I visited the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Harman Hall this past Sunday for a performance of…read moreParanormal Activity (their seasons include non-Shakespeare works), and I was really impressed by the production and the building itself. (FYI: STC has productions in two separate theaters - Harman Hall and Klein Theatre, so make sure you know which location is the location for your production). Harman Hall is beautiful - modern, bright, large. We sat in the front row of the mezzanine, and the seats were great but I think most of their seats would be great. Unlike the prices are outrageous, I often like to sit in the front row of the mezzanine when I attend the theater, because I'm short and often find my view obstructed by people in front of me in theaters. Because Harman Hall is modern and newer than historic theaters (on Broadway in NYC, for example), the incline of seats in the theater is much more pronounced than in other theaters. I didn't need to sit in that front row, because I probably could have seen from anywhere. Our performance wasn't sold out, and the theater was not packed or crowded - short lines for the bar (especially on the top floor where we were sitting anyway), short lines for the bathroom. The location is convenient, near a couple of Metro stations, lots of restaurants and bars, and a few museums. We parked in a garage I reserved a spot in on SpotHero, which was less than $15 for the day, too. Although I tend to focus my reviews of theaters on the theater itself (you could see a good production at a theater and then a production you don't like as much - but you can still appreciate the theater - its comfort, its location, its amenities), I will say that the production we saw was interesting and thought-provoking. I'd say I'm likely to return, but I have tickets for a production in April, so I know I will be.

My first time at the Harman Hall theatre to see Paranormal Activity. I was so blown away by this…read moreshow! I'm still in awe of the robe scene IYKYK. The actors were so good in their respective roles and I was completely immersed in the story. It came together at the end really well and the practical effects were incredible. I loved the staging with the 2 floors and getting to see everything all at once. The theatre itself was very nice. The bathrooms were spacious and clean, the ushers were kind and helpful, and the seats were relatively comfortable. Pro tip, choose row E if you want extra legroom!

3.14.26 This was my…read morefirst visit to the venue, and the décor, rich and opulent, was entirely my style and absolutely stunning. We had premium box seats with in-seat service, which allowed us to place orders throughout the show; my husband and our friends took advantage of that convenience. Other amenities at the concert hall include a lounge with a full-service bar that opens 90 minutes before showtime and is exclusive to guests for the first hour. There is also a rooftop area, available for select performances, that offers impressive views of the Capital, along with merchandise available for purchase. A quick note for visitors: small bags up to 12" x 6" x 12" are permitted, and all bags are searched prior to entry. We came to see Brit Floyd, and everything about the experience was exceptional--the service, the acoustics, the laser and screen visuals, and the intimate feel of the venue.

Warner Theatre leaves me with mixed feelings. I've attended several events here over the years,…read moreincluding Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performances and The Nutcracker during the holidays, and those experiences were excellent. The theater itself is beautiful--its decor always gives me a jazz-era renaissance vibe that adds to the atmosphere. Recently, I came to see Lalah Hathaway and Robert Glasper, and while the show itself was great, the acoustics for live music were unfortunately not. From where I was seated, it was difficult to clearly hear the vocals, which took away from the performance. The venue itself is stunning and has hosted some memorable shows for me, but based on this experience, it seems better suited for theater and dance performances than for certain live music concerts. Despite the sound issues, I still enjoyed the show as much as I could and would return for the right performance.

Great venue for concerts we went last night for a concert and really enjoyed the venue. Great seats…read moreand amazing acoustics. Definitely will be back again soon.

Came here for a concert and loved that the venue is small so there is no bad seat…read more Unfortunately the sound/ acoustics were horrible, not sure if this was the band's fault or this location, but it was pretty terrible. The location is good, with a parking garage a couple of blocks away. Because of the proximity to the White House, there was a lot of security in the perimeter of the area which is a plus when walking at night.

I am so glad that this theatre is still in operation…read more Also contains a first rate museum in the basement that includes the gun used to kill Lincoln and a pillow that still has dried blood on it So glad that I went!

The famous for theater has become more of a museum nowadays than an active theater, but it still…read moreholds some performances today. It's the historic theater that Lincoln was shot. There's plenty of memorabilia to Lincoln's life and life back then within the theater. It's a very cool historic site that is worth the ticket to admission! Being in the same room and looking up at the box that Lincoln sat in where he was assassinated was a very interesting and also somber experience !

I always knew that I loved to dance, to move my feet with a passion, and let the music invigorate…read moreme. But I never really thought about watching other people do it, and certainly not professionally. Then about four years ago the girl I was dating at the time got me hooked on the show So You Think You Can Dance, which happened to be on its fourth season. From then on my eyes were opened to a whole new art form, one that I've grown increasingly fond of ever since. DC unfortunately has a shortage of outlets for taking in great dance performances, but once a year some of the best artists from the area gather at VelocityDC to showcase their talents at an incredibly reasonable price of $18 per attendee. This was my second year attending and the program was almost entirely different than when I came two years ago. While the acts vary on each of the nights that it's going on, The Washington Ballet Studio Company is almost always the "feature" performance, unless you come on the last day when they showcase a few other companies, but this year's routines seemed a bit shorter than before...unfortunate since they really are spectacular, but it allowed some additional time for more acts. The previous show I attended they did five dance routines all set to familiar Beck songs, a curious choice, but one which actually worked quite well. This year was a bit of a contrast, using three great blues songs as the backdrop for a bit more serious piece. Where else in DC can you see contemporary ballet squeezed in between tap dance, Flamenco, Bharatanrityam (the real reason I chose this performance, since Suzy has experience with several Bhangra dance styles), and African jazz, along with half a dozen other styles? If it exists in another place I've yet to find it. Even during the intermission there was a staged-impromptu break dance battle out in the mezzanine. Everyone involved in the production of VelocityDC truly loves what they do and it shows. Add to the event that it's held in the Shakespeare Theatre Company's relatively new performing stage at the beautiful Sidney Harmon Hall and you've got a value that is difficult to surpass in this city for entertainment. We even got an unexpected treat during our recent attendance in the form of a surprise proposal by one of the audience members, and after she said yes they were showered with a standing ovation from the crowd and weeping eyes all around. This is the kind of magic this event inspires.

VelocityDC is AWESOME. I highly recommend it for anyone that's a dance fan and actually for anyone…read morewho is even remotely interested in checking out dance. First it's $18 for any seat and you really cannot beat that!! It's at Shakespheare Harmon Theatre so beautiful, convenient space. I just LOVE that you can see all kinds of dance in one evening. There was step, ballet, african, flamenco, modern.... It was truly fantastic. It's really nice because you can check out a lot of different companies at once and then go see more performances of the ones you really liked. BRAVO to Harmon Center for hosting. Fabulous event!

A pretty decent venue for shows! I have been for a ballet and could see everything well from the…read morebalcony; was surprised the seats were cheap for my spot with the view I got. The balcony is rather steep though, which could be scary for some. They have stairs and an elevator to go between floors, but the elevator is kind of small. Security is friendly and timely. I would come again for another show.

Came to the National Theatre on Easter Sunday to see Beauty and the Beast and had such a great…read moreexperience overall. I was running a little late, about five minutes after showtime, but somehow luck was on my side because I found street parking right on the same block, winning . I definitely would not count on that every time though; there are parking garages nearby that are probably a safer bet if you are cutting it close. Since I arrived just after the show started, I was expecting a hassle getting in, but it was actually super smooth. I did not have to deal with a long line at all, and the staff were really helpful in getting me seated quickly. I did not grab any food or drinks, so I cannot speak to pricing or options, but one thing I will say is avoid the bathroom lines during intermission if you can. They get very long. Try to go right before the show, after, or sneak away at a less obvious time if possible. As for the show itself, I loved it. I was seated in the very last row at the top and still had a clear view, which says a lot about the layout. Since there is no recording allowed, it really lets you stay present and enjoy the performance for what it is. I went solo and honestly it was the perfect solo outing. Super grateful for the experience and would definitely do it again.

Arena is my favorite place to take in a play. The modern stone aesthetics with the loft overlooking…read morethe open cafe area is beautiful. Hana Sherif, the artistic director is tapping into so many amazing stories that capture the African American experience in America. The latest hit is Chez Joey which is here till 3/15/26. The play is a 10 out of 10. It's a love triangle story that takes place in 1940's Chicago at a jazz club. Joey is a young ambitious entertainer looking to make a name for himself and has to choose between true love or being bought by a rich baroness who can easily fund his dreams. The dancing and singing is electrifying and steamy, the story is told well and highly engaging. On Wednesdays they've added a complimentary jazz concert from 6:15 to 7pm that takes place in the lobby with seating. Check out Arena's lineup, they are procuring amazing work this season.

This trip to Arena Stage was for Step Afrika Holiday show!…read more We picked up our tickets from the box office and explored some of the season decorations in the lobby. Took some quick pictures with the tree and the arches, then got our tickets scanned and went upstairs. Lots of pretty decorations for the season - one large Christmas tree and a bunch of smaller ones above glistening with white lights. The show was in the Fichandler Stage, which has seats 360 around it - not a bad seat in there! Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show was fabulous! They handed out maracas and other noise makers upon entering the theater. We were in Row D on the North Side, which was amazing seats! The show ran for 90 minutes without an intermission. What a show! The talent of these artists are top notch!! The rhythm, the choreography, the music, the energy, the skill, the talent, the props were so impressive! They get the audience part of the fun throughout the show with the noisemakers, chatting, dance battles, and even two opportunities to join them on the floor to learn some steps! This was my first time seeing this show and I certainly can see how it's a tradition year after year for so many. You can tell all the hard work and dedication of this cast! Bravo to them!

This quartet was so wonderful at my friend's recent wedding. They were professional and sounded…read moregreat. They were flexible and prepared. They played some classics as well as classical renditions of modern songs, including some Queen!

We chose Sage to play at our wedding because their reviews are resoundingly glowing and their…read morewebsite showcased their quality - both in sound and appearance. I honestly loved their interpretations of classics/contemporaries more than most others online, or even professional recordings. Throughout the process, we dealt with Kyung LeBlanc, who runs the ship there. She was super friendly, personable, and prompt in helping us with song selection and timing. On the day, we saw that she was well into her pregnancy (and gave birth shortly after)! Even so, she coordinated the group flawlessly, always with a smile. She also sought us out to say hi, and to talk to our friend who was officiating the ceremony. The music we had during the ceremony was beautifully played and really added to the mood we had envisioned. During the cocktail hour, we had them play string renditions of contemporary songs. Our guests absolutely loved this! My only regret is that we were so busy running around that evening that I didn't get to thank each of the performers. If you're looking for some elegance and fun in having live musicians, look no further than Sage!

Matthew is an extraordinary teacher, and Studio V is an extraordinary place to learn.I have worked…read morewith other piano teachers in the past and there is no comparison. Where the other teachers focused on teaching how to play individual pieces, Matthew teaches how to play the piano. With a rigorous focus on developing proper technique and an understanding of the music, I am learning the skills that will truly enable me to play to my potential. He is a masterful diagnostician, focusing in on the student's individual needs and providing targeted exercises to overcome each challenge and promote growth and progress. I have come to piano later in life, with little prior experience. I feared my inexperience and age would be a barrier, but nothing could be further than the truth. Matthew has made me feel as welcome and valued as his most proficient students. If this all was not enough, Matthew composes very beautiful music of his own, that as his students we get to listen to, as well as learn and play. It is a really special experience. Studio V is not just a place to come for piano lessons, though. It is a place to join an expansive and welcoming community of people that share a love of music. I cannot recommend Matthew and Studio V highly enough.

2.5 years ago, I was looking to start taking piano lessons and came across Matthew's listing on…read moreYelp. I was skeptical of the uniformly amazing reviews; but emailing Matthew about lessons has been one of the best decisions in my life. Truly. Growing up, I spent 20 years playing the violin and had teachers of all levels. Matthew is hands-down the most effective music teacher I've ever had. He tailors his approach to each student's musical journey and can diagnose very quickly (and very accurately) exactly what each student needs. I don't just mean areas for technical improvement (though he has genius tips to make that "click" too). Matthew also makes his students better musicians--equipping them with the theory they need to understand the music, and the tools they need to better express themselves through the music. After 2.5 years with Matthew, I am a much, much better musician than I ever was before; and my piano abilities have developed way faster than I would've expected. I can't recommend Matthew highly enough for anyone who is looking to become a better piano player (or composer!). One final note about what makes Matthew unique. He's an incredible human being and true friend to all of his students; he's not just a "piano teacher." And when you join Matthew's studio, you are welcomed into a vibrant and engaging family of musicians (of all levels and backgrounds). A gem in DC. Quit thinking about it. Studying with Matthew will change your life!