The Cultch | Vancouver East Cultural Centre
2008-2009: 35th Season: Music, Dance, Live Theatre

Rentals: Frequently Asked Questions

What's included in the rental rate?
What other costs will be charged?
Does The Cultch require a deposit?
How far in advance do I need to book?
What if I have to cancel my event?
What about concessions?
Is The Cultch wheelchair accessible?
About the Telus Youth Pass

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL RATE?

Technical Services

• The standard setup of theatrical lights, stage and sound equipment per ground plan – this does not include any reconfiguration & setup time or additional equipment rental costs
• Event consultation with The Cultch’s Technical Director
• One qualified, professional working theatre technician for up to 8 hours per day
• Use of the green room and dressing room (with showers and make-up mirrors). Please note that use of the green room and dressing room is not included in the rehearsal rate for the Culture Lab and additional charges will apply.

Box Office Services

New information coming soon!

Marketing Services

• Listing in The Cultch’s online calendar
• Listing in The Cultch’s quarterly newsletter, provided editorial deadlines are met
• Listing on The Cultch’s ‘What’s On’ weekly voice recording

Front of House Services

• Staff including a house manager, box office attendant and ushers for 4 hours
• Pre and post performance cleaners

WHAT OTHER COSTS WILL BE CHARGED?

Equipment Rental
Any incidental costs such as those associated with a reception or with piano tuning, etc. or those associated with extraordinary cleaning services will be charged to you. We can provide a piano and piano tuner, as well as other basic equipment but they are not included in the basic rental of the theatre. For a list of equipment available for rent, please contact The Cultch’s Rental Co-ordinator.

Additional Technical & Front of House Hours
Where your event runs longer than the times included in the basic rental rates above, or you require additional technicians, you will be charged for staff time. Additional staffing is billed at an hourly rate of: $25/hour for technical staff $20/hour for Front of House staff Overtime costs apply in excess of 8 hours per day.

SOCAN royalties
Royalties will be deducted if the show is a musical event. For popular music, these are calculated at the greater of $30 or 3% of total sales per performance net of GST and the TIP fee. For classical music, the rate is the greater of $30 or 1.6%.

Merchandising
There is a 10% commission charged on all lobby sales. Sales staff and a cash float are the responsibility of the presenter.

TIP Fee
A Theatre Improvement Plan (TIP) charge per ticket will be charged to the ticket buyer on all tickets sold (in addition to the Box Office Service Charges). Please price your tickets with these charges in mind. GST should be included in all ticket prices if you are registered for GST. Please ensure that the final ticket price is an even dollar amount (no small change is carried in the box office).

Box Office & Ticket Service Charges
New information coming soon!

Complimentary Tickets
Presenters will be allotted up to a set number of complimentary tickets for each performance free of the TIP charge. Additional comp tickets can be provided and will be charged the TIP fee.

DOES THE CULTCH REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?

A deposit of 50% minimum rent is required when your event is contracted.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK?

The Cultch is available for rental every day of our season (September through August), although Cultch presentations and co-presentations always take priority. Renters looking for week-long bookings need to book as much as a year in advance. One or two-day renters are generally confirmed and contracted at least three to four months before their event. Other dates do come up, however, and there are occasional cancellations. Call to check. Weekend evenings are the most popular and tend to be booked far in advance.

WHAT IF I HAVE TO CANCEL MY EVENT?

One hundred per cent of the minimum rental rate ($600 or $400 per day) is non-refundable for any contracted show cancelled less than 90 days prior to the event. An administrative fee of $50 will be charged for any contracted show cancelled more than 180 days prior to the event.

WHAT ABOUT CONCESSIONS?

The Cultch will operate a bar/cafe service (and retain the revenue) for the benefit of your patrons. Any special bar/concessions or reception arrangements should be made when the contract is negotiated, and must be confirmed at least three weeks before the event.

IS THE CULTCH WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?

All areas of the facility are accessible

THE TELUS YOUTH PASS

The Cultch has undertaken a Youth Initiative Program which includes an affordable ticket program for young people in Vancouver. This program is a result of the recognition that the arts in general, and The Cultch in particular must develop new strategies in order to address the needs of the younger generation of audiences (12 -19 years). We sincerely believe that, as a community arts centre, we must do more to accommodate young people. The TELUS Youth Pass is distributed to youth between the ages of 12 and 19 through high schools, community centres and youth organizations upon request and is also available through The Cultch’s box office. This free pass will enable students to buy at-door tickets to performances at The Cultch for just $2. The $2 charge will cover The Cultch’s TIP fee and box office service charges. From the presenter’s perspective, the Youth Pass tickets are essentially complimentary rush tickets.

How the TELUS Youth Pass Works:

• Youth present the pass, with their Student ID, at the box office on the afternoon/night of the performance. The pass cannot be used for advance ticket purchases.
• 10 tickets are held for each show in the Historic Theatre and 4 tickets are held in the Vancity Culture Lab for each show for Youth Pass holders. These tickets are sold to Youth Pass holders on a first come first serve basis.
• Once all held tickets are sold to Youth Pass holders, any additional holders will have the opportunity to purchase any unsold tickets immediately prior to the commencement of the performance at the $2 rate.
• The pass is non-transferable.

Please note - very important:
People buying tickets at full price always take priority.
This initiative will not affect the number of tickets available for sale as stated because The Cultch always has and will continue to hold a limited number of seats (house seats, usher seats, etc) over and above the contracted number. This means that even at sold-out shows, at least 10 tickets will be available for Youth Pass holders.

By signing The Cultch Rental Contract, the renter agrees to participate in the Youth Initiative and to make $2 tickets available to Youth Pass holders according to the terms and conditions outlined above.

If you are interested in renting The Cultch for your event, please contact our rentals co-ordinator Jennifer Spry for availability and additional information.

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