from December 12/03 Press Release: As you may or may not have heard we are closing at the end of December. Due to restrictions imposed on us by our liquor license and fire inspector we can not do what we need to do in order to survive financially and artistically. We believe we have played an important role in the cultural development of Vancouver and wish to continue doing so someplace where we will be legally licensed. We are asking the City of Vancouver to use their resources to help us relocate to an appropriate location with an appropriate license. We are asking all of you to sign our petition (http://www.PetitionOnline.com/nosugar/petition.html) which will be presented at the next council meeting. Please pass this along wherever you can. We have already received indications that the city is willing to help if they think enough people care. As well as the online petition we also will be leaving copies in a number of locations all over town (Red Cat Records, Zulu Records, Scratch Records, etc). Please make whatever efforts you can to sign these as well. If you wish to be updated with dates for the council meeting/news/ etc. please visit our website http://www.sugarrefinery.com and join the mailing list. Thanks for your support. We hope to be back as soon as possible. Ida and Gabriel ======================== The (sugar refinery) is a multi disciplinary arts venue, restaurant and evening live music lounge. Artist run since 1995, we aim to be an alternative to mainstream restaurants and bars while providing a space dedicated to developing and showcasing "outside" culture. Our kitchen is vegetarian and our menu is designed for those who enjoy real food made by real people. We are fully licensed. Alcohol can be purchased with ID, but all ages are welcome. We have live music 6 - 7 nights a week. All genres are welcomed, but the emphasis tends to fall on that which is out of the ordinary. Live shows start between 10 and 11 and the cover charge generally ranges between $0 and $7. Some of the more well known acts to have played here include Wayne Horvitz, Bob Wiseman, the Rheostatics, the Handsome Family, Arling and Cameron, US Maple, Jesse Harris and the Ferdinandos and various drunk rock stars. While the entertainment focus is on music, there are also frequent book launches, readings, film discussions and screenings, workshops and plays. For bookings call Ida at 604.685.5258