I will start by saying, I've attended shows at this venue a number of times and have highly enjoyed…read moremyself. A few weeks ago I went to a show that I was very excited about since last year. I spent money on the good seats up front (in this economy it was definitely a thought out purchase). My excited was out the door a few minutes in. They say explicitly at the start of each show that there are no phones allowed. Like I mentioned earlier, I've been to shows here before and have witness staff be quick to shut down anyone trying to take a picture or video. I really liked that about this venue because it allows for the audience to enjoy the show without any distractions. That was not the case this time around. Not long after the beginning of the show, phones started coming out. I though, "for sure someone will come tell them something soon". Spoiler: No one ever did, not once, the whole show. Other parties caught on that they would not be asked to stop so they joined in. I had 6 different phones going up and down in front of me the whole show. The most upsetting part for me was that staff did come into the area when guiding late comers to their seats. They saw the phones out and did nothing about it. I was so bummed by the end of the show to say the least. Now that I know the phone rule is no longer enforced I don't think I'll be back. I really liked that I could go to the Soraya and collectively experience a show in the moment without a sea of phones ruining the experience. However, that does not seem to be the case anymore.

Beautiful space for live performances right on the CSUN campus…read more Staff was very nice and helpful Shuttles to and from the parking lots Can't wait to come back!

A Hidden Gem for Events in the Valley…read more I recently organized a surprise 50th birthday party for my husband and was looking for a venue that was close by, clean, spacious, and reasonably priced. My soul sister found Artist Lounge, and I'm so glad she did! From the very beginning, Irene, the owner, was incredibly accommodating. She happily scheduled an ocular visit, answered all of my questions, and was flexible with my requests throughout the planning process. As the event host, having someone who's easy to work with makes a huge difference, and Irene was exactly that. The venue was the perfect size for our event. It includes a spacious reception area, two clean restrooms, an art room, and a large dance studio that we transformed into our main event space. We also loved the balcony, which became a great spot for guests to step out, mingle, and can also be a spot for photo ops, etc. Since our celebration was a jam night for my musician husband, we converted the dance studio into a live music venue. We comfortably fit a full band on one side of the room, a widescreen for our slideshow and karaoke on the other, and seating for about 60 guests using six rectangular tables and three round tables without the room feeling overcrowded. Another feature I appreciated was having two staff/storage rooms, which helped us keep supplies, gifts, and personal items tucked away so the venue stayed neat throughout the party. For anyone hosting a family event, the art room is a wonderful bonus. It's stocked with art supplies and gives children a fun place to stay entertained while the adults enjoy the celebration. I thought that was such a thoughtful touch and something you don't often find in event venues. The venue also includes several useful amenities, including microphones, mic stands, a music stand, a speaker, and party lighting. We chose to bring our own PA system, microphones, and projector because we had a live band, but it was nice knowing those items were available. Despite the 100-degree weather that day, the air conditioning kept everyone comfortable all evening. I also liked that the venue is located on the second floor, giving the event a more private and exclusive feel. Even better, because it's in a commercial complex, parking was plentiful, which our guests really appreciated. The biggest compliment of the night? Our guests kept asking where I found the venue--and several said they'd consider it for their own future events. From setup to cleanup, everything went smoothly. Our guests loved the venue, and as the host, I couldn't have been happier with how the event turned out. The only suggestion I'd make is to consider adding a more robust sound system for events with live entertainment, as that would make the space even more convenient for hosts. I highly recommend Artist Lounge for birthday parties, family celebrations, showers, workshops, and other private events. It's refreshing to find a venue that's clean, versatile, affordable, and run by someone who genuinely cares about helping make your event successful. Thank you, Irene, for creating such a wonderful space. I hope Artist Lounge continues to grow and become one of the Valley's go-to event venues!

I had so much fun at the paint & sip night. Natalie, the art instructor, was so patient and…read moreencouraging. Irene, the owner, is absolutely the sweetest person!!!! Can't wait for the next class. Will be bringing my kids for the other classes!!

Went back to see "Run For Your Wife". Enjoyed it very much! It's nice to do something different…read morethan your standard dinner and a movie. I enjoy live theater. Good acting again, and enjoyed another chat with the artistic director, John Berry. Support your local businesses and have a great time doing it!!

You have to love local theater. They Bring some fun plays to see. It's a bit dated inside but the…read moremanagement is great and the acting is always high quality. Makes for a great evening.

### 2024 review 14/100###…read more First time on CSUN campus for a Helix Channel Surfers Concert at Plaza del Sol. It's been renovated, from what we heard. Parking structure a couple blocks away, pay at the machine before we made our way to the hall. Pre-reception was held in the lobby area with a basic bar, the usual snacks and drinks available for purchase: wine and beer, hot cocoa, coffee. Concert hall was great, with comfy chairs and nice acoustics.

The theater was much larger on the inside than I thought it would be. I got to watch the CSUN…read moreorchestra perform, and the acoustics were great. During the first half the lighting seemed a little too bright and it almost washed out the players, but they lowered the level during the second half. The seats were almost too comfortable. I was super tired and had a hard time not falling asleep, but that's not the venue's fault, that was my fault. The guys at the ticket booth were really fast and efficient. I liked how everyone was very formal and proper. It was an orchestra performance, so all of the players were wearing tuxes and black dresses. Even all the ushers and people collecting tickets were dressed very clean. My favorite person there was the double bass player that had an afro. He looked so clean with a fro and a tux. During the intermission, it's really nice to be able to walk just outside the theater and grab a snack at the Mercantile Exchange. There is no food allowed in the theater by the way, but that's expected. This is a great theater. I'm sure it isn't as jaw-dropping as the Valley Performing Arts Theater, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with the Plaza del Sol Theater. I am a trumpet player at CSUN and I'm looking forward to playing here next month! I will definitely come here again to hear other ensembles perform.

We need a performance hall in the valley !…read more It provides joy and excitement for the performing arts lovers Martha Graham said: Art is here to help us live Profound and oh so true

This theatre sits adjacent to the Great Hall of the Valley Performing Arts Center on the CSUN…read morecampus. Productions here are created by the Department of Theatre and they put on some very high quality shows! I've seen musicals, comedies, and dramas here - there are about four shows per year happening in this space (not including special events like a musical theatre workshop final performance). The theatre is a black box space and is reconfigurable. At the time of this review it was set up as a small proscenium-style theatre with audience seating on just one side but I've also seen it used as a thrust space - with audience seating on three sides. Once I saw a show there where the seating was modified to be "in the round." Since September of 2013 shows in the space have included Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Seagull, Servant of Two Masters, Electricidad, Bat Boy: The Musical, Learned Ladies, and two Harold Pinter one-acts. Seating is provided for roughly 130 guests and this is a new, state-of-the-art space that is exciting to visit. I'd highly recommend a night out at the theatre here - tickets are about $20 or less for all Department of Theatre shows. Students, staff, and faculty get discounts!

I wanted to enroll my daughter in a dance class because she always dances & sings to Disney songs…read moreI looked up dance classes nearby but somehow I came across this one & ironically they have a princess academy where they learn to tumble & dance to Disney songs as well ! She started last year perhaps around august & did her first recital in January . The staff is super friendly ! Ms Parker is an absolute doll the way she teaches the children especially my daughter who is very shy & not as experienced ! My daughter loves every class & it's been an amazing experience for her !

If I could give zero stars, I would.This was hands down one of the most unprofessional…read moreorganizations I've ever had the misfortune of working with. Two months into their program--after a cast list had already been posted--they attempted to collect additional payments from already-enrolled families, despite there being no prior contract or communication outlining these supposed fees. They also demanded that students come up with their own costumes, and even threatened to pull kids from the production if payments weren't made. Anyone with even basic theater experience knows that threatening to remove children from a show two months into rehearsals is outrageous and unacceptable. Everything--fees, responsibilities, schedules--should be communicated clearly in writing upfront, not sprung on families halfway through. They added extra rehearsals last minute and tried to charge for those too. After enough parents complained, they finally took over the costume responsibilities. But again, none of these requirements were mentioned at sign-up. While we're incredibly grateful for the teacher (who was absolutely wonderful), the owner and office staff were completely disorganized, unprofessional, and frankly, rude.Mothers were berated for wanting to sit in on their young children (ages 6+ and up), being mic'd under their clothing and were screamed at for wanting to monitor that because it was "closed rehearsals" It gets worse. After deciding we'd never return due to the awful experience, we noticed a charge for another session we never signed up for. When we kindly reached out to have it removed, we were told that "Musical Theater" was now considered a year-round commitment, even though: * That was never communicated. * Our child hadn't attended in months. Did they call to check on our child's absence? Nope.They just charged us. In this economy. Don't be fooled by their polished social media. Behind the scenes, it's just smoke and mirrors. On one performance day, they called the cast for a 3:30 arrival time--and no adult staff showed up until 5:15.Fourteen children were left under the supervision of just two volunteer moms, and the office admitted they "forgot to call" the rest of us to let us know that no one would be in attendance, nor that they needed help. Just kids expected to be left alone. Left to run their own warmups and choreography. So not only are they charging families absurd fees without consent, but they are also putting children's safety at risk while being paid to not even show up. It reeks of: "I want to run a children's theater company but have zero idea how one is supposed to be run--and I'm counting on you not knowing either." Spoiler alert: I was raised in one of the top youth theaters in the country. This ain't it. Just chaos.Chaos, dishonesty, and a complete disregard for families. PATRONS BEWARE.

This is a little hidden gem of a dance studio. My kiddo has been taking dance here for a few years…read morenow and she just loves it! The dance recitals are always a good show and I'm so impressed by the talent here. We love CPAC and can't recommend it highly enough!!

Love the classes and the teachers very professional yet extremely warm environment. My daughter…read moreloves attending ballet here and has been learning so much . I highly recommend

Very happy to find this intimate location to lessen to some great holiday rat pack tunes…read more The theatre only holds about 50 guests. They have some snacks, drinks, beer, and wine on the patio before and at intermission. Looking forward to attending other shows in the future.

What a great little theatre! In all the time I've lived in the West Valley, I had no idea it…read moreexisted! Thanks to Fever, we heard about the Rat Pack Holiday Tribute show, which is right up our alley, so we got some tickets. It was a challenge to find out about the theatre and the difference between a regular ticket and a VIP ticket. We were told VIP included parking (we just parked for free on the street), a free glass of wine (not a bad wine, served in a plastic cup with a straw), and guaranteed front row seating (no one seated us, but we did sit in the front). Super tiny, only about 40-50 people, so it's an intimate show. It also got pretty warm in there, so dress in layers and be prepared for that! Out on the deck/patio, they have tables chairs for before and during intermission (though it was chilly outside that night). This is also where they have concessions (water, beer, wine and a few snacks like cookies, candy, etc). The entire staff was very kind and the show was great. I also got to pet one of their ponies on our way back out to the car. We joined their email list and, depending on the show, we are likely to make our way back to the Big Oak Little Theatre!

I have been to golden since 2022 and have made such amazing friends and memories. Everyone has a…read moresnails on their face and I am always so happy after being there. All the shows have been fantastic and I am so excited to continue with this program and also a lot of my closest friends at golden at the teens because they are so gentle, patient, supportive, caring and kind. When I started I had stage fright but the staff made the show so much easier to go out on stage. You get a part no matter what and also whatever part I get I have so much fun doing it. I definitely recommend kids that want to act sign up for golden you will never find acting place better - Amy's daughter Sari Ross

My daughter had an amazing time during the summer play. She made tons of friends, the staff was…read morecaring, and she gained tons of confidence.

My daughter has taken three trial classes and two classes we've committed to, thus far. She's 9 and…read moretruly new to dance. For my daughter, we were concerned initially that due to her age but inexperience, she would have to learn with kids who were much younger than her (like three years younger than her or even more)... after her hip-hop trial, she was discouraged because she was a lot older than the other kids and yet much more inexperienced. But we expressed that to the studio and they responded so gracefully and found the perfect class for her where there are kids her age, but they are also new-ER to dance as well and my daughter is totally happy and we are loving the classes and teachers thus far. The studio has been so accommodating and very communicative and helpful! The teachers are awesome too, and you can feel the spirit of dance and creativity there. I'm hopeful about our journey there and my daughter's own journey with dance. I think if there's any place that could get her hooked to dance, it's this place.

The dance teacher was often late. We were charged around $50 for a costume for the recital and our…read morechild was given used clothes from a tote that did not match her peers. When we addressed this with the owner she offered no remedy. During the dance recital another parent physically assaulted our child by grabbing her arm and the dance studio did little to nothing to address this and wouldn't even provide concrete info about who assaulted our child. That parent should have been removed from the facility. We will be filing charges. The studio owner was rude and indignant. I would NOT recommend you use this studio unless you want to pay a bunch of money for your child to learn next to nothing and then be charged for used and raggedy clothes (we had to have our daughter wear her outfit from last year from a different studio despite being charged). The staff will speak disrespectfully to your children and make no efforts to address concerns. They also charge $20 a ticket to go to your child's recital and won't let you record because they want you to pay for their recording. I'm disgusted that my child was put in old used clothes, treated horribly by staff, and assaulted at her recital with no action taken. Your child is not safe at this studio. They don't care about the safety and well-being of their students. They only care about getting as much money as they can without providing hardly any actual instruction.