Did you know the Commodore bowling alley opened in 1930, and still retains scenes of the Fraser River on its walls, by commissioned artist, J.J.Denny? It is Canada's oldest surviving 5-pin bowling centre and the first to have a women's bowling league. It is also said to be the first to rent bowling shoes! What are your memories of the Commodore Ballroom? Glamorous New Year's Eve parties, dinner and dancing on the storied wood floor, your first rock concert with a before-they-were-famous band? The Commodore is one of Vancouver's most legendary locations and VHF is thrilled to present this fabulous venue with a Places That Matter plaque.
Originally built by George C. Reifel in 1929 as "The Commodore Cabaret", the venue has only be closed a few times over its illustrious life-span. Most recently, The Commodore Ballroom closed in 1996, reopening in 1999 under the new management of the House of Blues, now Live Nation Canada, with a $3 million investment into the building. The current heritage building we see today reflects its original splendor with replicated original store fronts and leaded-glass transom lights. A local tile maker was commissioned to replicate the original exterior tile work.
Join us at our upcoming plaque presentation for The Commodore Ballroom on Wednesday, November 26th, at 868 Granville Street. Doors open at 7pm and the program begins around 8pm. (Come by 8pm if you want to catch the plaque presentation which should take place early on in the evening). It's been 3 years in the making, but we'll be presenting the Places That Matter plaque during Aaron Chapman’s book launch of Live at The Commodore. The night will be hosted by CBC's Grant Lawrence and there will be plenty of entertainment by the Jazzmanian Devils and other special guests. There will also be a chance to remember Drew Burns, the Commodore's former manager who passed away in September of this year, just as the book was going to press.
Free admission with ticket or reservation (please email jessica@vancouverheritagefoundation.org to be added to the list).
Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s Places That Matter plaque project began in 2011 to celebrate Vancouver’s 125th anniversary of incorporation as a city, and the goal of the project is to raise awareness about the people, places and events that tell the story of Vancouver’s history.
