I love this little gem of a theatre. It's had many incarnations, but the fact that it is still…read morehosting audiences is a big win for the community. It's intimate, historic (Julia Morgan), and reasonably priced. There are a variety of programs and performances to appeal to any age group. The one caution is parking, which is entirely residential, and if there is a Cal football game, you WILL be ticketed if you park on a street designated for those games.

I love the shows they put on at this beautiful little theater. It is an old building, a bit beat up…read morein the most endearing Berkeley way. A community theater at its best. You can see high quality shows at a very affordable price. The youth productions are particularly great for young kids. When our kid was young, we took them to see shows at BPH. They were great shows but also at the price point, if my 4 year old couldn't sit still and we had to leave the show, I would not cry over the ticket price. Our kid did summer camps at BPH every year and they are now part of the youth production. BPH has become their second home. The staff are deeply caring and supportive. Kids are incredibly kind, passionate about musical theater, and supportive of each other. It is a wonderful community where our quirky theater kid found their tribe and has a sense of belonging. Being different is celebrated at BPH. I highly recommend their camps and youth programs to kids who enjoy performing on stage.

This has to be the most beautiful Art Deco theater in California. The Arts, Oakland has done a…read morefantastic job in keeping up with this property. The large neon sign is eye catching. The lights in the entrance near the ticket booth is nostalgic. The Lobby, whoa the lobby is breathtaking. You can't help but follow the stairs all the way up the ceiling back around behind you to see the custom glass that looks like clouds. You wish they still made theaters like this. There are no elevators for public use in this building. It's all stairs. There's a bar on the first & second floor. There's also a coat check which I appreciated. I checked in my poster while I enjoyed the show hands free of the merch I bought before the show. The ladies restroom, very Glamorous with the lilac carpet and all Around glass & mirrored vanities that are apart from Le Toilette. It's really a powder room. Through the swinging double art deco doors are the toilets. Like stepping into a time capsule. I took a picture of this stainless steel telephone panel, staff told me it was how they called each floor to communicate with the ushers. There's plenty of staff tonight & I wonder if they're senior volunteers. In my balcony seat, Row G seat 1 the leg room was very cramped. Minimal, no space . I'm 5'2" and I was struggling-I couldn't extend my legs unless I had my right leg extended towards the stairs. I see now why it was available. The locals already know. Anyhoo, there's was an Usher, an older senior lady & she walked up to me, "You can do that, put you leg inside." No problem. I complied without saying a word. Next, I put my phone on the ledge in its stand charging. The lady came back around, she said, "You can't put that there, you can't record, you going to have to move that or put it down. I didn't say anything, took it off the stand & laid it down while charging. My purse, where to put it. So I hung it off the rail in front of me. The same Usher came up & said, "You can't do that, you have to put your purse on the floor. Oh the horror, so I hung it on the armrest close to the stairs. When she saw that, I moved it. At this point people are coming in, the show hasn't started & it's up, down, up down because there is literally no legroom. Luckily I have another seat. I got up to leave this seat. That same Usher was at the stairs, as I was leaving, she leaned over to me as if she was going to say something to me. I hung into the rail, ignored her & left on my way. See that was confirmation to me that I was in her sights. I felt like she was harassing me. She was like the grandma babysitter that didn't want you to do anything, not move, not even sneeze. On to downstairs to Orch Row AA seat 17. This by far was a better seat & so much legroom. You can actually roll a wheelchair through this. That's how wide this row was. Perfect to sneak some pics from this spot. I enjoyed the entire Snarky Puppy set from this seat. They played songs from their new album Somni. Waves Upon Waves was the opening song. These are great talented artists, jazz musicians. I will definitely see them again. After the show, I went to wait in line to have three musicians sign my poster. I was hoping the violinist & the saxophone player came out. No dice. Maybe next time. Add this venue to your concert list. This was my second time here. First was Jill Scott and absolutely no phones upon walking in. Looking forward to posting some reels of this event on my SM accounts.

We had the pleasure of taking in Ms. Jill Scott! She put on an excellent show. From start to…read morefinish, we got our money's worth. The acoustics were on point, band was in sync & the background vocalists were in tune. All Jill had to do was open up and sang! And did!!! I didn't like people standing up blocking views. It almost ruined the show. Nothing wrong w/enjoying yourself but be respectful/mindful to everyone around you. There were no phones or smart glasses allowed. I get it but I think it's overkill to a certain degree. If you say no phones, stand on it at the start of the show & just escort people out that don't comply. The refreshment prices were ridiculous! I paid almost $60 for two cocktails, a can of water & a box of candy. Lesson learned, if you know what I mean... We had a blast & blew some cash... #GoSee

First time at the Fox Theater to see Brandon Flowers. I was pleasantly surprised that street…read moreparking was available for free after 6pm close to the theater. Walking around the area felt pretty safe. Entrance to the venue was the smoothest concert entrance procedure I have ever been through. Staff were friendly and helpful. The theater is beautiful and the seats in the mezzanine level were very comfortable, had ample leg room and cup holders. Food was available at the Den restaurant connected to the venue and the were were multiple bar areas The restrooms were clean. I wouldn't hesitate to come back here for a show!

Came here for the Passion Pit concert a week ago, and it reminded me of how much I like this venue!…read moreHave been here a for a couple concerts in the past including Alan Walker and Epik High. Pros: - I like that it's a smaller intimate venue, which makes it perfect for acts that are big names but maybe not popular right now (I think Passion Pit was a great example of that actually). - Really accessible bar in the back area, drinks are probably like $20 ish after tax, which I think is fair for avenue. I actually love that they have these reusable cups that you can dump in a special bin next to the trash cans, and they theoretically wash and reuse them. Had a really tasty and strong Dark n' Stormy there. - Very accessible and easy to get here - so easy to take BART from anywhere else in the East Bay and just walk over to the venue a couple blocks. - Pretty good air circulation if you get tired of being sweaty near the stage, you can go back to the other GA sections if you need to Cons: - Kind of a "smaller" vibe, so if it's someone playing who's REALLY popular, I could see it getting really crowded in the front pit area - Sound quality can feel a bit echo-y sometimes

Fantastic improv classes & great community! The teachers are all different, but all excellent. I've…read moretaken at least part of 8 classes, and have had nothing but great experiences. You will learn not only how to improv, but also improve yourself as a human. Also, to anyone who has experienced sexism, racism, homophobia, or ableism in theater: not here, you won't. At least I think. I have never seen it. (And have been at theaters where this wasn't the case -- here's looking at you, Pan.)

I'm extremely disappointed with all out comedy. I had a bad experience a while ago but then tried…read moreto give the place another shot recently and left feeling disappointed. I feel like it's just not for me. Now, I'm giving 1 star because I have further concerns about their professionalism and customer service considering the owner kept changing their response to my other review to random rude replies. First they wrote in all caps saying I'm spam, then they said something like "your car wasn't even ever here".Maybe they are confusing me with another customer and not intentionally trying to manipulate the feedback to discredit my review, but I still can't recommend this place by the odd and unprofessional behavior toward customers regardless of who they think I am instead of offering the typical kindness that you'd expect from a business. It's safe to say I won't be giving this another shot in the future

Really bummed I couldn't continue with Pan Theatre. Great place to learn how to get back to having…read morefun with awesome people! I loved the experience and hope to one day return! Check out a show you definitely won't be disappointed. Improv is so much fun to watch and be a part of. The theatre is small which makes it great because the audience ends up becoming part of the show!

I passed a poster on Piedmont Avenue announcing Open Auditions at Pan Theater and thought, "huh, I…read moreshould take a picture of that for my husband John. I bet he would like it." Somehow, John convinced me that we should both audition. This is not usually my kind of thing, but it was Covid and any distraction from the monotony of the times was welcome. Now we are both all-in! Pan Theater Company is a courageous, generous, honest, challenging community. Everyone comes to improv without the baggage of the rest of their lives and they play together - with characters and storylines and emotions. I always come away from Pan Theater feeling lighter. I love this place!

Mother heck yes!!!! I can't believe I've lived in Oakland for this long and neeeevverrrr knew about…read moreHoodslam. Buy your ticket(s) in advance. You'll be able to get through faster. They're super clear "Do not bring your effing kid." Sorry adults only. There's a bar on your left when you enter and one in the back. Casssssh money y'all. There's plenty of beer to drink and enjoy. You'll then walk to the back and see the ring. This is where all the action takes place. High flying. Hard hitting. Exciting moves. The MC really gets the crowd going. Now, the place gets packed. Like, lots of people. Drinking. Getting rowdy. And there's no A/C so be prepared to sweat - a lot. There's a merch table where you can get some one-of-kind stuff like a onesie that looks like a dude's chest. Overall, it's a very fun and different way to spend a night in Oakland. And it's one you won't forget.

Attended Slam Town's Ekpyrotica at the Continental Club this past weekend, and had an enjoyable…read moreexperience. The listed ticket time was 8:00 to 11-ish, but in reality it was more like 8:45-11:20pm (doors opened around 8:00pm, and the entry line went quick). The place wasn't too crowded, and though there was a bit of seating against the walls, it was mostly standing room for viewing of the show. Beware, the action takes place both inside and outside the ring, so be ready to move if you're on the first level and the wrestlers end up battling it out and rolling around on the floor or against the pillars, or on the merchandise table (like they did this past FrIday). We watched from upstairs, and didn't miss a thing... they had a large screen for closeup views of all the shenanigans happening in and around the ring, too. There were quite a few matches throughout the night, including characters like Cereal Man, Prisoner 420, and my bf's fave, Bart-Man, doing their thing. I was a big fan of the MonsterTown tag team, all of the creatures dressed in comical costumes and putting on even funnier moves against their rivals, especially the three-headed giraffe and mummy. Lots of props used throughout the show, including ladders, full-size doors (for the dramatic illusion of slamming opponents into these and breaking them), and fake weapons...... oh, but THIS IS REAL... and the dynamic chants from the crowd will remind you all night. Commentary by the "news anchor" host helped guide the storyline with a bit of humor, but I've experienced better and more entertaining announcers outside of Slam Town. Apparently this underground wrestling show is a lot tamer now (in April 2026) than it used to be, back when it was known primarily as "Hoodslam", but we still had a good time. The next Slam Town event is happening on May 22nd at Drake's in Oakland.

I always enjoy the musicals at Woodminster and they now have stand up comedy shows as well! "comedy…read moreunder the stars" And also for the 2nd year in a row, they have straight plays in case you're not into musicals. You can come early and bring a picnic, BYOB, or get refreshments there. The bathrooms are always clean and there is not a bad seat in the house. There are beautiful views in this fabulous venue in the Oakland Hills. I'm looking forward to the next season.

As a high schooler I volunteered for our Key Club one year and vowed to come back as an adult…read more Finally, made it back last night to see Carousel and I was so impressed with the quality of the cast and the production. The dancing and their voices were very strong. The main cast was charismatic. I figured this would be amateurish like how summer shows are portrayed on tv shows but this is talented cast with nice sets and production value with some effects. These is definitely a lot dedicated staff that puts a lot of love into the shows. What's amazing is the cast only recently performed a different show. These guys are amazing! The food at the concession stands was yummy and the bathrooms were clean. Some door latches in the ladies room need to be realigned because they couldn't be latched but I expected portopotties so was happy have clean bathrooms with working soap dispensers and paper towels. The weather was pretty chilly all day so I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't freezing my tush last night. A couple of blankets and a thermos of warm liquids did the trick. And, thank you to the generous donors who allow kids to watch for free. First night shows are also discounted for adults. For those who want to introduce your kids to theater without worrying that they can't sit through a whole productions this is an excellent family friendly way to give them a taste. They don't have to dress up and if you get a seat on the aisle they can take a break discreetly.

Shotgun Players is a great theater space in Berkeley. I saw a show here yesterday and was impressed…read moreby how intimate and inviting the venue feels. The theater is small enough that you feel close to the performance, but still has the production quality and atmosphere of a much larger space. The seating provides a strong view of the stage, the space has a lot of character, and the staff created a welcoming experience from the moment I arrived. I also appreciated how the design of the theater makes live performance feel immediate and engaging. A great local venue for anyone who enjoys live theater. I would absolutely return for another production.

I came here with my friends to see Sunday in the Park with George. The production was very well…read moredone and our seats were only $8/each since the show was still in previews! Support local theater! I'd come again to check out other shows.

The theater was an excellent place to watch a show, and I found it highly enjoyable. I went to see…read morePrescott Circus . They did an outstanding Performance.!

Great building, they do a lot for the community. My one complaint is that they don't turn off…read moretheir 4th floor bathroom lights (or close the blinds). As a next door neighbor, this is a bit annoying. And not energy efficient.

The Oakland Poetry Slam was founded in 1999 by a small group of Bay Area poets set on bringing…read morePoetry Slam to the sunny side of The Bay. These visionaries included Sonia Whittle, Charles Ellik, Nisa Ahmad & Nazelah Jamison. In that very first year the rookie team Oakland reached Finals stage at The National Poetry Slam, finishing the tournament as the 4th ranked team in the nation (of 64). After the teams triumphant return the Slam soon took of and took on a life of it's own. Over the years The Oakland Slam has been held at a variety of venues around the city of trees. The city doesn't always make it easy for the arts or the artists. Venues have included Mambo-Mambo, The Black/Oakland Box Theater, The Oakland Metro, Oaklandish Gallery, The Uptown Theater, KTOP Studios and currently The Oasis Restaurant & Bar. Since 2005 the Slam has been organized & promoted by the dynamic duo of Dahled & Nazelah who hosts the show and coaches the squad. While the team hasn't quite made it back to the Finals stage since 2003 they have performed consistently well in competition. In 2009 The Oakland Slam is branching out and growing. They've added a monthly COMEDY Slam and are part of the group importing Chicago's wildly popular Encyclopedia Show to the Bay Area. Past Oakland Poetry Slam Team Members: 1999 - Sonia Whittle, Jamie Kennedy, Shawn Taylor, Roxanne Hanna-Ware 2000 - Michael Cirelli, Nazelah Jamison, AfroKen, Y.A.D.D.O.S., Angela Boyce (alt.), Sonia (coach) 2001 - Michael Cirelli, Nazelah Jamison, Jamie Kennedy, Rupert Estanislao, Sonia (coach) 2002 - Danielle Drake, Meliza Benales, Ishle Yi Park, Mesej 1 2003 - Scorpio Blues, Danielle Drake, nerCity, Prentice Powell, Lucky 7 (alt), Sonia (coach) 2004 - Ise Lyfe, Lucky 7, L. Abdul Kenyatta, Dahled Jeffries 2005 - Mesej 1, Dahled Jeffries, Geoff Trenchard, Mack Dennis, Aaron Enskat, Nazelah (coach) 2006 - Prentice Powell, Mesej 1, Dahled Jeffries, Lucky 7, Nazelah (player/coach) 2007 - nerCity, Aaron Gardner, Dahled Jeffries, Queen D, Nazelah (coach) 2008 - nerCity, Jaylee Alde, Mesej 1, Dahled Jeffries, Deaidre White, Nazelah (coach) 2009 - Joyce Lee, D. Silence, "-i-", Stephen Meads, Dahled Jeffries, Nazelah (coach) -iWPS rep; Joyce Lee 2010 - Joyce Lee & Aaron Gardner, Jason Bayani, Milani Pelley, Nazelah (coach / alternate) -WoWPS rep; Milani Pelley -iWPS rep; Jason Bayani

Great entertainment, and Deandre is a great host. HILARIOUS. It was very touching to see these…read morepeople go on stage and share their stories through poetry... Majority of them were nervous, but they still did their thang. It was funny, touching, and raw. Beers are pretty pricey but a well spent night. They made me and my boyfriend one of the judges for the poetry slam. Just so happens my boyfriend is a poet himself. Great social activity with your people or significant other.