Just finished watching Peter Pan, A Holiday Pantomime with my little nieces. The Oakville Centre…read moreFor The Performing Arts is a perfect community auditorium, seating around 400 people, to host The Burl Oak Theatre Group's production. The Centre was filled, seemingly, to capacity and radiated with energy the of young children and their families. The play, itself was well done. It kept my four and seven year old nieces engaged for two hours- a difficult task to accomplish. Based on the Peter Pan story, of Disney fame, this interpretation is seeded by contemporary and retro songs that had adults and kids bouncing in their seats. Accolades to the director, Chantal Forde and Tim Cadney, who played Captain Hook and Mr. Darling, are merited. The latter actor stole the show. Bravo!

Scratch one off my bucket list!! We had the privilege of seeing Teri Clark perform live at the…read moreOakville Centre for the Performing Arts last night (March 25, 2017), and she gives a terrific show! Jessica Simpson was the opening act for the first half hour, then there was a 20 minute break, and then Teri and her band belted out the tunes for an hour and a half! Fabulous!! Meanwhile, I purchased the tickets on line which was easy, and they were scanned easily to get in. The staff was friendly and helpful. The seats were close and comfy in this intimate theatre, and it holds about 1000 people (looked like it was sold out). Although they sell beverages during the intermission, there's also a water dispenser in the wall (like at a hockey rink, to fill a bottle), and the facility provides plastic cups - and the water is tasty and free! To top it all off, they ask people to toss the cups in recycling. I would go back.

So much fun and so much talent. This is so much change from traditional shows and really fun…read more Supports a cause we support. We purchased a couple of books also that helped to explain the process

I celebrated my birthday at Famous PEOPLE Players Theatre with my mom and teenage son, and…read morehonestly, it was one of the most memorable nights we've had in a long time as a family. I had seen the show many years ago as a teen on a school trip, before they had their own venue. Like a good wine--or anything special that ages with care and purpose--it has only gotten better with time. The cross-city rush hour drive was absolutely worth it once we arrived. The venue, located in a strip mall/industrial park, had plenty of free parking. We stepped into a one-story, open, airy, and accessible building that immediately felt welcoming. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth, professionalism, and a genuine sense of joy that set the tone for the evening. We were escorted to our table in a dining area that felt both spacious and intimate. Everything was clean, well-organized, and thoughtfully arranged. The tables were dressed with cloth napkins, tablecloths, and seat covers, giving it a relaxed yet elegant feel. I especially loved the photos of celebrities who've been involved with the company, tastefully displayed around the room. The service throughout the night was excellent. Every staff member we interacted with was kind, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. They struck the perfect balance, friendly and warm without being overbearing. We truly felt like more than just guests. We felt part of something meaningful. The evening unfolded in three acts. Act 1: Dinner. The meal far exceeded our expectations. Each course--from the appetizer to the main--was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully plated. I'm not usually a fan of salad, but I really enjoyed the one served. Even my son, who's not easily impressed when it comes to food, not only cleaned his plate, he raved about the meal. Act 2: The Show. Before the performance, the cast encouraged us to sing and dance in our seats, and we did not hold back. Twist and Shout was a high-energy, creative, feel-good experience. The puppetry, lighting, and choreography were brilliantly done, and you could feel the joy radiating from the stage. Watching my son fully engaged made it all the more special. Act 3: Coffee and Dessert. The desserts were decadent--two types of chocolate delights. My son and I went halvesies on both, a perfect sweet ending to the evening. What really sets this place apart is its purpose. You're not just seeing a show; you're supporting something meaningful--an inclusive and empowering space that celebrates ability in a truly unique and beautiful way. Equity, inclusion, and diversity are not just buzzwords here. They're lived values, visible both on stage and behind the scenes in a way that feels authentic and inspiring. If you're looking for something uplifting, meaningful, and different from the usual night out, this is it. It's rare to find something that resonates across generations, but this did. It would be a fantastic option for schools looking to offer students a fun and impactful experience, and it would also make a memorable, purpose-driven setting for a corporate event. Whether you're going with family, colleagues, or students, this place is a gem. The experience itself felt like incredible value for the money.

Neat family friendly circus show…read more Royal Canadian Circus is an annual touring circus show that we caught while at their last stop in Burlington. They were setup under the big top tent and had a relative packed house with general admissions starting $35. We picked up the VIP tickets with a separate entrance line and closer seats but were essentially the lower bowl before the ringside tickets. Long gone are animal acts, and this is now a collection of global performer acts that's more entertainment rather than coalescing into a single circus storyline. Nonetheless, the two-hour show featured fun acts starting with flawless speed juggling, followed by rola bola balance acts, stacked unicycling, Mexican aerial strap acrobatics, and engaging clown acts that integrated with ringside audience. The half-time intermission was an opportunity for the crew to cash in on face painting & Transformer photo ops before resuming the show with daring flying trapeze, contortion archery and the globe of death with 4 motorcycles spinning inside in unison. The ventilation could have been a bit better as you can certainly smell the bike fuels after the wheel of death act before wrapping up the show. The seating also had many obstructed views with the centre unnecessarily reserved for the entry tunnel, while some audience members beside us in the packed area had a strong unpleasant scent. Even then, the show was quite entertaining for our first time viewing it, and the circus crew had plenty of positive energy especially the uplifting clown. Skip it or hit it? It's another fun and affordable summer itinerary that includes some early bird options too.

Can't recommend this circus enough!! We all had so much fun recently! Looking forward to going…read moreagain next year

Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts is a cozy and well-run venue that's perfect for live…read moreshows and community events. The space is intimate, with great sightlines and acoustics, making every seat feel close to the action. The staff are friendly and the building is clean and easy to navigate. It's a great spot for a night out without the downtown crowds, and they host a wide range of events throughout the year. There are parking spots available in the back of the building with 2-hour parking limit.

The Centre is a little north of Yonge and Major Mackenzie and there is a parking lot on the west…read moreside of the building with 250 spots. The box office is on the left upon entering the building. There's also coat check and a small concession stand on the opposite side. The lobby is a spacious couple of stories with art hung on the wall. Each piece of art has a tag associated with it that informs you of the artist, title of artwork, medium, price and size. There were ushers ready to answer any questions and direct audience members scattered throughout the lobby. I saw second row from the stage on the left. It's nice to be close but you have to look up since the stage is higher. Also, the speakers are right in front of you so protect your eardrums with earplugs or sound isolating earphones. There is a gradient to the seating so that should help with everyone being able to see the stage. There is balcony seating with seats extending all the way to the front along both sides.

My family and I went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and I was completely blown away by…read morethis magical, creative, show-stopping performance. I had no idea what to expect going in as this was our first time attending a production. The musical was so beautiful and I fell in love with the costumes, music, acting and set. It is akin to a Mirvish production for kids. I came out with a huge smile on my face! I cannot wait to see more performances at this fantastic live theatre venue. What a jewel for Toronto! This is a special place for kids and adults alike.

What a lovely show venue! I visited for the first time to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory…read moreon its opening night, and it was fantastic. Young People's Theatre put on a great show and put together a lovely reception with the opportunity to hear from some of the people behind the show. I can't wait to return to see another show they put on and to learn more about some of the behind the scenes magic!

I have been to Illumi several times before and I'm so happy to see some modifications and new…read moredisplays added. I couldn't enjoy my visit as much this time unfortunately as I was not properly dressed for it and hence managed to spend only 30 minutes, however, I still enjoyed their new Arabian nights theme. They've added a beach bonanza which is great for kids. Would love to come back and explore properly. Dress warm! Incredible display of lights and a fun night out! I've been wanting to check out Illumi for a while & would always see the huge tree from afar whenever I drive by. I have been to a few holiday events in the past to see lights but illumi was an event completely magical and different from the other holdiay events I've been to. I gotta say it's probably even the best one. There are different displays, from an European escape (where you can ride the merry go round) to a section with animals, penguins and igloos. I couldn't say which is my favourite as they're all very good. It is kid-friendly as well and there are multiple photo ops opportunities and spots around you can stop for pics. Dress warm. You can also take a break inside where there's lots of seating space and some food options, as well as some merch for sale. The bubble tea (both hot/cold) were really good and the churros were also tasty. I'm not usually a fan of pretzels but I found the ones there tasty as well. Lots of parking space. Organized and many staff around to assist. Bring your cameras/phones with a full charge, a big and warm jacket to enjoy the experience. Give yourself at least 75 minutes or more. Strongly recommend booking online in advance as well for tickets.

Amazing, amazing, amazing. This is the best light display that I have even seen, bar none. They…read morereally do have amazing displays. This place is had to miss as you can the towering animated tree from miles. The tree is about 154 feet tall and made of 44,000 interactive luminous spheres. The place is huge. It spans about 13.8 acres which is equivalent to 10 football fields. There are 20 million bright lights spread between 13 "magical universes": Jurassic Encounter, The Colorful Animal Kingdom (Animals like snakes, elephants, flamingos, zebras and camels), A Kids Paradise, The Crazy Boulevard (a colorful set of houses with lights synced to music), Magic Lanterns (traditional Asian scenery), The Cavalia Horses, The Happiest Farm , The Europa Place, The Scarlet Spiders, The Tunnel of Love, The Infinite Poles (A North Pole/penguin land), and The Land of Frost. The also have a red lighted tunnel, which I liked but my favorite sections were The Crazy Boulevard and Scarlett Spiders. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but they have a lot to offer including free parking. They also have a limited amount of wagons to pull the little ones, that you can check out for free. They were all gone when I got there. I recommend buying your timed ticket online to ensure your time. You can buy it onsite as well, but you may have to wait if your time slot is full. The displays are very interactive. There are either designated spots for you to stand or you will also see lighted dress to pop your head in, lighted snowmobiles glowing benches, and tractors to sit on, and a bunch of animals to climb on and make great photo ops. I am not sure if the animals were intended to be climbed on, but everyone was doing it and and no one was saying anything about it. There are so many photo ops here. I hope you have a lot of memory available on your phone. I would also recommend wearing gloves that you do not have to take off to operate your phone. My hand froze. It was really cold when I visited. I really like that they had a heated snack bar/gift shop, to sit, warm up and get a quick bite. There is also a heat up room and some very warm bathrooms to warm up in as well. While here you can also visit a food truck, purchase hot and or adult beverages. You will find a carousel in the compound. I did not ride it though. We spent about an hour here and could have easily been here longer if it was not so cold. If I lived in Toronto, this would be an annual event for me. I really, really loved this place. If I could give it 6 stars I would. It is only available to view for a brief time around Christmas and I highly recommend checking this place out.

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is Toronto's main home for opera and ballet, which…read moreopened in 2006 and was designed specifically for world‑class acoustics, making it the first purpose‑built opera house of its kind in Canada. It offers seating for just over 2,000 people. Inside, the space feels open and elegant, with easy access from Osgoode Station and an underground parking garage. It hosts performances by the Canadian Opera Company and The National Ballet of Canada, along with special events throughout the year. The performances are well-organized and staff are friendly and helpful.

I've been here to see a performance of Rigoletto. The talent was top-notch. The cast was superb,…read moreand the sets were impressive. Toronto is a world-class city, but when it comes to culture sometimes it's a step behind the likes of Chicago. However, the Four Seasons fills the void. The theatre itself is super-modern and leaves something do be desired compared to the grand Opera houses of Europe (say Budapest Opera house, or Vienna State Opera). Still, the acoustics is good, and the visibility is excellent (well, at least from ring 5 row A), owing to the steep incline. Do yourself a favour and take in some culture at the Four Seasons and help support the arts.

A2D2 is a company owned by 3 sisters who live and breathe aerial dance. They are truly talented as…read moreperforming artists and as teachers. I have been attending classes at A2D2 for over 1 year and I have never missed a class. I found out about A2D2 Aerial Dance Cirque Company through a client. I have no dance experience, horrible flexibility and have never tried anything close to circus classes before. It had always been a childhood dream that my parents couldn't provide. I started out with HOOP lessons and Samantha (one of the sisters) was so welcoming. She taught me at my own pace and gave every student so much attention. The other girls in the class were welcoming and encouraging and we've all become friends. It is a class that I look forward to all week. I never use to have any hobbies but HOOP has turned working out into a whole new experience. Through this, I am more fit, flexible and I am proud of myself after every class. I have just started their Silks class as well and I have fallen in love with it already. I recently moved but still travel 1 hour each way because this studio is worth it. I recommend A2D2 if you have ever thought about aerial dance or are looking for a new workout. They also offer an aerial fitness class that combines HOOP and Silks if you want to get a taste of this amazing experience. This class is more than a workout, it is a challenge that I conquer every week with friends.

Excellent! Everyone at our wedding thoroughly enjoyed their performances. My only regret was not…read moregetting the aerial performance (but our venue couldn't support the rigging.) Will be recommending them to everyone!