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Firehall Arts Centre
Category: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Performing Arts [Edit]
280 Cordova St EVancouver, BC V6A 1L3
Neighbourhood: Downtown Eastside
(604) 689-0926
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
4 reviews for Firehall Arts Centre
4 reviews in English
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Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was kind of surprised at how authentic this place turned out to be. Rickety old theatre with a massive floor-level stage and wooden seats, old wooden bar, newly built deck out back. Unpretentious. Perfect place to host community theatre. I totally loved it.
I saw the Johnny Tomorrow Chronicles here - it involved projection, sound, lights, and an actor on a stage. It worked out real nice.
I'll visit the Firehall again. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
10/7/2009 1 photo
So, the area?! Well it might be well beyond the border of the scuzzy fringe that sends tourists retreating into Gastown, but armed with a friend, my phone and boots that would kick your ass--I was headed for the season launch of the Eastside Cultural Crawl.
My first time to Firehall Arts Centre I was impressed by how authentically cool it looks from the outside, inside, and backside... and hold on, is that a bar I see? Yes!!! Like any good theatre, liquor is included on the bill!
The theatre itself is sizeable, yet still small enough to have that cozy feel to it. There was a rock-ish band playing at the time, but I think to give a true review on the auditorium, I'll have to attend a show!
The real win though has to be the couryard! A closed in garden sanctuary, you would never know it exists from the outside! With a couple of levels of terraced patios and a yard below, this was the perfect space for listening to acoustic sounds, some quiet chatter and breathing in a crisp autumn evening... It has the makings of a mid-summer night's moonlit escapades written all over it! -
Review from Andy H.
Vancouver, BC
3/11/2010
Watched "Where the Blood Mixes" here with the lady friend who did not want to leave my side for fear of someone mistaking her for a prostitute. haha. This is a nice venue to watch a show. It's small and intimate with plenty of parking on the street.
P.S. "Where the Blood Mixes" was such a great show! Go see it if you ever get the chance. -
Review from May B.
Vancouver, BC
7/28/2010
I`ve seen a couple of shows at the Firehall and will continue to go back. They choose shows that feature local artists and are culturally, socially, and ethnically relevant, like the side-splitting play Banana Boys (which I saw twice, at its Canadian premier in 2007 and its return to the Firehall in 2008) or Shane Koyczan's epic multimedia collab with Jordan Nobles in We Are Here.
The restored Firehall houses an intimate black box theatre that, in the right hands, can make magic happen. The staff are friendly and helped my friend score a spare ticket after the show we went to see was unexpectedly sold out. There's also a bar with seating that extends onto an outdoor patio.
Now, the location might not be ideal as its in the throes of the notorious Downtown Eastside, but I'd argue that it adds character to what would otherwise be another trip to the theatre. Take the opportunity to observe or chat with some of those wandering about and you might learn a thing or two. And if all else fails, take comfort in knowing that it's right beside the Vancouver Police headquarters.
Specialties
The Firehall arts centre's mission is to promote, present and produce theatre and contemporary dance that reflects the cultural diversity of Canada.
History
Established in 1983
Built in 1906, the Firehall building functioned as an active fire hall until 1975 and is acknowledged as being the first "motorized" fire hall in North America. When Fireman moved out and the arts moved in after a variety of tenants the Firehall Theatre Society was formed in 1983 to administer and maintain the facility. With a mandate to promote, present and produce theatre and contemporary dance that reflects the cultural diversity of Canada, the society has become a very active player in the arts scene in British Columbia. Since opening its doors in 1982, the centre has produced and presented over 5000 performances that encompass all educational, occupational, and cultural boundaries. The centre produces the Dancing on the Edge Festival of Contemporary Dance, one of the largest festivals of its kind in North America. The Centre also acts as a venue for a number of the city's other festivals such as the Fringe Festival, The Powell Street Festival.
