Sister Act at the Texas State Campus. Really nice, intimate theater…read more Really fun show. The actors were very talented, and the sets were really good. We were seated in the third row orchestra. I kept waiting for someone to fall in the orchestra pit. Too distracting! Congrats to these students fur a fantastic production/performance.

Texas State University has jumped headlong into the big leagues with the addition of a…read moremulti-million dollar Performing Arts Center to nurture and showcase their talent. It includes a 400-seat auditorium, the Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre, where we saw the inaugural performance of the musical, Anything Goes, this weekend. Clearly outstanding, Broadway-worthy productions such as this deserve this professional venue. Not only is it equipped with state-of-the-art technology, it's architecturally beautiful and comfortable for patrons. Our seats were on the floor level, but the wrap-around balcony is positioned so there isn't a bad seat in the house. It's an intimate setting, which is nice for connecting with the live shows, but it also means the shows sell out. Buy your tickets in advance online rather than driving out and chancing getting one at the door. Tickets for this performance ranged $15-$18, for a total of $20 with the purchase fees. Such a deal that I'll have no problem making the drive from Austin often with family and friends. Texas State Students get in for $8. Right across the street is the Edward Gary Street Garage, built in tandem with the PAC to allow for easy parking. We paid $5 flat rate. The PAC also houses a 300-seat recital hall, rehearsal and classroom space, so there's a lot more going on in that building than the shows. No wonder their programs are becoming nationally known.

Sights & Sounds, what can one say? It's hard to believe at times this little gem sits a mere two…read moreblocks away from the burgeoning 33,000+ student campus that is Texas State University-San Marcos. Sights & Sounds is truly about a small town, community-based gathering for the holiday season. No, it's not a 100,000 person a night extravaganza where you're confined by shuttles as the only effective means of transportation, and it's also not an overly commercialized event, either. You'll find plenty of lights in the trees and from the overhead light poles--and piped Christmas music emanating from speakers around the grounds--but it's not a thematic Trail of Lights replica by any stretch of the imagination. You really have to appreciate the simple life approach that Sights & Sounds takes to celebrating the Christmas season in order to enjoy it. The community draw is the sound stage, where school after school, group after group, choir after choir, troop across the sound stage in this city-wide Christmas pageant. I don't watch these shows as much as I once did, but I always know someone's child in them. And, honestly, this single aspect is one of the more enduring and endearing features of Sights & Sounds. I think the event's allure increases dramatically on the colder nights, when a particular mix of wintry atmosphere, Christmastide approaching, and "Wouldn't a hot chocolate be really great right now" rules. Balmy 70 degree temperatures just don't give this event the same curb appeal it has when the weather outside is frightful. I personally don't care for the expanded carnival midway atmosphere aspects of the event, but, fortunately, you can ignore that as it is isolated at the back of the fairgrounds. And, honestly, the event has to appeal to everyone. The Bethlehem exhibit seemed more disorganized than usual this year. I mean, when the angels in the manger scene announce "The real baby will be here in an hour", and it's already 6:30 (an hour after opening), it's one of those shake your head and laugh aloud moments. Since Santa arrives by a different conveyance each night of Sights & Sounds, maybe he should bring the baby with him. That is, if Mrs. Claus is okay with it. It was great fun checking out the baby goats and camel. I hadn't seen a camel drink from a soda can before, and that was really quite cool. Just in case you're wondering, they do know how to rotate the can with their tongue to get the opening right side down, and no, they don't want to give it up at the end any more than we do. The camels and goats will nibble at your hand so be sure to have food, because that's what hands are for! Last, but not not least, don't forget to check out the Arts & Crafts tent. It's at the back of the fairgrounds, between Bethlehem and the midway. There's only one solitary white tent, so there are fewer vendors than there once were when there were two plus candy-cane motif tents, but you still might find that unique Christmas gift for that special someone here. San Martian by trade, Austinite by residence, I will attest that Sights & Sounds is both a "Don't miss" and a keeper. UPDATE: Pictures added 12/5/2010.

As you can imagine, Sights and Sounds of Christmas --while festive and fun-- does not provide a…read moremeans of indoor plumbing. As such, i had to use one of the many porta-potties available to attendees. Once inside, i switched the handle to indicate that it was "in use". That is when the horror began. I heard the voices of teen delinquents on either side of my porta-potty, saying things like "Let's tip this ***** over!" and "Bet, You won't!" Before i could even pull my pants up, the Ground was rocking back and forth beneath me. I shouted for help but my cries were in vain. With one final shove, the porta-potty was tipped and i was instantly drenched with the city of san marcos' bodily waste. The Horrifying stench was like nothing i'd ever experienced and the hot, soupy texture will plague my nightmares forever. Beyond that, festival is great! lots of food n rides, i recommend the cliff hanger if youre feeling adventurous :) looking forward to next year

If you've gone to a concert or massive party anytime in the last few years and you're from San…read moreMarcos.......chances are, you've been to one of their events! AfterDark Entertainment is the preeminent promotor for all of Austin and San Marcos, who specialize in bringing major acts to places they've never been before, and putting the biggest smile on the faces of all who come to see them! These guys handle events ranging from weekly parties at some of the most exclusive clubs in Austin to stacking nationally known hip-hop and electronic music acts and having them perform at the brand new Texas Music Theater in San Marcos. These guys know how to throw a party, plain and simple. Local connections give them access to more sound and light hardware than most traveling festivals have. They do not simply pander to the large acts either, they bring in the big local names to help round out their sets. If you're thinking of opening a bar or club, perhaps you wanna throw the biggest, baddest concert your friends have ever seen, contact these guys. Their party prowess is unmatched and you will not be disappointed, GUARANTEED! Just look for the AfterDark logo, it will never lead you astray!

I've emailed these guys with a question four times over about a month and absolutely no response…read more They do seem to present some good sets though

Fantastic place to catch rock concerts or old classic films. But be aware of their insane security…read moreto get in and very high drink and snack prices. You won't successfully sneak anything in, so I always grab happy hour nearby if i must have a drink for a show. Also a great place to catch film premieres during SXSW.

We came here to see Justin Willman, a magic comedy guy whose special we saw streaming Jan…read more The place was late to fill up and never quite fully filled which was weird as when we got tickets it was already close to filling up. He does a family friendly show so there were a lot of people there with kids, Full families, moms, dads, grandparents. We were one of the few without kids. The staff was very friendly at the entrance, the bar, and when seating. The place is pretty big and has upstairs and downstairs seating as well as a bar on several levels. Two points that did bring the visit a little down. The seating, you are packed in like sardines. No room to stretch even a little, you bump against the stranger next to you or them into you. It is almost worse then an airplane. Two no handrails on several stairs which are also uneven. I have some ongoing spine and foot pain and it caused me issues but I saw several other people struggling and one almost falling themselves. Had it been just me or maybe one other person that would be bad enough but as several people struggled that is a huge safety issue and should be fixed. The ushers helped when they could but sometimes they were helping others and didn't see it happen. Still it was a fun time, if a bit cramped. The staff is great and I love the history but that also means it is very outdated and not very comfy to sit for an hour or more, especially with no intermission.

This is hands-down one of my favorite theaters in the surrounding area! The beat actors in Austin…read moreand outside of Austin as well. This theater runs six shows a season, and all of them are marvelous! I recommend this theater for anyone. Couples will especially have a great time at any show!

Absolutely loved the story and the cast of Southern Hospitality. I will definitely be back for the…read morenext show!!