Came here last night to see the LiveTalksLA speaker series, with Bob Iger and Brian Grazer. Bob is the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, and he had just written a book, so this was his time to talk about his book, answer questions from the audience, and try to sell more books! Apparently, Iger is donating proceeds from "The Ride of a Lifetime" to educational initiatives aimed at fostering more diversity in the field of journalism. I sat in the orchestra section, about 5-6 rows back and had a perfect view of the 2 celebrities. This was my first time at a LiveTalksLA event, so it was interesting to see what it was about. Long lines to get in, event did not start on time, maybe about 12 minute delay. Parking was available in 3 lots around Alex Theater, and you only pay $1 for parking, as long as it's validated by the theater, for up to 4 hours. I parked in 222 Orange Ave lot. It seemed the closest to the theater in my opinion. read more

Alex Theatre is a gorgeous theatre nestled in the city of Glendale. It's style is vintage Hollywood, built in the 1920's. I understand that it used to be a movie theatre. It's style and decor is beautiful. Because it was built in the 1920's, Alex Theatre has a very intimate feel to it. It's not an oversized theatre where one would easily get lost. There are quite a bit of stairs and my legs got a good workout the day I went. Parking is available in nearby structures and some street parking is available as well. Access to Alex Theatre is very easy, front entrance only. There is a small concession stand outside but the line can get long. There is also a bar inside. The women's bathroom was impeccably clean! I think the best part of Alex Theatre is the abundance of restaurants nearby. After the performance I went to, I saw all the nearby eateries fill up with guests. I didn't get to stick around and explore but during intermission I did walk over to Pizza Rev for a quick bite. The performance I got to see was the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles. They couldn't have chosen a nicer venue for the spring performance! read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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The first time I went to the Alex Theatre was back in 1977 to see the original Star Wars. My mom and I walked over there from our home a couple blocks away and it was jammed packed. We ended up sitting in different rows. The Alex Theatre has been a Glendale landmark since 1925. It is owned by the City of Glendale and operated by the Glendale Arts non-profit. In 1992 $6.2 Million in public funds was used to restore the Alex Theatre. Now it is home to the Alex Film Society, Glendale Youth Orchestra, Los Angeles Ballet and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The Red Chair Children's Production Company presents The Nutcracker on December 13, 2015. On February 27, 2016 the Los Angeles Ballet presents Don Quixote. There will be many other productions so check it out. I am really glad the Alex Theatre was added to the National Register for Historic Places. I wish they would show the new Star Wars film there. read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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If you are a movie guru, this place does amazing showings of great older movies. They do these helpful short introduction and tell awesome trivia about the film you came to watch. They also invite people from the cast to give you some inside stories. Warning, you have to sit through a membership spiel, but other than that it is all very fascinating and informative. The theater itself is beautiful, so come a little earlier to catch up on its history from 1925. Goldstar frequently sells discounted tickets, so take advantage. Plenty of parking around and nice restaurants to go before or after the show. Americana mall is only 5 minute walk away. So make a day of it and enjoy! read more

I have been to the Alex Theatre a handful of times for various shows. It is not the most glamorous venue, but it has a lot of character and old school charm. The entrance is a huge outdoor courtyard, and to your right you will see refreshments sold. There is also a bar upstairs for the upper level. As soon as you enter, there are ushers who are extremely helpful and willing to find you your seat. They will guide you in which direction to head, are there you will find more ushers to tell you where you sit! The staff is definitely kind, courteous, and easy to get a hold of. I have sat both on the lower and upper level. Since it is a smaller theater, there really is no bad seat in the house. You can see the performers very well from any seat! There are restrooms on both floors, and they are always well maintained. The parking around here can look like a mess, but I have always found a metered spot on Brand Blvd and walked right over. I do recommend the Alex Theatre to anyone in the area who wants to see a local performance! read more

Alex Theatre - Swan Lake. This picture was taken from the upper level. - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

Bought my tickets about a month ago for Jo Koy's taping of his 2nd Comedy Central special. When I placed my order it clearly stated that there was no age restriction. So I got a ticket for one of my friends son who is just a tad under 18. Wednesday before the performance, I got an email from Elissa Glickman (The General Manager for Glendale Arts) saying that "No one under the age of 18 will be seated. Email says to call them if there are any issues. Well I call....get thrown into voicemail. I emailed them, no answer. I sent them a @reply via twitter. No response. So Im scrambling to find a replacement for this ticket - Thursday comes and still no response to calls, emails & tweets. Friday afternoon, someone finally calls me back (the day before event) and they said they checked with Jo Koy (who I also tweeted about this issue) about the material and it would be ok. SO they sent out an email before even checking with the performer???? So its the night of the show, we get there an hour early (just in case) and we saw this huge line - my first thought was "its assigned seating, why is there a line?" Waited for about 30 mins and then someone with a walkie talkie tells us "if you have your tickets you dont have to wait in this line" Good job Alex Theatre.... We walk in - my friend that was under aged walked in without any issues. Its smaller than I thought it would be, the inside is a bit old fashion looking. I think it needs a makeover. Seats are not comfortable and its crazy hot in there - but that might be due to the fact that they were taping and they had all the production lights on, but it was HOT. Show was good - I didnt like the "IN YOUR FACE" tactic by the camera guys trying to get your reaction to the jokes. I tried my best to keep my poker face and when I saw the camera pointed at me, I kept popping my gum. Overall - the theatre is very unorganized. Just a nightmare. But Jo Koy was great. read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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Very cool old school theater where you can still see some old 35mm movies. We went to the 22nd annual three stooges film festival and it was a good time. Many restaurants to choose from in the area and decent metered street parking. My buddy Kurt is a big Shemp fan so I went to keep an eye on him since I had to question his judgement after he told me shemp was awesome. It's Curly or nuthin for me! read more

This is a great venue to come see a show! It's a pretty intimate venue, so there's not a whole lot of crowd to deal with. It is stadium style seating, with an orchestra level and a balcony. I definitely prefer the orchestra section for seating, and as long as you're in front of the front of house you won't have any distractions. The architecture of the building is beautiful! There are concessions outside, as well as cocktail tables for chatting. Parking is fairly easy, there are lots all around the theater. Some are free and some are not, but they can fill up quickly so arrive early if you want to park close to the venue. The staff at the theater is very helpful. Sometimes productions run late, be patient, especially if you're going to see a live taping here. Also, if you're going to see a live taping that required you dress up, ladies bring another pair of shoes in your purse, trust me. read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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A clear four stars from me for the venue. I bought my tickets on line for the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles. Website worked well and I got the information on parking, security check, and tickets pick up. Do plan to arrive one half hour before the start. Website gives you seating layout and "view from your seat". If I go again I would try for an aisle seat, leg room is limited. For me, there was a crush of people I m not comfortable in crowds, but that's just a part of dealing with it. Sound was excellent. read more

The interior is just beautiful. The seats comfy. I had seats right beside the barrier upstairs in the first row. Great view.

Such a great venue in the middle of Glendale, CA. Went to see our friend Fahim Anwar for a live recording. Super fun and he was so funny we were wiping away tears. Comfy seats and good visibility of stage from all angles. Great venue, great location, great night! Parking takes a little work but if you live in LA you know the drill. read more

Alex Theatre - Such a great place in the middle of Glendale! - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

I can remember the days when the Alex Theater was open just for movies. I think the last movie I saw there was Staying Alive Part II with John Travolta back in 1983 with my mom, sister, and aunt. Lol.. The disco days were something. Just curious to know when disco is coming back. The Alex closed down for years only to open up for performances. I've been here quite a bit in the past since my niece used to perform ballet here a few times a year. I usually fall asleep at these performances until someone wakes me up when she performs. Then, I'm all eyes. The architecture in here is classic 1920's. I'm assuming it was built around that time. The entry has an open courtyard with concessions. Having managed construction projects and work on historical renovations, I admire the craftsmanship of this classic theater. It's rare that theaters are designed like The Alex. Glad to see it has been appreciated enough to be preserved as a part of history. read more

Over all good experience for my first time there.. This theater been here for decades. this is a historical building. No parking here. Best option is public parking on Orange with 90 min free and it takes you 5 min walk to Alex theater. read more

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Love trying new things and what is possible in life is being able to when you are young. This place is looking old but still classic. I feel like i have walked into a different era that is for sure. Alex Theatre is small but it gets to the point. The tickets and pricing are about the same as any other place and I don't feel like I'm being ripped off at all. It is reasonable and well worth it in my opinion. We went to go see the Nutrcracker done by the Los Angeles Ballet. I have never seen the LA ballet but have always wanted to. Just because I hear soo much about the NY ballet and everything I was thinking it could be set as that high standard. This play as many of you would think had a lot of young children in the audience. It was a little bit troublesome but if you minus the kids this would have been a awesome event! Also in the intermission they do serve some alcohol. If you need it! read more

Since 1925, the Alex Theatre has been a fixture on Brand Boulevard in Glendale and 82 years later is still going strong. It initially first opened its doors as part Vaudeville Theater and part motion picture theater. During the late 20s through to the 50s, the Alex served as more of a preview house for major Hollywood movie releases, so quite a few glamorous movie stars made their way to the Alex. In terms of architecture, the Alex features Egyptian and Greek motifs, but in the 1940s, Charles Lee, a famous movie theater designer, added a 100 foot tall Art Deco neon tower with a spiked starburst at the top, which is still there to this day. Another thing that makes the Alex Theatre unique is that it's an "atmospheric theater." According to the Alex Theater website: "The auditorium of the theatre is designed as an "atmospherium" with an open air illusion enhanced by the stage-set wall encircling the auditorium, creating the feeling of being enclosed in an ancient garden." So why am I telling you all this? Well, because I want to encourage you to take a tour of the Alex Theatre like I did last year and what better way than to give you some tidbits of information? :) Tours are offered twice a year and are FREE. Now how can you go wrong with a FREE tour? On the tour, you'll learn more about the history about the Alex as well as visit parts of this historic theater, not normally open to the public like the dressing rooms, the projector room, etc. With eateries close by, you can make an afternoon of with it with lunch at one of the local restaurants. Now that's a nice way to spend an afternoon. To find out tour dates and times, visit the Alex Theatre website below: http://www.alextheatre.org/tours.html To see pics I took at last year's tour, go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/la_addict/sets/72157600035496366/ read more

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I love the Alex Theatre. It was built in the 1920s and to this day it has so much history and character. I can only imagine what it would have been like as a movie theatre back in the 1920s-1950s! My amazing cousin gave me tickets to see the LA Ballet perform Romeo and Juliet a few weeks ago. The show was incredible but very long lasting over three hours. They held two intermissions, which was unnecessary. Not sure if they always do two intermissions, or if it was unique to the performance at the Alex? Thankfully the seats were very comfortable and made the long show an enjoyable experience. Parking is plentiful and if you park in a garage the Alex will validate your ticket. I hope to return for another performance soon! read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

Isn't it grand that the Alex Theatre was preserved and now is used mostly for live shows whether they are plays, musicals, or other events. I was coming to Los Angeles for a late fall getaway and I checked the website for what theatre was playing and I found a Monday night show! That's amazing, so I bought a ticket. I came here last night to see a concert version of the Broadway musical, Fanny. It has a long Broadway history, but it was never revived so it was last seen in the 1950s. Last night, the Music Theatre Guild put on the show and it was superb! One look at the Alex from the outside told me I was in for a treat. The courtyard between the box office and the entrance was nice and the inside of the theatre is grand! Looking at the rising sun in gold above the stage is amazing! I truly am a fan of this theatre and hope to be back here for another show when I'm in LA in the future. Restaurants and parking are everywhere and it makes the visit to the Glendale area so pleasant. Yay! I am a fan! read more

Beautiful theater! Art Deco styling. No " bad " seats. No elevator, but only eight or nine steps to the lower level. Concession stand in courtyard sold bottle water for $2. Fair enough. read more

Alex Theatre - Beautiful Art Deco style - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

Last weekend's performance with the LACO was outstanding! Gershwin was breathtaking. Congrats to the theatre and LACO!

Old theater, pretty well maintained. Seats are padded, but not fancy. Restrooms. The marquee and entry are the most interesting architectural features. There is am interesting frieze over the stage, but the speakers diminish the beauty. Good venue, three parking structures close. Orange street parking has a shortcut the through middle of the of the block almost across from the Alex. Validated parking $1 for 4 hours. read more

Alex Theatre - Neon tower and marquee - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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We came here one night to watch one of my favorite singers Davis Gaines "Longest running Phantom of Opera, EVER" in Pantages Theater and in Broadway.. This theater has a lot of leg room space... Coming from a 6 foot dude like me is a huge advantage from getting my leg cramped within 20 minutes of watching a musical or play... The lighting and design of the theater is simple and unique... The feeling is so elegant with bright red carpets and comfortable seating.. I haven't been in the restroom area but I heard it's scary in there.. I'm glad I had the experience of visiting Alex Theater.. If there's a great show coming up, I'd definitely watch it there.. Location is sweet with Porto's Bakery less than a block away, Starbucks is a 2 minute walk... Secured parking complex is plenty on the other side on Orange Ave. read more

Alex Theatre - Inside the theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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Nice old theater in downtown Glendale. Pretty environment. We saw Romeo and Juliet by the LA Ballet Co. It was an excellent production but it lacked the live orchestra, and I wish it was not a cash only bar out front (only one). The show itself was quite good, but three hours was too long. It did not need the second intermission and the very extended melodramatic elements at the end, although I appreciate the darts of humor interspersed. Shakespeare to me, just is not Shakespeare without some of the lively banter and tongue twisters, but Mercutio especially did an excellent job translating the language into the language of dance, as did Juliet. It is a nice venue, not my favorite but an excellent evening. read more

Came here for the 1st time last night for the Three Stooges event. According to the website, the Alex was built in 1925 and seats something like 1,600 people. Architecturally, the theater has that same majestic quality as the Egyptian & the Pantages: winding staircases, sloping aisles that will ensure no one's head is in your way (*vertigo sufferers, beware of balcony*) and a dated, old-timey charm. My only gripe is the place had no elevator; the stairs can be difficult for older folks and those with orthopedic issues to reach the balcony level. Seating: Main floor and balcony area with different tiers of seating in between. There were so many different places to sit I actually tried out 4 different sections (upper and lower) before I settled on the balcony. Note: the center balcony rows can be a bit narrow for those who like a little more legroom. Try sitting a little off to the side for more space. Bathroom: I didn't use it, but I was told the gentleman's bathroom was quite nice. Bar/Concessions: Not sure if concessions are always outside or just for this event. For this event, they were sold outside: $2 popcorn, $1-$2 brownies, $2 coffee. "Bar" area was on top floor and was limited and dated. Parking: Lots of options. Got lucky and found metered parking in front of the theater. The Alex is w/i walking distance of Americana/Brand Blvd. shops & Galleria so you'll find something. Restaurants: Too many choices to count, lots of dinner options w/i a block or two. Added bonus: Porto's is across the street. :) read more

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Review for tonight's concert: DO NOT COME to this place if you are going to watch a pinoy oriented concert ......it is very unprofessional to schedule a same day flight as your concert and have your audience wait 3 hours for a performance......THEY SHOULD OFFER REFUND AND RESCHEDULE THIS INSTEAD.....and do not incorporate religious reference/fellowship because you run out of pass time activities....it is completely unrelated to the event. And the music at the theater in the beginning of the show sounds like a broken cheap radio....‍ read more

Always a great location for the Gan Men's chorus. Sound is fabulous. Only improvement I would suggest is have better trained ushers.

I maybe a little biased I've been working here part time since January. But it truly is an awesome space. I love the architecture and the little artistic details throughout the courtyard, theater and lobby. It is an almost 90 years old building, so there's neat stories all throughout the history of the place. The only real drawback of this theater is the fact that there is no public elevator. It doesn't matter to me since I love running up and down stairs, but I know for a good majority of our patrons, this is a huge disappointment. And since my job is to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable, this makes my job a bit more challenging. But all in all, if you plan your visit in advance, letting staff know that you can't (or won't) do stairs when purchasing your ticket, it isn't as frustrating for all parties. read more

Alex Theatre - America! - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

We attended the Gay Men's Chorus Christmas concert on Dec. 18. A big shout out to Andy, the floor manager who helped us with our seating issue. The seats we purchased were on the second floor and due to recent falls, we were unable to go up the steps. Andy found us 2 excellent seats on the first floor that were even better than the ones we bought. There was no beverage service available for purchase and Andy brought me a bottle of water. In addition to being one of the best concerts we ever saw, the special treatment we received was amazing. Thanks Andy for making our concert experience super special!! read more

I was at the Alex Theatre last week. It is a nice venue. There is a lower level and a balcony area. The entire venue was air conditioned which was nice on a warm evening. There was a small concession area where you could get water or soda. It was a bit over priced but what isn't now days? There didn't seem to be a bad view from any seat in the venue. The front row of the balcony had some lighting but I'd take that over a tall person sitting in front of me any day. There are a few public parking structures and the venue will validate depending on the performance. I'd love to see future performances here. read more

Date nights are fun here, I enjoy the small little theater and it's charm. It's a great location and love that they play classics from time to time. read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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The show was great but there was one older female employee (late 40s I think) that was very rude and ruined the experience. I went today and sat down in the orchestra area which my ticket listed and she was like go back up to the balcony. I showed my ticket and said and my ticket says row p orchestra. Thought she understood but she came back 5 minutes later and told me to move further down the row to make room for a family. I paid for my seat so I'm not sure why I had to move. Maybe she discriminated against me because I don't look wealthy. Very disorganized. read more

Alex Theatre - They will try to make you move even if you paid for a more expensive ticket - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

This place is a joke. None of the people working here know what the hell they're doing. They don't know if you need wrist bands or don't need wrist bands. They don't know what sections their tickets are located. If you're in the business of selling show tickets get your whole staff on the same page. I mean they've got one of the opening acts standing on stage for what seems like an eternity because no one can seem to figure out how to play her music that she's supposed to sing along to. read more

Great venue for watching classic films. The seating is very ample and has a mezzanine level with an upper balcony. Plenty of leg room too. The renovation of this place is superb. There's carpeting on the flooring in the seating area so as to minimize the noise/echo of footsteps. The bathrooms have automatic flush and faucets. Very nice. I would definitely come back here to see movies. read more

Poets In Autumn was an amazing event. The Alex Theatre is beautiful. I love a vintage look! Really big theatre & regardless of where you sit, it's a great view (even on the balcony). read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

I've been here many times for dance shows, musicals, and comedy shows and I've never been disappointed once. The theatre was designed in the 20s and it shows in the best way possible! It's beautiful inside and out, but there's a simplicity to the seating and layout which I love. Parking can be a pain primarily because this area of Glendale can get quite congested.You may be able to find street parking that doesn't cost money, but it depends on what day and time your show is. There is a lot of meter parking, so if you can't find free parking, you may just end up there. The best thing to do is go early so you're not scrambling to find something and you can avoid paying. Parking and Glendale traffic aside though, if you get the chance to visit this theatre do. There's something for everyone. read more

The renovations are almost done. Went there recently to see Malcolm Gladwell interview Michael Lewis. The Alex is beautiful, and great venue for dance, comedy, music, public speakers. Easy parking, easy access. Clean bathrooms. read more

How did I even end up here?! I think I saw a youtube video of an amazing ballet dancer, then I wanted to see ballet, and then I saw the Alex Theatre often hosts the Los Angeles Ballet, and THEN I saw the theatre was putting on "Billy Elliot the Musical" the same weekend my musical-adverse husband was out of town. With tickets as cheap as $25, WHY NOT?! It's a gorgeous, art deco theatre, with a beautiful courtyard to welcome you. I went for the $2 for a bottle of water, but you can definitely bring your own drinks and snacks with you. I had no problem bringing in a sweet treat that I had brought from home. I groaned when I first saw my seat. I "splurged" for the $35 seats (so affordable, I love it) and was right behind one of the sound booths. It turned out to not be a problem at all! The view was only slightly obscured, and after a minute, I didn't even notice. The seats themselves weren't great in terms of comfort, but I managed to get through 3 hours without too much fidgeting. I could see anyone with a bonier butt having trouble, though! The performance was solid and I had fun. I might've been disappointed if I had paid top dollar to see a similar show at the Pantages, but I got my $35 worth. Parking in the garage across the street was a breeze, and only $1 (with validation)! Further proof that a night out at the theatre doesn't have to break the bank. I support any organization that makes quality art more accessible. read more

I've been to this place a few times with my mom to watch Filipino movies or when popular celebrities from the Philippines have a special meet and greet. I like the old feel of this historic theatre. The architecture and interior details of the building is amazing. When I sit in the old style theatre chairs, you cant help but be transported to a time where life was more simple and going to these venues was an experience...although I gotta say, i've been long spoiled by more comfortable, roomy modern movie theatre chairs, so the old chairs here can get uncomfortable after a while.. I'm glad they preserved this theatre for future generations to enjoy. They hold a variety of events and shows here, which shows how versatile this venue is. I like the bright neon lights and huge marquee sign up front, that displays what event is going on there at the time. Very old hollywood indeed. Parking is available on the street stalls, as well as in the back lot behind the building....but expect to pay an hourly rate for both. There are also restaurants and shops on the same block along Brand Blvd., so plenty to do and see after leaving the theatre. Alex Theatre is definitely one of Glendale's gems! read more

I've had the pleasure of directing two big benefit shows at The Alex, and it's a grand place - beautifully kept up and well-staffed with courteous people. read more

Horrible acoustics. the microphone that was given to Yanni didn't even work and the rest of the volume for a concert was at 63 decibel. we couldn't even hear it properly. the concert itself was a scam. yanni didn't even bring his orchestra. it was just him talking most of the time, which we could hardly hear or understand due to the bad acoustics, and playing a piano here and there. don't know if I failed to read the fine print about his solo concert, with no orchestra, but feel totally ripped off . read more

A beautifully restored old theater that shows old films, amongst other things apparently. I went here with my family to see the Three Stooges. It was great, inside the theater you get to see films how they were intended to be seen, on the big screen. I really felt like I was in the 1930's or 40's, the only thing missing is the air being heavy with cigarette smoke. They show a wide variety of other interesting things here and I would like to come back. There was ample public parking nearby in an open air lot. The Stooges were great, they showed 4 shorts and interviews from the 60's with Moe. They were supposed to have one of the last living co-stars from the Stooges shorts as well, but she is 93 and was not feeling up to it. Still, I liked the effort. I bought the tickets via Goldstar, note to those that do.... My wife saw the event initially and got 2 free tickets via Goldstar. I then did the same, but was only able to get 1 free ticket and paid for the other one. When we went to pick up the tickets at the Alex theater, the guy made a big to do over this. Apparently, they limit it to 2 free tickets per person. They did not want to give me my third free ticket and asked me to buy another ticket for $10. I ended up arguing with two guys from the Alex Theater Society about this. My "free" tickets from Goldstar cost a handling charge of $6.50 each, so I was not about to fork over $10 when I had already paid for these tickets. I then got a sob story from them about how they are a non-profit and are a "threadbare organization" that does not get any of the $6.50 from Goldstar. Sorry guys, not my problem. Look, I have nothing against them, and they may be a very worthy cause but I did not go there for a charity event. I bought the tickets, had paid for them, had written confirmations and I insisted that they fork over my 3rd "free" ticket. They finally relented and opted not to collect an extra $10 from me. So, watch the fine print carefully on anything listed on Goldstar for this place. read more