Description
We provide quality entertainment to our customers. Top notch live events & current films. International festivals. There's something for everyone.... The Astor Theatre is proud to be the oldest performing arts venue in the province. In 2002 the Astor Theatre celebrated 100 years of entertainment on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.
Built in 1902 as part of the historic Town Hall, the theatre was known as the Liverpool Opera House. It's stage hosted touring and local shows until 1917, when silent films were introduced. Gradually the film presentation gained in frequency and popularity. In 1930, talking pictures were shown for the first time. The first "talkie" shown in the theatre was "Love in the Rough", a comedy on golf. at the same time the name was changed to the Astor Theatre by Seth Bartling Sr. after his favourite theatre in New York.
During World War II the cinema featured regular war documentaries; news reels about the War in Europe became a staple of the Astor's presentations. Shortly after the war the theatre was renovated to accommodate more people in the balcony as cinema presentations grew in popularity. A new screen format was installed to allow cinemascope pictures in the late 50's. A larger screen was installed and the proscenium arch was widened to allow for the larger pictures. As well, the tin ceiling was plastered over to compensate for amplified sound.
For a time, there were few live presentations. In 1979, with increased interest in live presentation, the Astor began presenting local talent through the Winds of Change Dramatic Society. With the installation of a new thrust stage, the stage area was increased to accommodate larger and larger performing acts. In June 1987 The Astor Theatre Society was incorporated as a non-profit, charitable organization.
The Astor has played host to many touring artists including Matt Andersen, George Canyon, Barra MacNeils, Jill Barber, Rufus Wainright, Stewart MacLean, Ron James, Rita MacNeil, Natalie MacMaster, Tommy Hunter, Carroll Baker, George Fox, Mr. Dressup, Symphony Nova Scotia, Debut Atlantic and the Royal Shakespeare Company to name a few. A particularly interesting feature is the tin ceiling. The entire theatre used to have a similar ceiling, but changes were made to enhance the sound quality as it's usage changed. However, the change in the main ceiling did not affect the acoustics which are some of the best in the province. Numerous artists have commented on this confirming they are "the best around". The high rounded ceilings and the plaster walls make the Astor a wonderful place to enjoy concerts and plays. Why not find out for yourself?
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In preparation for The Candidates Debate next Thursday May 18 at the Astor Theatre, we will be accepting questions from the public in advance of the debate. If you wish to submit a questions please e-mail them to: secretary@southqueenschamber.com by Monday May 15, 5:00pm
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Did you know that when the Halifax Explosion happened EVERY pregnant woman in the surrounding area, regardless of what stage they were in, spontaneously went into labour? Can you imagine! Nurses from all nearby provinces and along the Northeastern USA quickly jumped on trains and headed to Halifax to help. Xara Choral Theatre return on June 11th with an outstanding piece of theatre paying tribute to an outstanding show of support & unquestioned duty, given by 100s of nurses to hundreds of terrified women, during a major crisis and tragedy. These are the bits of history so carefully being told during this year of Canada 150. These are the Canadians that make us so proud.
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MAUDIE broke our records for attendance. We saw 1258 people come through our doors over three days of screenings. Thank you for supporting this film and your local theatre.
IAN JANES - Yes Man
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IAN JANES - Yes Man
Thursday June 8, 2017 Show 7:30 pm Doors open 7:00pm Adults $26 Students $20 It’s an occasion when a great East Coast songwriter releases new material, so we’re very happy to have Ian Janes, here at the Astor. Check out this link for the song he wrote for the current tv hit series 'Nashville'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0Gm3yqXfKY&app=desktop A confident, and soulful, record Yes Man creatively mixes Ian’s deepest influences and experiences. It is a combination of singularly written songs, as well as collaborations with other great writers from across North America. The album includes co-writes with Andy Stochansky (Goo Goo Dolls, Ani Di Franco, Shannon Noll), Jamie Hartman (Joss Stone, James Bay, Christina Aguilera) Lee Ann and Daryl Burgess (Irma Thomas, Colin James, Patty Loveless) and iconic Canadian songwriter, Joel Plaskett. The first single from the album, Broken Record, has been receiving regular play from CBC, Clic Franco, Sirius XM, CKBW, as well as Stingray radio and has kept Ian busy with interviews and in-studio performances. Maclean’s magazine has named Ian one of 100 Canadians to watch, he has performed on the nationally televised ‘East Coast Music Awards’ show, CBC Radio’s ‘Canada Live’ and ‘Definitely Not The Opera’. He has been nominated for 5 East Coast Music awards to date and won Record Of TheYear at the Music Nova Scotia Awards. His songs have been featured in Thom Fitzgerald’s internationally acclaimed film, The Event; CBC-TV drama, North/South; the Anchor Bay Entertainment picture, Hiding and the hit U.S. Series Nashville. Yes Man continues his pattern of consistently creating music with depth and musicality. Through every track you can clearly hear the confidence and individuality that comes from experience, combined with the fire and vitality of an artist at the top of his game. Ian has also been keeping busy writing songs for other artists. His song Can’t Remember Never Loving You, co-written with Byron Hill, was featured prominently in the mid season finale of Nashville – check out the video below… Ian’s always been one of the very best talents in our part of the world and while the albums are always too long coming for most of us fans, they always prove to be well worth the wait; at least now the most recent wait is over!
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XARA Choral Theatre present 'The Hours Turn To Nothing' Sunday, June 11, 2017 Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7pm Adults $25 Students $20 This unique and moving artistic collaboration uncovers stories of midwives in the Halifax Explosion. Nationally acclaimed women’s vocal ensemble, Xara Choral Theatre and renowned author Ami McKay have joined forces in the creation of an inter-disciplinary performance called 'The Hours Turn to Nothing'. The show tells the stories of midwives and nurses in the aftermath of the 1917 Halifax Explosion. The historic blast is being commemorated across Nova Scotia throughout this centenary year. It killed almost 2,000 people and seriously injured another 9,000. Amid the many stories of death, ruin and injury, it is lesser known that most pregnant women living within range of the explosion, went into spontaneous labour from the force of the explosion, regardless of the gestational age of their unborn children. Midwives from across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Northeastern USA boarded trains within hours of hearing the news knowing that their unique skills would be needed. The Hours Turn to Nothing is based on years of research undertaken by McKay when she wrote her award-winning novel, The Birth House. The show premiered with three performances in Halifax on April 28-29 and is now touring the Maritime provinces. Featuring 24 singers, the work is shaped by seven ethereal choral pieces and six improvised soundscapes. It also includes text written by McKay and is staged using expressive movement, costumes, and lighting. The choral repertoire includes two world premieres by Canadian composers Jenny Trites (Halifax) and Don Macdonald (Victoria). This ground-breaking artistic collaboration is being supported by the municipality of Halifax, Arts Nova Scotia, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the 150 Forward Fund. To learn more about the performers visit www.xara.ca and join us on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram. Tickets can be purchased at www.astortheatre.ns.ca or by calling 1-888-311-9090
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The high school joined us at 9am today... what a great bunch of kids!
Photos from Astor Theatre's post
Middle school at the Astor on Friday morning for Maudie... tomorrow morning @ 9am, 300 from the high school!
Astor Theatre
'MAUDIE' Fri., May 5 @ 7pm *** Sat., May 6 @ 7pm Mon. May 8 @ 1:30 matinee and 7pm evening NO SHOW SUNDAY (Corb Lund is playing) RUN TIME 115m *** Rating F *** Adults $8 Students $7
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Wednesday Cinema Series presents.... Mr.Gaga: A True Story of Love Wed. May 31 at 1:30pm and 7:00pm Adults $8 Director- Tomer Heymann Cast - Ohad Naharin, Tzofia Naharin, Eliav Naharin, Judith Brin Ingber, Gina Buntz, Naomi Bloch Fortis, Sylvia Waters, Sonia D'Orleans Juste, David Tichnell, Carl House, Reggie Wilson, Ani Udovicki, Yossi Yungman, Tami Lotan, Avi Belleli, Yair Tamir, Eldad Mannheim, Shuki Weiss, Arnon Zlotnick, Natalie Portman Producer- Barak Heymann, Diana Holtzberg Writer - Tomer Heymann Synopsis Mr. Gaga tells the story of Ohad Naharin, renowned choreographer and artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company, an artistic genius who redefined the language of modern dance. Awards Tomer Heymann Winner for the 2016 South by Southwest Film Festival for Documentary Spotlight Audience Award
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