VANCOUVER DAZE showcases and highlights the social life and scene of our beautiful city, covering all the misadventures and shenanigans at various cultural events, mixers, parties, meetups, and local happenings. We fiercely promote all the fun times the city has to offer along with the interesting people behind them. Follow more of my work/coverage over at RICKCHUNG.COM and on Twitter at @RICKCHUNG. You can pitch me HERE.

Volume 18: Electric Owl Social Club grand opening on Main Street on May 26, 2011. More photos available on Flickr.

I was so pumped to hear a new (alternative) music and arts venue opening outside the downtown core and in East Vancouver across the street from The Cobalt. Hopefully anyone familiar with the whole anti-punk, No Fun City documentary saga of the city will be somewhat heartened by the opening of the Electric Owl Social Club. I know it’s not exactly a basement, underground skate park, garage, or illegal operation type thing, but it’s still something different.

There were a ton of hip, indie music lover types including the adorable and always fashionable Kelsey Dundon from The Anthology (profiled on V.I.A. here) looking splendid as always. I brought along my singer/songwriter pal Gio Levy to scope out the music venue.

The dynamic duo of Grace Cheung (left) and Crystal Kwon (right) agreed the spot was an impressive joint perfect for less mainstream musical acts. I showed up on time on the spot (which means an hour early in this city) as usual and they were literally still putting seats and things together, drilling and finishing constructing the place, letting the paint dry. I loved it. It felt like a true opening as they stocked the bar and set things up.

They sampled a few items from their menu including curry chicken, ahi tuna bits, and spicy shrimp crackers, going for an Izakaya restaurant experience. I enjoyed a specialty mango mojito, taking in the vibrant atmosphere. I jetted before the public opening, but look forward to seeing a true concert there in ernest. Apparently, they’re already having issues with the city regarding noise. occupancy, and their liquor license even before opening. They could really use your support.

I chatted briefly with venue’s booker/marketer Eli Wener, also a music manager for two great acts: Humans (who I saw at TEDxVancouver) and Times Neue Roman. Local musicians like (the awesome) Teen Daze, Babe Rainbow (aka Cameron Reed), the aforementioned Humans, and others were hanging about, warming up, waiting to break the audio setup in.

I really hope the Owl becomes a successful fixture on Main Street. They face challenges like any entertainment venue in the city, particularly in the first six months or so. I can see it as a perfect alternative but still mainstream friendly venue for eclectic musical acts. I think the floor, booths, bars, and restaurant are open, spacious, fun, and promising, serving a different, hipper crowd on the Eastside. Their first true concert is tomorrow night with !!! (Chk Chk Chk). So be there.