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Members rally around WISE Hall

Noise complaints spark 'Keep WISE Alive' Campaign
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Erin Frizzell, general manager of the WISE Club.

(Editors note: This story has been modified since it was first posted.)

When members of the WISE Hall heard their home-away-from-home faced noise complaints and a possible demise, they didnt sit idly by.

They started a petition to demonstrate support for the East Side social club and arts venue, noting that a loss of its liquor licence as a result of complaints would be catastrophic for the 50-year-old establishment thats run by the non-profit WISE Social and Athletic Club.

The WISE and its supporters are now working to ensure interior sound wont annoy neighbours in the future. Theyve launched a Keep the WISE Alive crowd-funding campaign on Indiegogo to raise $10,000 in 60 days to improve soundproofing in its 1926 building on Adanac Street at Victoria Drive.

We have ever-shrinking spaces for public performance, particularly live music, said Erin Frizzell, general manager of the WISE. We wanted to go above and beyond the call of duty to try to be the best neighbours that we could be to make this a really thriving and sustainable venue for in the future.

The WISE received $71,000 in matching funds from the city in 2012 for upgrades, but noise wasnt an issue at that time and soundproofing wasnt included.

But multiple complaints to the WISE, the city and the liquor board since January, mainly about people making noise and smoking outside, have changed all that.

The WISE has asked its members to keep their voices down when outside the venue, hired additional weekend security at a cost of $800 a month, established a dedicated smoking area and posted more signs informing patrons of noise and smoking regulations.

We really want to be, as we have been for the last 50 years, a part of the community, and considering that were in a residential neighbourhood, then we want to be able to do that in harmony, Frizzell said.

The WISE Social and Athletic Club was created in 1958 as a members club for expatriates from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England. It incorporated as a non-profit society in 1961 and purchased its home on Adanac in 1963. The WISE has hosted weddings, fundraisers, theatre and concerts by musical acts that include SNFU, Sal Ferreras and Neko Case.

Photographer and author Adam PW Smith has produced a video in support of the WISE that includes writer and artist Michael Turner, musicians Ford Pier, Rich Hope and Veda Hille.

Those who donate $10 on Indiegogo will receive Keep the WISE Alive buttons and patches; $25 gets you a reusable tote bag; $50 secures you a patch, tote bag and a ticket for any Live at the WISE concert in 2013 and $100 gets you three pairs of tickets. A donation of $1,150 covers the cost of a hall rental and a donation of $500, $1,000 or $2,000 would get your name engraved on a plaque in the venerated venue.

Soundproofing has been slated in stages so improvements will be made even if the goal of $10,000 isnt met. Shawn Cole, director of education at Nimbus School of Recording Arts and co-owner of Fader Mountain Sound Studio, is providing consulting services on soundproofing and acoustics.

The Odds will headline a live music benefit at the WISE Aug. 9, when the society plans to celebrate all of its upgrades and its designation by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation and Vancouver 125 as one of the citys 125 Places That Matter.

crossi@vancourier.com

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