Commodore Ballroom

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Commodore Ballroom

Hot Entertainment: Motown Meltdown

The Higgins

Get up offa that thing and head down to the Commodore Ballroom for some movin’ and groovin’ at the Motown Meltdown, Mar. 31. Over 25 Canadian vocalists and a scorchin’ 12-piece band crank up the heat for an evening of hot soul music and solid-gold hits. Shake it to classics such as “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” performed by the likes of award-winning country music band The Higgins (pictured), local singer-songwriter Ali Milner and many more.—Caitlin Dawson

Hot Entertainment: Spirit of the West

Spirit of the West

Forget drinking hokey green beer: there’s no better way to spend St. Patrick’s Day than by hearing Canada’s unofficial national anthem, “Home for a Rest,” performed by Canada’s favourite folk-rock-Celtic band. Spirit of the West has been singing that crowd favourite—along with “Save This House,” “The Crawl” and other ones you already know all the words to—for decades, never losing their energy or sense of fun. Get ready to sing along as you bounce the night away on the springy dance floor of the beautiful old Commodore Ballroom (Mar. 17).—Sheri Radford

Hot Dining: 75 Years in the City

White Spot founder Nat Bailey coined the term "carhop" and created the world's first carhop tray (photo circa 1950s). Photo courtesy White Spot

Back in 1936, when the Where brand was created, Vancouver was a much different place. Construction hadn’t yet begun on the Lions Gate Bridge. Granville Island housed nothing but factories that made industrial items such as paint, cement and machinery. And sliced bread hadn’t yet been introduced here (that came in 1937). But a few things haven’t changed over the years. In 1936, folks were already dancing the night away in the Commodore Ballroom, watching the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra perform, enjoying Triple O burgers at White Spot (pictured), shopping at The Bay and snapping photographs in front of the Hollow Tree in Stanley Park.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Motown Meltdown

Reid Jamieson

Dance the night away at the Commodore Ballroom and contribute to charity at the same time—all for just $30. Motown Meltdown (Mar. 26) features dozens of local musicians, including Reid Jamieson (pictured), Leora Cashe, Mark James Fortin, The Sojourners and Ali Milner, performing to raise funds for people living with HIV/AIDS. Don’t delay: this heartwarming event sells out every year.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Indie Rock ‘n’ Rollers

Nova Scotia’s Wintersleep burst onto the music scene with the super-catchy single “Weighty Ghost” in 2007. This huge hit was followed by a Juno win in 2008 for New Group of the Year and a gig as Paul McCartney‘s opening act for his concert in Halifax. The group’s latest album, New Inheritors, came out last year, and on Nov. 13 you can catch the band at the Commodore Ballroom.—Jennifer Patterson

Hot Entertainment: Music Mecca

Photo by Caroline Toth

Since 1929, the Commodore Ballroom has been delighting concertgoers with its huge sprung hardwood dance floor and great musical acts. In the early days as the Commodore Cabaret, this art deco landmark featured big band music, dinner and dancing every Saturday night and celebrity performers including Sammy Davis Jr., Count Basie and Cab Calloway. More recently it has played host to some of the biggest names in rock, hip-hop and pop music, including U2, David Bowie, Nirvana, Tina Turner, The Police, The Tragically Hip, Beastie Boys and KISS. So put on your dancing shoes and enjoy the best bounce the city has to offer.—Leszek Apouchtine