OH! So you want to check out the opera but don't have have Rockefeller money?…read more Well Opera in the Heights is your answer. I came for the last showing of Pearl Fishers, which is a traditional French Opera. We got middle balcony seats using a student discount for 10 bucks a ticket. That's a steal! The production value was great, one non changing stage, costumes remained constant also, but they were very colorful and appeasing to the eyes. The plot could been a little bit better planned and acting was eh, but the singing was superb. It's a small space so basically every seat in the house is a good view. I like the smaller intimate theaters because you feel like you are part of the show, especially when some of the singers walk up the aisles onto the stage. If $10 is too much to "TRY" out the opera, they offer a free dress rehearsal where you can can take pictures!!! I will be back for another show.

If I could give 6 stars, I would. Last night I watched Bellini's Capuletti E Montecchi, a rendition…read moreof Romeo and Juliet. I was impressed that this was actually better than the rendition of Othello we saw a month ago! Needless to say, I look forward to watching a rendition of Macbeth in February! So nice to have a cultural gem in Houston that isn't pretentious or pricey!

I am a member, so I'm biased. I am also writing this review in terms of being a member, not our…read moreindividual performances, as those will vary. I have been a member for one season and have very much enjoyed it. The no audition format allowed me, a very hesitant public singer at best, to feel like I would not be laughed out of the building or derided for trying. Everyone in the chorus was so welcoming. The conductor was supportive, if stern, and I found myself having a good time. Not only that, our conductor has been so much more than just a conductor. He has been a wonderful teacher. I have learned a lot about singing and a lot about myself, others, and leadership. Strangely, my activities in the chorus have helped me to better myself in ways I did not expect. Wow. Our shows are either done with just us (Spring) and with the men (Christmas). We also do special shows at various times through the year. Most of the special shows are on a volunteer basis. We generally have one practice a week, down in the Museum District. As we get closer to our shows, we add practices as needed. Being a member does take discipline enough to come to all rehearsals and work on your own time to learn the music, but it's not a hard slog. Membership is diverse in terms of race, sexual orientation, and age. There are women of all different levels of singing ability and the focus is on a good time. I think all gals should give it a whirl. You'll at least learn a thing or two.

First time at the Houston ballet and I thought it was beautiful. Me and my friend purchased tickets…read morefor the '30 under 30' special ($15 each). We sat in the Grand Tier section on row A. For $15 I don't think the view was that bad. We went for the "Rock, Roll, & Tutus", I love classical ballet so it wasn't what I was expecting but it was good. Didn't really care for the tap ballet performances. It's pretty long so be prepared to sit for a long time. I'm giving it a 3 because of the RUDE customer service. Purchasing my tickets over the phone was a hassle. Secondly, me and my friend were interrupted TWICE while talking to another couple by an employee who wanted to check our tickets. We were practically followed every time we got up during intermission. The employee did not bother checking anyone else's ticket in the area which was strange. It was such uncomfortable experience!

My son and I took Carey Pickens' ballet class. We had the best class ever! After searching for…read morethorough, creative, fun ballet classes throughout Houston, this is the ONLY ballet class to take. The entire class was engaging and Ms. Pickens made the experience fun. She was extremely knowledgeable about the art form itself connecting it to the human form. Greatest ballet class in Houston.

We just finished our annual show called Peace, Love and Harmony. If you like singing try us. We…read moremeet on Tuesday's starting at 7:00. Unity church in Houston.

Sunday 10/18/15 One of the most magical and amazing shows…read moreI've been to in a LONG time. I grew up watching the movie and reading the books of Peter Pan and it's a classic. I'm so glad that the Society for Performing Arts decided to do a show on Peter Pan. My heart started to get all big and warm and I was smiling the entire time. Every scene brought back so many memories. The actors were great and the show was fantastic. I was sitting next to a toddler and I couldn't help but laugh because with the crazy scenes, the kid was at the edge of his seat. I couldn't stop smiling. Parking is tricky. It's $15 at the lot. There's street parking but you'll be walking far. The place was a little hard to get to, because of the direct address. Make sure you go to the tent that's DIRECTLY in front of the freeway, otherwise the GPS will take you BEHIND a building. A friend and I found cheap tickets through Living Social. Way cheaper than Groupon and walk-in ticket sales. Make sure to go while the show is going on!

Absolutely a beautiful experience!! Stunning interior and the performance was so good!read more

Easy to park, easy to enter…read more Underground self-parking lot is a flat $15 for events and in the next building over. You'll have to cross the street where valets and taxis pick up and drop off directly. It took about half an hour to leave the garage after a show, which was much better than expected. Seats are comfortable considering the venue. I went without my lumbar support just fine. The slope at the orchestra level is good enough. Seats are staggered so that you are in between the two seats in front of you. The projections box for translations is at the top of the stage, which is quite high. At Row J, my eyes were constantly up to read the translations and the actors were not in my peripheral view, so I felt like I missed many gestures and facial expressions. Perhaps Row N would be a nice compromise between seeing the performers' faces while also being able to more easily glance up at the translations without missing the story. Seat 4 is probably the furthest out I would go on Orchestra Right or Orchestra Left because the side of the stage ends close to there. (See attached photo.) Any further and you might miss something happening in the back corner of the stage.

In the late 80's, both the Wortham Center downtown and Alice Pratt Brown Hall at Rice University…read moreopened. This is quite impressive since Houston's economy was in the tank at the time and the millions of dollars required for their construction were all raised via private funds. Alice Pratt Brown Hall became a reality because the Browns, Studes, Duncans and the Olds provided a big chunk of the required capital and got various portions of the place named after them. It's a wonderful facility and the home of Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. It houses Stude Concert Hall (1000 seats), Duncan Recital Hall (250 seats) and my favorite, the Edythe Bates Old Recital Hall and Grand Organ. In addition, the facility is chock full of studios, rehearsal spaces, practice rooms and classrooms. It's one of the big reasons the Shepherd School is becoming so prestigious. As a concert venue, it provides the best value for money anywhere in Houston. All the faculty, guest and student recitals are FREE and with world-renowned musicians on the faculty, the musicianship is of the highest level. This is the best place to consistently hear world-class chamber music in Houston. In addition to the Rice faculty recitals, the Houston Friends of Music holds its subscription series at Stude Concert Hall that features some of the world's greatest chamber ensembles. All the halls have excellent acoustics and an intimate feel. The Edythe Bates Old Recital Hall features a tracker action organ with 4493 pipes modeled after French instruments. It will blow your socks off. The hall is also used for chamber and choral music. I've performed there a number of times and love the intimacy with the audience and the variable acoustics controlled by curtains that can be raised and lowered on the walls. There is always something going on here during the school year. You really do need to stop by. To get here, take Entrance #8 off of University Blvd. West Lot 1 is right across the street from the hall. Please note that you have to use a credit card to pay and get out of the lot (failure to have one means you're stuck). Paying for parking is a lot cheaper than paying for a recital.

Tuesday I was checking out the CultureMap events calender and noticed the Shepherd School of Music…read moreat Rice University was performing a free concert at 8pm. I thought it would be a good idea to stop by Valhalla for a pre-show refreshment 30 minutes before the show and discovered they had 95 cent Zeigenbock on draft - Today was a good day for discovery. 20 minutes later I left for the Hall, which is two blocks away, and arrived just in time to find a seat . The first piece was the Overture to La Gazza Ladra by Gioachino Rossini. Stanley Kubrick used it in his 1971 film A Clockwork Orange - So yes, you've heard it and you liked it. However, hearing live was even better. I have to agree with Dolph W. "...the musicianship is of the highest level. This is the best place to consistently hear world-class chamber music in Houston." For me, this was a 5 star experience and I will be going back. Note: Unless otherwise noted, admission to all Shepherd School of Music events is free and tickets are not required.

This is a wonderful place and I have enjoyed every plan. I am so glad we got the season tickets…read more The entertainers are so good. One of the plays we saw was all teenagers and they were great. All the employees there are great including the owners. Keep up the good work. I know we're buy 4 tickets again.

I love this theatre. I have never been disappointed in any of their productions. They are first…read moreclass from the acting, to the singing, to the incredible sets and direction. Been going to their shows since 2010 and will continue for as long as I'm around!