Save The Smilin Buddha! (music & community center)
Donation protected
Revitalize Vancouver's famous Smilin Buddha music venue & community center!
This campaign aims to help offset the large insurance, renovation, and other costs associated with re-opening this important community hub.
The goals of the new “Smilin Buddha Community Center” at 109 Hastings are to
• Provide an inclusive, low barrier platform for creative expression
• Create a safe indoor flatspot skatpark / multi use rec center.
• Revitalize a historic Vancouver venue and cultural landmark with history dating back 100 years.
• Advocate for safe supply and increased access to addiction recovery programs.
_________________________________________________________________________________
“Smilin Buddha Dine & Dance” was first opened in 1950 by Harvey Lowe & Albert Kwan. Famous locally for his yo yo performances and skills, Lowe eventually was invited to & ended up winning 1st place and prize money in the London 1932 World Yo Yo Competition .
The ‘supper club’ initially hosted variety entertainment from the ‘Smilin Buddha Orchestra’ to weekly Talent Shows during it's first decade.
New owners Lachlan Jir ran the space in the 60s which saw it host local talent Bobby Taylor & The Vancouver’s, The Crump Brothers, and a decades worth of performances and stories. Even Jimi Hendrix had filled in on guitar with another group one week, and worked some shifts in the kitchen.
In the 70s and 80s, the venue became home to countless punk acts and helped with the ‘California Connection’ providing a platform for acts to gather and a scene to develop.
The 90s saw a brief stint as the “Sports Cafe” ran by 25 year old Siraj Ahmed, who immigrated to Canada two years earlier.
In the 2010’s, the skate scene, led by Malcom Hassin revived it as SBC Restaurant, providing a community gathering space, music venue, skate culture hub, and so much more to Vancouver.
The space had to close in fall 2019 due to a mix of licensing issues.
In June 2020, work has begun to revitalize this space ONCE AGAIN with a new non profit society working with a 10 year plan for the space. Our priorities are to provide low barrier opportunities for creative expression, and mantain it as a low barrier community hub for the DTES!
We’re starting work at 109 e Hastings late summer. Help us hit the ground running and make the space as breathable, healthy and safe as possible ❤️
_________________________________________________________________________________
GET INVOLVED:
We are looking for volunteers and collaborators to assist with outreach programs in the DTES!
Message 6047153253 or @smilinbuddhahastings if you want to lend a hand :)
_________________________________________________________________________________
CALL FOR SUPPLIES: (to help save on renovation costs)
-Ozone Generator / Carbon Filtors
-Industrial Fan
-Air Filter
-Shopvac / industrial vacuum
-Cement
-construction supplies
-drywall
-screws (various sizes)
-nails
-lighting
-double filter masks, ventilator
-Dust Collector / industrial dust collector
-Shelving
-brackets
-Industrial Fan / Fans
-Metal clothing racks
-clothing hangers
_________________________________________________________________________________
SPREAD THE WORD :)!
-Follow updates on the project @smilinbuddhahastings
-Share the campaign with on social networks to your friends
This campaign aims to help offset the large insurance, renovation, and other costs associated with re-opening this important community hub.
The goals of the new “Smilin Buddha Community Center” at 109 Hastings are to
• Provide an inclusive, low barrier platform for creative expression
• Create a safe indoor flatspot skatpark / multi use rec center.
• Revitalize a historic Vancouver venue and cultural landmark with history dating back 100 years.
• Advocate for safe supply and increased access to addiction recovery programs.
_________________________________________________________________________________
“Smilin Buddha Dine & Dance” was first opened in 1950 by Harvey Lowe & Albert Kwan. Famous locally for his yo yo performances and skills, Lowe eventually was invited to & ended up winning 1st place and prize money in the London 1932 World Yo Yo Competition .
The ‘supper club’ initially hosted variety entertainment from the ‘Smilin Buddha Orchestra’ to weekly Talent Shows during it's first decade.
New owners Lachlan Jir ran the space in the 60s which saw it host local talent Bobby Taylor & The Vancouver’s, The Crump Brothers, and a decades worth of performances and stories. Even Jimi Hendrix had filled in on guitar with another group one week, and worked some shifts in the kitchen.
In the 70s and 80s, the venue became home to countless punk acts and helped with the ‘California Connection’ providing a platform for acts to gather and a scene to develop.
The 90s saw a brief stint as the “Sports Cafe” ran by 25 year old Siraj Ahmed, who immigrated to Canada two years earlier.
In the 2010’s, the skate scene, led by Malcom Hassin revived it as SBC Restaurant, providing a community gathering space, music venue, skate culture hub, and so much more to Vancouver.
The space had to close in fall 2019 due to a mix of licensing issues.
In June 2020, work has begun to revitalize this space ONCE AGAIN with a new non profit society working with a 10 year plan for the space. Our priorities are to provide low barrier opportunities for creative expression, and mantain it as a low barrier community hub for the DTES!
We’re starting work at 109 e Hastings late summer. Help us hit the ground running and make the space as breathable, healthy and safe as possible ❤️
_________________________________________________________________________________
GET INVOLVED:
We are looking for volunteers and collaborators to assist with outreach programs in the DTES!
Message 6047153253 or @smilinbuddhahastings if you want to lend a hand :)
_________________________________________________________________________________
CALL FOR SUPPLIES: (to help save on renovation costs)
-Ozone Generator / Carbon Filtors
-Industrial Fan
-Air Filter
-Shopvac / industrial vacuum
-Cement
-construction supplies
-drywall
-screws (various sizes)
-nails
-lighting
-double filter masks, ventilator
-Dust Collector / industrial dust collector
-Shelving
-brackets
-Industrial Fan / Fans
-Metal clothing racks
-clothing hangers
_________________________________________________________________________________
SPREAD THE WORD :)!
-Follow updates on the project @smilinbuddhahastings
-Share the campaign with on social networks to your friends
Organizer and beneficiary
James Andrew
Organizer
Vancouver, BC
Smiling Buddha
Beneficiary