The Christchurch Town Hall of the Performing Arts, previously known as the Christchurch Town Hall, opened in 1972, is Christchurch's premier performing arts centre. It is located on the banks of the Avon River overlooking Victoria Square. It is situated opposite the Christchurch Convention Centre. The Christchurch Town Hall of the Performing Arts was designed for the presentation of a wide range of activities including orchestral concerts and recitals, opera, ballet and dramatic productions, musical comedy, variety, folk, rock and jazz concerts, conventions and conferences. It hosts many civic functions, local cultural and commercial events, shows, and concerts. It is home to the Canterbury Opera, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, the Christchurch City Choir and several theatrical amateur groups. It has a 2,500 seat auditorium known for its acoustics and the 1,000 seat James Hay Theatre. The Town Hall has several rooms that complement the Christchurch Convention Centre. The Rieger Pipe Organ is also in the Christchurch Town Hall of the Performing Arts Auditorium and the curator is international concert organist Martin Setchell. It also has the Limes Room, Cambridge Room and two Conference Rooms which are used for various functions and conferences. On the ground floor of the complex is Boaters Restaurant, which is run by the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.
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