I love the shows they put on at this beautiful little theater. It is an old building, a bit beat up…read morein the most endearing Berkeley way. A community theater at its best. You can see high quality shows at a very affordable price. The youth productions are particularly great for young kids. When our kid was young, we took them to see shows at BPH. They were great shows but also at the price point, if my 4 year old couldn't sit still and we had to leave the show, I would not cry over the ticket price. Our kid did summer camps at BPH every year and they are now part of the youth production. BPH has become their second home. The staff are deeply caring and supportive. Kids are incredibly kind, passionate about musical theater, and supportive of each other. It is a wonderful community where our quirky theater kid found their tribe and has a sense of belonging. Being different is celebrated at BPH. I highly recommend their camps and youth programs to kids who enjoy performing on stage.

Unable to get into my account to buy a ticket after multiple attempts they make it almost…read moreimpossible for the end user Additionally they do not answer the telephone when the box office is said to be open I would not recommend these people or else your blood pressure is normal

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.

They were very organized and really helpful with finding your seats. I would come here again for…read moreanother show!

Always good times here. This turn around we did the tour for the holidays. There is a lot of fun…read morehistory to learn from the tour. Okay you get to see some is the back rooms and backstage areas. Additionally - the design of the building and decorations are wonderful. Check it out.

Shocked to see there aren't more recent reviews of this place. I know this is a late review, but I…read morewatched Hedwig and the Angry Inch in their final days of performances, and omg I loved it! I never seen the play before and only read a quick synopsis of it online before going in. The soundtrack for this play was awesome, the band was amazing and vocals were beautiful. Pangaea and Elizabeth are so talented. Again I've never seen this show and didn't know what to expect, but I have to say that Elizabeth's voice was so surprisingly angelic and pure. If I'm correct, I think I read that it was her first time performing at Shotgun? I hope everyone who performed sees this and knows they killed it! Shotgun as a venue provided such an intimate setting, and I loved being so up close to the action (and emotion!). I don't think there is a single bad seat in this theater. As a petite girlie I am so thankful that the seats are staggered upwards toward the back. My favorite type of seating. At bigger venues, where ticket prices are much higher, I need a booster seat (no joke) and sometimes think to myself if you're so far away that you might as well wait to watch it at home...But not here, you experience what makes live theater great! I also greatly appreciate that they had their own concession menu that isn't overpriced, along with a fun cocktail menu tailored to the show! Every time they show a new play they paint over the front of the building to display the play currently taking place, which I thought was cool. If you're passing by this area it's always nice to see what sort of new art pops up for the next play. I can't think of a single bad thing to say. Bravo to this local live theater!

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.

Love it! I've seen some amazing concerts here and been seated right by the musicians I joined the…read morefreight singers and really enjoy everything about this place!

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.

First time visiting for a concern this past weekend. The space is intimate and has great acoustics…read more I liked how the sofas and other furniture were all mismatched - adds to the esthetic! Our event was 2 hours long, and it was BYOB. Towards the back there are high chairs with seating so if you come early could grab those and settle down with your drinks. It did get a little warm in the afternoon as they turn the fans off during the performance, which makes total sense, but overall enjoyed our time here and would come back for another performance. It's also close to a ton of restaurants and cafe's, and the BART station is just a few blocks away. There is a parking lot around the corner if you're driving.

Extremely rude manager, his name is sam. Saying at the beginning of the show "...you may dislike…read moresome of these songs... this show is not for famous people... I mean there's nobody here in the audience, but hey it's intimate" finding out he then SHAMED the artists before hand for only selling a handle of tickets. In the MIDDLE of a set he then interrupts up when two artists are about to sing into a mic together. I cannot believe that someone who runs a small business space for indie/small music artist to treat musicians with such disrespect

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 seeing concerts at the Greek. Such an intimate space without a bad seat in the place. I…read morelove watching the sun set as the opening act warms up the crowd and gets us ready for the main act. It's a whole vibe. The only issue I have is since the seats are on elongated stone steps, so the person sitting behind me at one show was tapping their foot on my jeans. It's not enough to stop me from attending shows there though.

Recently attended a concert here at the Greek Theatre and had a blast. We saw a band called Royel…read moreOtis and while I don't know a ton of their music, they put on a pretty good show. Going to the Greek is always a good time. The vibes, ambiance, and sound system are so dialed in, I can't imagine a bad concert here. I've seen all types of shows (EDM, Indie, R&B, Reggae) and it truly never disappoints. On this last visit, we got there after the opener so it was already pretty packed. As I get older, dealing with the crowds and being in the pit isn't for me anymore. Luckily we were able to grab a seat at their viewing deck located on the top left of the stage. It had a few levels with seats and a bar type thing to put food and drinks on. It was honestly the most comfortable I've been at a concert. Nobody in front or behind us, and so much room! Although I ate a hefty snack before the event, I still ended up with some tater tots, nachos, and couple of beers. I think for 2 drinks and the nachos it was close to $60 with tip, so definitely normal for concert venue prices. The nacho cheese was cold but oh well I still enjoyed them. Definitely looking forward to returning in October to see Jungle!

"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!