If These Walls Could Talk is a one-hour special taking you inside Canada’s iconic live music venues and hidden gems.

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For this writer’s money, the best live music venue in Vancouver remains the Rickshaw Theatre. The old movie-house’s seats are fab if you want a break from standing, the overall vibe is friendly and laid-back, the security is less intrusive and joy-crushing than it is at some other spots, and there’s a real appeal to knowing that the guy who runs it, when duty permits, is often front and centre in the audience, checking out the bands himself, and booking all his favourite acts when he can.

Formerly a theatre that screened kung-fu films in the 70′s, The Rickshaw Theatre on 254 East Hastings has since played host to a variety of diverse acts, and is celebrating nine years as a live music venue this July. “A vital institution in the ongoing revitalization of the Downtown Eastside,”

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For a guy who prefers to err on the side of caution, Mo Tarmohamed opted for an ultimate leap of faith that’s ultimately seen him winning in a game that many others have lost. As the owner/operator of downtown’s Rickshaw Theatre, Tarmohamed is poised to celebrate simultaneous anniversaries this week: six years at the helm of the theatre and the venue’s eighth year as a live music option.

why is the Rickshaw my favourite place to see shows in Vancouver? With the venue celebrating its seventh anniversary this Friday, with Pickwick and No Sinner playing there, it seemed a good time to interview proprietor Mo Tarmohamed about his time at the helm of the venue, his taste in music, and his bucket list of acts that he hopes to book.

Out-of-town heavyweights can pack the Rickshaw Theatre, but a couple of newly introduced layout options for the venue will make it so smaller acts can rock the joint without playing to an uncomfortable concrete cavern.