On November 28, 1947, a touch of Parisian flair arrived in Burnaby with the grand opening of the Gai Paree supper club at 6669 Kingsway at Sperling. While located far from downtown Vancouver's bustling nightlife district, the club confidently marketed itself as an "intercity rendezvous," promising a unique experience for its patrons.
The Musical Heart of the Gai Paree
The club's soul was its live music, often provided by the house band led by Rudy Morin, the son of the owners. This musical ensemble underwent several creative name changes, beginning as Pierre and His Gai Paree Orchestra in 1948. It later became Rudy Morin and His Debonairs in 1949, and most memorably, Rudy Morin and His Morons in the early 1950s.
A remarkable photograph by famed Vancouver music photographer John McGinnis captures the trio in action. The image shows bespectacled Rudy Morin seated at a Hammond organ, with a mirror strategically placed to reveal his fingers dancing across the keys. Trumpet player John Goudie stands to his left, and drummer Boris Hocaluk leans over his kit. A sign on the stage proudly identifies all three as members of the Musicians Union Local 145.
The Founders' Journey from France to Canada
The club's distinctive name, Gai Paree, was a nod to the French heritage of its founders, Rene and Anne Marie Morin. Both were orphaned at a young age in Brittany, France. They met and married on the British Channel Island of Jersey in 1903 before immigrating to Canada in 1912.
The couple initially settled in Edmonton, where Rene worked for the Canadian National Railway and Anne Marie operated a grocery store. Their move to Burnaby in 1942 was prompted by health issues affecting their daughter, Adele. This relocation would eventually lead them to establish one of the area's most notable social venues.
From Supper Club to Event Venue Legacy
The Gai Paree began its life as a supper club with live music, a specific designation under the era's liquor laws. These regulations prohibited public clubs from selling hard liquor. To circumvent this, establishments like the Gai Paree sold food, while patrons would discreetly bring their own bottles, often hiding them under the table.
Over time, the venue's role in the community evolved significantly. While it started as a destination for dining and musical entertainment, it ultimately transformed into a major wedding and event venue, hosting countless celebrations and becoming a cherished institution in Burnaby's social history.
The story of the Gai Paree is not just about a building; it's a snapshot of a bygone era in Metro Vancouver's cultural life, immortalized through the lens of John McGinnis and the memories of those who dined, danced, and celebrated within its walls.
