BC theatres
Invermere: A new floor to stand on at DTSS theatre
The Columbia Valley Arts Council along with a large group of contributors have worked together to start upgrades to the theatre in David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS). The facility is used both by the school and other types of shows brought forward by various groups in the Columbia Valley. The “Enhancing Performing Arts in the [...]
Burnaby: Shadbolt celebrates 15 years
It took seven years, but on Nov. 18, 1995, the Shadbolt Centre of the Arts opened in Deer Lake Park. The Shadbolt turns 15 this month. Named for Burnaby artist Jack, and art historian and curator Doris, Shadbolt, the centre was the first of its kind in B.C., a “purpose-built multipurpose arts facility,” according to [...]
Oak Bay: Council commits $1 million for theatre
They don’t know where they’re going to get the money, but Oak Bay council has committed $1 million of municipal funds toward a new Oak Bay High theatre. The school’s principal, Dave Thomson, representing School District 61, made the request to council on Monday. He said the Ministry of Education was not prepared to fund [...]
New Westminster: Final curtain for Massey Theatre
New Westminster’s school district and council have sealed the fate of New Westminster’s historic Massey Theatre. At separate meetings on October 18, both the school district and city council passed motions supporting its replacement as part of the construction of three new schools. The 1,260-seat Massey, built in built in 1948, is the largest proscenium [...]
New Westminster: City affirms its support for replacing (and funding a portion of) the Massey Theatre
New Westminster’s school capital project cleared another hurdle Monday (Oct. 18) with city council supporting the replacement of the Massey Theatre with a new 1,000-seat performing arts centre. The theatre will be built with funding from the provincial Ministry of Education and the City of New Westminster. The province would fund up to 650 seats [...]
Courtenay: Superstar spreading culture
The Sid Williams Theatre Society (SWTS) wishes to share its love for the performing arts and improve the quality of life for all members of the community. Through corporate sponsors, community support from business donors and generous individuals, the society hopes to make its Superstar program a huge success. The Superstar program allows for the [...]
Campbell River: A new ‘Guy’ at the Tidemark
There’s a new Guy at the Tidemark Theatre. He’s Guy Lapointe the new manager, and he wants to know what you’d like from your theatre. And that could include more ‘big-name’ acts. “I really see a lot of potential here,” he told the Courier-Islander. “I really think that there should be some risk-taking here, there [...]
Revelstoke: Roxy Theatre ushers in live era
Should you clap and cheer when watching a live broadcast of an opera, play or concert from your seat in a movie theatre? In Revelstoke, the answer seems to be ‘yes.’ The Roxy Theatre hosted a free screening of The Metropolitan Opera’s The Barber of Seville on Sept. 25, and many did break into an [...]
Prince Rupert: Lester Centre of the Arts gets support for renovations
Everyone needs a good roof over their head and, as the City wraps up its 100th year celebrations, the Lester Centre of the Arts hopes to get a new one. The building will reach its quarter of a century milestone in 2012, and while staff and the City have kept it well maintained, it is [...]
Port Alberni: Art cuts threaten theatre
The opening of the farce Noises Off by Michael Frayn will mark the beginning of a very special and important season at the Capitol Theatre. Or it could be the beginning of the end for the Portal Players Dramatic Society. Capitol Theatre manager Elliot Drew is worried that with government funding cuts and low season [...]
New Westminster: Arts advocates press for keeping the Massey Theatre
In a city that typically honours its heritage, representatives from New West’s arts community are asking what’s the rush to replace the Massey Theatre. “You can’t put siding on a house in Queen’s Park without conforming to heritage standards,” said Chad Matchette, producer of the Royal City Musical Theatre. “Why don’t we celebrate what we [...]
Kelowna: Community Theatre re-opens Friday
After its most significant face lift in nearly 50 years, the Kelowna Community Theatre is set to re-open Friday. “On Friday, September 10 we look forward to reopening the theatre to the public,” says Randy Zahara, Kelowna Community Theatre Manager. “Our customers and outstanding fall performers are sure to be excited to spend memorable moments [...]
Nanaimo: City-owned theatre struggling to stay viable
A tough economic storm has left Nanaimo Centre Stage treading water in still-rough seas. The City of Nanaimo committed $525,000 to the former nightclub and church at 25 Victoria Rd. in 2008, purchasing the building for about $450,000 and turning the remaining funds over to the CVI Centre for the Arts to manage and complete [...]
Ticketmaster no more in Whistler, MY Millennium Place opts to replace ticketing system, institute smaller Theatre Improvement Fund fee
Whistler residents may have noticed that ticket prices for arts and cultural events held at Maurice Young Millennium Place (MY Place) have been a bit more reasonable lately. That’s because the Whistler Arts Council has decided not to renew their contract with Ticketmaster, instead ticketing local events in-house. Doti Niedermayer is the executive director of [...]
Vernon: Meet the team behind the scenes
The Vernon Performing Arts Centre is known for many features that makes it a world-class cultural venue that artists what to perform at, and audiences want to check out. Much of that has to do with the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the theatre tick, so to speak. Down in the [...]
