Performing Arts in Burlington

No need to head to Broadway with great Burlington performances

Whether you are a dance, theatre, or music enthusiast, Burlington has a number of great venues and exciting performances for you to take in this spring.

Our new Burlington Performing Arts Centre box office has a 718 seat main theatre, 225 seat community auditorium and 5,000 square foot lobby for shows and public gatherings. The performances we have attended in this beautiful venue have been excellent, showcasing both international and local talent and every seat in the house is a great one. 

Our local theatre companies including The Aldershot Players, Burlington Student Theatre, Theatre Burlington, Tottering BiPed Theatre, Koogle Theatre, Mohawk Dinner Theatre and Drury Lane Theatre host wonderful local productions throughout the year. Enjoy free Music in the Park featuring local musicians such as Burlington’s own Teen Tour Band at one of the beautiful outdoor park locations during the summer months.  The Royal Botanical Gardens also offers music in the gardens throughout in summer in a magical setting.

Upcoming Performances

Main Theatre @ Burlington Performing
Arts Centre

Wonderful things happen this month at the Burlington Performing Art Centre. On Tuesday, April 17 at 8:00 pm they host the Montreal Guitar Trio with special guests – the California Guitar Trio who take the stage in a performance bursting with music of film, rock n’ roll, world and jazz.  Music don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing. Don’t miss Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, on Friday, April 20 at 8:00 pm. Their repertoire draws deeply from the swing music of the ‘40s and ‘50s.  Marc Atkinson, Friday, April 20 at 7:30 pm. is one of Canada’s most talented musicians. His picking has been described as flawless, surprise-filled, and supremely melodic.  The trio performs in the intimate Studio Theatre.  James Hunter masterfully revives soul, R&B, blues and rock n’roll. With international acclaim, GRAMMY nominations and his unbelievably catchy 2008 release, “The Hard Way”, Hunter confirmed that he is a musical force to be reckoned with. Saturday, April 21 at 8:00 pm “A genuine purveyor of vintage soul.” The Boston Globe.  Correria and Agwa – France’s fusion hip-hop Compagnie Kafig makes an immediate impact. Artistic Director and choreographer Mourad Merzouki mixes complex hip-hop, capoeira, samba, electronic music and bossa nova to deliver a complex, inventive dance full of amazing acrobatics and explosive energy. Thursday, April 26 at 8:00 pm. 



Other spring performances at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre include:


North America’s premiere tribute act featuring internationally acclaimed Elvis Stylist Stephen Michael Kabakos and his 14-member TVB Ensemble recreate Elvis Presley’s monumental 1973 televised concert spectacular “Aloha From Hawaii” on Thurs. May 03, 2012 8:00 pm.


Burlington Concert Band presents "A Tributre to the Brant Inn" on Fri May 04, 2012 8:00 pm.  
This show is a special tribute to Burlington’s historic Brant Inn. The show will feature music of the ‘big band’ era with many favourites performed by the famous bands at the Brant Inn.


Laugh the night away and help out a good cause at the Knights of Columbus Council 5073’s first annual Stand-Up Comedy Night Sat May 05, 2012 7:30 PM. Featuring Russell Roy and Jim McAleese, stand-up comedians with appearances on CBC, CTV and A&E TV shows, they specialize in ‘clean’ (no foul language) stand-up comedy material. Proceeds will benefit the charitable works of the Knights of Columbus. For more information e-mail Vic Lefebvre at kofc@kofc5073.ca or call (905) 335-5073.


Symphony on the Bay presents The Great BPAC Piano Celebration on Sun May 06, 2012 3:00 pm.  Featuring: Andrea Battista (piano), Valerie Tryon (piano) performing J.S. Bach: Concerto for Keyboard #3 in D Major, with Andrea Battista (piano) Liszt: Concerto #1 in E flat major, with Valerie Tryon (piano) Rachmaninoff: Symphony #2, op. 27, in E minor.


Burlington Welsh Male Chorus 10th Annual Concert on Sat May 12, 2012 7:30 pm. Enjoy an evening of song, with not your average choir, supporting the Carpenter Hospice, the Halton Women’s Place and the Burlington Welsh Male Chorus. With selected favourites, old and new from around the world in their unique style, based on the Welsh Male Choir traditions, experience the sensation of over 50 male voices raised in traditional Welsh harmony style. The Burlington Welsh have performed to audiences in Canada and abroad, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK and Carnegie Hall, New York. Guest soloists: Jason Howard raised in the rich singing traditions of South Wales, star of international operatic and musical stage. Jason, who now lives in Toronto, starred in the 2011 Toronto production of South Pacific. Marion Samuel-Stevens, a talented and actively sought after Toronto based soprano, who performs regularly with the Toronto Classical Singers, and who has performed in Europe and North America.

Burlington Student Theatre

Sat May 26, 2012 7:30 pm. Rogers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific is being performed by Burlington Student Theatre and was originally produced on Broadway in 1949.  It is considered one of the greatest Broadway musicals of the twentieth century. Set on a South Pacific island during World War II, we witness the growing love between a young nurse and a secretive Frenchman who's being courted for a dangerous military mission. First produced by Burlington Student theatre in 1997, this revival, most recently seen in Toronto last summer, is sure to be a hit!


Hamilton City Ballet presents Pinocchio & Les Sylphides on Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:30 pm. and Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:30 pm.  “Pinocchio” is a story ballet, choreography by Melania Pawliw, based on the “The Adventures of Pinocchio” a children’s novel written by Italian author Carlo Collodi, in 1883. "Les sylphides” is a one act , non-narrative ballet blanc, often described as a "romantic reverie", composed of a suite of dances choreographed by Michel Fokine, with music by Frédéric Chopin, staged by Max Ratevosian. 


The Homecoming on Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:30 pm. by Burlington Student Theatre.  A concept event featuring the people, events and artifacts that have been part of the 35-year Burlington Student Theatre legacy. Our week of celebration will culminate in our June 9 evening of performances, archival video footage and guest appearances, highlighting the best of Broadway musicals, stage performance, song, dance and art.  This event will be a once-in-a-lifetime event that will DAZZLE!


Gotta SING, Gotta DANCE, Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:00 pm. Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:00 pm. and Wed Jun 20, 2012 2:00 pm.  Celebrate seniors' month and the art of staying young with the Burlington Footnotes Senior Performing Troup Inc! This upbeat fast pace musical variety extravaganza showcases the talent of the 50+ generation. Dazzling costumes, fabulous choreography and high energy performances provide fun for audiences of all ages. 


Enjoy dinner and then some fabulous entertainment in downtown Burlington.  Several dining establishments have created specials in conjunction with performances being held at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.  

• Benny's Deli - Book reservation for pre-performance dinner in advance and you will receive 13% off your dinner.  Simply show your theatre tickets to your server.  
• Eatalia - Chef's Theatre Inspired Prix Fixe Menu - ncludes antipasto, Pasta or Risotto and Dessert for $19.
• Pepperwoods - Early bird specials from 4-6 p.m. 3 course meal with glass of house wine for $24.95.
• Rude Native - Curtain Call - Fixed price menu served daily until 7 p.m. - Appetizer, Main course and dessert for $19.
• S.B. Prime - PreTheatre Prix Fixe Menue - includes appetizer, Main course and Dessert until 7 p.m. daily for $19 - NOTE:  S.B. Prime is in the process of moving to 390 Brant St. (entrance faces Elgin St.)

April 13-28, Theatre Burlington presents “Midnight Madness,” a lighthearted, romantic comedy about the reunion of two old classmates in a furniture store on its last legs. Directed by Al French, Midnight Madness stars local Hamilton/Burlington names Les Blackmore, Kim Jonasson, and Tom Mackan. Theatre Burlington is located in the Music Centre in Central Park and is celebrating it’s 50^th anniversary this year.

Drury Lane Theatre is proud to present the Tony Award winning musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone”.  This fun, energetic (and Canadian!) show pays a tongue in cheek tribute to the classic muscials of the 1920s.  The show is directed by David Mallis and runs May 4-26.  Drury Lane is Burlington’s premier musical theatre company and was established in 1974.  Drury Lane Theatre goers can receive a 10% food discounts on night performances at restaurants in the Pepperwood restaurant group - LaCosta Nuova, Big Tomato, Pepperwood Bistro or Walkers Fish Market.  Call the theatre box office at 905 637-3979 to book show tickets and restaurants to book a Drury Lane Theatre pre-show dinner.  A 5:30 p.m. arrival ensures prompt service.

Mohawk Dinner Theatre presents “Who’s Under Where,” a comedy running to May 12.  The action unfolds as lingerie fashion show derails when mistaken identity results in classic farcical mayhem.  The Theatre is located at Mohawk Raceway off Guelph Line just minutes from Burlington and Milton.  Enjoy one or several of these fabulous theatre performances and enjoy dinner before you go.  

For more information contact Tourism Burlington.  Take your Seat!