Save the Wise

I stopped in my tracks today when I saw the poster for a 4 concert fundraiser to “Save the Wise”. The Wise Hall is my favourite community space in East Vancouver and it is in jeopardy!!

For those who don’t know it, the Wise is a nondescript green building on Adanac @ Victoria, tucked in amongst apartments and residences – with a lounge on the bottom and a gathering hall upstairs. As grass roots community as it gets, this place has been a landmark social club and performance venue in the east side of Vancouver for decades – hosting big names like the Odds, Sal Ferreras, Neko Case while also being a launching pad for homegrown music, arts and culture. Hundreds of gigs, burlesque and theatre shows, multi-disciplinary performances and fundraisers have happened here.

We collectively need to come together to retain and maintain these type of unique facilities that are so finely integrated in our community.

The Wise has set up a fundraising and membership drive with the goal of raising $700,000 and gaining 500 new members. Memberships are $10 per year; one-off donations can also be made. For membership, donations or for tickets to one or more of the 4 concert series in June details here.