Just started taking the adult beginning ballet class here, and I really enjoy it. I've already…read moregotten some new insights about my feet, and as well as some well-earned soreness in the arches. But, oh those calves are getting a workout, and skirt season is here! Conveniently located near Rockridge BART. Not badly priced: $12 drop in, $40 for a 4-class card. And I really like the instructor, Mary Armentrout.

I grew up at Danspace. This is the best ballet studio in the Bay Area, not because of the number…read moreof professionals that come out of it (though there are a few), but because Danspace really takes care of your body. Beth makes the studio feel like family, and you will feel welcome here no matter what your body can do or what it looks like. Great place for adult beginners. Danspace provides excellent foundational technique that will carry through to every class you take from now on. If you're looking for a place to send your kid for dance classes, this is it. Danspace is nurturing, encouraging, and most importantly, they value your kid's health far more than any other studio in the bay area. Your kid will come away from ballet with lasting technique and higher self-esteem, not lower. There is no recital mania at Danspace--the emphasis is on teaching, not performance, so while there are performance opportunities, you will not have to shell out for fifty bazillion sequined leotards and tutus. Take Carly's jazz class if you're an adult/teen with a bit of experience. She's a great teacher and will push you to try things you didn't know you could do.

This has to be the most beautiful Art Deco theater in California. The Arts, Oakland has done a…read morefantastic job in keeping up with this property. The large neon sign is eye catching. The lights in the entrance near the ticket booth is nostalgic. The Lobby, whoa the lobby is breathtaking. You can't help but follow the stairs all the way up the ceiling back around behind you to see the custom glass that looks like clouds. You wish they still made theaters like this. There are no elevators for public use in this building. It's all stairs. There's a bar on the first & second floor. There's also a coat check which I appreciated. I checked in my poster while I enjoyed the show hands free of the merch I bought before the show. The ladies restroom, very Glamorous with the lilac carpet and all Around glass & mirrored vanities that are apart from Le Toilette. It's really a powder room. Through the swinging double art deco doors are the toilets. Like stepping into a time capsule. I took a picture of this stainless steel telephone panel, staff told me it was how they called each floor to communicate with the ushers. There's plenty of staff tonight & I wonder if they're senior volunteers. In my balcony seat, Row G seat 1 the leg room was very cramped. Minimal, no space . I'm 5'2" and I was struggling-I couldn't extend my legs unless I had my right leg extended towards the stairs. I see now why it was available. The locals already know. Anyhoo, there's was an Usher, an older senior lady & she walked up to me, "You can do that, put you leg inside." No problem. I complied without saying a word. Next, I put my phone on the ledge in its stand charging. The lady came back around, she said, "You can't put that there, you can't record, you going to have to move that or put it down. I didn't say anything, took it off the stand & laid it down while charging. My purse, where to put it. So I hung it off the rail in front of me. The same Usher came up & said, "You can't do that, you have to put your purse on the floor. Oh the horror, so I hung it on the armrest close to the stairs. When she saw that, I moved it. At this point people are coming in, the show hasn't started & it's up, down, up down because there is literally no legroom. Luckily I have another seat. I got up to leave this seat. That same Usher was at the stairs, as I was leaving, she leaned over to me as if she was going to say something to me. I hung into the rail, ignored her & left on my way. See that was confirmation to me that I was in her sights. I felt like she was harassing me. She was like the grandma babysitter that didn't want you to do anything, not move, not even sneeze. On to downstairs to Orch Row AA seat 17. This by far was a better seat & so much legroom. You can actually roll a wheelchair through this. That's how wide this row was. Perfect to sneak some pics from this spot. I enjoyed the entire Snarky Puppy set from this seat. They played songs from their new album Somni. Waves Upon Waves was the opening song. These are great talented artists, jazz musicians. I will definitely see them again. After the show, I went to wait in line to have three musicians sign my poster. I was hoping the violinist & the saxophone player came out. No dice. Maybe next time. Add this venue to your concert list. This was my second time here. First was Jill Scott and absolutely no phones upon walking in. Looking forward to posting some reels of this event on my SM accounts.

I left my phone at the venue and tracked it the entire weekend when they were closed…read more I called their lovely Executive Assistant who confirmed nothing has been returned to lost and found by the staff. The day the were open for business, my iPhone grew legs and ended up in SFO. I updated my phone stating that if this returned to your work you'll be terminated and prosecuted. I then called back and provided the address. It was confirmed that one of the sleazy employees stole my phone, then brought it back when they were caught. The Executive Assistant then fedex'd my phone to me and assured me that someone from management would call me. I believe her. They didn't care and never called me, which is rude and tacky because now I have to air them out. Hope the person was terminated but the world will never know.

Shotgun Players is a great theater space in Berkeley. I saw a show here yesterday and was impressed…read moreby how intimate and inviting the venue feels. The theater is small enough that you feel close to the performance, but still has the production quality and atmosphere of a much larger space. The seating provides a strong view of the stage, the space has a lot of character, and the staff created a welcoming experience from the moment I arrived. I also appreciated how the design of the theater makes live performance feel immediate and engaging. A great local venue for anyone who enjoys live theater. I would absolutely return for another production.

I came here with my friends to see Sunday in the Park with George. The production was very well…read moredone and our seats were only $8/each since the show was still in previews! Support local theater! I'd come again to check out other shows.

Garden of Memory is a one-of-a-kind annual walk-thru concert at Chapel of the Chimes, presented by…read moreNew Music Bay Area, which apparently sells out of tickets each year. We arrived early this past Saturday, so street parking was available right in front. The small entry line went quickly at opening time, and once we stepped inside, we were enchanted by the maze-like setting inside, the most beautiful maze I've ever encountered. Colorful gardens with vibrant flowers and greenery, sculptures and fountains, winding pathways and staircases and hidden nooks, where music and artists of all kinds could be found in the most unexpected places on three different levels. Mainly ethereal melodies could be heard throughout, soundscapes, shamanistic and experimental music, a little bit of pop but no recognizable genre. An opportunity for the audience to connect with the beauty of the instruments being played. There were indeed a wide range of instruments utilized during the event, both traditional and uncommon, including the marimba, synthesizer, cocktail drum kit, tuba, xylophone, native recorder, hurdy gurdy, ocarina (death whistle), violin, cello, tambourine, shakers, french horn, melodica, accordian, japanese mouth organ (made of bamboo pipes), harp, bass, saxophone (quartet), dueling digital pianos, kelp horns, pine cones played with a violin bow, and even a parrot perched in an enclosure with a microphone near its beak. A few more that stood out to me were Edward Schocker with resonant glass sounds from cylinder containers filled with water, the mesmerizing performance of Pamela Z. creating engaging tunes with the theramin, vocals, and looping, and the work of sound alchemist, Laura Inserra, in the Garden of Eternal Wisdom, which was personally enjoyable and inspiring. There were a few food trucks out front with outdoor seating and tables set up, so we grabbed some dinner while at the event, a steak quesadilla from La Casita Del Guero and a lamb gyro from Halal Bites. Bracelets allowed for in-and-out flexibility, so guests could eat dinner off site and return, too. Restrooms were available inside the building as well as porta potties outside. I have nothing but good things to say about this place and our experience. It was delightful and therapeutic, and I'm pretty sure my musician bf got more than he expected out of his time here, a dream for instrumentalists and music lovers alike.

There is no bad seat at The Freight but this time I got front row , it's always general admission…read moreseating. This show was for Dave Alvin and Jimmy Dale Gilmore... two legends playing without their band for this show. Last time I saw them with their full band much closer to home at Felton Music Hall... also a great venue. Opening artist was guitarist Lenny Kaye from The Smiths and he was great too. Awesome audience as usual for The Freight. Get out and see live music, it's always a great time.

We saw Keola Beamer and Henry Kapono recently. It was our first visit to the Freight since they…read moremoved ever so long ago. This is truly a nice venue to see music. The staff is friendly; parking is convenient next door in the garage; plenty of restaurants nearby. There were also a few snack items and drinks available for sale. I was bummed that perhaps customer service and management aren't completely in synch with their own policies. I had written and asked if photography would be allowed since this was a Hawaiian show. I wanted to bring in one camera with an attached lens, no flash to take photos for personal use only. I was told that the policy was no photography was allowed. On the night of the show, the last announcement before the show started, was that non-flash photography was welcome. Oh well.

Great intimate music venue, with a variety of different styles of music…read more Bring your own drinks and food, nothing is available.

This place its very dirty, smells horrible and the owner is just like the place…read more Also the owner is a very grumpy person that feels entitled to yell at his clients , this is very unpleasant to experience when you have all your guest Please do your self a favor and avoid renting this place there's so many other places out there

I love this dance community…read more Community: -friendly -safe -fun -relaxed -good people -diverse ages -diverse life experiences -diverse skill levels -welcoming/people will ask you to dance Venue: -large floor -plenty of room to dance/not crowded -fairly informal, don't need to dress up -not too loud -good mix of fusion songs (great for blues dancers looking for something a little different) -variety of DJs -variety of instructors -run by people who dance at their venue & engage with their community/strive to improve -snacks :) This and the Wednesday dance at La Peña used to be my regular East Bay dance diet.

This is one of my favorite dance venues in the Bay area. It's fusion partner dancing, but you don't…read moreneed a partner. Most people show up alone and either ask people to dance or solo dance. Just make sure you get here in time for the lesson if you're new to this type of dance!

I love outdoor venues for concerts, and this one is no exception!…read more Came here to see Jack Johnson last week. Sound was awesome. Love how the fog rolls in overhead. Seating is a bit tight, but this place was built approximately 100 years ago I believe. Good amount of concessions and restrooms. Would definitely come here for other concerts!

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE KHALID SHOW ON 6/26…read more This place is hands-down the best venue in the Bay Area. This was my first time here and I'll be going to see two more shows this summer. If you are attending a GA show here, I recommend arriving when the doors open. We were able to get parking with ease right across the street and get in line. Bring a stadium cushion or seat with back support as long as there's no metal in it. They didn't seem to be super strict on bag sizes, I used a stadium approved clear tote. But I saw a lot of bigger totes and Trader Joe's shopping bags. Refer to the site for information on what you can bring in as far as water bottles, snacks and other items. Literally every seat is a good seat here!

"The Black Repertory Group in Berkeley is the oldest African American theatrical organization of…read moreits kind in the nation. Established in 1964, it has produced hundreds of acclaimed stage performances and supported the careers of many famous alumni such as Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Teri Vaughn, Kelita Smith, KHELANI, and Maya Angelou." Fr Homepage Found this production at the last minute & thoroughly enjoyed it! The cast did a great job. Hats off to everyone.

The Black Repertory Group borrowed my Meyer Sound system valued at $8500. After weeks of trying to…read morefind Sean Vaughn Scott, the CEO, to allow me back in to the theater to retrieve my equipment, I was texted that they threw it out because the fire inspector told them to. I checked with the Berkeley Fire Inspector's office, and there was one complaint, months prior to my loaning them my gear, that was investigated, with the no citations, nor order, nor request to "throw out" my sound system. I was met with a smooth talking man, telling me he'd work everything out with me. The CEO was extremely nice to me, a great guy stringing me along for weeks with his beautiful words. Then, poof! Gone like a ghost. My only recourse now is to take the owner and CEO to court, and, then I have to actually get my money for the system from them, which they claim they "threw out". My personal advice is to be intelligent when dealing with the management of the Black Repertory Group/Theater. The day to day personnel are some of the nicest, honest people on Earth who represent the true spirit of the BRG. I really like the staff!