I have never seen live Improv and it was incredibly impressive…read more I hosted a small client event at Stone Soup Improv and I reached out to folks who attended after the fact and everyone loved it. So this review is only a single review, but there is research from about 20 other people behind it. Everyone I asked would give Stone Soup Improv 4 or 5 stars. My cheeks hurt until Tuesday following the show. Even the skits that bombed were funny. An absolutely great time. I would certainly recommend Stone Soup to anyone who is wavering.

Improv is hard, man. I know that from attempting it at a couple of workshops within the last year,…read moreduring which I bounced from the high of getting something really right to the low of feeling the trickle of yolk on my face. Which is why I applaud the six brave souls of Stone Soup Improv, who hit way more highs than lows in the show I attended last night. Stone Soup consists of three guys and three gals, though gender was highly irrelevant during their entertaining romp of a show in which roles were often reversed to strong comedic effect. Female performers played mustachioed bartenders in a Western and a stalking boyfriend in a Paris nightclub. Blokes were suddenly aged mothers and passionate daughters in scenes from a Spanish soap opera. Mind you, this show had much more than gender reversal going on: there were talking wristwatches, two-faced customer service representatives, kung fu masters, bullfighting dentists, world knitting championship competitors - all conjured up out of the imagination of the performers, with seeds planted by the audience. There were memorable moments sprinkled throughout the show, my favorites being the poetry slams performed by Jonathan Stern and Dan Rosenthal (about dish soap lingerie and eagle scouts, respectively) and the song composed on the spot by the magnetic Jennifer Simmons built around random words lobbed in by the audience (you try coming up with lyrics on the theme of Nantucket, including the words pterodactyl, eukelele and fink). And even occasionally less successful skits became classic - when Ryan Fuller turned to Stern in the middle of one scene and said " I'm lost", the audience roared, sharing Fuller's confusion. A couple of skits fell a little flat, but that's the beauty of improv - you shut the scene down, wipe the slate, and start over. In the interests of full disclosure, I should make it known that I work with three members of this cast. Regardless though, I'd recommend this show to anyone looking for a night of unpredictable comedy where just about anything can happen.

School of Rock is an incredible place to learn how to play awesome music. The staff is always…read morewelcoming and kind. They teach a wide variety of instruments and offer engaging programs. You are not just getting lessons- you are joining a community of teachers, musicians, students, and all kinds of amazing people. I, personally, have learned so many of my favorite songs. If you want to learn music with astounding people, school of rock has great opportunity for great prices.

Mikee has generally enjoyed her lessons at School of Rock, which is why this experience was so…read moredisappointing. She had a scheduled lesson with her instructor, Darwin, at 5:15 PM. We arrived at 5:05 PM, and I left her there as usual. At 5:37 PM, Mikee texted me asking who was supposed to be teaching her because no one had come to get her. When I went inside to ask what was going on, I found that Darwin was teaching another student while Mikee had been sitting and waiting the entire time. What was most concerning was that no one seemed to notice that a child who had arrived on time had been waiting for over 20 minutes past her scheduled lesson. I understand that scheduling mistakes happen, but the lack of communication and oversight was frustrating. A student should not have to figure out for herself that something has gone wrong with her lesson. I hope the school takes steps to ensure this doesn't happen to other students in the future.

Had the Mensch wine last night. The red was excellent. I don't drink much white wine but I had…read moresome and it was quite drinkable. If looking for a wine for a Jewish holiday I think this fits the bill

We highly recommend a tasting experience at Covenant Winery in Berkeley. The Morgan family has a…read moreheartwarming approach to making wine, coupled with years of experience and vast knowledge of the science as well as the art of producing a truly great product. We'll be going back again!

The Music Discovery Workshop and Youth Collegium is a week long music workshop for young people…read moreinterested in learning music from the Renaissance to Early Classical periods, exploring new instruments, and having fun in a highly creative atmosphere. There are actually two programs that run concurrently. The Music Discovery Workshop is for elementary school aged children who may have limited musical experience, while the Youth Collegium is for advanced students who are in middle school or high school. Instruction is provided in Voice, Violin, and Cello, with an emphasis on period instruments like Harpsichord, Recorder, and Viloa da Gamba. Multi-instrumentalism is encouraged and fostered at this school, although it is not required. This year the school had 4 Harpsichords for the keyboard players, and there were 12 Viols. Everyone got to have a lesson and learn to play the Viola da Gamba. The school also features period dance, voice, and everyone participates in a theatrical production. My daughter plays recorder and various stringed instruments. Thanks to this workshop she has learned to play the Bass Recorder, and the Viola da Gamba. The latter is an opportunity that she would not have if it were not for this workshop. Piano players will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the Harpsichord, another unique opportunity. The period dance lessons are also something that you won't find anywhere else. Each student gets semi-private lessons (usually 2 or 3 in a group) and participates in a separate ensemble class based on their age and ability level. Group dance and voice lessons are also given, and everyone works together to design and produce a play. There is a recital performance event for parents at the end of the workshop. If you have a young person who wants to explore music, this is a great opportunity. If you have an older musician who is ready for advanced instruction, and musical exploration, then this is an opportunity like no other! http://sfems.org/?page_id=11128

AWESOME! Danceversity World Dance Camp ages 8 to16 During…read moreAugust Summer is the most high energy & fun, week or more, my daughter enjoys this . They have multiple dance teachers and often have live drums. 9AM to 4PM. They do a performance on Fridays! Held at Ashkenas in Berkeley.this is her 3rd year! They also offer: Weekly Classes though out the year in different locations. Summer Program DANCEVERSITY SUMMER CAMP 2010 REGISTRATIONS NOW ACCEPTED! 40% off additional weeks of camp! Contact Hannah for details at 415-794-7463 School Workshops Youth Performance Company Professional Performance Company Birthday Dance Parties

This year I enrolled my daughter for 2 weeks of dance camp with DanceVersity and she was able to…read moreexplore dance styles and culture from 8 different countries! Not only has she improved her ability to work together in a creative way but she made lots of new friends and has increased confidence to perform! This program is awesome for youth as well as our local artists who get to share their passion and love for their art form. Happy they continue classes during the school year but eager for summer camp again!

Danielle is an amazing coach! She helped me prepare for an important speech and it was incredible…read moreto work with her. She brings everything she has to each of her clients and cares so deeply...she packs so much learning into one session. She really helped my speech convey everything I wanted it to. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Danielle!

Breakthrough Moments From the Very First Lessons…read more I can't recommend Danielle LoPresti enough as a singing teacher. She is amazing--supportive, patient, and incredibly kind. Almost immediately after I started taking lessons with her, she helped me break through obstacles that I had struggled with my whole life. What I appreciate most is her holistic approach to singing. For me, it's about expression, not perfection, and Danielle truly understands that. She creates a safe environment where I never feel judged or rushed, which makes it much easier to explore my voice and grow with confidence. Another thing that makes her classes special is the community she has built among her students. She organizes opportunities for us to meet and perform, which is incredibly valuable. Watching and learning from others is inspiring, and it also reminds us that many of us share the same challenges--stage fright, nervousness, and sometimes the pressure of perfectionism. If you're looking for a supportive teacher who truly helps you grow as a singer and as a performer, Danielle is fantastic.

I come for a weekly Bhangra class which I love. It's a get your body moving and the more you put…read morein the better your workout will be. The instructors, especially Andrea, is consistently welcoming. I also find her easier to follow because her pants are not override and it easier to see the leg movement. Viki, the lead instructor, is nice on email but when I try to talk to her in person, I find the interaction awkward. Maybe it's me but I see her interacting with others. Come! Great music, energy, joy and movement. A great way to spend an hour.

Attended the Mortified comedy show on a Saturday evening. Found free street parking a block away…read more Fast ticket check at entry and plenty of seating available inside, including small tables and even a couch in the back corner. Basic stage setup, a good sound system, and large screen to the right (that's also where the restrooms are located). No actual bar, but food and drinks were sold in the back, including canned and bottled beverages and tasty bites like empanadas and pizza. It was quite warm in there, with weak or non-existent AC, just ceiling fans spinning above. Luckily when the sun went down (which is late now due to the recent daylight savings time change), the temperature became tolerable inside. The live storytelling and musical performances were entertaining as usual. The host/producer, Scott, started out the show. From there, the comical readings from the teen diaries and journals of diverse individuals continued on stage for a little over an hour. No live band for this particular program, but one of the performers played us tunes on the guitar, which she created as a youth after heartbreak. I'm a fan of Mortified, and though this venue was not one my faves of those typically used for this event, it was a decent setting for a casual night out this past weekend, filled with laughter, awkward moments, and positive vibes. Also, Ashkenaz is a historic community center and nonprofit that's been around for more than half a century, dedicated to music, dance, and culture, which I appreciate.

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

What a lovely find! The BackRoom is an intimate performance space just outside of downtown…read moreBerkeley. The space is lovely, sound is good, and the sofas very comfortable. And the owner is welcoming, chatty. We ene back.