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
Notable Concerts Held At The Retinal Circus:
October 20 & 21, 1967 – Country Joe McDonald, Painted Ship, Papa Bear’s Medicine Show
December 28, 1967 – Youngbloods, Wildflower, Pretty Broos, Graeme & The Wafers
April 11, 12 & 13, 1968 – Charlatans, My Indole Ring, Pacific Nation, Mock Duck
May 30, 31 & June 1, 1968 – Bo Diddley, My Indole Ring, Black Snake Blues Band, United Empire Loyalists
June 27, 28, 29 & 30, 1968 – Velvet Underground, Seeds Of Time, Black Snake Blues Band, My Indole Ring, Papa Bear’s Medicine Show, Don Thompson Trio
August 6 to 10, 1968 – Muddy Waters Blues Band, My Indole Ring
October 31 to November 3, 1968 – Velvet Underground, Black Snake Blues Band
The Retinal Circus
1024 Davie St
Vancouver, BC V6E 1M3
I was in the Royal Navy, my ship called in Vancouver in 1968, I went to The Retinal Circus with a girl called Nancy Martin from Altalake. great venue which got me into the superb of the era. still listening to that plus new stuff
I used to hang outside the Circus and the Inferno, but seldom went in. My “job” was making customers happy on their way in. Man, that was long ago and far away. I cannot remember the name of the Biker Club that hung just down the street, but they used to love to roust us long-haired hippies. They weren’t the only ones; Vancouver’s finest undercover narc squad continually drove by on weekends taking pictures, but to the best of my knowledge they never busted anyone there. Ah, but they thought they were being so discreet.
That was a different world, in a different time. Life was still beautiful. Wow, man. By 1969 the area was losing its groove. Still, the Circus holds a good feeling in my heart.
Just wondering, didn’t Eric Burdon and the New Animals play there one night, minus at least one of the group who got caught holding coming over the border? I don’t remember if they were billed, or just jamming there, but my memory says they were there.
I remember seeing them at the Circus. They were playing at the Coliseum and went to the Circus for short session after. I seem to remember that one of their bandmates had a problem at the border.
Yeah, I was there that night too, but it wasn’t just a short session. The story I got was that they knew the club owner and dropped by to unwind after their concert. It was after midnight before they were talked into going on stage.
They treated it more like a Jazz gig than rock. I remember a long rambling improv of War than went on for at least 25 minutes. And a completely different rendition of Misunderstood that went on for almost as long.
I sat on the floor right in front of the stage, not ten feet from Burden and the musicians. We all couldn’t believe our luck. We knew we were witnessing something that very very few people would ever get to experience.
I saw them again in Zurich a few months later, but that was a monster event in a gigantic venue with many other acts (including Jimi) and nowhere near as magical as that intimate little gathering in the Circus that I will never forget.
I remember seeing County Joe & The Fish at the Circus, I liked them so much that I went and saw them at the Coliseum in Vancouver and put up with Tiny Tim who ended not being to bad. The Fish were cool!
I e as only there for one event. The Collectors were playing. Lydia Purple, She,(will-o-the-wind), and a piece I still play every once in a while. What Love. 1 hour 19 minute piece that cussed me too have lifetime Tinittus. They eventually changed their name to Chilliwack. I was surprised to not see their name of groups that played there listed. Great band. Great night.
Was at the Circus many times. It was common seeing groups there that went to the Circus after playing a gig in Vancouver. Animals, Paul Butterfield, Siegal Schwal……great venue great times.
This might be a dumb question, but were they a licensed venue, as far back as ’67? Thanks. ~ g ~
A short lived “DIVE”? Former home of the Embassy Ballroom it presented many innovative up and coming Vancouver bands. They played original material (not top 40 crap) and many patrons listened to them rather than dancing to them. It also featured Addled Chromish and EctoPlasmic Assault for light shows.
Retinal Circus could be the name of the Era. As for me, I had volunteered to join the U S. Army in 1966. I was from Port Coquitlam, B.C. I was two months past turning 18. After a year or so of adventure and boredom I had volunteered to go to Viet Nam in Sept1967, I arrived there 11 Dec., 1967. By November of 68 I had earned a second R&R. Consequently I flew to Honolulu, where I changed into civilian clothes and with Canadian passport in hand flew to Vancouver. This jaunt happened to get me somehow to the Retinal Circus to see Velvet Underground. I recall there was a comedy act that was based in anti-war passion. Part of the show involved a child’s doll that was somehow mutilated, possibly even set on fire. By that time I was quite inebriated. I was so flabbergasted by this portrayal and of course though unrecognizable as a soldier except for the military haircut I felt an incredible awakening of guilt and shame. I stood up during the act and shouted at the performers I had not witnessed the kinds of psychotic behaviors that were devastating the whole psyche of the U.S. at the time. I can only plead naivete. I could not leave my friends in the Nam, a couple of days later I flew back. I came home in the Spring of 1969.
The Retinal Circus was a kind of birthing place for me. Thanks to all.
Anyway, too many stories. Nuance far too complex.