I've seen Kem multiple times, but his Valentine's Day show at MGM was hands down the BEST one yet…read more And honestly? I had zero plans to go. My date was in town for the Hallmark holiday, and we figured we'd just keep it low-key... until we lost money at the poker tables and made a very last-minute decision (literally five minutes before showtime) to grab tickets. Best decision ever. From the first note, the energy was unreal. Leela James brought the house down and Kem sounded incredible. We had an absolute ball in our sweats and tennis shoes. At one point it felt less like a concert and more like the world's best karaoke night because we were singing our hearts out the entire time. One thing I love about MGM is that there truly are no bad seats. Even with last-minute tickets, the view and sound were fantastic. Unexpected, spontaneous, comfy, and unforgettable. The perfect Valentine's night after all.

Attended the Deon Cole performance here and this site is capable of hosting large crowds. Pay…read moreattention to the seating so that your selection aligns with your viewing preferences. There are large display screens to the left and right of the stage. It helps see the artist but I found myself watching the screen more than the stage. One thing that continues to irk me is when people show up late and try to scoot past you to get to their seat. Depending on the build of the person, half of the row may end up standing up to allow them passage. While this can't be helped as things do happen that may contribute to tardiness, the distance from the seat in front of you and on each side is rather close. If you need to stretch periodically, you'll get that chance when someone has to go to the bathroom or returns spilling their drinks as they try to scoot by you. I had no issues bringing my purse in. Some venues do have size restrictions on handbags for security reasons. Entering was easy, the ushers worked well together to prevent bottlenecks for those trying to find their seats. Announcements are made for no heckling, phone use for photos or videos. Violations can result in warnings and/or removal. Upon conclusion of the performance, it wasn't terrible exiting. Things were orderly and the artists do have an area for autographs, photos and selling of memorabilia. Located within the MGM at National Harbor, parking was fee and there are a host of restaurants to choose from if you want to dine before or after the show. Definitely enjoyed myself and look forward to returning for other entertainment options.

A very beautiful exhibit at the Gaylord hotel. ICE! at…read moreNational Harbor is impressive, well-organized, and exactly as cold as advertised. Parking around National Harbor is plentiful, though expect a bit of a hike through the hotel to reach the back corner where the Christmas Village and exhibit entrance are located. You can pay for parking at a small booth near the entrance, which keeps things straightforward. Before entering the exhibit itself, you pass through the Village area, which includes an ice slide attraction, Santa's workshop, and a retail shop. Entry requires a ticket--about $50 per person--so it's not cheap. Once inside, you follow a serpentine path with areas where you can touch real snow, plus a small display explaining how the exhibit was constructed. You're issued a blue overcoat before entering the main exhibit. Take it. Even with the coat, it's cold. Inside, it's about 7 degrees, and the rules are clear: do not touch the ice sculptures. This year's theme is The Polar Express, and the exhibit follows the story through several themed rooms that showcase the craftsmanship of the ice artisans. The detail is striking, and there are ice slides if you're brave enough. It's beautiful, very cold, and memorable--but your time inside is limited due to the cold temperature. When finished, you return the coat and exit back into the Village. Overall: very cool (pun intended), impressive, and worth seeing at least once. We also caught the Cirque: Spirit of Christmas show in the stunning atrium, and it was an absolute highlight of our visit! The production follows a sweet girl-dreaming theme with magical spirits guiding the story--perfect holiday vibes. The performers were phenomenal: from the ladder walker and high-wire artist to the incredible juggler (she stole the show for me--her skills and energy were out of this world!). Everything was packed into a surprisingly tight stage area, which made the precision and high-flying stunts even more impressive. It wasn't very crowded when we went, the show runs about 30-35 minutes (just right), and it felt well worth the ticket price. If you're at the Gaylord for ICE! or the holiday festivities, don't miss this--it's a dazzling, feel-good addition that left us smiling. Highly recommend!

I rather watch the Polar Express in 144p resolution quality than come here again…read more This was not worth $50... First of all, you get timed tickets for entry, but that doesn't matter honestly, because you're probably going to wait an hour until you finally get into the ICE exhibit. You wait in the Gaylord hallway and then in the Christmas village where they finally scan your tickets, wait in the Gaylord hallway again, back into the village to get these parkas, before you finally go outside to go into the exhibit, which is so small and probably took around 10-15 minutes to go through. I spent more time in this line than the exhibit... The ice sculptures are cute and it's crazy to think someone made these, but it's not worth the money and time to wait in such a line for this! Not to mention some people don't have manners at times so it can get chaotic with taking photos and kids running around. Ice slide is not worth it. This place is not lying about being 9 degrees Fahrenheit so be prepared to be cold. Overpriced "merch" at the end of the exhibit with meh branding and overpriced ornaments and toys you can probably find somewhere else for cheaper.

Don't be misled by the humble surroundings of this theater. Inside this small space something…read morewonderful invariably happens. I have seen numerous performances here, and they are all consistently at a high level. I have been to NYC. You don't need to spend $250 to be up close to great theater. The talent that comes to Metro Stage have Broadway in their resumes. The current performance of Black Pearl Sings set in the post depression 1930's, takes 2 women from different worlds and shows how they can bond through music. Their story stands on its own, and is not just a backdrop to launch into song. The show takes the viewer through a full range of emotions. The outcome is bittersweet. If you live in the DC. metro area, don't overlook what is in your own backyard. After all, it is a "Metro Stage."

What a wonderful little theater. I had no idea this little gem was tucked away in this corner of…read moreOld Town but now I know! I love that's it's small, cozy and personal. This play is set in 1971 and Maria Callas is teaching at Julliard. What a great performance. A wonderful evening.

I had seen the show many years ago on the west coast and recently took my family to see it at…read moreNational Harbor. The show is entertaining from start to finish. All of the acts were great. There was a lot of fun audience engagement. It was worth every penny. It is a wonderful family event for young and old.

This was my first time seeing the UniverSoul Circus. There are concessions as soon as you walk in…read more The show is very entertaining from start to finish. Each act brought their own level of flare and had the audience captivated. Great show and also kid friendly.

My wife invited me and my teenage son to watch a work colleague perform in a fun community theater…read moreversion of Shakespeake's "Much Ado about Nothing". The 2-hour show (with intermission) was entertaining with the setting in New Orleans. This little theater had several pluses. First, the interior space is cozy and provides a fun vibe of live theater in which audience engagement is part of the experience. Second, it's only a few blocks away from restaurants on King Street. Street parking is not difficult to find if you arrive early. Third, the overall quality of individual theatrical performances was quite good. All the performers seemed to have regular day-jobs, but love theater for its own sake (perhaps from college). The only minus is the theater seats are very close to each other (think ballpark). Thus, if you happen to sit behind someone who is really tall, it may require a bit of peeking around to see parts of the stage. Hopefully, the folks in front of you will not be tall. Would definitely return for a future performance.

Cute, little quaint theatre! I was staying in the area and looking for something to do. I came upon…read moreA CHRISTMAS CAROL that was playing here on a tuesday evening. I reserved my seat online (got to choose my seat!) which was for E1 Street parking in the local neighborhood. I ended up parking and walking almost a block or so. not bad When I got in , there were ppl standing around waiting to be let in the auditorium. I checked in with a woman who had a printed list of ticket holder names. The seats were very close to one another and infront and back of you. I could see the stage very well It was hard to understand what the actors were saying at times, there is a speaker but in genera I couldn't understand some of the words (plus im deaf in my right ear, so theres that) Production was for an hour. Cute little theatre!

A historic building with an ostentatious name which has somehow eluded my attention until now. It…read morehouses a free (!) art gallery, which is just a big room with a little add-on at street level. The basement is open and is also visibly historic, but doesn't have much in the way of art. It does have cool air and a restroom. The scope of the art gallery clearly isn't large (bearing in mind that a free art gallery the size of a mansion is ho-hum by DC standards), but I enjoyed what they had and it was a perfect use of the time I had to spend on it. Surprisingly enough, they seem to allow people to bring their dogs inside.

All of the Athenaeum staff was excellent to work with. During the initial planning stages, Veronica…read moreand Richard were my main points of contact, both of whom were very helpful answering questions. They were happy to entertain our questions both via email and during the various trips to check out the space. The contract process was fairly straight forward and fortunately renting out the space includes both the art gallery and the outside garden (it rained on our wedding day and the ceremony was initially going to take place in the garden). A few days before the wedding, we were informed that Amanda would be the staffer on hand on the actual wedding day. I sent Amanda my proposed timeline and we reviewed it over the phone. She was willing to assist with flow of show and confirming chair and floral deliveries/set up. She advised us of some renovations that were taking place in the alley behind the garden, which is where the ceremony was originally going to take place. While the staff had not previously informed us of the planned renovation, it all worked out in the end. Amanda emailed me photos of the renovations, offered alternate solutions to ensure the scaffolding wouldn't be as visible, emailed the contractor to ensure they would be done with the renovations for the day prior to our scheduled photo time and ceremony start time, and offered to be at the venue early to ensure that everything was clean. When I realized it was likely going to rain on the wedding day, I emailed Amanda asking for a quick discussion on a rain plan. She contacted me right away to confirm a time and we spoke the morning of the wedding to come up with a rain plan. She handled the new set up with both the chair rental company and the florist. The set up came out beautifully. Also, one of the photographers left a water behind and Amanda emailed me about the item so I was able to retrieve it the next day. I would definitely rent this space again!

Just saw "Antony & Cleopatra." Fantastic! No dialog, only music and movement, but the stories are…read moreclear (we've also seen "Romeo & Juliet," years ago - also great!).

Synetic Theater is a small, unassuming theater that packs a big punch! You won't be amazed by the…read moreactual theater space itself - it's small, the seats don't have the most cushion, and it's not as ornate as other D.C. theater's - but what Synetic is able to accomplish through their stage design, A/V, and production quality is absolutely mind-blowing! Everything is beautifully done and you feel fully immersed in the performance the minute you walk through the theater doors. There isn't a huge alcoholic beverage selection and snack bar doesn't have a ton of options to choose from, but there's going to be a least something there to hold you over if you aren't too picky. I am looking forward to seeing many more performances at Synetic in the near-future, and maybe even take a late lunch to check out one of their 45min afternoon performances as well.

The Magic Duel is just that...two Magicians competing to win the title of best of the night. You…read moredo actually vote on your phone at intermission. Mark Phillips and Ryan Phillips were both terrific. The one we voted for did indeed win, but they were both great! The Saturday we were there, there were two performances. We chose the 5pm one. It's a fast-paced show that kept us laughing, intrigued and highly entertained. A very fun, wonderful way to spend entertainment dollars in DC. Not a bad seat in the house! This is downstairs in the historic Mayflower Hotel, nice and close to the Farragut North Metro Stop. Definitely appropriate for all ages. Highly recommend!

This review is for the show at the Writers Center, Bethesda, MD, which doesn't seem to have a Yelp…read morepage of its own. I recognize that the Magic Duel takes huge pride in 5 star reviews on Yelp, which I deeply respect. But I did wish that we had seen the show in a different venue. I am no stage expert, but lights and sound do matter a lot in delivery of a magic show for a skeptic like me, going because the significant other loves magic shows. With better lighting, things would have been more "magical" (thinking bottles.) I was also surprised that a bubble artist, as good as she was in her profession, was considered a magician. After some quick research, you will end up at Magic Duel in this genre, so please go to Dupont or Georgetown.

This was such a great time. Watching the photos develop and experiencing the darkroom was…read moredefinitely a vibe!

Such a cool and different experience! Took myself on a solo date here and had a blast! Things I…read moreenjoyed about the experience: - they walk you through every step of the process - there's adult beverages for purchase if you'd like - the music and the instructors are so phenomenal! - you can pick up your camera a few days in advance (if you'd opt for the package where you take your own pictures) - the instructors guide you to make sure you have a product you'd enjoy at the end of the experience I would definitely do it again as another solo date OR

The BLK FLWR MRKT host Kehmari was very knowledgeable about the flowers and customs of smudging…read more The class was very informative and the time was well spent 1.5 class time. Fresh flowers with a eucalyptus base, bundling materials, a pen to write your affirmation and historical information in a welcoming venue. The class was well worth it and Kehmari was a joy. The flowers take 3 weeks to dry out before you can burn them.

I've been to The ArC before. However, my review is for my recent visit. Last week, I attended the…read moreScreening of I'm Good Bro: Unmasking Male Depression In the Theatre. The center is located in Southeast. It's a beautiful theater and parking is free! The bathrooms are well maintained and the theatre was perfect for panel discussions and watching a show. The chairs were comfortable. I plan to. Come back.