Former location –
The Retinal Circus was a short-lived dive that operated in a basement from the summer of 1967 to November 3, 1968 when the Velvet Underground played the last show there.
Other performers included:
Country Joe McDonald
The Youngbloods
The Charlatans
Bo Diddley
Junior Wells
Muddy Waters Blues Band
The Retinal Circus
1024 Davie St
Vancouver, BC V6E 1M3
I Lived in the West End and the Retinal Circus was my Friday and Saturday Night, It was Dante’s Inferno before that. It was not a basement and was professionally managed and produced. They gave lots of coverage to local talent and brought in the best and most dynamic performers. Bob Masse who lives on Salt Spring Island, did the posters for the Doors when they played in Victoria and Vancouver. These are terrific art works and representative of the period. http://www.bmasse.com/
The building was designed in 1911, is a Heritage Site and the current home of Celebrities Nightclub .
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2013/06/celebrities-nightclub-to-receive-places-that-matter-historical-plaque/
In my den, I have postcards from Dante Inferno and the Circus. We used to get these when we entered and they have become collectables.
Mine collection include the Doors, signed by Bob Masse himself, Velvet Underground, Muddy Waters, Hohn Handy and others.
I do not live in the past but I do respect it.
Now ! if you want something with a bit of fun, Go to the Blue Grass festival in Coombs, BC https://sites.google.com/site/coombsbluegrassfestival/