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This is one of our go to Theaters when we don't want to jaunt downtown for a show or a concert. This theater is located right on the Northridge campus and offers a solid selection of concerts, musicals, and more. Every performance that we have attended is solid. And the theater is very nice and clean. Every seat in the house offers great views of the stage. After visiting this theater for awhile we have learned that the best seats in the house from a space standpoint is the lodge- where you do not have people directly in front of you, the chairs swivel for comfort and you don't have to climb over people to get to your seat. With that said you are a little more removed from the stage and sitting at an angle. Also you cannot be scared of heights as its on the second floor. The venue has one major draw back for some- Parking! Given its at the university there is plenty parking on campus- select lots are free. Unfortunately the parking lot is a jaunt which is not good for people with disability or those individuals who tend to run late to a show. If you don't mind the walk- its a 10-15 minute walk to the theater. Also, the parking lot does have a golf car shuttle you can take before and after the performance. The other option is to valet your car- the valet area is right outside the entrance to the theater- I imagine this gets crazy after the performance so prepare yourself for this. Also, if you are self parking, try to avoid the driveway by the theater entrance as its gets busy with people dropping guest off and valet. Lastly, the lot was pretty full quickly 30 minutes in advance of the performance but there still spots were still available. If you are look for a handicap spot- spots outside of the theater were all full and the first row of handicap spots at the parking lot 30 minutes before the performance. So plan ahead for parking- come early and enjoy the theater, drinks and the art gallery!
What a beautiful theater! Visited recently for Lea Salonga's holiday concert. Located on CSUN's campus, it was easy-to-find and our experience was top-notch. Being that it was an evening show, it was already dark outside but there were plenty of other patrons who also braved the brisk evening and walked the 10 minutes from the parking area. Tip: free parking! The theater was well-lit and had a glow that you couldn't miss. Getting inside was a breeze and plenty of staff to welcome and direct your seats. Nice concession options as well and also very reasonably priced. Sound and sight lines are practically perfect. In fact, the best crystal-clear sound I've heard in a while. Seats are pretty comfortable and the venue itself seemed very intimate. Overall a nice evening out and hopefully will be back soon when/if another artist of interest plays here.
The Soraya at California State University, Northridge featuring Lea Salonga Holiday 2024 Concert was a stunning success, hundreds of thespian die-hards enjoyed an evening with holiday songs and jiggles as they watched a night full of songs and comic relief from Lea. The Soraya is as beautiful as can be with glittering chandeliers and a well crafted theater featuring wooden panels meticulously floating like clouds and an excellent acoustics from front to back and beyond. Watching Lea Salonga's concert from the Balcony was an iconic experience and an excellent showcase life from the management of The Soraya, California State University, Northridge's theater and performing arts building. Full disclosure, I currently teach as a lecturer to their sciences department (anatomy, biology, chemistry etc..) but don't usually attend events here despite numerous invites and meetings. The holiday concert event was really well orchestrated, many parking staff that directed you where to park your car, parking permits was issued but many don't really have it on their cars but still were allowed to park for free. Inside the theater was a lot of kind and polite staff members directing attendees, they were respectful including to people who were LATE (don't really appreciate folks who come in while the concert was already unmoored, geez!). The theater was well-lighted and showcased the beauty and sophistication of the building inside and out, most importantly it was clean and tidy, too. So, if you love to attend performances at The Soraya, buy their tickets and enjoy the show in the valley, inside the campus of the California State University, Northridge.
What a way to celebrate the Christmas season! We attended the matinee performance of Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas show at The Soraya yesterday with a group of dear friends. The venue is beautiful, especially after dark when it's all lit up against the night sky. There are a few glitches and gotchas about attending a show there, which I'll share. Overall, it was a good experience. Parking is somewhat reminiscent of Disneyland in that it's a hike from the self-park lot to the venue. They do have valet parking available, and they also offer a free shuttle in oversized golf carts from Lot B to the north side of the theater. I was having some health issues when we arrived, so was grateful for the shuttle availability. The drop off was to the north, and our friends, and most of the crowd, were entering on the south side. We had to walk across a large lawn around the exterior of the building to get to the other side. There wasn't a sidewalk adjacent to the reflecting pool on the west side of the complex. Once united with our friends, we were able to quickly get through the entrance queue to scan tickets. They did still accept paper tickets with scannable codes. There is only one bank of two elevators to get to the upper levels. They do have stairways, as well. Several of us needed to go the elevator route, which meant waiting our turn for a number of trips. We were up one level from the Orchestra to the Parterre. Though seated several rows from the back, the view to the stage was unobstructed, and a great location to see the magnificence of the space. Curved wooden dimensional panels on the ceiling offer striking visual interest. They likely help with the acoustics, as well. The seats weren't as comfortable as they might have been, and the amount of legroom is minimal for anyone with long legs like me. If others need to get past you upon entrance, or leaving for intermission, be prepared to stand and let them by. There's no "extra" room. The pitch of the seating is great; no obstruction from the patrons in front of you looking to the stage. The performance itself was breathtaking; a feast for the eyes and ears. Lighting effects and visual graphics worked effectively with the sound acoustics. There were a few behind-the-scenes glitches during the show, but had minimal affect on my enjoyment. After the show we had to repeat the elevator wait scenario. This time it took longer as folks were descending from two levels above us. Eventually we were able to catch a semi-filled elevator and descend down to ground level. I'd say to bring your patience and good humor if you or anyone in your group needs to use something other than the stairs. Ditto for the parking shuttles, unless you want to spend extra for the valet option. It's still a benefit to be able to attend a lovely venue without having to schlep into Hollywood or Downtown L.A. And hey, free parking!
What a gorgeous performing arts venue! We took the kids to go see Stomp here on a Sunday afternoon and had a wonderful time! The venue is new and spacious and very clean. There are bathrooms on all floors. I bought tickets late so we were up on the balcony, but you still had a wonderful view of the performance. The acoustics were fantastic as well. They had food offerings and beer and wine. You can not take any of it into the theater once the show starts though. You can buy one of their CSUN tumblers with a lid and take your drink in, but it's an additional $6. They are refillable though, so if you're planning to have more than one I guess it would be worth it. Parking is about a quarter mile walk but they also provide shuttles if you don't want to make the trek. Overall, we had a blast!
Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Preforming Arts AKA The Soraya for short! Architecturally beautiful! Modern and Contemporary Center! Pleasing to eye!! We attended an event here and it was wonderful! Concert Performance to Disney Aladdin with New West Symphony!! They Were wonderful! if you have the opportunity to see them, I suggest you do! Drinks were rather expensive! There are no drinks allowed inside, but if you purchase their tumbler then you can take your drink inside. a glass of wine was $12 dollars with a tumbler it would of been $18 The door attendants were courteous . Valet was $10.00 though there system was a bit disorganized. To say the least we are coming back for more shows!!
So back in 2012 when I said I'd NEVER return to the Soraya for anything, including all the years that Savion Glover DID come back as I feared, I was true to my word. I refused to go, and I truly love Savion. And then, something happened. Four years post-covid and not doing even one concert, play or otherwise ANYWHERE (fear of covid in large crowds), on August 11, 2023, I found out that Aaron Tveit was set to perform at The Soraya on May 11, 2024. Oh-oh. Aaron Tveit. This sensational singer, phenomenal (and okay, gorgeous) Broadway star who I've wanted to see perform since hearing his voice, was coming here, just a few miles from me... to the theatre I hated. Well, I couldn't resist. I not only bought tickets, I was lucky enough to buy tickets only six rows from the stage and pretty close to the center of the audience. I just had to do it !!! And so, I did. I took the plunge I never thought I'd take. So, May 11 has come and gone, and I will admit, not only was Aaron Tveit absolutely perfect, not only was the Pacific Jazz Orchestra a perfect accompaniment for him, everything about this evening was truly perfection. They had valet parking, which was great. It was a sold out performance, yet it never felt crowded, and I just made sure I used the (still) one bathroom they had BEFORE the performance. As for the seating, I feel like they changed some things around, but I don't really know. I don't know if the rows are further apart where we sat down in the front rows of the orchestra, or if they just fixed the cramped rows. I didn't see those walls I spoke of from 2012. I don't know what happened, but it was much, much nicer, and I didn't feel cramped in the rows or individual seats. We were totally comfortable. The sound system, which they said was brand new for that performance, was AMAAAAAAAAAAAAZING. Every note, every sound was crystal clear, and let me tell you, if you don't know who Aaron Tveit is, just google him. You'll want to see him. Let's hope he liked the incredibly warm and enthusiastic reception we gave him, and that he'll return soon !! The show was perfection, and as shocked as I am to say this, SO WAS THE SORAYA !!!
WTH we purchased 4 tickets ($106 a piece) & you can not see 1/3 of the stage from our seats! Shen Yun has beautiful visuals, formations etc that you can not see. There is a wall that blocks your view! I still can not believe we had to sit there & try to enjoy it. It was infuriating. Shame on Soraya! They shouldn't charge 1 cent for those seats! The woman in front of me had to lean over the wall a bit to see so then my view was almost completely blocked. Absolutely unacceptable!
This venue is amazing! Had a family night out to see Ballet BC, the resident dance troupe, now back at The Soraya. The facility has floor to ceiling windows, well lit to light up the surrounding area at night and great acoustics. We sat in the upper balcony, there isn't a bad seat in the house. Providing food, beverages and snacks during intermission. The Soraya is a great place to see live performing artist.
I saw Serj Tankian perform here. THE GOOD Where to start? The inside of the theater itself is spectacular. It's gorgeous and feels simultaneously large and intimate. We had the dumb luck of having the third, fourth, and fifth seats from the stage in the Orchestra Box Left section. If you have a choice, grab an Orchestra Box seat even if regular Orchestra seats are available (and more expensive). Why? Because you'll have one of the most unique vantage points in the theater--and most theaters. Instead of popping out from the walls, the "boxes" are really just tendril-like hallways off the wings with individual seats that swivel. So rather than sitting next to your companion, you'll be slightly in front of or behind them. The boxes at all four levels have this same feature, but the Orchestra Boxes have the added advantage of placing you very close to the stage *at* stage level. The sound quality is perfect. Serj was performing with other singers, two backing choruses, and an orchestra. Everything seemed perfectly balanced. The single piano was very important in parts of the show, and the piano sound really stood out even though I expected it to be drowned out. It's easy to get in and out of the theater into the lobby, which itself is large enough to allow people to mingle while allowing everyone to flow where they need to go. Many venues try to force mingling by placing cocktail tables in obstructive places, but the Soraya has those tables in strategic places. The bar and restrooms also don't block access. It's just a well designed venue through and through. I love that they're not so obsessed with technology that they let it hinder them. Paper tickets are still accepted, which makes the Soraya more accessible to those without smartphones (like many seniors) than, say, Crypto.com Arena, which discriminates against people without smartphones by refusing to allow them entrance unless they are accompanied by someone with a smartphone. The ushers are also helpful, professional, and very friendly. And there are so many of them. I'm assuming they're CSUN students; whoever they are, they do a great job. Your ticket includes parking in a nearby lot, which is very large. It's a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the venue, but they provide golf-cart-type shuttles for people with limited mobility. Another option is to drop someone off right in front, have them wait for you, park, and join them before you enter. There's also plenty of space in front of the theater itself to wait to meet people without getting in other people's way. THE BAD It's in Northridge, which is in the Valley. That's the only negative thing I can say about it. THE UGLY This has nothing to do with the venue itself, but during the performance, a woman seated in the Orchestra section right below us kept fidgeting with either her phone or her watch, making a very loud old-fashioned-tech beeping sound. She initially did this between parts of the show, but eventually, she started to do it during the performance. A man seated in front of her was getting really frustrated, so he turned around a couple of times and asked her to stop doing whatever she was doing. When she kept at it, he turned around and told her to knock it off. The woman's two sons (?) proceeded to make lots of noises with their phones and watches just to annoy the guy. The guy got angry and walked out, possibly to tell an usher. The performance ended, and the guy returned and started berating the woman, who was yelling back at him. Both of them got ugly; he threatened to do something to the woman's companion/sons "outside," while she cursed him out and told him to grow up. They bold needed to grow up, honestly (they were middle-aged), but the woman and her constant fidgeting with whatever she was fidgeting with was rude, distracting, and uncalled for. I really do wish an usher could have intervened so that the woman could have been banned from future performances. THE RECAP It's a spectacular place to see a show. If someone you like is playing here, get tickets! You should get tickets to something you *think* you'll like just to experience the Soraya in person.
Took the kidlet to see the OK Go Live Video Tour at The Soraya last Sunday. This was my first time visiting this venue, and I didn't know what to expect. All I knew was that it was quite far away and on the campus of Cal State Northridge. A nice thing about these tickets is that they came with free parking (when would this ever happen at an L.A. venue?). We parked in Lot B1 and they had electric powered golf carts to take you on the short trip to the performing arts center (you could have easily walked, but the kiddo wanted to ride in the cart). This PAC is gorgeous. I hear it's about 10 years old, but it still looks quite modern and pristine. Outside there are what looks like drought-tolerant plants and some benches for seating. Inside there are lots of glass windows in the lobby to let in natural light. All the staff that we encountered at The Soraya were nice, friendly, and helpful. It was actually refreshing that we didn't have to go through long security lines with bag checks and metal detectors. There is a snack bar where you can purchase drinks and snacks before the show. The restrooms are clean and well-maintained. Although during intermission the ladies room line was out the door, there were enough stalls for it to move quickly. The theater had comfy seats and the sound and projection quality were on point. Not too loud so your ears are ringing afterwards, but loud enough to know you're at a rock show. The OK Go show had a costume contest, and my kidlet actually won (woot!). So during intermission we got to go backstage and meet the band. Event staff were all so nice and kind to us. My son was also quite fascinated by all the neat stuff he saw in the backstage area. Even though this was a real hike for us (took about an hour and a half to get there), based on our experience and the quality of this PAC and it's staff, I would definitely come back to take in another show.
9 days ago
5 months ago
This is one of our go to Theaters when we don't want to jaunt downtown for a show or a concert. This theater is located right on the Northridge campus and offers a solid selection of concerts, musicals, and more. Every performance that we have attended is solid. And the theater is very nice and clean. Every seat in the house offers great views of the stage. After visiting this theater for awhile we have learned that the best seats in the house from a space standpoint is the lodge- where you do not have people directly in front of you, the chairs swivel for comfort and you don't have to climb over people to get to your seat. With that said you are a little more removed from the stage and sitting at an angle. Also you cannot be scared of heights as its on the second floor. The venue has one major draw back for some- Parking! Given its at the university there is plenty parking on campus- select lots are free. Unfortunately the parking lot is a jaunt which is not good for people with disability or those individuals who tend to run late to a show. If you don't mind the walk- its a 10-15 minute walk to the theater. Also, the parking lot does have a golf car shuttle you can take before and after the performance. The other option is to valet your car- the valet area is right outside the entrance to the theater- I imagine this gets crazy after the performance so prepare yourself for this. Also, if you are self parking, try to avoid the driveway by the theater entrance as its gets busy with people dropping guest off and valet. Lastly, the lot was pretty full quickly 30 minutes in advance of the performance but there still spots were still available. If you are look for a handicap spot- spots outside of the theater were all full and the first row of handicap spots at the parking lot 30 minutes before the performance. So plan ahead for parking- come early and enjoy the theater, drinks and the art gallery! read more
What a beautiful theater! Visited recently for Lea Salonga's holiday concert. Located on CSUN's campus, it was easy-to-find and our experience was top-notch. Being that it was an evening show, it was already dark outside but there were plenty of other patrons who also braved the brisk evening and walked the 10 minutes from the parking area. Tip: free parking! The theater was well-lit and had a glow that you couldn't miss. Getting inside was a breeze and plenty of staff to welcome and direct your seats. Nice concession options as well and also very reasonably priced. Sound and sight lines are practically perfect. In fact, the best crystal-clear sound I've heard in a while. Seats are pretty comfortable and the venue itself seemed very intimate. Overall a nice evening out and hopefully will be back soon when/if another artist of interest plays here. read more
8 months ago
2 years ago
The Soraya at California State University, Northridge featuring Lea Salonga Holiday 2024 Concert was a stunning success, hundreds of thespian die-hards enjoyed an evening with holiday songs and jiggles as they watched a night full of songs and comic relief from Lea. The Soraya is as beautiful as can be with glittering chandeliers and a well crafted theater featuring wooden panels meticulously floating like clouds and an excellent acoustics from front to back and beyond. Watching Lea Salonga's concert from the Balcony was an iconic experience and an excellent showcase life from the management of The Soraya, California State University, Northridge's theater and performing arts building. Full disclosure, I currently teach as a lecturer to their sciences department (anatomy, biology, chemistry etc..) but don't usually attend events here despite numerous invites and meetings. The holiday concert event was really well orchestrated, many parking staff that directed you where to park your car, parking permits was issued but many don't really have it on their cars but still were allowed to park for free. Inside the theater was a lot of kind and polite staff members directing attendees, they were respectful including to people who were LATE (don't really appreciate folks who come in while the concert was already unmoored, geez!). The theater was well-lighted and showcased the beauty and sophistication of the building inside and out, most importantly it was clean and tidy, too. So, if you love to attend performances at The Soraya, buy their tickets and enjoy the show in the valley, inside the campus of the California State University, Northridge. read more
6 months ago
What a way to celebrate the Christmas season! We attended the matinee performance of Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas show at The Soraya yesterday with a group of dear friends. The venue is beautiful, especially after dark when it's all lit up against the night sky. There are a few glitches and gotchas about attending a show there, which I'll share. Overall, it was a good experience. Parking is somewhat reminiscent of Disneyland in that it's a hike from the self-park lot to the venue. They do have valet parking available, and they also offer a free shuttle in oversized golf carts from Lot B to the north side of the theater. I was having some health issues when we arrived, so was grateful for the shuttle availability. The drop off was to the north, and our friends, and most of the crowd, were entering on the south side. We had to walk across a large lawn around the exterior of the building to get to the other side. There wasn't a sidewalk adjacent to the reflecting pool on the west side of the complex. Once united with our friends, we were able to quickly get through the entrance queue to scan tickets. They did still accept paper tickets with scannable codes. There is only one bank of two elevators to get to the upper levels. They do have stairways, as well. Several of us needed to go the elevator route, which meant waiting our turn for a number of trips. We were up one level from the Orchestra to the Parterre. Though seated several rows from the back, the view to the stage was unobstructed, and a great location to see the magnificence of the space. Curved wooden dimensional panels on the ceiling offer striking visual interest. They likely help with the acoustics, as well. The seats weren't as comfortable as they might have been, and the amount of legroom is minimal for anyone with long legs like me. If others need to get past you upon entrance, or leaving for intermission, be prepared to stand and let them by. There's no "extra" room. The pitch of the seating is great; no obstruction from the patrons in front of you looking to the stage. The performance itself was breathtaking; a feast for the eyes and ears. Lighting effects and visual graphics worked effectively with the sound acoustics. There were a few behind-the-scenes glitches during the show, but had minimal affect on my enjoyment. After the show we had to repeat the elevator wait scenario. This time it took longer as folks were descending from two levels above us. Eventually we were able to catch a semi-filled elevator and descend down to ground level. I'd say to bring your patience and good humor if you or anyone in your group needs to use something other than the stairs. Ditto for the parking shuttles, unless you want to spend extra for the valet option. It's still a benefit to be able to attend a lovely venue without having to schlep into Hollywood or Downtown L.A. And hey, free parking! read more
2 years ago
What a gorgeous performing arts venue! We took the kids to go see Stomp here on a Sunday afternoon and had a wonderful time! The venue is new and spacious and very clean. There are bathrooms on all floors. I bought tickets late so we were up on the balcony, but you still had a wonderful view of the performance. The acoustics were fantastic as well. They had food offerings and beer and wine. You can not take any of it into the theater once the show starts though. You can buy one of their CSUN tumblers with a lid and take your drink in, but it's an additional $6. They are refillable though, so if you're planning to have more than one I guess it would be worth it. Parking is about a quarter mile walk but they also provide shuttles if you don't want to make the trek. Overall, we had a blast! read more
4 years ago
Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Preforming Arts AKA The Soraya for short! Architecturally beautiful! Modern and Contemporary Center! Pleasing to eye!! We attended an event here and it was wonderful! Concert Performance to Disney Aladdin with New West Symphony!! They Were wonderful! if you have the opportunity to see them, I suggest you do! Drinks were rather expensive! There are no drinks allowed inside, but if you purchase their tumbler then you can take your drink inside. a glass of wine was $12 dollars with a tumbler it would of been $18 The door attendants were courteous . Valet was $10.00 though there system was a bit disorganized. To say the least we are coming back for more shows!! read more
2 years ago
So back in 2012 when I said I'd NEVER return to the Soraya for anything, including all the years that Savion Glover DID come back as I feared, I was true to my word. I refused to go, and I truly love Savion. And then, something happened. Four years post-covid and not doing even one concert, play or otherwise ANYWHERE (fear of covid in large crowds), on August 11, 2023, I found out that Aaron Tveit was set to perform at The Soraya on May 11, 2024. Oh-oh. Aaron Tveit. This sensational singer, phenomenal (and okay, gorgeous) Broadway star who I've wanted to see perform since hearing his voice, was coming here, just a few miles from me... to the theatre I hated. Well, I couldn't resist. I not only bought tickets, I was lucky enough to buy tickets only six rows from the stage and pretty close to the center of the audience. I just had to do it !!! And so, I did. I took the plunge I never thought I'd take. So, May 11 has come and gone, and I will admit, not only was Aaron Tveit absolutely perfect, not only was the Pacific Jazz Orchestra a perfect accompaniment for him, everything about this evening was truly perfection. They had valet parking, which was great. It was a sold out performance, yet it never felt crowded, and I just made sure I used the (still) one bathroom they had BEFORE the performance. As for the seating, I feel like they changed some things around, but I don't really know. I don't know if the rows are further apart where we sat down in the front rows of the orchestra, or if they just fixed the cramped rows. I didn't see those walls I spoke of from 2012. I don't know what happened, but it was much, much nicer, and I didn't feel cramped in the rows or individual seats. We were totally comfortable. The sound system, which they said was brand new for that performance, was AMAAAAAAAAAAAAZING. Every note, every sound was crystal clear, and let me tell you, if you don't know who Aaron Tveit is, just google him. You'll want to see him. Let's hope he liked the incredibly warm and enthusiastic reception we gave him, and that he'll return soon !! The show was perfection, and as shocked as I am to say this, SO WAS THE SORAYA !!! read more
1 year ago
WTH we purchased 4 tickets ($106 a piece) & you can not see 1/3 of the stage from our seats! Shen Yun has beautiful visuals, formations etc that you can not see. There is a wall that blocks your view! I still can not believe we had to sit there & try to enjoy it. It was infuriating. Shame on Soraya! They shouldn't charge 1 cent for those seats! The woman in front of me had to lean over the wall a bit to see so then my view was almost completely blocked. Absolutely unacceptable! read more
6 months ago
This venue is amazing! Had a family night out to see Ballet BC, the resident dance troupe, now back at The Soraya. The facility has floor to ceiling windows, well lit to light up the surrounding area at night and great acoustics. We sat in the upper balcony, there isn't a bad seat in the house. Providing food, beverages and snacks during intermission. The Soraya is a great place to see live performing artist. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
I saw Serj Tankian perform here. THE GOOD Where to start? The inside of the theater itself is spectacular. It's gorgeous and feels simultaneously large and intimate. We had the dumb luck of having the third, fourth, and fifth seats from the stage in the Orchestra Box Left section. If you have a choice, grab an Orchestra Box seat even if regular Orchestra seats are available (and more expensive). Why? Because you'll have one of the most unique vantage points in the theater--and most theaters. Instead of popping out from the walls, the "boxes" are really just tendril-like hallways off the wings with individual seats that swivel. So rather than sitting next to your companion, you'll be slightly in front of or behind them. The boxes at all four levels have this same feature, but the Orchestra Boxes have the added advantage of placing you very close to the stage *at* stage level. The sound quality is perfect. Serj was performing with other singers, two backing choruses, and an orchestra. Everything seemed perfectly balanced. The single piano was very important in parts of the show, and the piano sound really stood out even though I expected it to be drowned out. It's easy to get in and out of the theater into the lobby, which itself is large enough to allow people to mingle while allowing everyone to flow where they need to go. Many venues try to force mingling by placing cocktail tables in obstructive places, but the Soraya has those tables in strategic places. The bar and restrooms also don't block access. It's just a well designed venue through and through. I love that they're not so obsessed with technology that they let it hinder them. Paper tickets are still accepted, which makes the Soraya more accessible to those without smartphones (like many seniors) than, say, Crypto.com Arena, which discriminates against people without smartphones by refusing to allow them entrance unless they are accompanied by someone with a smartphone. The ushers are also helpful, professional, and very friendly. And there are so many of them. I'm assuming they're CSUN students; whoever they are, they do a great job. Your ticket includes parking in a nearby lot, which is very large. It's a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the venue, but they provide golf-cart-type shuttles for people with limited mobility. Another option is to drop someone off right in front, have them wait for you, park, and join them before you enter. There's also plenty of space in front of the theater itself to wait to meet people without getting in other people's way. THE BAD It's in Northridge, which is in the Valley. That's the only negative thing I can say about it. THE UGLY This has nothing to do with the venue itself, but during the performance, a woman seated in the Orchestra section right below us kept fidgeting with either her phone or her watch, making a very loud old-fashioned-tech beeping sound. She initially did this between parts of the show, but eventually, she started to do it during the performance. A man seated in front of her was getting really frustrated, so he turned around a couple of times and asked her to stop doing whatever she was doing. When she kept at it, he turned around and told her to knock it off. The woman's two sons (?) proceeded to make lots of noises with their phones and watches just to annoy the guy. The guy got angry and walked out, possibly to tell an usher. The performance ended, and the guy returned and started berating the woman, who was yelling back at him. Both of them got ugly; he threatened to do something to the woman's companion/sons "outside," while she cursed him out and told him to grow up. They bold needed to grow up, honestly (they were middle-aged), but the woman and her constant fidgeting with whatever she was fidgeting with was rude, distracting, and uncalled for. I really do wish an usher could have intervened so that the woman could have been banned from future performances. THE RECAP It's a spectacular place to see a show. If someone you like is playing here, get tickets! You should get tickets to something you *think* you'll like just to experience the Soraya in person. read more
Took the kidlet to see the OK Go Live Video Tour at The Soraya last Sunday. This was my first time visiting this venue, and I didn't know what to expect. All I knew was that it was quite far away and on the campus of Cal State Northridge. A nice thing about these tickets is that they came with free parking (when would this ever happen at an L.A. venue?). We parked in Lot B1 and they had electric powered golf carts to take you on the short trip to the performing arts center (you could have easily walked, but the kiddo wanted to ride in the cart). This PAC is gorgeous. I hear it's about 10 years old, but it still looks quite modern and pristine. Outside there are what looks like drought-tolerant plants and some benches for seating. Inside there are lots of glass windows in the lobby to let in natural light. All the staff that we encountered at The Soraya were nice, friendly, and helpful. It was actually refreshing that we didn't have to go through long security lines with bag checks and metal detectors. There is a snack bar where you can purchase drinks and snacks before the show. The restrooms are clean and well-maintained. Although during intermission the ladies room line was out the door, there were enough stalls for it to move quickly. The theater had comfy seats and the sound and projection quality were on point. Not too loud so your ears are ringing afterwards, but loud enough to know you're at a rock show. The OK Go show had a costume contest, and my kidlet actually won (woot!). So during intermission we got to go backstage and meet the band. Event staff were all so nice and kind to us. My son was also quite fascinated by all the neat stuff he saw in the backstage area. Even though this was a real hike for us (took about an hour and a half to get there), based on our experience and the quality of this PAC and it's staff, I would definitely come back to take in another show. read more
3 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
So far our favorite venue. From the location to the easy access valet to the cleaniness. We would love to see more Jazz and R&B performances. Its nice to see an affordable concert without driving into LA and dealing with parking and walking. Also, the building is gorgeous. We saw Gregory Porter last year and now War. read more
2 years ago
9 years ago
What a gem to have in the valley! It's nice to know that I don't have to travel all the way to downtown Los Angeles to see amazing theater or other performances. I went for the first time on 3-29 to see and hear Kathleen Battle, The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Joel A Martin and Angela Bassett's stellar performances in Underground Railroad: A Spiritual Journey. The structure is massive and very well lit at night. Also when you visit, please go up to the balcony level and gaze upon a great scenic view of the valley. There is also a small bistro there as well. Can't wait to visit again. read more
2 years ago
I have been lucky enough to attend a few shows and presentations at the Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC). It is a state of the art and elegant venue on the CSUN campus. It is not a large but a decent sized venue with each seat having a great view of the stage. Each show is professionally staffed with individuals that assists you with finding your seats and to answer any questions you may have. They are also there to enforce the no flash photography policy during shows. For those of you who live quite a ways from the venue, you will have the option at staying at the Hyatt hotel that will be built right across the street from the VPAC in the near future. The hotel will open in mid 2019. read more
4 years ago
Beautiful concert venue on CSUNs campus. Had a ticket to see Lea Solonga and had no idea such a gorgeous hall was located here. The interior reminded me of the Walt Disney Concert Hall but on a smaller scale. The concert was wonderful and I was pleasantly surprised at how great the venue is. read more
I came here to watch the Los Angeles Ballet perform Swan Lake. Being a fan of dance, I always enjoy watching dance performances, in particular ballets. The tickets were pricey, but well worth it (it was also nice that my bf gets a CSUN discount at the VPAC). We bought our tickets about a week before the show, and managed to get orchestra seats in the 5th row. The VPAC is a very new, modern looking building. I immediately noticed the building as we were driving towards it because of the way it stood out. Since this place is new, everything looked shiny and clean. The auditorium looked nice and was pretty big, but the seats were kind of small. Since parking wasn't free, we parked on the street across the VPAC. Overall, I was impressed by this new structure. It's definitely a nice place to go to when you're attending a big show. read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
5 years ago
4 years ago
Finished watching Shen Yun 2022 and I can say that it was an amazing experience. I loved it and I will definitely buy more tickets in the future. read more
16 years ago
This place is absolutely beautiful.... inside. Looks a little like a prison from the outside on one end. No windows no doors...the other side is completely open. You can see the grand stairway, which was evidently closed that night. It feels very grand and is built very much to feel like many of the other performance centers in Los Angeles. A little mix of The Ahmanson and the Dorothy Chandler. Just went to a free concert with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra where they were testing the sound with a live audience. The orchestra was amazing! I haven't been to a classical event in a while and I've decided that I miss it very much. The inside looks very much like the inside of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which makes sense since a large amount of the funding was donated by Disney. The place is not as big as you think it's going to be and there really isn't a bad seat. Like the concert hall, they have have small walls dividing the aisle so you do feel safer when you walk by. It's going to bring something new to the valley and open up the area to more performing arts, everything from lecturers to ballets. So excited for it's first season! read more
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18111 Nordhoff St
Northridge, CA 91330
Northridge
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