'08 Vancouver - Official Meeting Planners Guide - (Page 89) Entertainment, Arts & Culture Photography: Arts Club Theatre Company ©Tourism Vancouver/David Cooper; Korean music performance ©Tourism Vancouver/Festival Vancouver Vancouver has a thriving and exciting arts and cultural scene with unique festivals, world class music and theatrical performances, exceptional galleries, and abundant events which reflect the city’s diverse cultures. Festival Fun Summer in Vancouver is a time to celebrate. Festivals and events happen almost weekly from May to October. Whether your attendees are interested in music, comedy or dance, they’ll find a festival in Vancouver. In May, the Vancouver International Children’s Festival features world-class performers from Canada and across the globe, plus plenty of handson activities. In June, The Alcan Dragon Boat Festival showcases dragon boat racing in False Creek, combined with entertainment, culture and food. Also in June, the TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival brings jazz to the streets for 10 glorious days. In July, The Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach is always a big draw. The HSBC Celebration of Light fireworks festival takes place at the end of July, beginning of August. Festival Vancouver also presents a diverse collection of extraordinary venues in August. What’s New Vancouver Performing Arts Vancouver’s performing arts come alive this year with a wide variety of enchanting and innovative performances. Ballet British Columbia, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra or Vancouver Opera all captivate audiences with their internationally respected performances in Vancouver and around the world. Nutcracker Alberta Ballet; December 27–31, 2007 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. www.balletbc.com Beethoven Festival Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; March 28– April 7 at the Orpheum Theatre. www.vancouversymphony.ca Peter Pan Ballet British Columbia; April 17–19 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. www.balletbc.com La bohème Vancouver Opera; April 26–May 8 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. www.vancouveropera.ca Get in on the Act Greater Vancouver is a theatrical delight, hosting both innovative local acts and bigbudget Broadway musicals. On Granville Island, you can find productions ranging from international and Canadian drama at the Arts Club Theatre to improvisational comedy with the Vancouver TheatreSports League. The Centre for Performing Arts provides a state-of-the-art downtown Vancouver theatre venue for presentations and live entertainment. The famed Queen Elizabeth Theatre hosts large shows and Broadway musicals throughout the year. Next door, The Playhouse Theatre Company features fullscale theatrical productions. Another popular venue is the Arts Club Theatre Company’s Stanley Theatre. Originally built in 1930 as a vaudeville house, it’s now home to some of the hottest shows in town. For more cutting-edge theatre and dance, the Firehall Arts Centre offers some of the best. The Outdoors Is Your Stage During the summer, there’s plenty of drama outdoors. Bard on the Beach showcases classic Shakespeare plays under canvas in Vanier Park with the sea and mountains as a backdrop. Vancouver’s multicultural heritages come alive with exhilarating performances of dance by New Works under the shade of the trees at the outdoor stage at Vancouver’s favourite urban nook, Granville Island. Vancouver has a long history of supporting all areas of the performing arts. Unofficially known as “Hollywood North,” Vancouver’s beautiful setting is the location of choice for countless international films. But our interest in the arts isn’t limited to movies; we’re also passionate supporters of local theatre, dance and much more. Vancouver Symphony ©Tourism Vancouver/Vancouver Symphony 89
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