We’ll say it again,

Vans are always there to lend a hand or should we say foot in any tough situation. From keeping music in the classroom (Vans Give a Band, click the link to learn more), keeping the spirit of a new wave of punk rockers (Spirit of DIY, click the link to learn more), to most their most recent project, keeping business alive.

Vans is featuring a custom-designed El Club sneaker in its Vans Classic Slip-On silhouette on its website. Proceeds from sales of the sneaker, which costs $90 and is limited to 500 pairs, will benefit El Club, its overhead and its staff of 16 employees.

El Club, which opened its doors in 2016 and regularly features indie rock and hip-hop acts, has canceled all shows through July; currently, its first concert back is scheduled to be California rock duo Best Coast on Sept. 14.

Now, of course, we do have a soft spot for the El Club as they play host to some fantastic acts over the last few years. We were so lucky to capture some of our favorite moments. Some of Taylor’s favorite memories came from the El Club, one of them being locked in a Green room with AUSTRALIAN group Castlecomer. Don’t let that detour you from not checking out all of the other small BUSINESS (This also includes two michigan Skate shops). Either way, you are helping out nonetheless. Which is great on our books.

If you are wondering, we did purchase a pair of them and will be posting them on our Instagram (@thisishashtagmagazine) the moment they arrive at our doorstop.

A little bit about the El Club

Our story

El Club opened in Southwest Detroit (Mexicantown) in May 2016, and since then it has become a go-to spot for music lovers of all ages to congregate safely to enjoy a wide range of music. Since its opening, El Club has sought to introduce the city to artists not normally seen in Detroit, such as Chelsea Wolfe and Sunn O))), as well as hosting Detroit’s hip hop stars such as Danny Brown and ICP, punk legends like Television and X, plus superstars like Lizzo and Billie Eilish. The city was often skipped over during U.S. tours in the past — when artists would frequently go from Chicago to Toronto — El Club has bridged the gap, making Detroit a rising city for touring artists to be welcomed into. Aside from hosting some of the best musicians in the world, El Club also frequently hosts rotating pop ups and local vendors as well as weddings. With features such as wood-oven pizza, a patio, lights and a state-of-the-art sound system, El Club is a new venue with the same old school aesthetics and values of accessibility that everyone can enjoy.

How we will spend the money

The very framework of El Club is its patient, diverse, and hardworking staff that manages to be ready and flexible for any service regardless of the circumstances. They are the reason our doors are able to open at all and every member has a story of their own. Some do make-up, some make music, some are single mothers making a little extra money to feed their families. The common thread, however, is that they show up and work together to make the venue possible for all music lovers alike. At this time, like plenty of others in the hospitality and event industry, our staff is hurting. These net proceeds will support them. Additionally, it’ll help us cover mortgage, power, water and various bills that pile up even when our doors are closed.

Inspiration

El Club is an independent all ages arts venue and intimate performance space in Southwest Detroit (Mexicantown). As a community venue, we aim to be intentional about working with others in the neighborhood and uplifting the city as a whole. The artist SW Freddy is an ambassador for the arts and captures the soul of Southwest Detroit in his work. The colorway is associated with El Club's branding and the design itself is inclusive of Mexicantown and its enviously unique traits and robust character. The dancing calacas represent life, rebirth, and regeneration through the sounds of live music. The shoe itself is a cultural ode to the arts in Detroit.