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.
