Specialties
For good times down on Main Street, check out the Capitol Centre, North Bay's hub for arts and entertainment. Since 1927, this 932-seat venue has played host to a wide range of live performances by the North Bay Symphony, international musical acts, acclaimed Broadway shows, and even workshops and movies.
As you walk into the historic building's entrance from the lively Main Street, you'll see the WKP Kennedy Gallery with its ever-changing exhibits featuring the finest works of historical and contemporary northern, Canadian, and international visual artists.
Dive even further into the building though, and you'll find yourself steeped in over 88 years of cultural and artistic history, including the Spanish Galaxy motifs that adorn the theatre walls and one of the original chandeliers that hangs above the majestic staircase that brings you to the balcony.
But it's on the stage where you'll find the real appeal of the theatre. With a season lineup bursting with the world's leading figures in music, dance and theatre, the spectrum of shows transcends any one genre and packs a powerful prestige.
Whether it be an acclaimed astronaut, a world-renowned flamenco guitarist, or cracking classic comedians, if you can dream it, chances are you can see it on this stage. The public's entertainment, enjoyment and benefit is the ultimate goal, after all.
Put simply, the Capitol Centre embodies exceptional artistic talent and ignites your imagination while capturing your creative side.
History
Established in 1927.
The property upon which the Capitol
was built was purchased in 1927 by
Louis Rosenbaum, a Sturgeon Falls
businessman. He began building the
structure and, when he ran out of
funds, he sold it to Famous Players
Canadian Corporation. They opened
the Capitol Theatre on June 1st, 1929. The Capitol had 1455 seats and was referred to as "a palace of splendor" had been elaborately decked out with Spanish lights and décor.
The movie that was shown to the sold out grand opening crowd was, In Old Arizona. It was the first all-talking Fox feature movie, a western starring Edmund Lowe, Warren Baxter and Dorothy Burgess.
It was in the Capitol Theatre that Roy Thomson, Lord Thomson of Fleet, started his media empire with the opening of his first radio station, CFCH, on March 3, 1931. It was also the movie house that the Dionne Quints frequented on many Friday nights.
Betty Speers The 80's saw a decline in movie audiences and there was a fear that the building was going to be chopped up into smal
