Capilano University Centre for the Performing Arts

Four Names, One Hall

The hall opened in October 1997 as a 372-seat performance space, built to support Capilano University's performing-arts programs and originally named the Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre. In June 2011 it became the North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts, then became the BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts in September 2013 under a sponsorship arrangement. By its 25th anniversary in 2022 it had presented over 1,000 shows. The sponsor name was retired in 2026 and the room is now the Capilano University Centre for the Performing Arts.

A Curated Season

Programming runs across several house series: the CapU Jazz Series, CapU Global Roots Series, CapU Choral & Classical Series, CapU Theatre Series, and CapU Speaker Series. The centre co-produces North Shore Jazz with the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society as part of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Past performers and speakers include Pat Metheny, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Randy Brecker, Harry Manx, Margaret Atwood, and David Byrne.

Tuned for Wood Walls

The 372-seat theatre offers excellent sightlines from all areas, but its wood walls create reflections the audio design had to manage. The room runs an L-Acoustics system installed by Solotech Vancouver: a centre cluster of seven Kara(i), eight ARCS WiFo as side fill (four per side), five 8XTi front fill, and three SB18i subwoofers. The directional coverage keeps the room clean, with the sound designer noting it measured about 112 dB at front-of-house while holding clarity.

On the North Shore

Operated by Capilano University at 2055 Purcell Way in North Vancouver, the centre works as both a laboratory for the school's Fine and Applied Arts students and a cultural hub for the wider North Shore. It presents jazz, folk, classical, theatre, and speaker events, building partnerships with peer arts organizations and supporting local, national, and international touring artists.