we got tickets to the jesse cook show at the centre in vancouver on 777 homer street, which feels pretty new and sleek. the moment we stepped inside, that curved marble staircase caught my eye, it was elegant and dramatic, with mirrored panels that bounced reflections around in such a cool way. the venue itself is small, it seats around 1800 people across three levels, with great acoustics and comfy purple chairs. during intermission, i was surprised to see there were no long lines at the washrooms, there were plenty of stalls, the concession stand was actually a lot longer. you can bring drinks into the auditorium, but note, there are no cup holders. jesse cook's performance gave off the gypsy kings energy, upbeat, rhythmic, and full of flamenco and andalusian flair. he's not only a talented guitarist but also a natural storyteller. between songs, he shared little anecdotes about how he met one of his bandmates or what inspired a particular piece of music. he was accompanied on stage with four other band members. there was lots of hand clapping along with the rhythm, and toward the end, he invited everyone to get up and samba. it gave the night this warm, easygoing energy. read more

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First time watching Bini, and it was at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts. The venue is small, and my seat was on the 3rd floor, making it hard to see the performers. I could've used a telescope! This was Bini's first big sold-out performance, and when I booked my ticket, I didn't realize how confusing the seating would be. Although I had a wonderful night, the height of the second and third floors wasn't ideal for those who want to be closer to the stage. By the time I bought my ticket, most of the seats were already gone, even though I booked as soon as they went on sale. Still, it was worth it! read more

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Comfortable, good acoustics, clean washrooms, grand stone stair cases with lots of mirrors to check up on your hair and lipsticks, the Center is one of my favorite venue when it comes to watching movies during Vancouver International Film Festival VIFF. Over the years it manages to upkeep the appearances and so far the interiors are holding up well to high usage. It does not have the old world charm like the ORPHEUM nor the coziness of the Chan Centre in UBC. Seats are slipped enough so I rarely have trouble with fizzy hair lady in front blocking my view completely to the subtitles on screen. I especially like the bar on second level right outside the theatre so your next drink is never too far away. There are ample of street parking and paid parking lot nearby. Nothing to complain. Decor and glam:3/5 Cleanliness: 4/5 Acoustics: 4/5 Visibility and Comfort: 4/5 Convenience: 4/5 Total: 18/25 read more

Centre For Performing Arts - Lining up in the rain.... can the canopy be bigger? - Performing Arts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Inside at The Centre is quite nice. Due to lack of funding and money to maintain this building City of Vancouver recently sold it to a church. So now its part of the church. This is my first time inside. I like the interior because of the shiny shine walls and floors. The Chandelier inside is gorgeous and as well the mirror trying to make the affect of the never ending stairs is beautiful. Well came here to listen to the Star Trek orchestra and I have to say the surround sound inside is not bad and as well the seating are very comfortable. I would actually prefer here over the QE Theater. The only fall back of this place is the lack of food stand and there are no free parking in the area because its located downtown. But wait its close to a skytrain. I would definitely come back depending what is playing next time. read more

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Do re me fa so la ti doo Do re me fa so la ti dooo I have to do some warm ups before this review. What an experience. I went to Centre for performing arts to see a movie called "Just Mercy" last night. It's major release won't be until December but I saw it last night. First of all, it's a lovely building. Creamy marble and large mirrors line the halls. I wish I had dressed up a little more. But here's the problem: They serve wine right outside of the auditorium that you cannot bring in. The signs "no alcohol beyond this point" are very small and easy to miss. This had me and many frustrated costumers drinking right outside the auditorium. Rushing to finish out drinks so we can continue into the experience. This started my night off on the wrong foot. Also, the aisles between seats are incredibly slim. Moving in and out of ones seat is like a terrible mistake. You have to uproot everyone around you and shuffle them all out of the aisle just so you can go take a pee or poo. This is terrible. The people around us were not a fan of how we moved in and out over three times in the course of the performance. This would not have happened had I been allowed the wine in the auditorium as was implied by the fact that they are selling wine right outside of the auditorium. They sell one size of popcorn for 5$. It is small. I am used to paying a lot for popcorn but I am also used to having the ability to purchase a large amount for a hefty sum. This is an ability that I am not sure I'm willing to relinquish just to be in a beautiful marble building. Just Mercy was fantastic but I don't know ‍ if the venue had anything to do with it. I guess it's very big. I loved its size - but the thing about its size is you would think there would space between chair-aisles. It still surpasses cineplex in vibe and attitude I guess, even if I don't want to admit it. It's lovely walking up and down those marble stairs. read more

This was the fourth consecutive year we have attended Vancouver's Goh Ballet production of 'The Nutcracker', at 'The Centre', and we were as "wowed" this time by it all, as we were the very first time!! The Centre was bright and sparkling in holiday spirit, and The Nutcracker ballet a sheer delight to the senses!!   From the youngsters, to the older, and more advanced students, all showing their passions to perform at the best of their abilities, up to the principal dancers bringing their exceptional talents to the most formal parts of the ballet, everyone performed so well. Along with the lovely sets, beautiful costumes, the colours, and choreographies, and wonderful Tchaikovsky score, presented so well by members of Vancouver Opera's orchestra, the sights and sounds kept us quite spellbound and totally-engaged from beginning to end. And for us, that finale seemed to arrive much too soon!! We were provided with another most-delightful holiday season treat.  We are so glad to have been able to experience this wonderful event once again. read more

I agree with the previous reviewer. The venue is nice in a sterile sort of way. The big mirrors were not ideal in decoratives in my mind but hey, I'm not a decorator. There's a nice long lights by the window and stairs that were quite nice though. The seats are a lovely dark purple and was elegant in the theatre. There is very little leg room and if you're a taller person, it might not be the most comfortable. I came here to watch the Goh Ballet presents the Nutcracker. It looked like every seat in the theater would provide a good view. I would be interested in watching something from the private balconies next time. read more

Centre For Performing Arts - Performing Arts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

I am not gonna lie. It has been a loooong time since I went to the ballet. Movies and theatre yes, but the ballet no. First question: what should I wear? I'm off of the Island and in the big city. I have to get dressed up! I made it down with lots of time to spare while little girls in evening gowns and some of the dancers made their way around the lobby. There was even a girls choir to keep us entertained. As for the building itself, I enjoyed the clean sleek look and the multi panelled wall of mirrors. We were on the first mezzanine and had a great view of the stage and a little peek into the sunken orchestra area. The first 20-30 minutes was the start of the story and contained the youngest stars of the show. It looked to me that the youngest was about 5. The more talented dancers wear the "pointe" shoes and they had principal dancers from the Danish BAllet. Some of the costumes were stunning, just stunning. It was really remarkable to see the effort that went into the show. I imagine it is something the Goh Academy works on for most of the year! After intermission things picked up and there was a few couples who came out to perform, a few solos as well as three young men dressed as "Russian" Dancers. It was a lot of fun 5 stars for effort, costumes, dancing, volunteers, location and most importantly allowing me a trip down memory lane. read more

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Simple yet artistically designed interior. Just the right number of rows so that even the last row still offer some intimacy to the stage. The acoustics in the centre is very nice for live performances, with no reverberation like the back rows of some theatres. I sat in the center part of the seats and the view is fine with little obstruction. There are also many balcony seats if you prefer a view from above. I hope they will have more productions here in the coming years. read more

We stopped by The Centre last weekend to take part in the Vancouver Comedy Festival, with headliner, Betty White. Having read the reviews about how little leg room there is here, I psyched myself up to think that my evening at The Centre would be 2 hours of claustrophobia. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be as the waiting area was much worse. The event was to start at 7PM, with outside doors opening at 6PM. However, they didn't open the theatre to seating until about 6:30PM -- which meant the second floor waiting area was packed filled with people waiting in line for the bar and the doors. It was very congested. Since this was an evening with Betty White -- the audience was multigenerational, with a lot of older audience members that were forced to stand for the entire time in a room that was packed like sardines. This broke my heart. The Centre certainly has room for improvement (pun intended). read more

The Centre is high up on the list for worst venues in Vancouver in terms of leg room. Just plain uncomfortable and ugly springs to mind as well. What the hell am I paying all these bullshit service fees for anyways? Where does that money go? It ain't goin to comfort! Ugh. I have spent a lot of money here over the years. I've seen comics, folk singers, and even a Chef or two and paid dearly to be in the same room as them. But I always dread it when I see the venue for an upcoming show is at The Centre. It is to the point where I will avoid buying tickets just to save my ass/back/feet and neck the hassle of jamming myself in those shite seats. You need a serious make-over Centre. You fugly, uncomfortable mess! read more

The Centre fits the basic requirements for a performing arts space: there's a cash bar and expensive drinks, box office, ushers wearing bow ties, private balconies flanking the theatre and some really great acoustics. But if I could choose between venues in Vancouver, this one would probably wind up last on my list. I love modern and historical spaces alike, but The Centre is lacking something... Perhaps it's some of the design choices: mirrors that showcase the grand staircase; the first floor men's bathroom and the second floor women's; and yes... there it is, do I detect a slightly pink undertone in the paint? Ah yes, there it is. Hello Centre, 1990 is calling. They want their paint back. But my biggest lament: the sardine tight seats. Honestly, I think I prefer the comfort of an airplane chair. So, if you are stuck listening to an agonizing terrible opening act (like I was tonight), or if you want to use the washroom outside of intermission time, you're trapped. There's no way of getting out without everyone literally having to exit the row to let you out, much like an airplane. I'm guessing the leg room restriction also reduces the amount of people who get up to seat dance when the music moves them. It's a good thing I've had the privilege of seeing a couple of amazing shows here. But quite frankly, the next time I see The Centre as the venue for a show, I'm going to have to really consider just how much I like an act before buying tickets. It's not only a financial commitment, it's a comfort one. read more

Came here for the screening of The Birth of a Nation at VIFF. Super nice to see such a great venue in a city I am still discovering the ins and outs of after traveling here for over five years. read more

It's nice in a sterile-sorta-way, but the entrances "suck." Apparently, this was one of the design flaws. Seats are a bit cramped but clean. Since I'm an average sized person, I would definitely feel sorry for a taller, bigger person here. When you're paying an average of $60+ for any show, you expect comfort in seating. And I hate the fact that theatres never allow enough room for people to walk by. Inevitably, if you are seated near the end of a row, every guy in the middle of your row will have to get up at the most critical times of every talk, guaranteed. It's Murphy's law. :) A great place to see a "talk" but not so convinced re: the concerts. It's unfortunate you can't bring your drinks in with you from the foyer, but I suppose that keeps the place clean. They should serve sippy-cups like they do in NY so that you can take the drinks in--but perhaps without the $12 price tag that comes attached to these aforementioned drinks. Bathrooms are just way to small for women. Once again, this must have been designed by a man. You think that theatres would learn by now? The stairs and mirrors are a bit scary looking when approaching them with heels, and I found myself gravitating towards the railing, which is not the norm with me. I suppose the mirrors are okay if you're feeling good and need a last minute "check" on that night, otherwise, they are a bit startling. All in all, not a bad place, but not the best layout for organizing a crowd. The one place that reminds me of an overcrowded Times Square theatre, and believe me, that's no compliment. read more

THE MIRRORS! THEY ARE SO TALL! And as is standard for a theatre in Vancouver, the beer and wine, they are so subpar and high-priced. read more

Saw Dimitri Martin here. Seats were pretty comfortable and raised higher up enough from previous rows so I didn't get a show watching talking hair. Front ticket counter could have used a few more experienced people, the lineup seemed to take a long time and the girl working seemed confused trying to find my ticket. read more

I went to see the Vancouver Film School's Crazy8s here. It was a good venue for the showing, with a large screen and comfortable sloping seats for all to see the films. It has a nice layout, but the design is not nostalgic or intricate like certain other Vancouver theatres. Also, the entrance is not ideal for ticket pickup. It's crowded and not conducive to forming a proper line. The snacks and drinks are a plus. The red wine was delicious. However, drinks are not allowed to be brought to the seats, which is annoying; several other venues in Vancouver allow this, trusting people with their beverages. Overall, it's a decent venue, but it's definitely not one of my favorites in Vancouver. read more

Center of Performing Arts, formally the Ford center. I have been here a few times over the years for some comedy and concerts. Not as much as the other theaters in the city, however, enough to make a constructive review. The sound is hit and miss, every seat in the house is a good seat, very clean inside, decent lobby although very narrow in height. The mirrors as you walk up are trippy. Washrooms are clean. Not much in terms at the bar and concession. read more