BC theatres
Whistler: WAC and MY Place Society join forces
To the average arts patron, Maurice Young Millennium Place (MY Place) has probably seemed rather quiet over the past year and half, with only a few public events staged there. But there has been plenty going on behind the scenes, as staff from MY Place and Whistler Arts Council (WAC) have been hashing out a [...]
New Cultch season set to wow crowds: Despite some shrinkage, Vancouver East Cultural Centre offers exciting mix of music, theatre, dance
Fans of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre were spoiled for choice this year as the Cultural Olympiad flooded the Cultch with interesting offerings of music, theatre and dance. Executive director Heather Redfern says that while the party’s not over, it is a little quieter for the 2010/11 season. “This is a smaller program than last [...]
Victoria: Local theatre gets an expensive new mask
Intrepid Theatre Club and Metro Studio may be looking pretty swanky in the coming months, as a $45,000 government grant will offer the venues a new facelift. The grant, which came from the Department of Canadian Heritage and the B.C. Arts Council, was given to Intrepid Theatre at the end of March, and will be [...]
Burns Lake: Local group has sights set on re-opening theatre
The Lakes District Film Society, formed in October 2008, have a common interest in film and aspire to purchasing the Beacon Theatre on Hwy. 16 as a community venture. The society proposes to operate the Beacon Theatre as a non-profit, community-owned enterprise. According to society member Michael Riis-Christianson the idea has been successful in other [...]
Victoria: Facelift funding for Intrepid
Thanks to grants from federal and provincial arts funding bodies, Intrepid Theatre will be doing some much-needed renovations and upgrades to its performance spaces. With $25,000 from the Department of Canadian Heritage and $20,000 from the B.C. Arts Council, the Victoria company will increase capacity at the Metro Studio from 130 to 200 and make [...]
As it gets ready to open new digs, Vancouver TheatreSports League launches fundraising campaign
The Vancouver TheatreSports League just launched a capital campaign to lure in up to $800,000 needed to help with the mortgage on its new playground. The improv-comedy group is settling into its nest in the former Train Museum on Granville Island, and needs money for theatre staples including lighting and sound equipment, a ticketing system, [...]
Salt Spring Island: Government of Canada Invests in ArtSpring Theatre Upgrade
On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport) and Member of Parliament (Saanich-Gulf Islands), today announced funding for the Island Arts Centre Society on Salt Spring Island. This funding will allow the Society to purchase specialized audio, lighting, and hearing assistance [...]
Port Coquitlam: Carney looks to fund expansion
Plans are full-steam-ahead for a new performing arts centre and field house for Archbishop Carney regional secondary school in Port Coquitlam. The independent Catholic school enrols 700 students and is fundraising for the $2.3-million project, which is scheduled to be completed in the next five years. The 7,200 sq. ft. performing arts centre will provide [...]
Burnaby: New theatre in future plans
This June, The Burnaby Arts Council celebrates its 40th anniversary. Looking back over those four decades, we have much to be proud of, from our early beginnings as the “Fine Arts Council” which initiated the drive to move the art gallery from the basement of the Kingsway Library to a permanent professional public exhibition gallery [...]
Vernon: Arts centre stirs up support with handmade bowls of Irish stew
The Vernon Community Arts Centre is feeling the luck of the Irish with its Empty Bowl fundraiser on St. Patrick’s Day. The event features a selection of hand-made clay bowls, that were spun on a pottery wheel and/or hand-built by local artists, personalities and celebrities. At last count, there were 189 bowls that will be [...]
Vancouver TheatreSports League moving
Vancouver TheatreSports League plans to move to a slightly smaller, 180-seat venue on Granville Island starting April 2. Troupe director Jay Ono believes the new space will provide new revenue opportunities. The theatre troupe is spending $1 million to renovate the former Granville Island model train museum. Ono believes the cost will be recouped through [...]
Three-concert series adds spice to White Rock theatre
For the last week, we have been singing in the sunshine and dancing in the streets. Our spring-like weather has certainly been a boost to Olympic visitors — except for the lack of snow and warmer weather making the outdoor events more challenging. Maybe I should take my snow tires off. Then we would have [...]
Coquitlam: Evergreen Cultural Centre getting new seats
As the Evergreen Cultural Centre presents more shows to sold-out audiences, the problem with uncomfortable theatre seating has become increasingly apparent. Audience members can soon breathe a sigh of relief, though, as the Studio Theatre will be partially renovated this summer to include improved seating. The centre has located replacement seats that offer more leg room [...]
New Westminster: Massey Theatre Helps free access to theatre space deadline approaching
Massey Theatre Society offers a program of free access to theatre space four times per calendar year. The program exists to enhance the activities and initiatives of artistic and community organizations. Applications should reflect projects which are inclusive and open to the community and will assist the presenting organizations in a significant way toward achieving [...]
Vernon: Centre welcomes new artistic director
The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, now in its eighth year of operation, has hired Gordon Grant as the centre’s new Artistic and Managing Director. He will be coming from the North Peace Cultural Centre in Fort St. John to take over the Centre’s operations on January 15. Mr. Grant brings with him a [...]
