Heart of the World: Our Vision

The Raja Theatre, most recently a Bollywood movie house, has come up for sale. Located within the community that inspired the Parade of Lost Souls and the Commercial Drive Car-Free Festival, The Raja was once The York, an exceptional venue that hosted an astonishing number of fantastic performers. (Some as well known as Neil Young, Sonic Youth, Jane Siberry, and Crispin Hellion Glover.) It is my intention to transform the space into Heart of the World, a multi-disciplinary arts facility featuring inspiring work from all over the globe that recaptures and surpasses its previous glory.

Housed in a classic 300 seat theatre built in 1910, the heyday of theatre, before any “leaky condo fiasco”, Heart of the World is to address the contemporary artistic and creative needs of the constantly evolving geographic location in which it is situated, offering competitive rates and a multi-faceted performance space. Complete with a full sized stage, a balcony with box seats, and a fully functional projection booth, the bones of the space hold limitless promise - able to show films, dance, theatrical productions, acoustic and amplified concerts, and cabaret events. In the foyer, artists both local and international will be able to advantageously display their work, whether it is photography, painting, drawing or sculpture. As a web presence, Heart of the World will offer podcasts of performances, a gallery of streaming video of performers, the chance to chat with featured artists, and up-to-date interviews, reviews and schedule listings.

The arts in Vancouver are in dire need of not only venues but community: a place where filmmakers, musicians, painters, photographers, and theatre people can meet and interact to the enrichment of their forms and of the city's artistic identity. By allocating two days each in a given week to film, theatre, and music, Heart of the World will draw on three separate and distinct groups of artists and audiences without burdening any one of the three with the entire responsibility of supporting the theatre. Over the course of its life as a venue for the performing arts - as well as a gallery venue for the visual arts - Heart of the World will foster an intermingling and cross-fertilization of its artists and audiences. Artists will find an opportunity to learn from the work of other artists in other disciplines and audiences will be exposed to artists that they would not otherwise have discovered. Building from three separate strands of grass-roots promotion, the theatre will be responsive to the evolving needs and tastes of its customers as its reputation grows untilHeart of the World earns its title: a place where arts and audience converge in communion.

I am currently securing financing, as well as asking for various positions to be filled. If you want to help, please contact me with your name and your specialties. Even if you think you've got nothing to offer, I'm sure we can find a place for you. Every bit of assistance is appreciated and work, depending on category, may be paid in shares.