Haven Social Club thrives in west Edmonton

By Christina Zoernig

EDMONTON – After its three-year anniversary, the Haven Social Club is thriving as a popular venue in west Edmonton as a hot spot for arts and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

From the exterior, the Haven is merely a door and a sign at 15120A Stony Plain Road.  The minute you walk down the stairs, you find yourself in a long and dimly lit room with a stage ready for the next show – each of the tables and chairs positioned to give every guest a view of the stage.

“We’re big on environment,” said James Leder, founder of the Haven. “We really want to have the environment, the mood and everything to be right. That’s why you have a show in here that’s packed but you can hear a pin drop because everybody is there for the same reason.”

Despite its difficult location, the Haven has managed to make a name for itself by booking good shows, giving excellent service, and having a more intimate atmosphere where clientele can enjoy a high calibre of music and sound.

“I think that they bring in a lot of up-and-coming and original musical performers that would not necessarily play in Edmonton otherwise,” said Cameron Gertz, a member of the yeglive.ca team that sells e-tickets to the Haven’s shows.  “Whether they’re local or travelling performers, it really fills a niche in west Edmonton as well as the greater capital region.”

However, the Haven has had to overcome many obstacles since its inception in 2007.

For Leder, it was difficult to start up the small business in a system that he believes is geared towards larger businesses.  As a not-for-profit club, the Haven had to make do with a smaller revenue possibilities; even with a sold-out show, the band could make more than the venue itself.

The location around the Haven was also a challenge since the Stony Plain Road area tends to be a place people drive through rather than stopping in.  The peepshows and pawnshops make some people uncomfortable.

“I think what we give back to the community is that we are bringing eyes and ears,” said Leder.  “There are a lot of things around here that keep people away.  We’re something that is bringing people in this area.  Above and beyond that, we’re here for the community.”

The not-for-profit club has also started to push beyond being just a venue. Leder has applied for a grant to start researching different arts and music programs in schools to create a foundation or charity with the goal to raise awareness of such programs in the area.

The venue wants to further involve the west end community by displaying what’s going on in the streets to those who come to see shows and hopes to start a small paper that highlights positive stories about the bands, music and arts so others can get more involved.

“We’re not the only hidden gem here,” said Leder.  “There’s lots of things that can pique someone’s interest, but you can’t tweak that interest unless they know about it.”

The Haven is looking to expand its audience beyond word of mouth and is open to anyone who wishes to come.  From the way that you’re welcomed at the door to how the band sounds, the venue is looking to give every newcomer that walks through the door a memorable experience.

“It’s not physically how it’s corporated,” said Gertz.  “It’s the people behind it and all of the people at the Haven Social Club really care about the cultural scene and are obviously huge supporters of it.”

The Haven is home to the Story Slam and Wednesday Jam sessions that allow the public to go beyond being spectators and take part on stage in front of the crowd.

The Haven Social Club is hosting its weekly Wednesday Jam on Oct. 5 and “The Dungarees with Chris Tabbart Regret” on Oct. 6.

For more information on events and shows, check out the Haven’s calendar.