If you’re in Kelowna and a lover of live music, it's more than likely you’ve found yourself on Leon Avenue one Friday night waiting in line at The Habitat.
You know, that cool white brick building with the bright green leaf logo as it’s only edgy form of signage?
Well, the venue you may have seen one of your very first shows at is blooming to adolescence this Friday as it celebrates its 13th anniversary.
What started out as an all ages hub for live indie shows many moons ago, has since grown to host over 150 shows a year of all genres from electronic to bluegrass and even industry based conferences, bringing close to 25,000 people through their doors annually.
A beloved venue close to the helm of our quickly growing music community, The Habitat is a staple for not only live shows and nightlife, but for knowing the ins and outs of this finicky industry, a fact only solidified by the establishment's longevity.
“It’s been a wild ride,” reminisced The Habitat’s founder and owner, Quinn Best. “Who would have thought that we would grow up to be teenagers in Kelowna’s music business.”
When The Habitat first got its start more than a decade ago, Kelowna was still a small radio market boasting groups of immense talent like Grapes of Wrath and Retrograde, but by 2010 the game had started to change.
“More than 25% of our audience isn't from Kelowna," said Best. "They are from places like Revelstoke and Osoyoos, people who would normally have to drive to Vancouver to see their favourite bands, and Kelowna has become a real natural fit.”
With new licensing in effect, new bands like Yukon Blonde and a hunger from audiences, The Habitat managed to put Kelowna on the map of the Western Canadian touring circuit by offering up new initiatives to more people.
"After us being able to bring Breakout West, a big multi music conference that came to Kelowna in 2010, it solidified the business plan for us wanting to become a destination entertainment venue in the Okanagan,” added Best.
The growth of Kelowna’s music scene is undeniable as venues continually host shows during the week and well through to the weekend all year long.
Not only that, but city programs and government support for our musicians is becoming more prominent and the hunger from fans is still as strong as ever.
It’s not just the musicians who are continuing to push growth, but members from different branches of the industry seem to be popping up more and more.
Collaborations between local artists, photographers and videographers are becoming regular, as well as media outlets throughout the Okanagan taking a higher interest in providing coverage and promotion for these acts.
“Habitat has seen so much change in terms of music coverage from local media and that, in combination with everything else, has helped to create this fabric of industry that Kelowna is slowly adopting," Best said. "Having photographers, videographers, local DJ’s and musicians contribute this new industry is helping to make it vibrant.”
“We are just one of few venues, unfortunately, in our market who have been able to stick around this long. It is kind of scary, but we know that we have a lot of loyal customers and we want to say thank you to Kelowna and everyone who has participated,”
As always, The Habitat has been an all-ages venue, but recently Best has wanted to try and become even more accommodating; creating a new layout, offering family-friendly areas, and earlier start times for their shows.
"Liquor, music and how people move about have always been pitch points for the music business and because we always have wanted to be all ages, while still allowing adults to have a drink, we are really excited to be expanding,” said Best.
After their test run of the patio and early showtimes gained success earlier this month, The Habitat team is gearing up for a “Soft Opening” of their new layout on Friday, June 16th, which will also include a new main entrance.
“Hosting earlier evening events is going to be one of our focuses this year and so our patio, The Laneway, will be part of that. Moving our entrance off of Leon was a really tough decision, but as of this Friday it will be at the back of the building and we are really excited to show everyone how that will work,” said Best.
The anniversary event will kick off this Friday at 7 p.m. and will feature cake cutting, live music from the venue’s favourite local DJ's and a mini art installation that will feature photos and memorabilia from shows over the past 13 years.
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