Walk into the Yardbird Suite on a show night, and you’ll be welcomed with a warm greeting from some of the club’s legion of volunteers — passionate fans of Edmonton’s arts and cultural scene, happy to chat with you about the latest shows they’ve seen or festivals they’ve been to. The venue’s executive director, Todd Crawshaw, might even be there to usher you in. What you won’t face, however, is any type of pretentiousness or formality, which you might expect at one of North America’s longest-running jazz clubs.
“This is my uniform,” laughs Crawshaw, donning jeans and a Yardbird hoodie, along with an impressive Yardbird forearm tattoo. “We do get people who dress up, and I love it when they do, but they don’t have to. This is also a jeans environment. People can be comfortable here.”
It’s the kind of venue where patrons can feel at home. Its official capacity is 150, though Crawshaw explains it’s often capped closer to 135, to ensure every guest can enjoy a seat at the club’s tables or bar stools. Over the past couple of years, he adds, around two-thirds of those shows have been sold out — a success he credits to a combination of factors.
“It all comes down to the quality of offerings: the patron experience, and trying to keep a very accessible ticket price,” he says, adding that tickets to most shows run between $27 to $55, with special pricing available for Yardbird members, students and seniors. Some events, like the club’s regular Tuesday night jams, are even more affordable.
“My theory is, I’d rather have somebody be here once, twice or three times a month, as opposed to them having to be selective with the gigs they can go to.”
As the crowd files in for a recent Tuesday night jam, the dimly lit room feels welcoming with the sounds of a walking bass line and the smell of theatre popcorn wafting through the air. Although there is no commercial kitchen on site, the venue has a generous bar selection, including local beers from Polyrhythm Brewing, as well as wine and highballs. For those feeling peckish, they offer a selection of snacks, including popcorn and cookies.
It’s those Tuesday nights, Crawshaw explains, where the club really shines.
“It’s a fun night because we often see the elder statespeople of jazz playing with the high school kids, and everybody else in between. I’m loath to be pithy enough to say it’s magical, but it absolutely is,” he says with a smile.
Yardbird Suite
Strathcona | 11 Tommy Banks Way NW, Edmonton | yardbirdsuite.com
