The Victoria Event Centre (VEC) has been a staple of the arts community for the past two decades and this week is its last before permanently closing its doors.
The closure comes after the space saw a substantial rent increase and the building owners told the VEC’s operators they would no longer be able to subsidize part of the arts hub’s rent.
To survive as long as it has, the VEC has operated as a non-profit orgainzation, relying on grant funding to stay afloat and put on unique shows.
Many in the arts scene in Victoria are mourning the loss of another live music venue, but they are not allowing the doors to close at the VEC without putting on one last hurrah performance.
Local promoters, Koby Andrews (Hot Local Singles In Your Playlist) and Megan Harton (Ready, Set, Sound!) have teamed up to do just that.
On Wednesday, October 23rd, The VEC’s Last [Band] Stand show will take place at the venue and will feature some of the city’s best musicians.
On the last show’s bill are: Sweet Delirium, a band that blends shoegaze, R&B and post-punk; Charis Tazumi, an indie folk singer-songwriter; Fangirl, who play pop punk/surf rock; and Sofia Miller, who plays alternative folk/shoegaze.
“The VEC has been a pillar of our community, a gold standard for local venues and a testament to safer spaces in Victoria,” wrote Andrews and Harton in the event description.
“We have been graced with the opportunity to throw the final full band bill to celebrate this wonderful space and the people that made it what it is. Join us in the collective mourning and wailing as we gather some incredible local bands to throw down one last time.”
Related:
- End of an era: Victoria Event Centre to shut down after two decades
- New Music Monday: Charis Tazumi embraces connection in debut album ‘In Subtle Ways’
- New Music Monday: Sofia Miller harnesses confidence in debut album ‘Prologue’
Tickets for this event are already over 50% sold out and selling fast, so the venue’s operators and promoters are recommending those hoping to go to buy tickets in advance online.
Cody Evans, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator for the VEC says that the venue’s closure is a tremendous loss for the arts and culture community which played an integral part in providing a safe and accessible space for all to come out and celebrate live music, art and performance.
“I always knew how vital this space was for the community we served, but it came through even stronger once the announcement about the closure was made, as hundreds of people have shared with us and on social media how the VEC played a role in their lives,” Evans told Victoria Buzz.
“After reading those messages, it all became very bittersweet for me because I know that it will be home to so many amazing memories and remain a cherished place for everyone for a long time to come.”
Evans added that she hopes people continue to support live music in the city once the VEC is closed and that venues continue to prioritize and empower the community they serve.
The VEC is currently weighing all options to relocate ongoing events such as Bands!Bands!Bands! and Art Battle Victoria.
Though this is the last live band show, the official last public show isn’t until Saturday, October 26th.
Following The VEC’s Last [Band] Stand, the venue has four more shows, including Spooky Slaysian, Goth Nite: Hallows, Art Battle and Strictly Roots & Clean Heart Youth Present: Ting Ting.
New operators will get the keys to the VEC on Friday, November 1st, but it is unclear at this time what they will do with the space.
