Opened as the Temple Theatre on December 22, 1919, the centre was originally designed as a vaudeville and silent movie house. Opening night premiered with five acts of vaudeville and the silent movie “Heart of the Hills” starring Mary Pickford. As one of the premiere theatres in Canada at the time, the Temple was a “first-run” film house attracting films from all the major distributors.
The local orchestra members started collecting promotional photos of the acts who performed at the theatre and glued them to the walls, the doors, and the sides of their sheet music cabinets. Many of these photos were salvaged during renovations of the orchestra pit and are on display throughout the lobbies today, along with photos of our more recent performers.
The Temple Theatre was renamed the Capitol in the early 1930s. For fifty-seven years, the theatre entertained moviegoers, and occasionally drew up her movie screen to be used again as a stage. As the years passed, attendance waned and in August 1986, the final movie “One Crazy Summer” was shown at the Capitol Theatre.
The vision of reopening the theatre as a performing arts facility was born and was met with fantastic support from local citizens. The Brantford Heritage Theatre Foundation spearheaded a highly successful fundraising campaign for the restoration and renovation of the Capitol Theatre. The first performance was Evita on October 2, 1986, tickets sold out quickly and two more performances were added. On December 11, 1989, the theatre was renamed the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, a tribute to the memory of the Sanderson family known for their generous support of local causes.
The original ceiling mural (shown above this article’s title) was reproduced aided by ghost images which remained and historical photographs. It is believed the mural is titled “The Three Muses” depicting Greek goddesses who preside over literature, sciences, and the arts. Canada’s premiere performer Anne Murray officially opened the newly restored theatre on September 8, 1990, with a gala presentation.
In June, 1991 the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts was proud to be awarded the prestigious “Theatre Preservation Award” presented by the League of Historic American Theatres. The Sanderson Centre joins a select few authentically restored historic facilities including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Elgin Winter Garden Theatres in Toronto.
Amid the grandeur of 1919, the theatre inspires all to treasure the past and cherish the present. The Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, together with the Sanderson Centre Foundation, continues to honour our heritage. We invite you to enjoy the archival collection of photographs and memorabilia showcased in the lower lobby.
As we approach our 100th anniversary there will be many celebrations and events during the year.
You bet!
Wow! I can’t believe the Sanderson Centre is approaching its 100th anniversary. It’s been 100 years since this monumental building was built. That is a long time, and people should appreciate the history of this building.
TRANSCANADA HIGHWAYMEN are Moe Berg • Chris Murphy • Craig Northey • Steven Page
NEW LIVE PROJECT LAUNCHES SOUTHERN ONTARIO TOUR
Showtime: Wednesday April 26 8:00 PM
Tickets: $55.00
Four friends, four frontmen and four iconic Canadian rock bands ¬– the TransCanada Highwaymen is a Canuck super group made up of Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness, Chris Murphy of Sloan, Craig Northey of Odds and Steven Page, co-founder of Barenaked Ladies.
Performing 16 of their hit songs including fan faves I’m an Adult Now, The Other Man, It Falls Apart and Brian Wilson, the set will also incorporate videos from their time on the road with their bands, never before shared photos and inside jokes from 25 years of friendship and camaraderie.
From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, each individual TransCanada Highwaymen have left their indelible marks on the Canadian music scene. They come together now to share their road stories and laugh at their brushes with fame and the famous. Performing songs that everyone knows and loves and switching instruments throughout the show, the free-style evening allows for impromptu memories and a very real look behind the music.
A limited engagement, Moe, Chris, Craig and Steven share a glimpse into one of the most transformative eras in Canadian music. Ontario tour dates include Brampton, Brantford, Guelph, Kingston, North Bay, Oakville, Richmond Hill and St. Catharines, April 19 – 28.
“It was the suit that got me the gig, It was the tear that got me the girl, I’m a sheep in this wolf’s clothing, I’m a picture that I’m holding, Of someone who is cool.” Odds
Moe Berg
Moe was, and technically still is a member of The Pursuit of Happiness. The band had plenty of fun over their 12-year active career. They have been on a 20-year hiatus though they occasionally come out from hiding just slightly less often than the groundhog. During this time, Moe developed a severe case of stage fright. He is hoping that by teaming up with phenomenal performers like Chris, Craig and Steven that he will regain his former love of the stage. He is looking forward to the shows and the camaraderie that goes with being in a band.
Chris Murphy
Chris Murphy always wanted to be in a band and loves playing music with friends. He considers project-based friendships the most efficient way to go through life. Chris has enjoyed 25+ years in the rock band Sloan where he is an equal member. He has another band called TUNS where he is an equal member. Now he is teaming up with Moe Berg, Craig Northey and Steven Page, 3 Canadian musical heavyweights that Chris is proud to call peers in the TransCanada Highwaymen… and Chris is an equal member. Fingers crossed, Chris is hoping to put together another project with Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Bill Gates.
Craig Northey
Craig Northey always takes the fun gig. To his wife’s credit she has never bothered to roll her eyes when he completely ignores the pragmatic approach. She says, “That sounds interesting. See you when you get back”. After 30 years in the band “Odds” and dozens more as “serial collaborator” with musical and theatrical friends (Kids in the Hall, Colin James, Rob Baker of the Tragically Hip, Jesse Valenzuela of the Gin Blossoms, Brent Butt, and Steven Page) he’s found another fun and exotic ride to go on. Craig now gets to make rock n’ roll joy with his pals Steven Page, Moe Berg and Chris Murphy as the “Trans-Canada Highwaymen”. Anyone would say yes to that. His wife smiles broadly and says, “oh…I’m going with you to those shows!”.
Steven Page
Maybe you remember Steven Page from Barenaked Ladies. He was the one with glasses who sang songs like “Brian Wilson” and “The Old Apartment” and left in 2009. Since then, he’s released three albums, performed extensively with the Art of Time Ensemble, hosted his own TV show The Illegal Eater, and composed several scores for the Stratford Festival, including last year’s acclaimed production of Macbeth. He is thrilled to be a part of the TransCanada Highwaymen as he’s a huge fan of all three of his bandmates’ music and is thrilled to be playing some of their biggest hits with them, particularly The Pursuit of Happiness’ “Sweet City Woman,” Sloan’s “Sunglasses At Night” and “Everything I Do I Do It For You,” made famous by Odds. Steven likes to think of TCH as Canada’s Traveling Wilburys, which would make him their Roy Orbison. Except still alive.
Media Contact: FLIP PUBLICITY, 416.533.7710
Carrie Sager X224, carrie@flip-publicity.com or Liisa St-Aubin X231 liisa@flip-publicity.com
Social Media:
Twitter: @scpaLiz @SandersonCentre Facebook: sanderson.centre
Purchase tickets by:
Telephone: (519) 758-8090 or 1-800-265-0710
In person: 88 Dalhousie Street, Brantford
Online: http://www.sandersoncentre.ca
$5.00 eyeGO tickets are available for high school students with valid ID. $20.00 uGO tickets are available to university and college students with valid ID.
For further information on this release contact Liz Oden (519) 752-9910 x 5022 Please mention the Silo when contacting.
Public Relations and Communication
Just For Laughs is delighted to bring more of its funniest alumni to the Sanderson Centre in Brantford with the Just For Laughs Road Show on Tuesday April 4 at 8 PM. Michael Kosta hosts an evening of comedy featuring stand-up favourites Yannis Pappas, K. Trevor Wilson and Sabrina Jalees. Warning – adult content! Tickets at https://tickets.sandersoncentre.ca/TheatreManager/1/login&event=807