Altar to Art
A short stroll away from Commercial Drive, the Vancouver East Cultural Centre shares the Drive's independent, boho spirit. It has maintained strong community ties while widening its scope to encompass the city's cultural and artistic beat. The VECC prides itself on being a gathering place for the city's artists and culture lovers. Housed in a former Methodist church dating back to 1909, the VECC is truly one of Vancouver's more unique performance spaces.

What's On at the Cultch
Affectionately called the Cultch, the VECC has been favourably compared to a "miniature European opera house." Indeed, with its rich red seats, golden balcony, stained glass windows and archways, the theatre is a warm, intimate space that has hosted over 7,500 performances and welcomed over 1.5 million visitors. If you're in the mood for something fresh and new, something you haven't seen before, the VECC shows are unique and, at times, provocative. Dynamic programming in dance, theatre, and music by local, national and international artists draw crowds and praise. It's also a popular venue for New Music West and the summer jazz festival as well. Seating can be configured to fit 248 to 384 show-goers.

Art in the Lobby
A multi-purpose space in the lobby showcases the artwork of local artists. About seven to 10 shows are mounted annually, including the Cultch's own Youth Art Exhibition, a mixed media display of artists and curators 19 years old and younger, previews of the Eastside Culture Crawl, and works from emerging artists from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. The gallery is usually open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and also before evening performances. Best of all, admission is free.