Firehall Arts Centre
280 E. Cordova Street V6A 1L3 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Coming soon: yellow objects, a new exhibition by Derek Chan Presented by the Firehall Arts Centre Produced by rice & beans theatre in collaboration with PTC... yellow objects invites audiences to question our responsibility to future generations by stepping into a Hong Kong of two eras --2019 and 2050. Paying tribute to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, the production is part-digital experience and part-exhibition. On April 19, 26, and May 3, audiences can play through a visual novel on riceandbeanstheatre.com and step into the world of protagonists Uncle Chan and Sandra. Then, starting on May 11 at the Firehall Arts Centre’s courtyard, audiences can walk through the yellow objects exhibition and witness the rest of Uncle Chan and Sandra’s journey through objects, voice recordings, and projections. Digital content dropping on April 19, April 26, and May 3 at riceandbeanstheatre.com Firehall Exhibition from May 11-22 Tickets $15-25 More info at http://firehallartscentre.ca

Reminder to check out the precursory digital material for the, yellow objects, exhibition! Follow the link below to immerse yourself: https://www.riceandbeanstheatre.com/yellowobjects For more information on the exhibition, or to purchase tickets click here: http://firehallartscentre.ca/ons/yellow-objects-exhibition/

Happy #InternationalDanceDay from the Firehall! And also #ThrowbackThursday to our 2019/2020 Season presentation of Inverso Production and Lesley Tedford's, Spooky Action. This interdisciplinary dance project, which collaborated with poet/performer Barbara Adler, was inspired by particle entanglement. (Photo credit: David Cooper)

#yellowobjects #overseashker Do you have the same energy and spirit as you were a child? Award-winning playwright, director, and performer, Derek Chan uses ...theatre to explore how our humanity and character develop over time and experiences. A HKer who now lives in Vancouver, Chan draws on his own childhood in HK and true HK events in his latest play, yellow objects , challenging us to answer: What do you believe in? What are your hopes? Are you doing something to change? Read English story @ https://buff.ly/3v7xAai @ https://buff.ly/3sNXBdn Please comment below and don't forget to check out Chan's online events at https://buff.ly/3xdXZVD @ricebeansthtr ------------------------------------------------------------ We Are HKers is a bilingual platform built by a group of Hong Kong volunteers living in different parts of the world. We aim to share a multi-dimensional perspective of the individual voices of HKers to people around the globe and let them see the attributes and values embraced by HKers. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Website: https://buff.ly/2ntnwuT MeWe: https://buff.ly/3aP1oB5 (COME FOLLOW US) Facebook: https://buff.ly/3bGAtbP Instagram: https://buff.ly/3dTRNs6 Twitter: https://buff.ly/2B4Fpnd YouTube: https://buff.ly/2VcGmoT Share your story @ https://bit.ly/HKERS-contact

The newest episode of the Firehalls podcast, Dramatic Pause, is out now! Episode 17. features Derek Chan, creator of yellow objects, an exciting new exhibition coming to the Firehall May 11-22. Produced by rice & beans theatre in collaboration with PTC,... yellow objects invites audiences to question our responsibility to future generations by stepping into a Hong Kong of two eras --2019 and 2050. Click the link below to listen now! https://firehallartscentre.podbean.com/e/dramatic-pause-ep/

SOLSTICE GREETINGS - Now streaming! Originally set for the stage Dec 17-19, Solstice Greetings has moved to online streaming due to current COVID-19 restrictions. Returning for a third year, Solstice Greetings is the sharing of stories, songs, and seasonal greetings in celebration of the return of the light. These unique stories, written by the Grade sixes and sevens of Lord Strathcona Elementary School, will be set to music and performed by professional artists.... Directed by Mika Laulainen. Tickets only $16! Streaming from December 21st to December 27th. TICKETS ON SALE UNTIL DECEMBER 21ST. Patrons will receive their stream link on December 21st. Your link will give you access to a whole week of the stream! http://firehallartscentre.ca/onstage/solstice-greetings-3/

Due to the updated provincial health orders, the Firehall Arts Centre will be suspending live performances beginning November 20 until December 7. The Firehall takes pride in having hosted safe in-person performances over the past five months with limited seating and approved COVID-19 safety protocols. Artistic Producer Donna Spencer says, We are disheartened by the recent restrictions to suspend further operations as our patrons have greatly appreciated the safe haven we h...ave provided for them to enjoy the performing arts, but we respect the advice of Dr. Bonnie Henry and will adhere to these updated orders." The Firehall Arts Centre is hopeful to be able to move forward with live performances once again with our seasonal production, Solstice Greetings, on December 17, 18 and 19, pending approval from the Provincial Health Services Authority. Patrons will be notified of potential virtual performances. Please stay safe and take good care of yourself. We hope to see you again soon.

Meet Mika Laulainen, director of the Firehalls annual production, Solstice Greetings! Mika is a director and playwright based in Vancouver, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She holds a BFA in Theatre with a specialization in directing from the University of Victoria. She has further trained at Directors Lab North, Directors Lab West, the Women’s Directing Intensive at the Banff Centre, and in directing ensembles with Movement ...Theater Studios in New York and is a member of the Playwright's Guild of Canada. This is Mika's second year working on Solstice Greetings with the Grade 6&7 students of Lord Strathcona Elementary and the Firehall Arts Centre! Streaming December 21st to 27th, with tickets sold until December 21st. http://firehallartscentre.ca/onstage/solstice-greetings-3/

The Firehall Arts Centre’s Covid Protocols support the SHOW TO GO ON! The Premiere of Michele Riml’s The Amaryllis November 12-22, 2020 In response to the new health and safety orders announced by Dr. Bonnie Henry on Nov 7th, as a business the Firehall reviewed its well thought out COVID-19 Safety Plan, which we have been using since July, and determined that we will move forward with keeping our patrons, artists and staff safe, and live theatre on our stage. ... Here is a list of COVID-19 safety measures that we currently have in place: -Mandatory mask policy. All staff, patrons and volunteers are required to wear face masks at all times when they are in the building. -Staggered seating limited to a maximum of forty in our ventilated theatre space, allowing appropriate physical distancing with a maximum group size of four allowed to sit together if they share a bubble. -Plexi-glass barriers between patrons and box office/bar staff. -Hand-sanitizing stations throughout the venue. -Verification from staff and patrons they are not experiencing signs of illness. -One way traffic flow throughout the venue for washroom access. -Increased and regular sanitization of high touch areas . -Ability to contact trace anyone who is attending or working on a performance.

The Firehall Arts Centre stands in solidarity with all of the performing arts organizations across the province whose performances have been shuttered as a result of yesterday’s Public Health Restrictions. Artistic Producer, Donna Spencer is encouraging all those performing arts businesses affected by the latest restrictions to support a request for the establishment of a Ministry Task Group to undertake a study of Live Performance Venues operating with COVID-19 Safety Proto...cols in place in order to assess their safety. Hopefully the completion of such a study would ensure the Ministry has a greater understanding of the sector and the benefits it provides to British Columbians and assist them in making further determinations. Arts Club Theatre Company The Dance Centre Chutzpah! Festival & The Norman Rothstein Theatre Presentation House Mitch and Murray Productions GVPTA - Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance The Cultch

"Best Artistic Tenacity Shown During a Pandemic If this were a category in the annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards, the hands-down winner would be Donna Spencer, artistic producer of the Firehall Arts Centre. She was the first to stage live dance performances last summer to small audiences during the Dancing on the Edge Festival. The Firehall also hosted the live Pride Performance Empowers! series in the summer and then produced some plays this fall, including the world p...remiere of The Amaryllis, directed by Mindy Parfitt. It took a ton of work to ensure safety protocols were in place, plus a whole lot of guts on Spencer’s part to carry through. And it has bolstered the courage of others to host live performances since she blazed this trail in Vancouver." The Georgia Straight

Meet the small but mighty cast of the Firehalls annual production, Solstice Greetings! Solstice Greetings is the sharing of stories, songs, and seasonal greetings in celebration of the return of the light. These unique stories, written by the Grade sixes and sevens of Lord Strathcona Elementary School, will be set to music and performed by Krystle Dos Santos and Erik Gow. Streaming December 21st to 27th, with tickets sold until December 21st.... http://firehallartscentre.ca/onstage/solstice-greetings-3/ See more

"For me, the show was a reminder of the power of theatre to transport us into other worldshappier or notand I think that’s something we all need a little bit right now." We've been truly moved by both the reviews for The Amaryllis, and by the joy live theatre has brought to our patrons. Thank you for attending. ... The Amaryllis is on until November 22nd. Tickets and info at http://firehallartscentre.ca/onstage/amaryllis/

Unique holiday stories written by children and performed by actors, the Firehall's Solstice Greetings is the perfect performance to cozy up with this season. Streaming December 21st to 27th. Tickets on sale until December 21st. http://firehallartscentre.ca/onstage/solstice-greetings-3/

REMINDER: Each performance of, In the Beginning, will be unique as storyteller Rosemary Georgeson (Coast Salish/Dene), Firehall Arts Centre Artistic Producer Donna Spencer and moderator Kim Haxton (Potowatomi) are joined by guests from Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and beyond. We are offering an In the Beginning Series Package, which will allow you to watch all five performances for only $90! Click the link below to purchase yours:... https://tickets.firehallartscentre.ca/TheatreManag/1/login See more

Our Official Greeter Wookie is getting in to the spirit. Stay safe over the holidays and we hope to see you in the New Year!

Today is World AIDs Day. Please recognize all of the artists that we lost during the Aids Pandemic on what is also Giving Tuesday and make a donation to Loving Spoonful a charity that continues to provide food and support for many of those living with HIV/Aids in Vancouver. http://www.alovingspoonful.org/

DON'T FORGET! Tomorrow's 1:00PM matinee of The Amaryllis is Pay What You Can! Tickets are whatever price you can afford to pay. Spread the word and we'll see you there!

Exciting News! The 2020/2021 Season at the Firehall Arts Centre is here! October 15-25, 2020 | I Walked The Line... November 4-7, 2020 | In the Beginning November 12-22, 2020 | The Amaryllis December 10-12 & December 17-19, 2020 | Solstice Greetings January 13-16, 2021 | Chapter 21 Tickets on Sale September 11! More info found @ http://firehallartscentre.ca/whats-on/ And please stay tuned for additional announcements on the 2020/2021 Season!

This week on Dramatic Pause, Donna zooms with filmmaker, writer and storyteller Rosemary Georgeson. Rose tells us about her upbringing on the fishing waters of Galiano Island and how it has influenced her writing and her life. Next Week, Donna and Rose will be collaborating on a new performance at the Firehall called 'In The Beginning', exploring the early history of the Indigenous people in the Vancouver DTES. Discover more and book tickets at www.firehallartscentre.ca You can learn more about Rosemary's life and work at https://rosemarygeorgeson.wordpress.com/

Out this week is the newest episode of our podcast Dramatic Pause. This weeks guest is Michele Riml, playwright of The Amaryllis. Artistic Producer Donna Spencer, and Michele discuss Michele's life, The Amaryllis, and the myth of "women writers writing women's plays". https://firehallartscentre.podbean.com/e/dramatic-pause-ep/

"Fresh art is as important as fresh air."

Less than a week left to get your tickets for, I Walked the Line! "This show was amazing!!!! Congrats Allan Morgan. Thank you Donna Spencer. So inspiring and to be at the theatre again." "Just saw the matinee! Fabulous fabulous fabulous everyone should see this!"... "On Saturday afternoon my friend Mary and I had the pleasure of watching live theatre for the first time in ages thanks to you and your staff and Allan Morgan and the creative team of his show. It was wonderful to be in a theatre again! I've watched quite a bit of broadcasted theatre since March but, no matter how good it was, nothing beats watching an actor tell a story live on stage. Thank-you again for all the hard work it took to make this season of theatre possible." We've been absolutely overwhelmed with the positive response I Walked the Line has received from our patrons. Ensuring that we safely continue to bring diverse and meaningful live theatre to our stage has been our number one goal in planning and presenting our 2020/2021 season, and I Walked the Line's glorious celebration of resilience, compassion, and belonging (Colin Thomas), made it the perfect production to kick the season off. "A smart and entertaining play from a veteran actor, I Walked the Line is more likely to make you want to go into theatre than go to work for a union." We hope you will join us for the last performances of this incredible show! I Walked The Line runs from October 15th to October 25th, 2020 Tue-Thu 7:30pm Fri-Sat 8:00pm Sat-Sun 3:00pm Purchase your tickets at the link below: https://tickets.firehallartscentre.ca/TheatreMana/1/online

Looking forward to having Allan back on the Firehall stage & audiences back in carefully physically distanced seats. Be calm, be safe, be kind & support the arts however you can.

Join the Firehall's Board of Directors! The Firehall Theatre Society/ Firehall Arts Centre is looking for Board Members! The Firehall is committed to connecting communities and showcasing provocative performing and visual arts reflective of the diversity of Canada. If you are curious or have experiences in arts/not-for-profit management or governance, facilities management, finance, fundraising, HR, marketing or risk, we want to hear from you!... Follow the link below for more information: http://firehallartscentre.ca/2020/10/call-for-board-members/

The Newest Episode of Dramatic Pause is out! This week Features Elaine Avila. "Dramatic Pause returns from hiatus as Donna chats with Elaine Avila over zoom. Elaine is a multi-award winning playwright, screenwriter, educator and dramaturge. Firehall fans will remember her play FADO: The Saddest Music in the World selling out its season in 2019." Click here to listen now: https://firehallartscentre.podbean.com/e/dramatic-pause-ep/

The reviews are in for The Amaryllis! The Amaryllis runs until November 22nd at the Firehall. Tues-Sat, 7:30pm Sat & Sun, 3:00pm Wed 1pm Pay What You Can

https://www.createastir.ca/articles/theatre-covid-season

We understand not everyone is comfortable with, or able to attend live theatre at this time, and so we have added two streamed performances of I Walked the Line for patrons to enjoy! October 27th @ 7:00pm & October 29th @ 7:00pm Tickets are $15 each!... Patrons will receive a streaming link the day of their selected performance where they may follow to view wonderful live theatre from the comfort of their homes! Follow the link below to purchase your streaming tickets now: https://tickets.firehallartscentre.ca/TheatreManag/1/login

a glorious celebration of resilience, compassion, and belonging. Tickets still available at: https://tickets.firehallartscentre.ca/TheatreMana/1/online... https://colinthomas.ca//i-walked-the-line-solidarity-siste

Tonight the Firehall Arts Centre will be going RED in solidarity with arts organizations across the country for the Canada Wide Day of Visibility for the Live Events Community. We light the night in red, to raise awareness for an industry that has gone dark. The Firehall, like many local theatres, is adapting as best we can. We understand the limitations that we face in creating, producing and presenting theatre, dance and music during this time and are determined to work towards offering the best works we can within the needed health and safety protocols in place. #LightUpLive

Join us for In the Beginning a Cultural Sharing from Wednesday, November 4 to Saturday, November 7, 2020. This event is produced in partnership with Vancouver Moving Theatre as part of the 2020 DTES Heart of the City Festival. Storyteller, filmmaker and performer Rosemary Georgeson (Coast Salish/Dené) and the Firehall’s Artistic Producer Donna Spencer delve into the stories and history of the Indigenous peoples in the area that is now called Vancouver prior to and during co...lonization. Over five evolving events, Georgeson, Spencer, and moderator Kim Haxton are joined by Indigenous elders, knowledge keepers, and artists from the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh homelands; and from those who came down the rivers, across the waters or across the mountains to the area. Stories of the land told by people of the land with images projected of the land and waters as well as historic and personal photos are a part of the event. Tickets are $20 regular, $15 for DTES community members with a special In the Beginning Series 5 pack for $90 See more

http://shawnconner.com//09/live-theatre-returns-to-vancou/

https://www.reviewvancouver.org/previews.htm

http://firehallartscentre.ca/onstage/i-walked-the-line/

Thank you to Stir Vancouver for launching a new arts and culture media outlet in Vancouver!

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR OUR 2020/2021 SEASON! Visit our website for details and to get your tickets now! http://firehallartscentre.ca/whats-on/

https://theprovince.com//4a1e4ce7-2658-4ff1-8cce-561780b6f

Almost all the remaining shows for our Music in the Courtyard concert series are SOLD OUT! Tickets are still left for: Ruby & Smith on September 19th @ 7:00pm... Triology on September 25th @ 7:00pm Microcosmos on September 26th @ 7:00pm Visit our website for details and tickets! http://firehallartscentre.ca/onstage/music-in-the-courtyard/

Tune in tomorrow morning, October 11th, on CBC Radio’s North by Northwest (with Sheryl MacKay) just after the 7:00am news, to listen to a wonderful new interview with the star of I Walked the Line, Allan Morgan!

Only THREE more weekends left in our Music in the Courtyard music series! Click below to purchase your tickets while they last! https://tickets.firehallartscentre.ca/TheatreMana/1/online

This week on DRAMATIC PAUSE, Donna chats with actor, playwright, photographer, and star of the upcoming Firehall production of, I Walked the Line, Allan Morgan. A joyful storyteller, Allan talks with Donna about his tumultuous career from chef to Prospero to mail clerk to union activist and finally to writing his life's experience in a series of phenomenal one-man shows. Purchase your tickets for, I Walked the Line, at the link below!... https://tickets.firehallartscentre.ca/TheatreMana/1/online https://firehallartscentre.podbean.com/e/dramatic-pause-ep/

So excited for this weekend!