would sing about injustices and weren’t sporting Louis Vuitton tracks suits in glossed over music videos? A huge part of the entire punk movement was staring the political and social issues of the day right in the face while building a community where bands and fans came together. One of the biggest movers and shakers in Vancouver has been (and still is) D.O.A.
With the new generation of punk you need the ones at the top to pick up the torch as musicians and artists can have an incredible effect on public opinion. If you only care about MTV and your cars and what you wear, going to award shows, I don’t care how loud and obnoxious the guitar is it isn’t really punk rock. Otherwise it just becomes another form of pop music. [The Punk Site – Interview with Joey Shithead from DOA]
Continuing the Punk History Vancouver series, I share more first-hand quotes from Dave Olson.
“While there were lots of different style of bands in Vancouver, the thing that connected the “scene” was a sense of social responsibility. My first DOA t-shirt taught me to “Think Globally, Act Locally” and “Talk minus action equals zero” – bands like Bill of Rights, House of Commons, SNFU (Edmonton), Young Canadians, Death Sentence and I, Braineater stand out as other acts reflecting this social conscience. No Means No and Dead Kennedys (from SF) were kind of the godfathers to the scene – NMN were already old back then and DK’s Jello Biafra collaborated with NMN and DOA which seemed to connect us to that California scene at bit which seemed to have more in common with Vancouver than we did with NYC or UK punk.”
The band (DOA) is known for its outspoken political opinions and has a history of playing for many causes and benefits. Its slogan is “TALK-ACTION=0”. The band has been active on many issues, including Anti-racism, anti-globalization, freedom of speech, and the environment. [wiki]
“One of my favorites shows ever was when DOA played at a 14 and older club in Surrey called Bumpers. The Spores and my friends’ band AOT (Abortions on Toast) opened. DOA were really nice (especially Dave Gregg) and I thought that it was very cool that you can let your aggression out in music and not on other people.
These guys made a big impression on me as songwriters and activists. Where ever I’d travel from Germany to Japan, they had a following and commanded much respect from other bands for their political attitude and relentless touring. I think it is important how they are always on board for activist causes with a song or concert whether marijuana legalization, slamming Social Credit policies, or supporting the Clayoquot blockades.
Incidentally, years later, I sang Takin’ Care of Business on stage with Joey and the boys while wearing my Canucks jersey, then the whole band came over to party and crash at my house.”
For more information about DOA including shows, their new DVD and even their podcast interview, head to the Sudden Death Records website or MySpace page.
…Read more Punk History Vancouver….
As the holiday season comes to a close, everyone’s buckling down with work, taxes and the idea of no more stat holidays until March. Fear not social media and internets enthusiasts of Vancouver because our hyperactive community is putting together a schwack-load of events to keep you networking and scoring drink tickets. Here’s what’s going on it Vancouver’s Social Media Scene in the coming month:
Launch Party Vancouver 3: “…a lively mixer for the city’s brightest entrepreneurs, tech junkies, and bloggers, who are doing it, have done it or want to make their ideas happen here.” [more info]
When: January 25th @ 5:30pm
Where: The Lamplighter in Gastown
Third Tuesday: “…a free monthly meetup for Vancouver area communications and marketing folks interested in learning/sharing more about the practical applications of social media in society, organizations, business and government.”
When: January 28th @ 7:00pm
Where: Opus Hotel Lounge
Vancouver Blogger Meetup: “A group of people in Vancouver interested in blogging – from beginners to experts. We meet once a month, usually around the middle of the month.”
When: January 30th @ 7:00pm
Where: Century Restaurant and Bar venue updated to Our Town on Broadway
CaseCamp3: “…a marketing unconference open to anyone. Presenters share case studies of their work, with the goal of creating a commons for discussion, learning and networking.” This is the latest “camp” that I’m aware of and sounds pretty neat. It’s marketing oriented so perhaps it’s a perfect forum for all those Third Tuesday-ers. CCV3 is also looking for sponsors so visit the website to find out more.
When: February, 20th 2008
Where: (TBD)
Stay tuned for more information about each of these events as they happen. Also, as it pertains to local bloggers doing cool things, be sure to set your VCRs to record our local contestants who are a part of the national “Blogger Team” on the CBC’s “Test the Nation” on January 20th. If anything else is going on and you’d like people to know, drop me line or leave a comment.
What’s better than your husband, with all his media connections, getting you up to the Jim Robson Brodacast Gondola at GM Place?
The “Voice of the Vancouver Canucks” and me – Photo credit:
John Bollwitt on Flickr
Having him take your photo with John Shorthouse and Tommy Larscheid – that’s what.
But back to the real theme of this entry… Last year I initiated a “Free Cause it’s Your Birthday” post in Vancouver, to which anyone could add any establishment they knew of that gave you free stuff for your birthday. Well this year, I’m putting it all to the test. Throughout the day today I’m going to travel to various restaurants to collect my free loot. Watch for updates as they’ll be time-stamped starting with my free breakfast at Denny’s.
Update: 6:40am – Just going through last year’s list there are a lot of free desserts out there but I’m determined to find more cause well, it’s my duty as the kind of blogger I am AND I’m a cheapskate. I just got a “Happy Birthday” email from 99.3 The Fox’s Morning Show. They sent me 10,000 club points (whatever those are) and a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert at Players Chophouse. Since John and I have dinner plans, I may have to make this my lunchtime destination.
Update: 8:00am – Success at Denny’s. It’s fun getting ID’d for breakfast hehe. Here’s the meal I enjoyed and could not finish cause it was just TOO much food.
Update: 8:30am – Forgot that Old Spaghetti Factory will give you a free meal on your birthday as well. Check last year’s post as many places in Vancouver just offer desserts. Also, Mr. Sub apparently gives you a free birthday sub – not sure of the size or where you can get the coupons (tried looking online).
Update: 10:00am – Just tried Blenz in Yaletown, “Yes, Blenz does give out a free birthday beverage of your choice… just not this location.” Pffft!
Update: 1:30pm – Okay so I couldn’t find any place that would give me a free lunch BUT I do work with a great group of guys that covered my meal today at Honjin – thanks guys!
Update: 3:15pm – Was just on 95 Crave with Buzz. Gonna try another Blenz on the way home and maybe tonight, if I’m good, I can get my free scoop from Mondo Gelato.
Update: 6:00pm – I contacted Blenz via their corporate site to get more info. Just to clear things up, the company’s tradition is a free bevvie on your birthday however, many Blenz locations are franchised so it’s up to the franchisee if they choose to honor this. So FYI, the one in Yaletown is a no go, but a couple up and down Robson will be more than happy to celebrate your birthday with you – just inquire at store level. Thanks to Blenz regardless for replying to my inquiry.
Update Please note this post was composed January 9th, 2008. This post does not guarantee that there are in fact birthday specials at any of the establishments above. I would recommend you call ahead to check if the restaurant does offer a birthday special.
I (heart) Raincity. I do, it’s true. I’m a closet wannabe Raincity girl (since I can no longer be a Bryght Girl). They do amazing work, they preach Drupalese to the masses and their folks have helped put Vancouver on the map in terms of being a tech hub in this country. What have they done for me lately though? Well, you may notice something new on the site…
I’ve been working with Hubert to create the new banner and logo over the last few months, as he was kind enough to take on my project. Another big thanks goes to Robert Scales, who is now over in China setting up Raincity Shanghai. This group of individuals has pretty much given me the rockstar treatment even while they were in the middle of a merge and a redesign of their own site – not to mention continuing to do business for all of their other valued clients.
New Official Miss604 Logo:
Watch for Miss604 Merch Coming Soon:
So, here it is, with lots of potential for merchandising and sticker dispensing at your next local social media event. Leave me a comment, let me know what you think, and none of this would be possible without the super great staff at Raincity Studios Vancouver.
