WestJet Stage

This rating is for the venue only. It’s a decent sized stage and the only nice thing is that it’s an outdoor stage. But that can be a double-​edge sword as rain could ruin any event that’s here. There’s no rain cover for the audience (rain from the side and wind). We came here on a weekend afternoon and a few band members were setting up. Situated near the Harbour Front Center, this stage seats an audience of around 60 – 80 people. The seats are metal and are not comfortable at all. Pro tip: Bring a cushion for your event. Your bum will thank you.

I went to Harbourfront Centre not too long ago with some Unilocalers for a film screening, and was pretty pleased with the results.
Sure, there’s the issue of noise from planes and the pretty heavy crowd, but I really had no issue with it at all, and was able to enjoy the film. I suppose my only complaint would be the somewhat uncomfortable seating, but what can you do?
I had never watched a film outdoors before, and watching one lakeside on a warm summer night was great. I would definitely do that again.

This is a nice venue for free shows in the city, but the sightlines from most of the seats aren’t very good, and there’s a lot of distracting ambient noise (people chatting on the boardwalk, planes taking off from the island airport). Still, public space with interesting programming is a rarity here, and the breeze off the lake makes this a lovely spot to watch a concert or see a movie during one of the frequent events in this space.

Ok, this place starts off with 4-​stars because IT’S OUTDOORS. I was there last night for the Harbourfront Centre Free Flicks and it was amazing. Sure the sounds of planes taking off and landing at the nearby Island Airport may be distracting at first, but you do eventually forget about them as you are swept away by the fact that you are watching a movie in the open air, and on nights like last night when the temperatures hover in the upper 20s after the sun sets, let me tell you being close to the water is a wonderful thing.
Seating is surprisingly comfortable, and though I was panicking that our group wouldn’t get a «good seat» as we made our way to the mostly full seating area, I can say that there is not a bad seat in the place.
Sound quality was great and the fact that they sell beer AND popcorn makes this reviewer give it a SOLID 5-​star!

Went here last night with fellow Unilocalers for a FREE movie by the waterfront.
It’s a fairly good set up. Lots of seating and the volume was good. It was a little hard to see the subtitles at the bottom of the screen because of the seating arrangements, but whatever. It’s free!
On a day when it was 35+ with the humidex, it was surprisingly much cooler and breezy down by the waterfront.
Arrive 15 mins or so before the movie starts or finding a seat could be challenging.

I have to give this little performance space mixed reviews. The backstage space is totally inadequate if your band/​troupe/​contraption has more than 4 performers if you’re not the only act for the evening.
If your group has any choreography with any serious travel make sure you get the stage plan and make sure you can make it fit due to the size of the stage.
As a patron I’ve never had the fortune of getting a seat. It’s always been too full for that. Entrance and exit for the seating area is also very restricted.
Plus noise from the adjacent airport, and the restaurant area surrounding the stage haves fumes and smells and noises wafting over the stage and surrounding area make it hard to listen when all you can hear your belly rumbling or the takeoff of some hot-​rod Cessna with extra loud pipes.

I’ve been here twice now for Longo’s free flicks on Wednesdays. I love the stage in general and it has this amazing atmosphere at being an outdoor movie theatre. I’m probably just saying that because I get to bring my own food without having an usher stare at my ridiculously oversized handbag. Still, the gorgeous weather, amazing breeze off the water, and the interesting movies make me look forward to going back each Wednesday.
The only downside is that the seats are pretty hard. It’s not a big deal for a concert where you might be moving and grooving; but for a 2hr+ movie like Eat Drink Man Woman, my back was a little sore afterwards.

The Sirius Stage[1] has two great things to offer: free shows and a great view of the lake.
The small amphitheatre plays host to numerous events from live concerts to movies, and all of them (for the most part) are free. Harbourfront does a good job at packing a whole lotta events during the summer months, so it’s a guaranteed that you’ll be able to see something here that you might like, whether it’s a family event or catching your favourite indie rock bands.
I hardly ever score a good seat at the front, unless you’re strategic enough and sit near a family who will almost always leave before 9pm and then you can scoot closer to the centre. Once you do, you not only get a great view of the stage but the sound is just great. However even if you’re stuck in the back or off to the side, you’re still guaranteed a good show experience. It may be difficult to see the stage but we’ll probably end dancing or conversing with the people next to you which almost as good as the show itself.
[1] The stage has been renamed to WestJet Stage. (Edited July11, 2011)