Eastside Studios’ new venue, the Birdhouse, takes flight

Eastside Studios might have had to move their nightlife out of the Warehouse, but they have found a new events venue. Now the queer nightlife and art organizers are hosting their first event in the Birdhouse, Lift-Off, on April 21. 

“Our first event is not only a kick-off and welcome to our brand new baby, but also a fundraiser to help us make this space *chef’s kiss* damn near perfect for you!” reads the Instagram post announcing the event, which will raise money to help renovate their new home.

Desirée Dawson, winner of CBC’s Searchlight talent contest in 2016, will perform at the fundraiser. DJs Ponyboy, Bella Sie and Easy Bake Coven will spin tunes, and there’ll be features from drag performers Maiden China, Jas Minh, Rose Butch, Shay Dior, Cookie, Bongganisa and Skim.

The Warehouse was the hub of Vancouver’s alternate gay scene, catering to queer women, LGBTQ2S+ people of colour, and non-binary and trans people more significantly than Davie Village’s largely cis gay male-oriented night clubs. However, Eastside Flea and other events remain running at the Warehouse for the foreseeable future and hopefully into the fall.

While slightly less east than their previous home at 550 Malkin Avenue, the Birdhouse is similarly a squat industrial space that hopes to continue that inclusive legacy. 

According to the organizers, “Every sexy second-hand warehouse comes with a sky-high to-do list with pretty juicy price tags… To open our next chapter with you, we humbly ask for your support!” 

Planned improvements include multi-stall washrooms, a running water station, a private smoking patio, a chill lounge area, custom art and murals, as well as staging and sound upgrades and building renovations. 

Matt Smith, senior vice president of industrial leases at Colliers, told the Straight that, just like the Warehouse before it, the Birdhouse will probably be redeveloped in the future.

“It will likely be a shorter-term deal (one to three years),” Smith said in an email.

Eastside Studios’s Lift-Off fundraiser takes place on April 21 at The Birdhouse. Tickets start at $15 and are available here. 

April 5, 5.25pm: This article has been updated to reflect the fact that Eastside Flea and non-nightlife events at 550 Malkin will continue.