Vandits Calgary

While Gen Z and millennials duke it out over skinny jeans, some things remain perpetually cool. Like a tricked out, vintage boogie van. You can see it in the envious looks of almost anyone who passes one on the street. There’s just something about the call of the open road - and the daunting temptation to choose debauchery over complacency for a change. 

The stereotypical boogie vans that spring to mind for most people are the classic ‘70s and ‘80s throwbacks like the Ford Econoline or Dodge Sportsman. With blacked out windows, custom pinstriping, and maybe even an airbrushed Valkyrie gracing the side. 

“Boogie vans started out utilitarian, just because you could cram a bunch of stuff in there when you go camping,” said Arlen Smith, founder of the Calgary Vandits Van Club. “The attraction for me now is that it’s a hot rod with a bed in it." 

Co-founder Cory Martens got his first taste of van life while touring with various bands over the years.  

“We had a million tour vans, but not cool vans. There’s a big difference between a tour van and a rock ‘n’ roll boogie van."

While some of the Vandits vintage party machines sport immaculate paint jobs, custom interiors, and unreal stereo systems; you will find no Fukengrüven bumper stickers here. There aren’t many rules the Vandits follow, but all 13 members strictly adhere to the ‘No Volkswagens’ mandate. 

“The van culture we’re a part of is different than the van culture that Instagram and lifestyle influencers are promoting. This is not #vanlife, which is, from what I gather, getting a Westphalia or a Sprinter van,” says Martens. 

He doesn’t think #vanlife looks like as much fun either. 

“Burning incense and eating kale in your van? That doesn’t sound like a party to me.” 

"I do that. I’m just drinking a Miller High Life while I do it,” Smith says, laughing. 

“I wouldn’t want to live in my van for six weeks. It’s not that comfortable. It looks really good, it’s great for partying, it has a really loud stereo, it can do sweet burnouts. There’s tons of pride of ownership in it, it’s just not #vanlife.” 

Their love of boogie van culture led to forming the Vandits and hosting the first ever Vantopia in 2013. Part music festival, part car show, and part campout, Vantopia is open to everyone; whether they’ve got a van or not. 

The three-day event is held annually at a large rural property outside of Calgary, "where we don’t need to worry too much about interference from people who aren’t necessarily going to be stoked that we’re throwing a big, three-day party with 30 vans,” says Smith.  

Restrictions on live music, festivals, and large gatherings have now put Vantopia on hiatus for the second year in a row. It's also kept the club from hosting their annual January fundraiser, Vanuary. 

To fill the void, this year the Vandits decided to stream a virtual Vanuary from June 4 – 14. The livestream featured pre-recorded performances from Chron Goblin, Denimachine, Drug Sauna, Flashback, Ötters, Woodhawk, and a guest appearance from FUBAR’s Terry Cahill – all viewable from the comfort of your own couch. 

“It’s just goofy shit that we like doing. So it’s not just an onslaught of recorded band after recorded band,” says Martens. 

“We tried to get this organized for actual Vanuary, but the thing with people who ride in boogie vans is it’s hard to get us to do fucking anything in a timely manner. So instead of January, we’re getting ready to knock it out of the park in June,” said Smith, who hopes both Vanuary and Vantopia will make a live return in 2022. 

Public health restrictions have been a major setback for a club with camping, partying, and camaraderie as its driving ethos – even their monthly meetings have been relegated to Zoom. 

“It’s a brotherhood,” says Martens. “We’re super close, tight-knit dudes.” 

“We don’t do things conventionally and we tend to take things to the extreme, but at the same time, we all want to do our part to be safe,” says Smith. “Our van club is just good friends; artists, musicians, people who do interesting things in their day-to-day lives - because that’s who we like to spend time with.”