Members of Vancouver’s art scene to rally for the Waldorf

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It won’t be your usual crowd descending on Vancouver City Hall at noon today.

DJs, artists, musicians, and others from the local arts scene will be rallying for the future of the Waldorf as city council discusses the future of the old hotel, which is considered an East Vancouver cultural institution.

Tara Mahoney with Gen Why Media helped create a petition to push for its preservation, which has collected thousands of signatures.

“I think it just goes to show not only how much people love the Waldorf as a cultural institution, but how people are frustrated with how many cultural institutions of ours have been closed down recently,” she tells News1130.

Mahoney feels the Waldorf is an interesting vehicle to engage a younger audience who might not otherwise be interested in municipal politics.

“It’s a way for them to learn about what the issues are and how the issues are affecting them because it’s closing down their favourite venue,” she explains.

Mayor Gregor Robertson has hinted he’d like to see the Waldorf saved. Council will likely be discussing land-use and zoning restrictions today.

Waldorf Productions, the management team behind the entertainment at the hotel, says it will be out of the recently-sold building by January 20th.