We've found a musical home for our 3 year olds! Over the last year, Teacher Rae has taught our…read morefellas note and symbol recognition (they can identify a: quarter note, half note, dotted half note, whole note, quarter rest, crescendo and decrescendo) and have learned how to read them on a staff. They've also learned to identify solfege hand symbols both in and out of "do re mi" order. She uses both repetition and variation that seems helping our fellas learn music more intuitively than letters and numbers. Thank you Teacher Rae and SPAMA for creating a warm, inclusive and fun learning environment. We look forward to seeing our kids grow with your expert nurturing!

We love, love our instructor Jacob who my son enjoys working with. He is knowledgeable and has my…read moreson play music that he will be interested in learning. I feel the price is fair.

This is a tiny theater, about 70 or so seats in what looks like a converted house…read more I recently saw Farenheit 451. The play itself was great, we went opening night and Ray Bradbury was there which was really cool. There was a patio to hang out it until they opened the doors to the theater. The lobby is really small and can't fit everyone who is waiting. If you are short, don't wait on the patio, stay in the lobby. The seats are on risers that were not built high enough in the back for the short people. I ended up in the second to last row, and had trouble seeing over the taller people in front of me, which detracted from my experience. The acting was very good in this play and the tickets were inexpensive - $20.

South Pasadena's little indie theatre. We came for Shakespeare's Redux preview night ($10 /…read moreperson). Preview nights are shows where actors / actresses can hone their performance by getting feedback from the audience *how much they laugh, etc*. It's really got this quaint, old town feel... intimate seating of about 50 people max. Stage set is minimal but they really make you fill in the blanks with your imagaination. They managed to fit all of Shakespeare's works into 90 minutes!! It was hilarious! :) Plenty of street parking for 2 hrs.. it's free after 7pm. BTW .. it's attached to Fiore's market and cafe. =) Another reason I love S. PAS!! =))

The first time I went to mosaic was the night Kobe Bryant passed away at the Hollywood location. I…read morewanted to go to church as it was a hard loss and mosaic was the perfect place to go that Sunday evening. I've been regularly going ever since & this church has completely transformed my faith and has set my relationship with Jesus on fire. I've developed friendships and true community & have grown stronger in my walk with God. I owe mosaic so much, so thankful this is my church * bonus * pastor Erwin is always such an incredible speaker & the worship music here is TOP NOTCH.

Mosaic helped me find my way back to Jesus. The sermons, the worship all spoke to me in a way I…read morehadn't experienced before. The community here has become family and I couldn't be more grateful. I'm forever changed by it and a better person today because of it.

1,000 stars if I could!!!! We cannot imagine our life without YSTA!…read more We stumbled upon it looking online for a musical theater company for our then 7-year old. She has been in almost every production in the four years since and LOVES it - it is the highlight of her week, both artistically and socially. I've seen other companies where they rehearse for 5 months and end up doing just a couple of performances; YSTA has the perfect ratio of a couple of months' worth of rehearsals and 6 performances for regular-season shows (camps are more compact). The kids are responsible for everything, not just acting! Our daughter has grown thanks to YSTA not only as a singer and performer but also in her confidence and independence. We love YSTA!!!

Our daughter started at YSTA for a winter camp a couple years back when she was just 6 years old!…read moreShe's loved her time there so much! We were amazed at what Gloria and her team could do with these kids in that short amount of time (1 week) and the joy that they all show on stage. The warmth that Gloria gives these kids transcends down and the older kids are so kind to the younger ones. The older ones even come back to direct, costume design, and watch the shows. Our daughter has been in 8 shows at YSTA now - including camps and season shows. She always grows as a performer in every show with YSTA. YSTA is our daughter's happy place, and we couldn't be more grateful to have found such a wonderful community for our girl. She will continue to go to YSTA and continue to grow here as a performer. Thank you to Gloria and her team!

Brian just entertained at my grandson's birthday party. I've never seen anyone create the…read morecharacters he made. Wearable art that enchanted everyone. The adults were as impressed as the kids. Cannot recommend him highly enough.

The Ballusionist helped make a very last minute request perfect! Fast, flexible and a perfect set…read moreof balloons for our signing day table!

This was the first time I attended the Pasadena Playhouse. Came here to see Amadeus. I really…read moreenjoyed the venue as well as the play. Loved the historic feel of the playhouse which was very appropriate for the play. We didn't know exactly where to park but found out afterwards that the parking was conveniently located across the street. Will definitely consider coming here again in the future.

Pasadena Playhouse. Brigadoon. If you're considering…read morespending your hard-earned time and money at the Pasadena Playhouse, do yourself a favor: skip opening night. Wait for the unbiased reviews to trickle in before committing to their latest offerings, because if Brigadoon is the current standard, the bar hasn't just been lowered--it's been buried. Wednesday's opening night was, to put it bluntly, a stinker. We arrived with open minds and tempered expectations; we weren't looking for a Gene Kelly reincarnation or a Broadway-scale miracle. We understand the constraints of regional theater. However, what we witnessed was so profoundly lackluster that it felt less like a professional production and more like a mediocre college workshop. The "Highland" Lowlights: * Atrocious Casting: With the sole exception of Betsy Morgan--who possessed the only singing and dancing chops worthy of the material--the casting was a disaster. * Cultural Caricature: The premise of Brigadoon relies on a town preserved in time to protect its Scottish heritage. Why, then, was this cast like a generic Disney Channel original movie? The "Scottish" culture on display was a cringeworthy caricature reminiscent of a Mike Myers sketch. In a city like Los Angeles, home to thousands of versatile actors, is authenticity really that hard to find? * Anemic Energy: The choreography was limp, and the vocal performances were consistently weak. The sound system was so quiet it felt like a mercy killing; perhaps turning it up would have provided the "punch" the performers so desperately lacked. I cannot remember the last time I saw a professional audience flee after only a few scenes. We endured the first half, but left at intermission. It was simply that unbearable. While the Pasadena Playhouse relies on the generosity of donors to stay afloat, one has to wonder: is there any quality control left? Or is the current mode of operation simply to shovel substandard content at a captive audience? Thank God we aren't trapped in this version of Brigadoon for a hundred years. 45 minutes was more than enough.

I stumbled across this cute little boutique while on my way to another. The gals that manage the…read moreshop are darling with energetic, bubbly personalities. Inside you'll find locally made jewelry & clothing - in addition to crystals, gems, meteorites, original artwork, and unique gift items. They also host live entertainment during the week. Thursday is open night might. Most events are $10. Check their website for a schedule of events. *Street parking

As a plus sized woman, I really enjoy the clothes this place has! I was walking by last week and…read moresaw they had a 50% off rack. On average, clothes I'd see at other places would be Meh in quality, and almost always for petite figures. So you can imagine my surprise and excitement when I saw the clothes were all GOOD quality, AND had sizes from Small all the way up to 3x! I thought I'd fit a 1X, but their selection was well fitting and I was more comfortable in an L. Bought a skirt, 4 tops, a shawl and a couple lightweight cardigans. Great way to spend my birthday money! I rarely go shopping because I don't really find things that fit me all to well. Seems I am going to be in trouble now that I know of a place with a selection that suits me and my style. Also, turns out they do open mic nights here. I'm going to have to come by for it some time!

Encore My kid has…read morebeen going to Encore for private violin lessons for 2 years. My kid has learned so much about music. Encore offers music lessons for piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, saxophone, clarinet, guitar, bass guitar, drums, ukulele, and vocals. They also offer dance and acting classes. I really love the ease of their scheduling. I also like the incentives that they offer to music students such as prizes that they earn through points. My kid even earned a personalized trophy after one year of lessons. Encore also offers two recitals per year. Parents can sign up their child to perform. It's such a joy seeing all the students share their musical talents. The Encore staff is very knowledgeable and helpful.

We love Jaden! My husband researched all of the teachers and we were drawn by his musicality. He…read morecan improvise and play fun songs for kids on the spot, he played fireflies, golden, frozen, to help warm my daughter up. Love how he makes music fun to the kids interest. I think he and his wife do weddings and play together. He's honestly very talented with his piano skills. He can sing as well. Definitely someone we would want our kids to look up to and model after.

Such a great place to hear music. Saw Lord Huron here last Wednesday. Only seats 1300. Good sound…read moreand lighting. Beautiful old maintained theater. Only complaint would be tha the seats need to be updated - old and saggy and uncomfortable because of that.

My daughter and her friends met up here to watch a musical hosted by Temple City high school on…read moreFriday night. The Playhouse was clean and everything was kept in good condition. The seatings were comfortable. Great lighting. My only complaint was that they now charge $15 for parking. This playhouse used to be.a locql place that didn't charge as much. Yup. Inflation is catching up even in a small town like San Gabriel. So sad about that ticket price has gone up to $25 plus fees. It was $20 last year.

I have to say I'm disappointed in Ms Billy. Initially she seemed like a great teacher - as my son…read morehad positive feedback and seemed to enjoy the class. Gradually my son would come home sad and upset. At first, I brushed off his complaints as maybe he just had a random rough day. Today, I picked up my son and Ms. Billy complained about his projects and all kinds of stuff right in front of my son. My son came to the car crying feeling terrible about his artwork. I asked him several questions about what happened as I didn't want to make any rash judgements about the teacher. He explained that he felt that Ms. Billie was being mean to him and that he was really struggling with clay (it's a new skill for him). I asked if she helps him with his clay a little extra since he's obviously struggling more than the rest of the more experienced students (I'd think she'd spend a little extra time with him). He said no - she was drinking tea and when she came back he had made a snail project where its tongue broke off and couldn't put it back on. He said he destroyed it and my son said she made another mean comment to him: "ohh so you're breaking stuff, instead of making stuff". He was struggling to put on the tongue, which you didn't help him with. Ms. Billy told me it was Gary the snail which didn't go with the CA theme they're working on. Ok. My question is: how is one of your struggling students able to make an entire snail project without you noticing until he's that far along with it? Then, the tongue falls ogf of it, you make a comment to him about it being wrong, he destroys it, you make another comment to him about him about breaking things instead of making things. Ok. If she's going to drink tea instead of helping struggling students then she shouldn't be surprised about them struggling. He said she was helping the other students - not him so much. He also said he got up to grab a toothpick, and she said to him "you're disrupting the entire class" and he was embarrassed that all the kids stared at him. He wasn't being defiant but she keeps treating him as if he is. My son said he was really surprised at how mean Ms. Billy was treating him - he genuinely didn't know he was doing anything wrong, She did sound agitated when she was complaining to me about my son. I know my son - he's not a bad kid and he's super kind. I'm not just saying that because he's my son. He truly is. I'm the type of person that takes criticism well and I'm happy to help correct behavior when necessary. In this case, I really feel that Ms. Billy is not spending enough time with struggling students - in my sons case not understanding instructions according to her. I didn't appreciate her putting my son down in front of both my husband and I. Ms. Billy made it sound as if my son was being defiant - I can assure you my son is not defiant - he genuinely is just having a hard time with the project! He's asking for help from his teacher in his own 8 year old way. He just turned 8 by the way. Mrs. Elizabeth in the front is amazing on the other hand! Very helpful and kind lady.

My children love the classes and camps at Art/Work/Place- it's always a good sign when I try to…read morepick them up after a full day of camp but they wish they could stay and keep playing! The teachers here are incredible and create such a warm environment and sense of safety where children create and learn to their full capacities. I appreciate Ruby Hannan, Anayantzin Sanchez, and Billie Frolov who have all guided our kids in various classes & camps including Claymation, Make Your Own Stuffie, Mini Makers, and Youth Lessons. We've also been to some cool events here for children, our favorite being when they invited the animators from the new Ninja Turtles movie/Mitchell's Vs. the Machines to come talk to the students and show them people can become animators when they grow up! Truly an inspiring place where children come to explore and create their own art. So thankful to have found this studio! *also editing my review to add that I specialize in a field of child development & communication; I respectfully disagree with the parents below who claim this place is merely a bunch of babysitters or that their children didn't learn anything during their time here. I've been so impressed the way the educators here scaffold the summer camp in a way that the older kids are making Claymation videos or sewing stuffies alongside the younger ones. No one is so frustrated that they can't participate and at the same time these kids are challenged!! My children had increases in their artistic abilities, social skills, vocabulary, fine motor skills, ability to use technology to create art, and I would go so far as to say even their overall self esteem, as the final art show is truly a special time for families to come together and celebrate what these children have created with the guidance of some awesome instructors. Sorry, but I could go on! The only time I've ever seen the tv on at Art/Work/Place was during the gorgeous, hilarious, magical Claymation Camp viewing party a year ago and the time the Ninja Turtles animators used it to show us some clips from a movie they made. Again, context matters.... Let your kids give them a try and decide for yourself :)