Performing Arts and Cinema
Vancouver serves up enough highbrow culture to suit the whole spectrum of its cosmopolitan population, with plenty of unusual and avant-garde performances to spice up the more mainstream fare you'd expect of a major North American city. The main focus for the city's performing arts is the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (tel 299-9000) at 600 Hamilton St at Georgia, which plays host to a steady procession of visiting theatre, opera and dance troupes, and even the occasional big rock band. Recently it's been joined by the new Ford Centre for the Performing Arts opposite the central library at 777 Homer St (tel 280-2222 or 602-0616). For information on the Vancouver arts scene, call the Arts Hotline (tel 684-ARTS or 684-2787) or visit their office at 938 Howe St. The refurbished Orpheum Theatre , 884 Granville at Smithe (tel 665-3050), is Vancouver's oldest theatre and headquarters of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. There's also a special line for information relating to dance (tel 872-0432). Tickets can be obtained from individual box offices or through the Ticketmaster agency (tel 280-3311). The western capital of Canada's film industry, Vancouver is increasingly favoured by Hollywood studios in their pursuit of cheaper locations and production deals. It's therefore no surprise that the spread of cinemas is good. Home-produced and Hollywood first-run films play in the downtown cinemas on "Theatre Row" - the two blocks of Granville between Robson and Nelson streets - and other big complexes, and there's no shortage of cinemas for more esoteric productions.
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