Music, Theatre, and Dance

The arts are alive and thriving on Vancouver Island and the west coast. Victoria, as the biggest centre, has the most to offer, but there is certainly plenty to take in all over the west coast of British Columbia. Nanaimo has a thriving theatre community, as does Duncan. Live dinner theatre is well worth taking in at the Chemainus Theatre. Smaller communities host many fabulous music festivals in the summer months and have their own active theatre communities.

Live theatre, such as operas, musicals, plays, and a Shakespeare festival offer a little something for everyone. Victoria’s Shakespeare festival’s outdoor setting allows for the wildlife to join in on occasion, and offers unique staging challenges for the company. There is even a harbour ferry ballet! The Chemainus Theatre is a dinner theatre, producing classic plays and musicals in a pleasant setting with delicious food.

Music of all types abounds, with symphonies, jazz, rock, folk, and festivals at various times of the year. There are many active choirs, street performers, and many different venues offering live music ranging from dinner music, to night clubs with live bands. Music Festivals are a huge part of the cultural fabric of the west coast. Take in folk, classical, rock, ethnic, ska, reggae, electronic, indigenous, and jazz, not to mention pipe bands, and Celtic rock.

Dance performances happen throughout the year with troupes visiting from all over the world to perform classic ballets and the more modern. Ethnic dance festivals are generally found in the summer months, while many other types of dance are also performed throughout the year.