Culture, Community and Commerce Converge at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster
Culture, community and commerce converge in downtown New Westminster’s Anvil Centre. The gleaming, angular building opened last fall and is the city’s new stage for exciting theatre, music and arts performances. Theatre coordinator Jessica Schneider says the venue was built in response to a clear set of community needs and priorities.
The ground level features a multiuse civic center that includes a 364-seat performance theatre and a range of multipurpose studios and smaller spaces. A large, open atrium connects the civic center with a 137,000-square-foot commercial office tower. The entire lower building podium is designed for maximum flexibility to support various uses. A variety of walkways, balconies, offices and outdoor areas complete the modern complex.
The Anvil Centre theatre was designed to provide a dynamic, energized experience. The acoustics are superb, the sight lines are excellent and the staff is friendly and professional. The theatre is well-suited to hosting a wide variety of performances, including intimate music encounters, dynamic multidisciplinary theatre happenings and immersive dance shows.
A new addition to the Anvil’s programme is Outside/In, which offers a series of concerts and events that explore themes of cultural connection and intercultural understanding. The first event takes place on January 21 at 7:30 pm, featuring the BC World Music Collective. The ensemble includes musicians from the Kluane First Nation and the Northwest Territories, such as singer-songwriter Diyet, throat singer-drum dancer Sylvia Cloutier and pianist-vocalist Carmen Braden. Other performers include Toronto-based Afro-Cuban group OKAN and santur duo Farhad Khosravi and Daniel Stadnicki from Alberta.
In the spirit of bringing communities together, the Anvil will also present an evening of singing in February. The Maple Leaf Singers will perform 55 Years of #1 Hits, which includes the group’s most popular songs from over the years. The show will also feature lesser-known versions and arrangements of time-honoured favourites, as well as a few surprises.
Recognizing the challenges of rising costs, Schneider and her team are focusing on low barrier pricing for Anvil Winter Celebration events. The goal is to make sure everyone can attend and enjoy a range of engaging experiences, such as the Uptown Swing Collective’s Cat’s Meow, or the Vancouver Chamber Music Society’s Joseph Haydn and Maurice Ravel string quartet concerts.
A state-of-the-art facility, Anvil Centre is the perfect wedding venue for a modern couple. Its onsite staff can help you arrange everything from engagement parties to the big day. Located at the heart of the city, it provides access to a variety of beautiful parks and landscapes for wedding photos. Plus, its contemporary architecture makes it a gorgeous backdrop for your special day. The venue offers a wide range of catering services to ensure that your guests are well taken care of. Choose from buffets, family-style service, plated service, stations and more. They use the best local ingredients and draw inspiration from the many diverse cultures in Vancouver to create an unforgettable menu. Their chefs also offer customized menu options to suit the taste of each bride and groom.