After 130 years, you’d be ready for a makeover too! The Yale Hotel, one of Vancouver’s best-loved venues for live blues, jazz, R&B and soul, is about to undergo a huge renovation.
Before they close their doors though, they’ll be setting the city alive with five days of concerts, starting November 16 until their final night, Sunday, November 20. On the 21st, the doors will be shut. Rize Alliance Properties will begin renovating this landmark nightlife spot starting in December.
A former Canadian Pacific Railway bunkhouse (originally serving the mining, logging, fishing and railway communities), The Yale Hotel will cease operations for an estimated 12 months, in order to ensure its preservation of live music for future generations.
Designed by Noble Stonestreet Hoffar (also known as N.S. Hoffar) in the 1880’s and valued for its striking Second Empire architectural style, The Yale Hotel will soon become a designated downtown core heritage building by the City of Vancouver. Sole survivor of the great 1886 Vancouver fire, The Yale Hotel became a gathering place for members of the community and in 1889 was refurbished and renamed The Colonial, known for its wild nightlife scene.
In 1911, The Yale Hotel reverted back to its original name and decades later became the focal point for live music in Western Canada, presenting music celebrities such as John Lee Hooker, Koko Taylor, David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Pinetop Perkins, Johnny Winter and Jeff Healey.
[David “Honeyboy” Edwards photo by James Dittiger]
I got the renovation run-down from Joe Luciak, Music Director for the Yale. An entire laundry list of upgrades will take place over the next year, including:
– Upgraded sound system and audio engineering facilities
– Raised ceiling above main show room floor (in front of stage)
– Expanded hardwood dance floor
– Kitchen facilities
– Modernized systems (plumbing, lighting, heat, air conditioning)
“This is our opportunity to thank Vancouverites including the musicians, music patrons and business community for their continued support over the years. The public can be rest assured that when The Yale Hotel reopens, it will be forever,” adds Luciak.
Joe also stressed via email that “The Yale will always be the Yale.”
[Incognito with Nadine States]
I visited The Yale for a recent show featuring Incognito with Nadine States, one of the venue’s favourite bands.
[Incognito with Nadine States]
[Incognito with Nadine States]
They’ll also be performing at one of the final shows (Saturday, November 19) and I highly recommend their set! Nadine’s got a great voice and gets the crowd onto their feet.
The five final (for now!) consecutive nights of top notch talent will include:
Wednesday, November 16, 8 pm
The Best of Boogie Woogie with Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, David Vest, John Lee Sanders, Willie MacCalder and Mike Van Eyes 8pm $12 Adv/ $17 Door
Tickets: $12 Advance/$17 at the door
Thursday, November 17, 8 pm
The Best of Country and Classic Rock with Chilliwack, Claire Lawrence, UHF with Roy Forbes, Shari Ulrich & Bill Henderson, Lyin’ Bastards, One More Girl, Jim Byrnes, Hayley Maclean, Texas Flood with Paul Kype and Loretta and the 4 Amigos
Tickets: $20 Advance/$30 at the door
Friday, November 18, 9 pm
The Best of Electric Blues Guitar with David Gogo, Tim Vaughan, Jimmy D Lane and James Rogers
Tickets: $15 Advance/$20 at the door
Saturday, November 19, 9 pm
The Best of Rockin’ Soul Blues with All-Star Blues Revue with Rob Montgomery, Jerry Doucette, Joani Bye, Nadine States, Murray Porter, Steve Werbicki, Dave Barton, Darrell Mayes, Kenny Boychuk, Pete Sweetzir and more!
Tickets: $18 Advance/$26 at the door
Sunday, November 20, 2 pm
Big Band Blues with Dal Richards Orchestra featuring Jim Byrnes
Tickets: $18 Advance/$26 at the door
Sunday, November 20, 9 pm
The Best of R&B, Soul and Blues with Brickhouse, Bill Johnson, Harpdog Brown, John Lee Sanders, Mike Van Eyes and special guests
Tickets: $20 Advance/$30 at the door
I have a pair of tickets for the Saturday, November 19 show to give away, courtesy of the Yale Hotel! Either comment on your favourite jazz or blues experience in Vancouver, or RT the following:
I’ve entered to win a pair of tickets to @TheYaleHotel for Sat. November 19 via @arianecdesign
I’ll draw a winner at random on Wednesday, November 16 at 5 pm.
*UPDATE: Congrats to Dave Maclean, winner in a random drawing for the Saturday night tickets! Have a super time, Dave!*
Tickets to the Yale’s 130th anniversary are available both in advance and at the door.
Contact the Yale at 604.681.2787 or purchase tickets online.
Tickets are also available through Tickets Tonight at 604.684.2787 or at the Tickets Tonight booth located inside Tourism Vancouver’s Visitor Centre at 200 Burrard Street.
If you’d like to follow along with the heritage upgrade developments, visit the Yale’s website.