General Manager Rob 'Kato' Sonoda on Centre In The Square's 40th Anniversary:

My first experience with Centre In The Square was around November 20, 1980 - this arts centre was only 2 months old. I was the promoter/tour rep. and assistant production manager for the Burton Cummings “Mile A Second” Tour. We played 2 sold out nights! I recall wandering into this beautiful theatre, and wondered how this City pulled off creating such an awesome space. To top it all off, the acoustics were incredible! We made Kitchener a mandatory stop on all of our touring schedules from then on. At the time, it was one of 17 halls in Canada, and the newest that had over 2,000 seats, an important place to come and play, and route events through. Geoff Butler was the 1st GM, and was awesome. Everyone became good friends with Geoff, and during his tenure here post-show “meetings” at the Tu Lane Truck Stops were memorable! I never thought I would return 23 years later to be part of the team here, and now the General Manager. Many ask “What does the future hold for Centre In The Square?” My team and I pledge to keep programming incredible shows & creating memorable experiences for all who step into Centre In The Square. The team dynamic is incredibly important to Centre In The Square. It takes an incredible staff to pull off a single event, let alone 100+ each year. We wish to further dedicate ourselves to all aspects of the Arts, Culture, and Entertainment world. You will see a variety of collaborations with cultural groups, community organizations, and aim to make the Arts a more inclusive space. Finally, I’m often asked what are some of my favourite moments here at Centre In The Square. Here are a few highlights:

1. Having The Tragically Hip perform here in April 2009

2. Presenting Leonard Cohen in 2008

3. “Near Normal Man” - Holocaust Survivor Ben Stern in 2019

4. Producing our 100th Anniversary / Celebration ceremonies of WW1 to honour our fallen, and those who sacrificed in 2018

5. Working for Tony Bennett with a full orchestra and witness him sing A Capella “Fly Me To The Moon”

In October 2017 Dallas Smith returned to Kitchener with pals Cadillac Three and Lauren Alaina for a sold out concert for the ages. Playing a mix of his new hard-hitting country tracks, and hits from his days in Default, Dallas had the crowd here at Centre In The Square on their feet from start to finish! Here are a few photos from Dallas' set that night.

Jim Cuddy has an incredible new single out called "Good News"

Jim says "After all the isolation and barrage of news, I felt uplifted that so many people were working together to protect each other. We’ve all been locked down for months and spread away from each other and yet there has been a concerted effort to respect each other as well as the activism in the streets, so it’s been a very inspiring time in many ways. “Good News" is sort of the contrast between how inspiring it’s been to watch everybody work together and how difficult it’s been to keep going without any good news."

Let's celebrate the last time Jim Cuddy Band played here at Centre In The Square as part of the Countrywide Soul Tour.

In the lead up to Canada Day we’ve been celebrating some of the best Canadian talent to hit our stage in recent years. Today, we’re feeling nostalgic over Tom Cochrane’s Mad Mad World Tour with Red Rider at Centre In The Square back in March, 2017. The event featured Tom Cochrane reunited with his Red Rider bandmates Kenny Greer and Jeff Jones, and a full performance of Mad Mad World in its entirety, with additional fan favourites.

Here are a few photos of that night.

Pitter patter lets get at’er! In the lead up to Canada Day we’ve been celebrating some of the best Canadian talent to hit our stage in recent years. Today, we’re reminiscing over the sold-out show for Letterkenny Live back in March of 2018, starring Jared Keeso (Wayne), Nathan Dales (Daryl), K Trevor Wilson (Dan) and Mark Forward (Coach). The event featured original sketches performed by the Letterkenny favourites as well as original stand-up sets from Wilson and Mark Forward, and of course a bunch of Puppers! Who's a good beer?!

In the lead up to Canada Day we'll be celebrating some of the best Canadian artists who have played our theatre over the last couple of years. Bahamas has worked with a variety of musicians that includes The Lumineers, Feist, Howie Beck, Jason Collett, Jack Johnson, The Weather Station, and Zeus. Bahamas last played Centre In The Square on November 08, 2018.

In the lead up to Canada Day we'll be celebrating some of the best Canadian artists who have played our theatre over the last couple of years. Whitehorse have played Centre In The Square a few times with Sarah McLachlan, as a duo, and full band. They last played Centre In The Square on November 18, 2017.

In the lead up to Canada Day we'll be celebrating some of the best Canadian artists who have played our theatre over the last couple of years. Jann Arden has played Centre In The Square a number of times, most recently on October 16, 2018 for a sold out show on the These Are The Days Tour. Here are a few photos of that night.
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In the lead up to Canada Day we'll be celebrating some of the best Canadian artists who have played our theatre over the last couple of years. First up is the incredible Walk Off The Earth who always blow the roof off The Centre with an electrifying live show! Their last appearance in November, 2019 was one for the books. Every seat sold out; an epic confetti cannon ending.

We’re feeling nostalgic tonight!

4 years ago on this date, we partied with one of the hottest Canadian bands around – The Trews! It was a phenomenal night of talent and energy and we were ecstatic, along with all our patrons, to witness the absolute magic that happened on our stage.

Relive the night with us through this collection of photos by Paul Barrie.

#ithappenedatcits

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how Canadians can work together to adapt to a crisis. As a Not-for-Profit Charity, Centre In The Square will feel the impact of this crisis immensely, yet we will not let it stop us from bringing you the very best in Entertainment. Your donation will allow us to preserve the well-being of our community, and give us all something exciting to come back to when the time is right. Your support of the Arts will never be more meaningful.
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