Beautiful venue and great drink options. The staff is always very friendly and helpful. The sound…read moreis top tier production really know what they are doing.

First time here. Me and the wife went to see Samantha Fish at the center. Seating was very intimate…read moreand Great view from anywhere in the building. Sound acoustics where awesome! She sounded fantastic and clear. There were a few sets of stairs if you are elderly or have problems walking stairs, you might stay to main floor. But we enjoyed the front row balcony. Parking was free,easy in and out ! We will definitely be back .

We spent the last evening at the Candlelight Theater's presentation of "The Four Seasons and More"…read more The atmosphere was amazing with only candles lighting the theater and the stage. The quartet played magnificently and provided great insights into the music. We will be looking forward to future performances.

Visited on a Saturday for a friend's wedding and was not disappointed by this unique and personal…read morevenue. The couple attends concerts at the theater often so it was lovely to know having their wedding there meant so much. My partner and I watched the wedding from the balcony where the view was spectacular and were easily able to move around the upper level and main level when we wanted to mix and mingle during the reception. If I could watch every wedding from that vantage point, I would; so cool! The venue allowed outside catering, so we had the couple's favorite local barbecue. The serving line moved fast and I was glad for the space allowed to line up all 150+ of us. The stage was used for a dance floor later in the night. Though small, it was a fun experience. The stage is a bit difficult to navigate around as there is only one set of narrow steps in the front. The lights also contribute to making the dance floor a bit warm.

My daughters have danced here for years. I really appreciate the quality instruction by the…read moreteachers here. All of the teachers are experienced dancers with extensive training. My daughters have grown in confidence and ability while dancing here. At MCDA the focus is on dance instruction and teaching proper form, technique, and performance etiquette.

From the owner: Founded by a group of professional dancers in 1976, MCDA is a non-profit organization devoted to…read morespreading an appreciation of dance in the community. We offer ballet, jazz, pointe, tap, modern, musical theatre, hip hop and lyrical. Classes are available for ages 3-adult. We have 3 performing companies: Bloomington Ballet, Bloomington Ballet II and JazzFusion.

This is a great theater, it really is. I had stopped going since the arrival of the Ovation due to…read morethe fact you can reserve seats there. Then I got the news that wehernberg (Now Marcus) had these amazing comfy chairs. I thought, huh...I'll have to check it out on a movie I don't really care about. Then I also heard the game changer - you can now reserve seats! You don't know how much this matters. I love going to blockbusters and nothing is worse than waiting in a long line only to discover you and your group have to split up. Now that I have little ones, that's completely unacceptable. Why it didn't get a 5? I don't know what the problem is here. I don't know if folks that come here just aren't used to reserved seats, aren't being told or just don't care. I never had a problem at ovation, but twice now I've had to throw ppl out of my seats! Oh well.

The visuals were so blurry, that one could not even read the credits. The sound was very good,…read morebut i wouldn't ever go there again.

Synergy Rhythm and Dance is a dance studio with classes focusing on Middle Eastern dance,…read morespecifically bellydance. Classes are targeted towards adult and teen women. They have several weekly dedicated classes as well as drop in classes and stand alone dance workshops. I've been taking bellydance classes there for a couple years now, and I look forward to coming to class each week. Class is always a good time. We usually warm up with yoga before we dance. Every session I learn something new - zills, veil, music rhythms. Sahira Zedare is the instructor for most of the classes, and she provides a really welcoming environment. Members of the studio's dance troupe, Synergy Sirens, also teach classes and workshops.

Love it! Cool venue and terrific performances. My only suggestion is to not sell popcorn or other…read moresnacks in crunchy plastic bags. A couple of heavy munchers a few rows back disrupted the performance for many by their incessant chomping and bag crinkling. Practice silent snacking!

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is a rotating series of three plays presented each year from late…read moreJune through early August. This is world class theater, attracting professional actors from around the country. It is organized/managed by Illinois State University, but the plays are performed in an outdoor theater at Ewing Manor (located at the corner of Emerson and Towanda). The theather itself is comfortable, and there isn't a bad seat in the house. The grounds of Ewing Manor are beautiful, and part of the Festival involves your chance to explore the grounds/gardens before the performance. In fact, you can bring a picnic and enjoy dinner on the lawn before the show starts. Weekend nights often feature live music, and a few nights during the season offer "special" themes, such as ISU alumni night, WGLT night, etc.. There are many great things about this Festival, but for me the best thing is the overall experience: a beautiful location, live music (on the weekends), and great live theater. I'm not even a fan of Shakespeare per se. I don't read his works and can't understand half of what he's written, but the quality of this event keeps me coming back year after year. Do yourself a favor and try it out.

This is an excellent orchestra. I have been attending their concerts for a number of years, and I…read morecontinue to be impressed to this day. From the classic favorites to lesser known pieces, they perform a variety of music and do so with the highest quality. The Symphony is currently searching for a new conductor, and I am sure they will find one who will continue the great tradition this organization has established. Central Illinois is very fortunate to have this orchestra here.

From the owner: #ListenLIVE to the talented musicians of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra led by acclaimed Music…read moreDirector Ken Lam. We serve to inspire our audiences through exceptional LIVE orchestral performances and programs. Go to ilsymphony.org for more information. Recognizing that live music has the potential to transform and rejuvenate, to encourage and inspire, the Illinois Symphony proudly serves as a vital cultural resource, an educational partner, and an invaluable enhancement to the quality of life in Springfield and Bloomington-Normal.

Project Linus is a nonprofit organization that distributes handmade security blankets to children…read morein hospitals and shelters, across the US. One of my daughters received a Project Linus blanket, while a patient in a NICU at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH). With so many other more worthy-sounding charities vying for our time & money, I don't think I'd have fully appreciated the value of this charity's work, had we not received a blanket for our daughter. But Project Linus' gift to our family has been matched only by that from Ronald McDonald House--my daughter's blanket is probably the most meaningful possession we own. My twin daughters were born at Texas Children's. One has a serious congenital heart defect--tetralogy of Fallot w stenosis of the left pulmonary artery. And whereas we knew before her birth that she would be an inpatient at TCH, just after she was born, we didn't know for how long. Actually, we weren't even told our daughter's true diagnosis until I was 9 cm dilated in labor. Then, due to a series of miscommunications & mistakes by my obstetric practice & Neonatology, I didn't see my girls for the 1st ~13 1/2 hrs of their lives. And once reunited with them, my babies were completely unfamiliar to me. Initially, I was in shock & blamed myself for everything--my daughter's heart defect (& her twin's related one), the traumatic nature of the girls' deliveries, & my inability to see my babies as mine. I feared that the medical personnel who were meant to care for my daughters & I, didn't, b/c I was inherently unlikeable, & I was terrified that I would garner ill-will toward my critically-ill daughter & compromise her neonatal & cardiac care. My daughter received her name when she was 7 days old; she also received her Project Linus blanket. This was chosen for her by her favorite nurse, Shiji M. It suits her down to the ground--it's a red & white patchwork quilt, printed w strawberries. Red is the color I associate w her; strawberries are her favorite food. My daughter spent her first month of life at TCH. Blankie moved with baby as she was transferred from ward, to ward, to ward, & finally home. Somehow, seeing my daughter resting on the richly-colored backdrop of her blankie eased the transitions for me. It provided continuity. And having such a familiar object that followed my little one, wherever she went, especially one that I associate so strongly w her, helped my daughter herself seem familiar to me, as increasingly, physical contact enabled me to feel that she was mine. Moreover, it was incredibly humbling to think of someone taking the time to make such a lovely thing for our daughter--however unlovable her mother might be, someone cared about her. And this eased my worries for my baby, just a bit. So initially, my daughter's Project Linus blanket was MY security blanket; but as time has passed, it's become hers. It adorns her bed. It serves as a stroller-blanket. And she uses it to play peek-a-boo. In another year, I imagine she'll use it to swaddle her dolls. And it will certainly accompany her to TCH when she returns for cardiac catheterizations & surgeries. Blankets donated through Project Linus needn't be elaborate. Project Linus will accept most any blanket, provided it is new, unused, handmade, washable, & reasonably-free of germs; mold; mildew; smoke; chemical contaminants; & pet-hair. Our daughter's blanket came with a tag giving the name & contact info of the "Blanketeer" who made it--an especially lovely touch--but even that isn't required. A few months ago, my family & I had the chance to give back to Project Linus. We made our first No-Sew fleece blanket at a Blanketeering event at a local school, in Houston, TX. It was a very well thought-out idea for an event--children as young as 3 years old chose the fabric they wished to make their blankets from, & w supervision, fashioned blankets by cutting off the selvage, & cutting & tying fringe. (Detailed instructions are available at: http://www.projectlinus.org/patterns/pdf/NoSewFB.pdf, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59h8wgDgTRg.) So the Blanketeering event benefited not only those children who will be receiving blankets, but those who volunteered to help make them. In all, Project Linus is an incredibly worthy charity that provides security blankets made by caring Blanketeers to children desperate for caring & security, many of who's family members are too. One needs no special skills to complete a No-Sew blanket--even very young children can do this. If you'd like more information on Project Linus, or wish to make a monetary donation, or that of a blanket or blanket-making materials, visit http://www.projectlinus.org, or contact your local chapter coordinator.