First Nations Culture
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Photography:
TVan/Coastal
Jazz
&
Blues
Society/Chris
Cameron;
TVan/Dannielle
Hayes;
TVan/Suzanne
Rushton;
TVan/Coast
Mountain
Photography;
TVan/Canadian
Tourism
Commission;
TVan/Vancouver
Art
Gallery;
Wikipedia/Darren
Kirby;
TVan/BC
Biodiversity
Museum;
TVan/Canadian
Tourism
Commission;
TVan
Flickr/Robotic
Nerve
In Vancouver's kaleidoscopic cultural scene, local talent
excels on an international scale
Take in a Show!
A
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THEATRE
Vancouver's theatre scene boasts more than 30
professional groups, a major international theatre
festival (The Fringe), two outdoor theatrical events
(Bard on the Beach and Theatre Under The Stars)
and nearly two dozen venues!
Grand venues like the Queen Elizabeth Theatre
stand alongside a host of small, independent theatres
offering innovative performances in unique spaces. A
national treasure and B.C.'s most diverse performance
space, The Cultch offers programming in theatre,
dance and music by local, national and international
artists. And each year, 10 to 14 musicals, comedies,
new works and classics make their way to the Arts
Club Theatre Company's Stanley Industrial Alliance,
Granville Island and New Revue stages.
Clients looking for a good laugh have a colourful
spectrum of options to choose from: hilarious
theatre shows, sidesplitting dinner theatre, improv
and stand-up. Those interested in trying their own
hand at improv can even sign up for Vancouver
TheatreSports League's improv comedy workshop.
DANCE
The city's dance scene is as eclectic as its cultural
makeup, ranging from traditional Japanese
and Chinese dance to classical ballet and edgy
contemporary. There are over 30 professional dance
companies in the Vancouver area, with The Dance
Centre forming the main hub for performance. In
addition to individual performances throughout
the year, Vancouver hosts the highly acclaimed
Vancouver International Dance Festival and the
Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration, a
festival of Punjabi folk music and dance.
MUSIC
Vancouver has a number of impressive
venues at which to enjoy an evening
of music. Your clients can catch a
concert at an intimate venue, such
as the Commodore Ballroom, or
treat themselves to a show at the
opulent and historic Orpheum Theatre, home to the Vancouver Symphony
Orchestra since 1930. Programs like Tea and Trumpets, Kids Koncerts, Pops and
masterworks series please everyone from lifelong classical music aficionados to
novice concertgoers. The TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz
Festival brings more than 1,800 musicians to Vancouver for 10 days of toe-tapping
jazz, while the Vancouver Recital Society offers classical recitals by up-and-
coming musicians year-round. The Vancouver Opera, performing at the elegant
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, is Canada's second-largest opera company and offers
a balance of traditional opera favourites and new and rarely produced productions.
Rogers Arena and BC Place, the two substantial stadiums in downtown Vancouver,
host concerts for international musical stars and always offer a great show.
Coast Art, Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery and
Inuit Gallery of Vancouver, among others.
The UBC Museum of Anthropology displays a
collection of approximately 6,000 objects from B.C.'s
First Nations, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge
Park is home to a First Nations cultural centre, which
illuminates the heritage and the historical connection
between First Nations cultures and the natural world.
And Stanley Park features a collection of beautiful
First Nations totem poles, as well as the summertime
Klahowya Village visitor experience.
Look closely and you'll see aboriginal influences
throughout Vancouver – from artwork at the airport
to some of Vancouver's must-see attractions. First
Nations art, in forms such as distinctive thunderbirds,
massive totem poles and intricate masks, can be seen
around the city.
Because art was often worn or used for practical
purposes – in ceremonies and storytelling – First
Nations art pieces provide a great deal of insight into
aboriginal life. Visitors will find wonderful examples of
First Nations art at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest
