 Cello Player, Veer Images photo Symphony aficionados, comedy lovers, live theatre supporters and ballet enthusiasts will discover a city rich in live performance options. But not just any live performances: Vancouver boasts high-calibre, world-class concerts and shows that consistently garner rave reviews.
A word or two on your visit:
- Tickets are generally available through a ticketing agent or at each theatre's box office
Symphony
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents a varied seasonal line-up, offering performances of both classical and popular music. Its home venue is downtown's Baroque-styled Orpheum Theatre, constructed in 1927. Restored and acoustically upgraded, the Orpheum was the last of Vancouver's vaudeville venues. Today, it is the only theatre in the country with its original Wurlitzer pipe organ.
An amateur orchestra, the West Coast Symphony continually impresses audiences in and around Vancouver. Their concerts - which operate by donation - promise not to disappoint.
>Vancouver Symphony Orchestra website.
Dance
The Vancouver dance community reflects its rich cultural diversity and is a major dance centre in Canada. Styles range from traditional Asian dance to classical ballet.
Ballet BC, the only contemporary ballet company in the country, is known for its innovative and sophisticated style, showcasing Canadian-choreographed performances. Many of the company's dancers have gone on to dance for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as well as for internationally acclaimed companies the world over.
Each performance of the eclectic ballet company, the Holy Body Tattoo, has a thrilling intensity tempered by its celebration of humanity and reflections on contemporary pop culture.
Live theatre
A variety of memorable venues serve as the location for countless live performances each year.
The Firehall Arts Centre, a renovated firehall on the downtown east side, produces and presents intriguing theatre reflective of Canada's cultural diversity. Vancouver East Cultural Centre, in a renovated church on Vancouver's east side, presents an eclectic mix of theatre, music and dance.
In summer, both Vanier and Stanley Parks double as theatre and musical venues during their respective seasonal hosting of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival and Theatre Under the Stars.
Carousel and Green Thumb Theatres are two of Canada's leading theatre companies for young people.
The Arts Club Theatre Company produces a popular mix of musicals, classics and dramas for their Granville Island location and restored Stanley Theatre.
Improv fans will want to check out the hilarious offerings of the Vancouver TheatreSports League, a comedy improv theatre company that performs at the New Revue Stage on Granville Island.
Western Canada's premiere performing arts facility, The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, showcases an array of Broadway hits and other popular performances. The Vancouver Playhouse, the province's largest regional theatre, presents six high-calibre classical and contemporary plays each year.
Stand-up comedy
Vancouver buzzes with some of the country's top comedic talent. The world's largest comedy club chain, Yuk Yuk's showcases talent from across North America. Lafflines features traditional stand-up acts from across the city and around the world. For an evening full of laughs, the Urban Well presents an array of comedy shows, including stand-up and improv.
Yuk Yuk's is located in downtown Vancouver. The Urban Well is in Kitsilano, 15 minutes from downtown. Lafflines is in New Westminster, about a 40-minute drive from downtown. The New Revue Stage is found on Granville Island.
Musical concerts
Musicians from around the globe fill Vancouver's many concert halls and clubs to celebrate every genre of music all year round.
In the main venues, the Orpheum Theatre is home to the Vancouver Symphony, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver Recital Society as well as visiting musicians.
The Queen Elizabeth Theatre hosts the lavish productions of the highly praised Vancouver Opera Company as well as singular musical events. A variety of performance and events, from classical recitals to jazz concerts, is offered at the acoustically magnificent Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.
Wonderful music festivals take place annually, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival and the Vancouver Recital Society's Chamber Music Festival.
Pop and rock acts take over the Pacific Coliseum as well as General Motors Place.
The Vancouver East Cultural Centre as well as smaller clubs and venues provide more intimate settings for up-and-coming, eclectic, avant-garde and alternative artists.
Both the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Orpheum Theatre and GM Place are located in downtown Vancouver. The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts can be found at the University of British Columbia. The "Cultch" is on Vancouver's east side.
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