Jade Barnaby

- volunteer extraordinaire

The SMS woke me up early Sunday morning, “…just saw the last 5 alarm funk show at Richards…” Half awake, my initial reaction was sadness over the news that my favourite 12-piece Afro-Funk band had performed its last show and was breaking-up! But reading it again I realized my mis-interpration of the text. The inevitable had finally happened. Richard’s on Richards, one of Vancouver’s few and beloved live music venues, was finally fully given over to Condo developers.

I’ve had my share of fun-filled debaucherous nights hearing great shows at Dick’s. With a capacity of 375, and hosting wicked local acts like 5 Alarm Funk as well as numerous international talents including Franz Ferdinand, Kid Koala and the infamous Black Eye Peas 2004 show Dick’s will be sorely missed and probably never replaced.

The gentrification or rather decimation of communities doesn’t only involve the loss of affordable housing for artists but also the loss of creative spaces . Anyone familiar with Vancouver knows that live music venues seem to be an endangered species as the city continues to pave the way for high-end residential development. The Sugar Refinery, the Starfish Room, the Town Pump, the Marine Club, the Luv-a-Fair, Graceland, the Smilin’ Buddha, the Savoy, the Cave, the Spinning Wheel, and now Richard’s on Richard’s are just a few of the live music venues to shut-down in the last decade within Vancouver.

It was long-known that Dick’s was next on the chopping block. City developers claim a replacement venue will be opening on Seymour Street, however, the plans including four lounges and bars in bathrooms sounds more like a nightclub than a music venue. Sure, I know that Vancouver’s population is expanding and people need a place to live, but the luxury of one bedroom apartments that cost between $325,000 and 700,000 is hardly a reality for… well anyone I know.

Maybe Richard’s was at times dirty and debaucherous, but at least it was an open creative venue for the masses.

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