Murder? Gay intrigue? PIGEONS?…read more I saw the lizzie borden musical last week and I can't stop thinking about it. I walked up the stairs and was greeted by the twins from the shining speaking in unison and I knew I was in for a treat. The show had a sparse set and only 6 to the cast but I was totally blown away, which is a testament to the strength of the performances and live band. I went randomly because I saw a flyer for it in my local coffee shop and knew it would be right up my alley. Not only did they do an incredible job with this material, the fact that they put it on at all was such a treat considering it doesn't seem very well known. I never would have heard of my new favorite musical otherwise. Looking at the list of their past productions I couldn't believe I hadn't heard of them before. The only complaint I had was that I went to the last show, because if I could've I would've seen it again and brought all my friends. So Doctuh Mistuh if you're reading this..... just a few more shows? Please? Anyway, regardless I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the shows in their Summer repertoire. Toxic avenger the musical? Sign me up!

I was lucky enough to catch a performance of The Heathers musical put on by Doctuh Mistuh…read moreProductions recently and was super impressed. The Vanguard Theater is a nice home for their recent musicals, such as Silence!, Evil Dead, Rocky Horror, and others. There is a certain dark aesthetic to their selection- campy, cult classic, and black comedy seem to be some of their faves. They strive to bring shows with Austin flair, that we'd have no way of seeing otherwise, fantastic, interesting, entertaining shows. I believe they're non-profit and rely on their t-shirt sales, which are unique and funny too. The Heathers as a musical was a no brainer, hell, I think I like it more as a musical. The actors/singers/abstract movers are all very talented and do a great job of transforming into their archetype. I had a couple of songs stuck in my head when I got home and looked up a few videos of other productions, but I enjoyed the actor's performance from Doctuh Mistuh so much more. Animated actors with great comedic timing without being over the top. That's a hard line. The experience really felt like being in an 80s movie, kudos to that! Highly recommended, tickets are cheap, the Vanguard is awesome with its affordable drinks, and the art director Michael is charismatic and commanding! It's a great place to teach your kids about drugs, alcohol, sex, murder, and curse words if you just want to jump right on that!

It's official - immersive theater has arrived in Austin, thanks to NunaMaana…read more I discovered NunaMaana through Ballet Austin about a year and a half ago and have been going to their shows ever since. Seeing a NunaMaana show is like nothing else in Austin. Think of New York's Sleep No More - but instead of terrifying and creepy, tons of fun with vibrant colors and beautiful dancing. Oh, and lots of laughs. I love watching the show unfold and seeing people open up as the performance progress - by the end, even the stodgiest of folks find themselves getting involved in the story and playing along. I cannot recommend NunaMaana more - they provide professional entertainment mixed with quintessential Austin friendliness.

NunaMaana and its performances are easily one of my favorite things about Austin. Their…read moreperformances are not something you go to see, they're something you go to DO, to experience along next to the performers and other audience members. Their shows range from funny with characters that have you laughing, to heartaching with pieces that reach from the souls, to intricate with stories that unravel throughout the show and will have you eagerly awaiting what will be revealed next. It is not a sit down and watch the stage type of show -- the stage and characters are around you. They will interact with you if you are interested, and you can get to know each characters' unique stories moments before they all come together for another energetic dance (which they'll teach you a couple of, too!). Every show is such a different theme, you never know what you're getting into -- from hip hop to indie rock, from soft romantic tunes to booty-rockin' jams. Settings range from masquerade balls to medieval kingdoms, glow parties to out-of-this-world get togethers with lawn games. I would recommend this to anyone, and that's the beauty of it. Go for a girls night out and get dressed up to match the theme. Bring a big group of friends and play some cornhole in between dances. Go for a date night and have some drinks while eating delicious cupcakes left at the tables while mingling with the characters. Bring the family and kids can dance right along with the young dancers in the show giving out lollipops and glow sticks. These shows are creative, magical, and make you forget the outside world. They are all different enough that you never know what you're getting into, but the surprises are always such a delight. I highly recommend.

A welcoming environment for adult dancers of all levels. My journey began ambitiously with a Level…read more2 Beginner Ballet class, which proved to be quite challenging for someone who hasn't seriously done ballet since high school. Recognizing the need to build a solid foundation, I transitioned to Basic Level and Beginner 1 classes. After about six months of dedicated practice, I experienced significant improvement, making each session more enjoyable and rewarding. While I still aspire to join the Beginner Level 2 class, I plan to continue refining my skills, possibly through private lessons, before taking that step. I tried hip-hop for the first time with friends, in a month-long series culminating in a showcase. but I've also done drop in beginner, hip-hop and cardio hip-hop classes. I made some friends here, it is often the same faces that are loyal to certain types of classes and teachers. I love the Austin Dance scene. During International Dance Week, they offered $10 classes in various styles, including West African dance accompanied by live drumming--a vibrant and immersive experience. Additionally, their annual Memorial Day sale provides excellent opportunities for discounted classes and workshops. I think if it is your first time coming, you can do a class for five dollars or get two classes for $28. they have a small parking lot, but they also do offer to our parking in the Google building next-door for three dollars. It's more convenient if you have cash.

Unless you live downtown, getting there and parking for a class is a bit annoying. There are…read moreworkarounds, though. I don't care. The Pilates (reformer and mat) options here are worth any kind of trouble. I've studied reformer Pilates with three other instructors over the years and Vlada Sheber, master instructor and Pilates Program Director for Ballet Austin, made aching parts of me feel invigorated and ready to move. She gets what happens when you have a tinge of arthritis here, there or osteoporosis. I'm addicted already. I didn't need help in these ways, but she is also trained in teaching people after surgery, breast cancer patients, and more. Private or group classes? Check. Pilates for physical therapy? Check. There are several instructors with different areas of specialties, and they are beginning a new-to- reformer group class this week.

Another great production by the Doctuh Mistuh folks. They do such high-quality work and bring the…read morekind of shows to Austin that you'd otherwise have to leave town to see. Thanks guys! The talent - singing, acting, choreography, dancing, music - was all super professional. The venue is one of my faves (Salvage Vanguard) so yay there. And musical itself is (as pretty much everyone here else has noted) freaking awesome while following the movie really closely. You should probably go see it if you like things that are great, is what I'm saying. The only thing I can't decide is if I like this better than their performance of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson two seasons ago. That was some next level shit.

Thanks Yelp and someone named Kelly S... This was hilarious, catch up on the movie before going if…read moreyou need a refresh. They also show the movie before the musical starts - get in early! 3$ beer, 4$ wine and 1$ square service card fee per transaction. I would suggest arriving 45 min prior. Actors will keep a smile on your face and laughter in your belly all night long. Such a great spin on a dark movie!! Kudos.

I saw Inishfree Irish Dance Studio perform at the Austin Celtic Festival (Nov 6, 2016) and at the…read moreSt. Patrick's Day festival at Pioneer Farms Austin (March 17, 2017). Their dance performances were impressive and wonderfully varied. They have both ladies and gentlemen; children and adults; solo, line, and group sets; wear hard (jig) and soft (ghillies/reel) shoes; have standard uniforms and fancy costumes; and dance to traditional and popular music (think "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance"). Their Irish dancing was the highlight of the festivals for me. My only previous exposure to Irish dancing was at my Catholic school in San Francisco, CA where we had elaborate St. Patrick's Day festivals where everyone sang traditional Irish songs, all the teachers and older students did the group dances (on very limited school dance instruction), and students (many quite young) who had actual Irish dance training performed for us in their elaborate costumes. I haven't seen Irish dancing again until very recently with Inishfree Irish Dance. It renewed my love of Irish dancing, which I feel is the best kind of dancing: it's more upbeat and rhythmic than ballet, more traditional and formal than jazz, can be done solo/paired/grouped and doesn't require a dedicated partner like in ballroom or country dancing, can be spontaneously done in limited space to a live band or precisely performed on a big stage to an audience, and doesn't require any special equipment (though proper shoes and flooring help). Inishfree Irish Dance Studio Austin is open year-round with weekly classes. You can start anytime, with a free trial class (with their permission), which I readily took advantage of when I signed up at their info booth on St. Patrick's Day. They have separate classes for kids and adults, and they tailor instruction to meet individual students' needs and skill level. Their instructors are certified by the World Irish Dance Association, they all have extensive Irish dancing experience (including placing at The World Irish Dancing Championships and performing in Michael Flatley's dance productions), and they've been teaching here for over 15 years. Their instruction is geared toward competition, performance, and enjoyment, so they're an excellent place for anyone interested in Irish dancing, from beginners/hobbyists to advanced/competitors. I can't recommend them highly enough!

My husband and I attended the bacon fest on Saturday. We arrived around 1215pm and amusingly saw…read moreprotestors outside the event. It was entertaining to say the least. Once inside we noticed the music was starting up and had limited vendors. I am dairy and gluten intolerant so this festival was extremely hard for me try items. I was surprised that the bacon to eat was not just plain old bacon. The bacon was in food items and or sprinkled on top. A few vendors were able to adjust for me and prepared their items to help me out. Hideaway hooked me up and wow I loved their shrimp!! Thank you Yelp and the bacon festival promoter for allowing me to check out the venue (which was huge) and enjoying the festival.

Today I came to #theatxbaconfest with my little thanks to the Yelp Elite complimentary tickets I…read morereceived. We got to sample a plethora of bacon concoctions. The best part of the event was trying all the samples that could be made with bacon from the local establishments. Scholtkys had a sandwich that was great that had roast beef, cheese and bacon. There was also a picture booth there where patrons got to take photos and have a small character drawn. Everything considered, it was a nice event. I do however wish that all the establishments actually showed for the event.

Contemporary. Artsy. A metaphorical performance is what I would call "Austin is a Place (You Are…read moreHere)." Although this play wasn't my in my taste (by no means the performer's faults), I felt that the cast poured their hearts and souls into making even a self-proclaimed Yelp! critic like myself enjoy their evening. I will continue to purchase tickets to the performing arts in Austin regardless of whether or not I actually enjoyed the play, however, because I feel that this (art) is what makes Austin what it is. That, and it keeps me from falling into the depths of Hell's modern day entertainment known as reality TV. The theatre is located in a GIGANTIC pink building in the "not-so-greater" part of Austin. You would never have known it existed if it weren't for the small sign in the window. The theatre shares their space connected to a bingo hall (which was 100% SMOKING indoors) and was all about the size of a mini grocery store inside. The waiting area was much like a Pinterest DIY project (but I loved it). The staff friendly. The theatre area - not so great. A variety of mismatched, folding metal chairs to sit on; no air circulation (cue the cigarette smoke from next door); and no stage. What can I really expect though for two tickets that costed only $15? The setting: Just a pile of dirt, shovels, enough shoes to keep the homeless satisfied for the next five years.... AND THE PERFORMERS GIVING IT THEIR ALL. Each cast member had a particular "something" about them that I really enjoyed. Noted especially in the main three: the Irish girl, the Native American, and the Black female. I'm unsure from the program hand-out who is who... but these were the ones that I took to the most. While the seating was a bit uncomfy, the atmosphere hot and smoky, and not knowing what the heck was going on for the first 20 minutes of the show (at least), I'd still come for another performance.

Its as close to the best of Off Broadway as you will get.If you want to see a really good play with…read morefine acting and great directing go to "Jacobs Ladder" at the George Carver Museum put on by the Theatre En Bloc company. Was getting so tired of going to see poorly acted/staged/directed plays in Austin and yearning for something even close to decent. "Jacob's Ladder" meets and exceeds expectations.Only one more weekend from what they said and every house should be packed for this production. I will be excited to see what else this company has up their sleeves!

Jane was amazing as Cinderella for my daughter's 8th birthday. She stayed in character for the…read moreentire hour and a half talking in a sweet, soft voice and giggling now and then. There were nine girls here wanting her undivided attention and throwing question after question out to Cinderella. Cinderella answered each one (What state do you live in? How did you get here? What does your car look like?) without batting an eye and with perfect Cinderella-esque answers. She taught the girls a song and a couple of dances as well as making crowns out of pipe cleaners. Each and every girl was convinced that the real Cinderella had popped in to share time with them. It was an amazing experience for my daughter and one none of those nine girls will forget.

On recommendation from Casino Connection, I hired Jane to come to our employee casino night party…read moreas Marilyn Monroe. She looked fabulous, and although she was only "obligated" to sing one song, she wowed our staff with several songs! She then spent a good bit of time visiting with our staff during the party, and was kind enough to pose for a number of photos with various staff members. She arrived on time and was always pleasant to deal with - in advance and during the party. I would highly recommend Jane to anyone who would like to hire her as a performer!