Three major theaters in Vancouver regularly host touring performances. The Orpheum Theatre, 801 Granville St. (tel. 604/665-3050; www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/theatres/orpheum/orpheum.html), is an elegant 1927 theater that originally hosted the Chicago-based Orpheum vaudeville circuit. The theater also hosts pop, rock, and variety shows. The Queen Elizabeth Complex, 600 Hamilton St., between Georgia and Dunsmuir streets (tel. 604/665-3050; www.city.vancouver.bc.ca), comprises the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the Vancouver Playhouse. It hosts major national and touring musical and theater productions. It's also home to the Vancouver Opera and Ballet British Columbia. The 670-seat Vancouver Playhouse presents chamber-music performances and recitals. Located in a converted turn-of-the-20th-century church, the Vancouver East Cultural Centre (the "Cultch" to locals), 1895 Venables St. (tel. 604/251-1363; www.vecc.bc.ca), coordinates an impressive program that includes avant-garde theater productions, performances by international musical groups, festivals and cultural events, children's programs, and art exhibitions.

On the campus of UBC, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd. (tel. 604/822-2697; www.chancentre.com), showcases the work of the UBC music and acting students and also hosts a winter concert series. Designed by local architectural luminary, Bing Thom, the Chan Centre's crystal-clear acoustics are the best in town.

Theater

Theater isn't only an indoor pastime here. There is an annual summertime Shakespeare series, Bard on the Beach, in Vanier Park (tel. 604/737-0625). You can also bring a picnic dinner to Stanley Park and watch Theatre Under the Stars , which features popular musicals and light comedies.

Art on the Edge--For more original performance fare, don't miss The Fringe -- Vancouver's Theatre Festival (tel. 604/257-0350; www.vancouverfringe.com). Centered on Granville Island, the Fringe Festival features more than 500 innovative and original shows each September, all costing under C$12 (US$9).

Dance

The recently opened Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie St.) provides a new focus point for the Vancouver dance community. Renovated by Arthur Erickson, the former bank building now offers studio and rehearsal space to more than 30 dance companies and is open to the general public for events, workshops, and classes. For more information, call tel. 604/606-6400 or check www.vkool.com/dancentre.

For fans of modern and original dance, the time to be here is early July, when the Dancing on the Edge Festival (tel. 604/689-0691; www.dancingontheedge.org) presents 60 to 80 envelope-pushing original pieces over a 10-day period. For more information about other festivals and dance companies around the city, call the Dance Centre at tel. 604/606-6400.

Live Music

Besides the listings here, every June the Vancouver International Jazz Festival (tel. 604/872-5200; www.jazzvancouver.com) takes over many venues and outdoor locations around town. The festival includes a number of free concerts.

The Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, the organizer of the Jazz Festival, 316 W. Sixth Ave. (tel. 604/872-5200; www.jazzvancouver.com), has information on current and upcoming events throughout the year.

The Vancouver Folk Festival (tel. 800/986-8363 or 604/602-9798; www.thefestival.bc.ca) is one of the big ones on the West Coast. Folks come from as far away as Portland and Prince George to take in the extended weekend of music. It takes place outdoors in July on the beach at Jericho Park.

Classical Music

Fans of chamber music, baroque fugues, Russian romantic symphonies, and popular show music will find world-class concert performances in Vancouver.