McPherson Playhouse in Centennial Square is the center of Vancouver Island's regional and professional theater. The restored 1914 theater regularly presents noontime concerts and musical comedy productions in the evening; phone (250) 386-6121 or (888) 717-6121. The Pacific Opera Victoria, (250) 385-0222, performs at the Royal Theatre.
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The Royal Theatre on Broughton Street is also the home of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, (250) 385-6515, which offers a pop and masterworks series September through May. The Victoria Conservatory of Music sometimes offers performances; phone (250) 386-5311.
Contemporary plays, with an emphasis on Canadian works, are staged at the Belfry, (250) 385-6815, 1291 Gladstone Ave., while shows at the Royal Theatre, (250) 386-6121 or (888) 717-6121, 805 Broughton, range from touring musicians to classical concerts and ballet. The University Centre Farquhar Auditorium, 3800 Finnerty Rd., presents comedy, dance and other cultural events; phone (250) 721-8480. Butchart Gardens offers concerts and musical stage shows during the summer that are among the fun things to do with friends. Kaleidoscope Theatre, an open-air theater at the Inner Harbour, also offers summer productions.
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Top-name entertainers, rock groups and other performers draw large audiences to Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St.; phone (250) 220-2600. A carillon at the parliament buildings, Government and Belleville sts., can be heard daily on the hour. The Royal BC Museum's IMAX Victoria Theatre offers big-screen films complementing the museum's natural and human history themes; phone (250) 480-4887 or (877) 480-4887.
Check with your local AAA travel agency for information about vacation packages and other things to do in Victoria that are geared toward the performing arts.