The Arrata Opera centre is a 29,000 square foot facility set in the newly redesigned Wesley United…read moreChurch on 7th Street SW. Its prime function is to support the education and the development of new opera works in Canada. It also provides a very central and funky space for events, rehearsal, gatherings and productions. The rehearsal hall can occupy 175 people and the Nexen Gallery can accommodate 228. They also have a Studio and a greenroom for smaller groups. The Arrata also provides seating, lighting, and sound facilities and even has a costume and laundry shop for costume rentals. There are non profit rates that are very reasonable as well as corporate rates. Because of their relation and the beautiful architecture of the previous historic church incarnation, Arrata can provide a unique venue for your special events.

I've been working on rounding out some of my exposure to the arts. Opera is not something I "get"…read more Theatre? sure. Musicals? yes please! Classical music? yup. Subtitles on Foreign films? AOK. But Opera had been a scary frontier for some reason. Last year we saw a reasonable price for seasons tickets come out and we decided to give er a go. We were told it was a well rounded season to get an idea of the art. OK... if nothing it's an excuse to dress up and go to the Jube for a evening. I'm kind of glad I had a season to experience Opera without making a judgement. Opera Calgary is a very classy company that seems to attract some excellent talent. Definitely worth checking out if your interest draws you to Opera. I also discovered Opera Calgary has a program for professional under 35s that allows for cheaper tickets and special events - Club Allegro. I didn't do the cheaper tickets because I had my season tickets but I did get to check out one of the events and they did give a little talk to help us understand Opera for beginners (as opposed to just the pre talk which can be a little over my head) which was nice. Ohh.. and free Jube water I could take to my seat... amazeballs.. that's like a $3 value! I still find Opera challenging... maybe that's not all that uncommon. I still think I'd check out a play or symphony over an Opera but I'm not really scared of them and I'm growing to appreciate a very nice aria. I do still have a couple more years of Club Allegro to see if I can build on my understanding a bit more.

Along a quiet residential street in Inglewood, surrounded by small, old bungalows is not the…read morelocation you'd expect to find such a remarkable venue. I think Festival Hall is a remarkable venue, because it seems both so out of place and so perfect for the neighbourhood at the same time. The building is by no means extravagant - a brick cube that could very well be a small apartment. You'll almost pay no attention to it, wondering if you've gone the wrong direction until you get close enough to read the sign on the front wall. It blends into its surroundings without so much as a parking lot to indicate there's a concert venue in the area. Inside, the 200ish seat space is comfortable and intimate. The performance area is a large cube room with some brilliantly subtle touches that prevent it from sounding like a small gymnasium. Large soft curtains at the back to absorb sound, angled walls, ceiling and attractive roof trusses break up sound and reduce echo and keep you focused on the performance. The space works well for unamplified performances - I was most recently wowed by Cowtown Opera's ability to fill the space using nothing more than vocals and a single piano. I've also seen several roots / blues acts here and the space sounds excellent at the higher volumes of drum kits and electric guitars. Another cool feature is the versatility of the space. Without fixed seating, they are free to setup the room to accommodate the needs of any performer. With a full-house the foyer can get pretty packed at intermission and I quickly find myself seeking some fresh air. You can order any kind of beer as long as it's Big Rock, which is a-ok by me! Drinks are also permitted in the performance hall which is a nice touch.

What a beautiful theatre. The seats were comfortable for our entire performance and they had plenty…read moreof event staff and bars set up to serve customers. The fact that they had a mobile system to preorder drinks for pick up at intermission made things move smoothly. The staff was friendly and efficient. We loved the decor and really enjoyed walking around looking at all the art school students art. The themed drinks and decorations were great too. Thank you to all the amazing stage and show crews who put on a fantastic show. I have 2 complaints but I think they're universal to theatres and event centre's in general; there need to be more ladies bathroom stalls or make all the bathrooms gender neutral. Second is that seats should be staggered so that you're looking over someone's shoulders and not into the back of someone tall's head.

Saw Shen Yun. A beautiful production. Great lighting, effects and stage…read more The seats in the auditorium, however, were torturous. Painful to sit for more than an hour. Even that hour was unpleasant. The seats feature very thin cushion over a narrow hard wood frame, with short, hard wood arm rests. Everyone in my section stood up immediately at intermission. People behind me were rubbing their legs and hips complaining about how uncomfortable the seats were. Made a beautiful production less enjoyable

Was able to attend an evening of Dirty Laundry at the Lunchbox theater for a Yelp Elite event. Was…read moreso excited to final get to this show as honestly have been trying to get a group of friends together for a while to check it out! Dirty Laundry has been running for a million years. Ok its only been running for 16 seasons but that is basically a million years in theater years. Every season of Dirty Laundry is an ongoing soap opera based around a central theme. They start each "episode" off with a "previously on Dirty Laundry" so you can catch up to where the story has got to. It is really funny and they play off each other so well. As part of the Yelp event we got some delicious kettle corn during intermission, the actors then incorporated the sound of rustling paper bags into the performance. That's just good improve! Every couple of shows they open the floor to the audience afterwards for some Q&A which was good to get a bit of history on the show and how they come up with everything and decide where the story will go. They also sell wine and beer to enjoy during the performance and all reasonable priced too. Big win all around. Absolutely will look at getting a season pass for their next show as would love to watch the story progress from beginning to end. Also at $16 a ticket this is a great deal for improve.

This is improv like I've never seen before! Sure, going to a "Who's Line Is It Anyway" style improv…read moreshow is a great way to spend an evening. Dirty Laundry, however, kicks it up a notch and throws an ongoing storyline into the mix. The results are hilarious. Not only do they come up with a storyline that seems, well, at least as cohesive as any real soap opera story line, they do it in a way that every episode still stands on its own. Don't ask me how. Improv geniuses I tells ya! Don't worry if they're mid-season, the plot line isn't so important that you're unable to watch a single episode. But, if you do catch multiple shows you start appreciating it on a new level. My first time was so fun that we had to back... a few episodes later. For our second show, I was amazed at how many references to past jokes and plot lines they make that I would have missed entirely had I not gone to the show. Make no mistake, Dirty Laundry is definitely for adults, but it's like how Pixar movies are loved by kids, but when you watch as an adult you pick up on way more. It's not like you're missing out if you only go once (kid mode), you're just... ignorant to the full story, but in a way that you're so engulfed by childlike wonderment you don't even realize or care. If you're looking at an original twist to the tried and true but fully played out dinner and a movie date, definitely give Dirty Laundry a try.

Hattori Williamson School of Ballet has been everything I could have asked for as a dancer. Not…read moreonly do they offer outstanding training, but they are actively seeking to create the best dancer possible to help students achieve their dreams of becoming professional dancers. I am beyond grateful for all the guidance and opportunities I've received at Hattori Williamson!

This is currently my second year attending the Hattori Williamson School of Ballet and my…read moreexperience has been at the highest of quality. They are the most dedicated, caring, supportive, understanding and encouraging teachers in my history of training. They have expected the highest of standard from me and upheld me to this level on a daily basis. The teachers have individualistic expectations for each student, varying on the personal level, needs and growth of the student. The staff has high expectations for us as a class and will accept nothing else but the absolute best from each individual. Not only has the staff pushed me on an artistic level but as well as on a personal level. The teachers are always there to assist me with any personal issues I may be having, even if it unrelated to the ballet studio. I see them not only as my teacher but also as my mentors, guiding me through my journey. These teaches have been my biggest assets for the past two years and have had such an incredible influence on me. They have taught me about work ethic, self motivation, expectations and self-improvement. They have never put any limits on any student and see the potential in each and every individual. The environment created is very friendly, and low stress where all students from all classes interact positively with one another. The class sizes are very small ranging from about three to ten individuals per a class. The staff puts their best foot forward daily and expects the same from us as their students. I couldn't be any happier with my experience at the H/W School of Ballet and recommend this ballet school for dancers of all ages and levels.

Had a meeting the other day to view this space as an events space and man did it blow me away. Set…read morein the heart of downtown, this 100 year old historic building still conveys its original pride in its golden leaf mouldings, the original theatre ceiling and original walls. Most of the architecture has been updated and the lobby area houses the sexy and sultry Velvet Restaurant. The main theatre is a jaw dropping thing to experience, from the catwalk you see an expansive area with rolling seats that can be set up as a classic theatre formation or can be set up against all four walls with the stage in the center. The hardwood floor is rich and dark and the brick wall is an interesting urban feel which could house really unique staging. The theatre was renovated by theatre diehard loyalists and you can tell the dedication that has been put into this venue as everything is so well taken care of. There is a killer mezzanine area, with a bar that presently has been popular for wine and scotch tasting events. The only criticism I would have is because of all the historic restoration they are not so open to hosting youth events there but it is understandable considering the fine details of the architecture. All in all the place is a superb location and akin to theatre spaces I have seen in New York City and Toronto, but it's not its grandness is all right here in Calgary.

A friend gave me tickets to a Charlie Chaplin event called Modern Times. People were decked out in…read more1920s outfits, drinking cocktails, and the amazing beauty of this old gem. They had Juno winning musicians masterfully creating the sound for this old film. I was blown away by the beauty and history of this theatre! I have since attended several events and loved them all. This theatre has heart and soul and artists to run it. It's an incredible space with more history and nooks and crannies that any other joint in our FINE City! Heading to their showing of The Princess Bride tonight, pass the popcorn. ;)

Usually a pretty good experience; happy with the food, drinks, prices and service…read more On two occasions(the nun 2, saw X) there's been a group of disruptive adolescents. Who come in mid movie, move around the theatre, talk really loud, throw their garbage, leave through the emergency exit, on their phones with flashlight and calls. Tonight they threw lettuce on people. Not completely certain that 1 free admission per person makes up for it.

The concession was fine. Service was very slow and all I was getting was a drink but what was…read moreREALLY frustrating was the seats! The seats are old style but that's not the problem...they are so fricking narrow that my thighs couldn't hardly get past the drink holders that are cutting into the width of the seats! THANK GOD the movie I saw was short! That was one super uncomfortable movie! I'd rather pay full price and sit in a regular sized seat ... or even better, a recliner!

Simple (though sometimes still complex) sets, inspiring performances…read more We have been to their lunchtime plays on a number of occasions now, and I must say we are always blown away by the talent. Though this last time was even one up. The sheer talent of these two was mind blowing. It's a perfect way to have a midday date, to enjoy some time without the kids AND let school be your babysitter (saving money and time not having to find and pay a sitter) or to do something different on your lunch break to unwind and disengage for work stress. In my case "all the above". They are always so friendly, and the lunch crowd currently seems to be primarily the retired age crowd but the shows most certainly are wonderful for all adults. I've taken my mom and brother when they've visited and my husband and I have gone on a number of occasions then taking our time enjoy a luxurious lunch date after or bunch before. It is one of my favourite date ideas.

How do I start to describe one of the most understated venues in Calgary?…read more Lunchbox theatre is simply an amazing way to spend your lunch hour! The set up is simple, the price is fair, and the opportunity to watch emerging artists instead if sitting in one of the +15s with thousands of stressed out Calgarians is priceless! This theatre is celebrating 40 years in 2015, and that is no easy task! Think of what Calgary looked like in 1975 and try to imagine how a boutique theatre can still be around through multiple recessions. I highly recommend that you take one lunch out of your busy schedule and give this theatre a shot! Pack your own lunch and enjoy the entertainment! Quick Review on current show: Camp Victoria is a story of 3 women in Northern Canada in the late 1800's during the gold rush. They end up lost with an injured soldier and the adventures they go through in the woods. It's a very entertaining story watching these ladies justifying their use of 'medicinal' whiskey to fend off wolves and other sounds in the night. Try to get to the theatre while this show is still on, it's worth it!