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Our 2024-2025 Spotlight Season

The Spotlight Series is The Port Theatre Society’s nationally acclaimed presentation series that includes some of the most exciting touring artists available, every one of them showcasing artistic excellence and innovation. At the heart of the Spotlight Series is a passion to create access to diverse and authentic experiences for our audiences. Choose from a variety of unique, bold, and exciting events!

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Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets:

Buy any 2 for 10% off , Buy any 3 for 15% off , Buy any 4 for 20% off

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  • Enjoy discounts on ALL Spotlight shows!

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COMING UP: 2024-2025 SEASON

THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
Ô-Celli

Friday, November 22, 2024
7:30pm

BELGIAN CELLO OCTET

What can sound better than a cello? Eight cellos! This instrument, the closest to the human voice, is one of the few which carries being multiplied. When played together with others, the beauties of this instrument add up, giving birth to a unique, full and exceptional sound. Ô-Celli was brought to life by the shared passion of eight cellists, chamber musicians and concertists, for this exceptional vibration they created.

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets
$39 Members | $44 Regular | $24 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
NUTCRACKER
Royal Winnipeg Ballet

December 6 – 8, 2024 (3 shows!)

Friday 6th & Saturday 7th  @ 7:30pm
Sunday 8th @ 2:00pm

CANADIAN DANCE

A gem in André Lewis O.M.’s legacy to leave the country with a holiday tradition inspired by Canada. When commissioning this new version, André insisted on including opportunities for the children as well as iconic Canadian symbols like the Ottawa Parliament buildings and busby-hat Mountie guards.

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets (only incl. 1 performance of Nutcracker)
$70 Members | $75 Regular | $40 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

Cameo Sponsor - Church Pickard
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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
WINTER HARP

Saturday, December 14, 2024
3:30pm

CANADIAN MUSIC
Matinee

Winter Harp takes you on a magical journey you will never forget. Join this world-class ensemble of harps, flutes, rare medieval instruments, percussion and singing for a heartwarming concert in celebration of winter and Christmas. The musicians, in rich medieval attire, perform a hauntingly beautiful selection of music on a stage set with gorgeous backdrops of a cathedral and snow. This is a journey into the heart of Christmas. Winter Harp – Christmas begins here.

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets
$59 Members | $64 Regular | $34 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT

Friday, January 31, 2025
7:30pm

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC

International Guitar Night is the world’s premier touring guitar festival, each show bringing together the most interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a public concert setting. For each tour, IGN founder Brian Gore brings together a new cast of guitar luminaries for special evenings of solos, duets, and quartets that highlight the dexterity and diversity within the world of acoustic guitar.

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets
$54 Members | $59 Regular | $34 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

Cameo Sponsor - Nanaimo Toyota
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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO

Wednesday, February 5, 2025
7:30pm

AMERICAN DANCE

Trock dancers work hard to balance their serious ballet technique with silly antics, all for the enjoyment of their audience. Best known for presenting their lovingly-satirical takes on the tropes of classical ballet repertory, these versatile dancers layer slapstick humour with technical chops resulting in performances that simultaneously celebrate, skewer, and enliven the ballets that aficionados thought they knew and that newcomers are initiated into – through the universal language of laughter.

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets

$59 Members | $64 Regular | $34 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
Theatre for Young Audiences
YES YES YES

Tuesday, March 11, 2025
7:30pm

NEW ZEALAND THEATRE

Part confession, part documentary, part open conversation, Yes Yes Yes is a theatre show created for young people that explores the knotty and necessary topics of healthy relationships, consent, and desire. Made with and for 14-22 year olds, Yes Yes Yes is a funny, generous and innovative piece of contemporary performance that speaks directly to one of the most pressing issues young people face today. “Intelligence, sensitivity, honesty, empathy and insight – all without a trace of preach.” – Theatreview

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets
$25 Members | $30 Regular | $19 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
Theatre for Young Audiences
THE ALPHABET OF AWESOME SCIENCE
By That Science Gang

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (School Show)

AUSTRALIAN THEATRE

Join professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge (the Word Nerd and the Science freak) for a thrilling voyage through the alphabet — where sesquipedalian words inspire mind-blowing scientific surprises! It’s a tongue-twisting race from A to Z that’s equal parts explosive, messy, hilarious, fascinating and gross. Brace yourself for an hour of carefully crafted alphabetical, scientifical (award-winning!) chaos— that floats, flies, squirts, sprays, ignites and erupts!

THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
Vancouver Island Exclusive!
SONG OF THE NORTH
By Hamid Rahmanian (KINGORAMA)

Wednesday, May 14, 2025
7:30pm

AMERICAN THEATRE

A cinematic shadow theater experience unlike anything you have seen before! New York Times Critic’s Pick
Song of the North is a large-scale, cinematic performance combining the manual art of shadow puppetry with projected animation to tell the courageous tale of Manijeh, a heroine from ancient Persia, who must use all her strengths and talents to rescue her beloved, Bijan, from a perilous predicament of her own making and help prevent a war.  This epic love story employs a cast of 500 handmade puppets and a talented ensemble of nine actors and puppeteers, all of which come together to create a spectacular experience that advances the themes of unity, collaboration, and experimentation through performance and story. Song of the North, adapted from the Book of Kings (Shahnameh), challenges the Eurocentric worldview of art and storytelling through a contemporary multimedia experience of this classic Persian tale.

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets
$54 Members | $59 Regular | $30 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
A SIMPLE SPACE
Gravity & Other Myths

Wednesday, May 21, 2025
7:30pm

AUSTRALIAN CIRCUS
Star Sponsor - Helijet

A Simple Space evokes real responses in audiences, something visceral rather than cerebral. Instead of fine-tuning the performance with makeup, lighting and contrived theatrical overlay, the cast have deliberately gone the opposite way. The audience is brought in close to surround the stripped-back stage. In that space the acrobats are pushed to the physical limit, breaking down their usual guards and introducing the reality of failure and weakness. With nothing left to hide behind personal narratives come through naturally. This honesty is the essence behind A Simple Space.

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets
$34 Members | $39 Regular | $24 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

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MORNING COFFEE CONCERTS – 2024/2025 Season

A series of four daytime concerts which take place in the Port Theatre lobby. Guests enjoy coffee + treats along with music in a more intimate, interactive setting than a traditional stage.

Buy the Coffee Concert Series 4-Pack for $117
$34 Members | $39 Regular | $24 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
JACOB CORDOVER
Morning Coffee Concert

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 @ 10:30am

Australian classical guitarist Jacob Cordover has enjoyed a varied and extensive international career as a concert and recording artist based out of his home in Spain. Equally happy performing as a soloist, in small chamber ensembles, or in front of an orchestra, Mr. Cordover has performed in large concerts halls such as Barcelona’s l’Auditorí, Beijing’s Centennial Hall and the Cultural Centre of the Philippines’ Main Theatre, as well as more intimate venues such as the Rix Centre in Bamfield, Canada; Raynham House’s Ballroom in England’s Norfolk; and at Montsalvat, in Melbourne, Australia.

$34 Members | $39 Regular | $24 Students | $117 Concert Series 4-pack
Prices include order fees and taxes

Coffee Concert Sponsor: Mid Island Co-op
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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
BERGMANN DUO & GUEST
Morning Coffee Concert

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 @ 10:30am

The Bergmann Piano Duo’s dynamic and energetic performances of uniquely eclectic programmes have inspired audiences internationally. Their recitals and concerts with orchestra have taken them to many parts of the world, including the United States, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, France, Macedonia, Greece, China and Canada.

$34 Members | $39 Regular | $24 Students | $117 Concert Series 4-pack
Prices include order fees and taxes

Coffee Concert Sponsor: Mid Island Co-op
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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
TISSA RAHIM
Morning Coffee Concert

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 @ 10:30am

Tissa Rahim, the Persian Powerhouse, is a West Coast musician with a 40-city North American tour under her belt. Winner of “Best RnB/Soul Recording of the Year” at the YYC music awards in 2023, Tissa freely explores her effortless Soul/RnB sound, infusing it with traditional Persian music her family has made for generations. Beyond performing as a solo act up to a 6-piece band, she has led workshops on how her Middle Eastern roots have influenced her contemporary songwriting.

$34 Members | $39 Regular | $24 Students | $117 Concert Series 4-pack
Prices include order fees and taxes

Coffee Concert Sponsor: Mid Island Co-op
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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
SARAH HAGEN
Morning Coffee Concert

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 @ 10:30am

Canadian pianist Sarah Hagen’s extensive touring has taken her across Canada, to Sweden, Denmark, France, Germany and Italy, and twice to New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Awarded as Artist of the Year by both Ontario Contact (2017) and the BC Touring Council (2015), and mentioned by The Guardian (Charlottetown) as the Best Classical Performance of 2014, her interpretations have been described as “outstandingly inventive” [University of Waterloo Gazette], ”played flawlessly” [Review- Vancouver].

$34 Members | $39 Regular | $24 Students | $117 Concert Series 4-pack
Prices include order fees and taxes

Coffee Concert Sponsor: Mid Island Co-op
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PAST SPOTLIGHT SHOWS: 2023-2024 SEASON

THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
FRANKENSTEIN
Ballet Victoria

Friday, October 25, 2024
7:30pm

Star Sponsor: RLR Lawyers
CANADIAN DANCE

Inspired by the romantic classical ballet, Giselle, this ballet blends the dark elements of the gothic tale of eternal life and resurrection with the beauty and tragedy of a love story born in death. “It’s going to be fun. It’s something that is a great story and it’s kind of fun to do ballets that are a little bit out of the expected,” says [Ballet Victoria’s] Paul Destrooper.

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets
$54 Members | $59 Regular | $29 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
Crow's Theatre production of
As You Like It or
The Land Acknowledgement
By Cliff Cardinal

Tuesday, October 15, 2024
7:30pm

CANADIAN THEATRE

“A LIBERATING NIGHT AT THE THEATRE. BRUTALLY FUNNY AND HONEST.” – J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe & Mail

Most people know As You Like It as one of The Bard’s most accessible and whimsical plays. How was Cliff, a young Indigenous playwright and actor acclaimed for his acerbic, mischievous humour and willingness to deal with raw emotions and difficult subject matter, going to retell this classic of Western theatre? As more people saw the show, it became clear that what Cliff was doing with his new work was examining the relationship between the Indigenous community and the settlers.

Buy multiple shows at once and save up to 20% on Regular-priced tickets
$32 Members | $37 Regular | $20 Students
Prices include order fees and taxes

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
RED PHONE
Boca Del Lupo

August 13 – 15, 2024

CANADIAN INSTALLATION THEATRE
FREE (with $5 Fringe button)

Free of charge, anyone can walk up and into the booths with a friend or family member and spend 5 minutes engaging in some of the most urgent, touching, thought provoking conversations written by some of Canada’s most exciting writers. With a Canadian catalogue of over 2 dozen scripts and tour stops spanning from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, Red Phone is a truly national project.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
Theatre for Young Audiences
TREE: A World In Itself

3 performances

June 4 @ 3:30pm | June 5 @ 10:30am | June 5 @ 3:30pm

TREE: A World in Itself  was created for children (ages 4 and up) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and adapted for children with intellectual disabilities and/or reduced mobility.

NOTE: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 – 3:30pm is an adapted version for all infants and toddlers (ages 3 and under)

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THE PORT THEATRE & VIRL PRESENT
Theatre for Young Audiences
The Libravian

Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Nanaimo Harbourfront Library
Suitable for children ages 7+

Meet Lynn, a lovable ‘libravian’ minding her own business until the Ben the Book Tour guide gets laryngitis and suddenly, she is doing the one thing she said she’d never do again! This 40-minute show explores themes of courage and identity, celebrating brilliant books and diverse stories through big hearted physical comedy.

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THE PORT THEATRE
KOREAN CULTURAL CENTRE & NANAIMO INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENT
SE:UM

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Show starts at 7:30pm

In 2013, a group of jazz players and Korean traditional musicians started to play jam sessions based on traditional Korean folk melodies and shamanistic rhythms, eventually forming SE:UM.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
BALLETS JAZZ MONTRÉAL - ESSENCE

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Show starts at 7:30pm
Pre-show chat in the Harmac Room

This landmark anniversary program pays homage to the company’s roots but also serves as a springboard for a new artistic vision. Featuring choreographers: Ausia Jones, Crystal Pite, and Aszure Barton.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
COFFEE CONCERT - BERGMANN PIANO DUO

Saturday, April 6, 2024

Show starts at 10:30am
Intimate lobby concert with coffee & treats

The Bergmann Piano Duo’s dynamic and energetic performances of uniquely eclectic programmes have inspired audiences internationally.

LEARN MORE
THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
MADE IN ITALY

An Arts Club production by Farren Timoteo
Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Show starts at 7:30pm
Platinum sponsor: Helijet

Made in Italy is a celebration of music, food, and family that’s so delightful you won’t soon fuhgeddaboudit.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
DIYET & THE LOVE SOLDIERS

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Show starts at 7:30pm

Diyet & The Love Soldiers is alternative country, folk, roots and traditional with catchy melodies and stories deeply rooted in Diyet’s Indigenous world view and northern life.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
FLIP FABRIQUE - BLIZZARD

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Show starts at 7:30pm
Platinum sponsor: RLR Lawyers

FLIP Fabrique is a circus company based in Québec, Canada. Born out of the dreams and the friendship of circus performers in 2011, this troupe is renowned around the world for its beloved production and astonishing feats. With performers at the peak of their art and outstanding visual poetry, Blizzard promises to blow away everything in its path.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
COFFEE CONCERT - BUWA

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Show starts at 10:30am
Intimate lobby concert with coffee & treats

Featuring our Discovery Alumni Artist — Buwa! Drawing influences from the late Whitney Houston, as well as Jill Scott, India Arie, Billy Porter, and Brenda Fassie — Buwa is an exciting contemporary soul artist. Recognized for his infectious melodies, his versatile voice and captivating song writing, Buwa has released two EPs: Olu [2019] and Road Signs [2016], along with handful of captivating singles. He uses his music and talents to change the way the world sees Africa!

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Co-presentation: Crimson Coast Dance MainStage Series & The Port Theatre present
Hervé KOUBI: What The Day Owes To The Night

Monday, February 5th, 2024   

Show starts at 7:30pm

A jaw-dropping, gravity-defying dance work that blends contemporary and urban dance with martial arts!
“When the French choreographer Koubi learned, at twenty-five, that his family had Algerian roots, he went back to the country of his forefathers and created this piece, in collaboration with a group of nonprofessional dancers, all men. Most were street dancers, adept at martial arts and hip-hop. The result is an exploration of masculinity and male beauty, meditative and at times tender, containing moments of striking virtuosity.” — The New Yorker

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Show starts at 7:30pm
Pre-show chat in the Harmac Room

International Guitar Night is the world’s premiere touring guitar festival, each show bringing together the most interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a public concert setting.

LEARN MORE
THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
ANDREW ALLEN: ALL HEARTS COME HOME

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Show starts at 7:30pm

Andrew Allen, with two Top 10 Christmas songs, brings his festive and charismatic live performance to the stage to evoke all the holiday feelings.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
WINTER HARP

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Show starts at 3:30pm
Pre-show chat in the theatre

A heartwarming family tradition in Nanaimo! Classical and Celtic harps combine with flutes, violin/fiddle, rare medieval instruments, percussion, poetry, and song to wrap you snugly in the silken cloak of Christmas.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
COFFEE CONCERT - SARAH HAGEN

Tuesday, November 14, 2023   

Show starts at 10:30am
Intimate lobby concert with coffee & treats

For those longing to travel abroad while avoiding the hassles of airline travel, pianist Sarah Hagen is delighted to return to The Port Theatre with “A European Vacation” through music.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
sGaanaGwa - WINTER SOLSTICE

Thursday, November 9, 2023   

Show starts at 7:30pm
with special guest Ay Lelum – The Good House of Design
Post-show chat in the theatre

sGaanaGwa is a compelling collaboration exploring the Haida Worldview of a Supernatural landscape through traditional Haida music interwoven with influences from jazz, blues, folk and rock. sGaanaGwa is a Haida culture and language project of award-winning singer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, legendary musicians Bill Henderson and Claire Lawrence of the acclaimed rock band Chilliwack. They are supported by Western Canadian Music Awards 2019 Jazz Artist of the Year bassist Jodi Proznick and renowned vocalists Saffron Henderson and Camille Henderson.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
MIDDLE RAGED

Friday, October 27, 2023   

Show starts at 7:30pm

MIDDLE RAGED is a hilarious stage show starring Geri Hall and Gary Pearson, that explores the time of life when you’re running out of time! Geri spent five seasons starring as a roving reporter and anchor on CBC’s iconic Canadian satire, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, where her hilarious character, Single Female Voter, made national headlines during the 2008 federal election. Gary Pearson has written for such shows as MadTV, 22 Minutes, Corner Gas and the Ron James Show. He created and produced That’s So Weird for YTV and with Dan Redican, co-created, Sunnyside for CityTV. He has won the Canadian Screen Award, Canadian Comedy Award and the WGC Award.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
OKTOPUS

Tuesday, October 17, 2023   

Show starts at 7:30pm

Oktopus is a major presence on the Canadian world music scene, with over 250 performances to its credit at home and abroad. The group is primarily devoted to klezmer—the musical heritage of Eastern European Jews—distinguished by a novel approach that incorporates various components of classical, Quebecois, and jazz repertoires.

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THE PORT THEATRE PRESENTS
BALLET KELOWNA

Friday, September 29, 2023   

Show starts at 7:30pm
Pre-show chat in the Harmac Room

Ballet Kelowna’s Vancouver Island debut! The taqəš, Bolero, and MAMBO program features a stunning line-up of signature works from Ballet Kelowna’s contemporary ballet repertoire. Choreographers: Cameron Fraser-Monroe, Guillaume Côté, and Alysa Pires.

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