The Wise Hall has long been a part of East Vancouver arts community, playing host to events of all sorts over the decades, but its future isn't certain
Originally built in 1925, the simple building tucked away near Commercial Drive at 1882 Adanac St was first a part of the nearby Methodist Church.
"Then we were a bowling alley at one point, then a kindergarten, and then the club was bought in 1963 it became the Wise Hall," explains Megan Giunta, who works as media and communications coordinator for the hall.
Originally a club for local Welsh, Irish, Scottish, and English folks, The Wise Hall has evolved to become an arts and cultural hub for the community, offering low-barrier access to a stage for up-and-coming performers of all stripes.
"We have burlesque, we have wrestling, we have poetry nights, we've got book clubs, we've got square dancing," Giunta tells V.I.A.. "The stage is available for any type of arts or cultural activity that [the community] wants to use it for."
In recent years acts like Wolf Parade, Pup, and Orville Peck have taken to the Wise Hall stage.
COVID-19, loans and financial stability
However, like other event spaces in Vancouver, especially not-for-profit organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard. The Wise Hall made it to 2024, but its ongoing survival is uncertain due to money issues.
"The financial troubles mostly stem from COVID government loans," says Giunta. "We were closed for the better part of two years."
In addition to the loan balances, The Wise Hall, like many other not-for-profits, faces fewer corporate sponsorship opportunities, rising costs, rising property values (though they are paid up on their property taxes) and dwindling grant opportunities.
"Due to the public health crisis a lot of money was tied up in other things," Giunta says. "Arts and culture fell by the wayside as far as grants."
Fundraising, membership, and financial stability
Currently, The Wise Hall has a double-barrelled financial goal. They launched a campaign in May to raise $200,000 to cover the Wise Hall over the summer; less urgently the not-for-profit organization needs to raise an additional $500,000 over the next year to keep them in good shape.
"We're struggling to get back on our feet," Giunta says.
The total, $700,000, would give them a solid future - barring new issues that crop up.
"If we raised that [amount] over the next year it would put some traction under our long-term goals," Giunta adds.
The good news is that there's been a solid start to the fundraising campaign. So far, about $41,000 has been raised. The club has 1,347 new members, as well. That's more than double the goal of 500. For a $10 membership gives people voting rights and other benefits.
Free memberships are available as well, giving people access to the hall.
"That will let you into our lounge; everyone is welcome," Giunta explains. "There's pool, darts, board games; we welcome people to bring their own snacks and hang out."
The community support has been big, as well. People have been stopping by to share stories about The Wise Hall and its role in their lives. And Nardwuar has even penned a letter of support.
"The Wise Hall is a truly irreplaceable space for the Vancouver artistic community," reads part of his letter.
Help is coming from other corners, as well; local brewery Strange Fellows has stepped up, as have the Rio Theatre and Vancouver Folk Fest.
Concerts, tickets, and financial stability
To aid in the fundraising efforts, a concert series has been planned. Four 19+ shows will be held in June; more are in the planning stages, but details are still being worked out.
The first four will feature a festival's worth of local acts; in total 17 bands will take to the stage, from punk rockers Alien Boys to the self-described "hottest, queerest" band in Vancouver Queer as Funk to dance party orchestra Balkan Shmalkan.
"All four nights, all those bands are volunteering their time to us," says Giunta, noting many are on tour over the next few months. "It's pretty heartwarming to see these people take time out of their summers."
Shows are scheduled for June 14, 15, 28, and 29. Each night doors will open at 7 p.m. with opening bands taking the stage at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 online or $40 at the door; while online tickets may sell out in advance Giunta says there will be a limited number of tickets available each night at the door.
The shows will also feature something new for the Wise Hall: Merch. T-Shirt People will be set up to print custom versions of Wise Hall shirts for the first two nights. Back stock will be made as well for future sales at Wise Hall.
With the community support coming in so many ways, Giunta says it hasn't occurred to her that The Wise Hall will actually close due to it's situation.
"It's really been inspiring and humbling to see some of the people who've come forward to offer support and reaffirm how much this place means to the community," she says.
