Say goodbye to Richard's on Richards

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Dan Deacon's April 2009 performance at Richard's on Richards is one that quite a few Straight staffers said they were never going to forget. Rebecca Blissett photo.

Goodbye parties are usually pretty special. If you want to be a part of one that’s sure to be a celebration to remember, head to Richard's on Richards this Sunday (July 19).

After some 40 years as a bar/club/live-music venue or whatever you want to call it, the wrecking ball is on its way. Filling the coming hole in the ground will be a condominium development, of course, this being Vancouver.

But Richard's isn’t planning on closing its doors quietly. The prominent live-music venue is going to have one of its owner’s most-memorable acts say goodbye with music played loud. “Five Alarm Funk is the main band that night,” Vince Alvaro told the Straight.

Richard's has incorporated the name of the street it sits on since 1982. Alvaro has been a co-owner for the last three-and-a-half years.

“It was a learning experience,” he said, referring to his past working with strictly-dance clubs. “Richard's, being basically a live music venue, was a whole different experience for me.”

Alvaro said that he is welcoming the transition to 556 Seymour Street. “It’s time to move on,” he explained. “We’re moving into a much better building with all brand-new equipment and facilities.”

Alvaro’s fondest memories from his time with Richard's? “I would have to say the night The Subways played,” he recalled. “They put on are real production, a real show. Jumping all over the place, climbing up onto the mezzanine and singing from up there.”

“And the first time I heard Five Alarm Funk,” Alvaro added, giving club goers one more excuse to make it to the going away party on Sunday.

With only a few days to go until 1036 Richards Street plays its last song, the Straight wants to hear the stories that Richard's on Richards has made for you. Share your memories in the space provided below.

You can follow Travis Lupick on Twitter at twitter.com/tlupick.

Comments

17 Comments

Sarah

Jul 14, 2009 at 3:40pm

I learned how to shake it at Richards to the jazz and blues. Maceo and others --

Travis Lupick

Jul 14, 2009 at 3:48pm

More from co-owner Vince Alvaro on Richard's move to Seymour:

"Believe it or not, we don’t have a name yet. It wont be anything to do with Richards. We want a new name, new image, new everything.”

"It will probably be opening around late-October and we’ve got two art galleries going in. Presentation House from North Vancouver is moving here. And the Belkin Gallery from UBC. They’re actually both museums. So we’re creating a real art scene here, trying to do a very different vision."

Mike Cantelon

Jul 14, 2009 at 4:14pm

Sad... t'was a neat place, but now joins the Starfish Room in venue heaven. Saw some fine shows there... Cat Power, Pan Sonic, and the esteemed Wesley Willis. Played there once as well (years ago with some buddies, doing improvisations over remixed, skewered Christmas songs).

Steve Newton

Jul 14, 2009 at 6:38pm

I saw the Drive-By Truckers there. Nuff said.

Missing Richard's Already

Jul 14, 2009 at 10:34pm

What show wasn't great at Richards. Full house or 20 people, the acoustics were great, sight lines perfect and just the right number of people. It's going to be a hard venue of that size to beat. Many a great show in recent years; Wolfmother, English Beat, BRMC,The National, Band of Horses, Champion, !!!, Gogol Bordello, Stephen Malkmus, Black Lips, Dan Deacon, The Aliens, Shout Out Out Out Out, From the Jam, Wolf Parade, etc...I think I'm about to cry. To not be there Sunday would feel incomplete. I certainly won't miss the gross bathrooms though. Stupid condos.

John Lucas

Jul 15, 2009 at 9:44am

I remember seeing Mogwai there for the first time. They played unconscionably loud. That was the night I decided to get my custom earplugs made.

webbgerl

Jul 15, 2009 at 11:26am

my most memorable show was the Eels. A chance to get up close to my most favorite dog faced musician. I feel like crying too. Just like when they demolished Larry's Hideaway in Toronto.

Mack

Jul 15, 2009 at 11:56am

Urge Overkill reunion show in 2005 (?) was insane

YVRGuy

Jul 15, 2009 at 1:56pm

As a area resident I must say I am looking forward to the demolition! Those of us in the area are planning our own celebration but it doesn't involve in any noise...

Dan

Jul 15, 2009 at 2:49pm

Will always remember the time I saw Sufjan Stevens there a few years back. Spine tingling stuff, enhanced by a venue just the right size, with just the right intimacy. Sad.