We absolutely love the Ballard Academy of Music & Dance and our daughter gets so excited each week…read moreto attend!! She enjoys it so much, we added a second class-- and now she gets to learn from both Eva and Madison. They're both excellent, patient teachers!

High quality school, with teachers who get it. My kid didn't want to do tap.. the teacher walked…read moreover and said my daughter may have sensory overload and may need headphones. That's what I'm talking about! She didn't say oh your daughter is "having a bad day, or not participating" She looked at the situation and provided a solution! They're moms... they get it!

I love supporting my local theater community!…read more Been a fan of taproot since I moved to Seattle 13 years ago. Well run, well managed and consistent. They are fantastic and everyone should go see more theater at this location. Currently too many older folks! It's bizarre, we need more ways to get regular/young people involved. I've been involved in east coast theater community in Toronto and we have a lot more diversity and easily more younger people involved in, volunteering for and attending theater shows than in Seattle where it looks like live theater is for the retired community. It is not! Everyone should have access to live theater. We need to change this pronto.

Very nice small theater. Not a bad seat at least down stairs. The production was very good and well…read moreacted and directed. The concessions at intermission were well executed. Nice you can take beverages into the theater.

A Very Die Hard Christmas -- Seattle Public Theater…read more For 33 straight years, my sister (WCP) and I have watched Die Hard and Die Hard 2 every December. A few years ago, a friend introduced me to this parody play -- and now it's officially part of my holiday tradition. I come back year-over-year because each production is different, clever, and full of new surprises. This year's version was one of the best yet: Upgraded set pieces, including a tall wall with TWO vents and working doors Smartly updated jokes and swapped-out 80s references Fresh additions to the villain list (shoutout to Huey Lewis & The News and Vidal Sassoon) And a perfect recreation of the iconic vent scene where McClane mutters: "Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs..." followed by "Now I know what a TV dinner feels like." This was my 3rd time, my friend Mary R's "don't ask how many," and my sister's very first time. The show was hilarious and high-energy -- but honestly, the best part was watching WCP react to it for the first time. Pure holiday magic. Seattle Public Theater nails the humor, nostalgia, and chaotic joy of Die Hard while giving audiences something new every December. If you love the movie, love parody, or just want a holiday show that's totally different from the usual lineup, go see this. Highly recommended. Yippee-Ki-Yay, Seattle.

An Afternoon That Really Took Flight…read more Spent the afternoon at Seattle Public Theater for their production of Aviatrix, based on the life of Bessie Coleman. Set against the realities of 1917, the story follows Bessie Coleman's determination to become a pilot. As an African American and Native woman facing closed doors in the United States, she traveled to France to learn to fly and fulfill her dream of becoming a licensed pilot. What an incredible production. The performances and vocals were outstanding, and the music completely pulled me in. I wish they would release a soundtrack. I was not expecting the bonus of staying afterward for the post show talkback with the cast, artistic director, playwright, and composer. Flying high from this one. Bessie Coleman's story is inspiring, uplifting, and a reminder that sometimes you have to leave the ground everyone expects you to stay on.

Ice Box Arcade is the cool cat in the neighborhood! It's always fun to feel like a kid again in a…read morebusiness establishment filled with nostalgic gaming relics of my youth that still work pretty well (minus the control stick on Ms. PacMan that was challenging to control). They have air hockey and a decent selection of video games and pinball. I suggest bringing cash to exchange for quarters on the change machines that are there. There is an ATM machine that takes a physical credit/debit card to withdraw cash to exchange for quarters but I'm guessing they'll charge a fee. Check their open hours online. In general, all ages are welcome until 8pm. Beer, cider, non-alcoholic drinks are available and a few other goodies. Including 2 groovy bathrooms on site that are of course covered with stickers. Such a super cool and fun place! I think you'll get a kick out of it, too.

What a fun place to spend a few hours! Great selection of games and pinball. Excellent snacks,…read moredrinks, and even some super cute crafts. Went to visit with friends and three boys and we all had a blast. Very relaxed environment to hang out in. Didn't feel rushed or cramped and the employee was super chill. It looks like they have some fun Friday night events and work to create inclusive community. A+! Would love to come back soon.

Great studio with great teachers in a beautiful school. Open for 25 years tells you something. I've…read morejust watched the dancing improve over the years.

My daughter danced at ARC for 10 years. She was an advanced and committed student who progressed…read moreand eventually participated in the ARC Youth Dance Company. My thoughts on the pros/cons of the school: PROS: - They are very focused on technique and the fundamentals of dance and ballet. - If you are interested in a program that is oriented toward a professional dance career, this is probably the best program in Seattle. - A wide variety of teachers participate in the program. In addition to the core teachers, outside instructors are often brought in to teach classes. - They have a great community of dancers, parents, and families. CONS: - They didn't honor their refund policy after my daughter's injuries prevented her from participating in their intensive summer dance program (we only received a 60% refund). We had x-rays, reports from the doctor, and reports from the physical therapist, however this apparently wasn't sufficient. - They weren't very technologically sophisticated when it came to disseminating information (at least they weren't in 2015 when we were last enrolled). For example, schedule/calendar information/updates were published on paper and posted in the office, instead of being available online.

Had a blast at Ambrosia Inc event last month. It was super cool…read more Went back end of May and hung out at thier bar before a game for a bit. Drinks were really yummy and it was not as packed or crazy as the tailgates but right at the stadium.

This was my first experience with immersive theatre. I liked being a part of the set, however there…read morewas no heat in the building used for the set of American Buffalo so it was literally freezing during the show. To be fair, they did email all guests to warn them that this was the case and they provided blankets enough for everyone at the performance. I thought it was neat that they were able to fill this space with antiques and tchotchkes appropriate for the era of this David Mamut play. It was interesting that there was seating way up high on the second floor and also couches on the ground floor that we could all cozy up in for the duration of the show. Everything was available for sale post production, so that was also a novel concept. I would come to another production of theirs in the future - it is definitely different but unique!

Zen dog is the best guy ever! This tea house is actually the house he is currently living in. He…read morewelcomes you not just a guest to a tea room, but a guest to his own happy place. He shows you to the upstairs and downstairs and the backyard. He offers you 3 tea for $10 and sometimes even for nothing. It is super traditional filled with Chinese calligraphy, paintings, teapots etc. And a ton of tea. I am amazed at his comprehensive collection of tea including all the well known Chinese tea like dragon well, tie guan yin, dian hong, da hong pao, even yellow tea and pu er. My favorite is Dong Ding from Taiwan and ZD Zest blend. He really tries to give you high quality yet fairly priced tea here. I will not hesitate to stop by when I am in the area. Just to sit down, have some tea and great conversations with this great guy!

My boyfriend and I spent our anniversary at ZD's wonderfully-appointed and tranquil tea house…read more We spent almost three hours there, sipping on custom blends, learning about tea pours, and enjoying the atmosphere. The only cost of the whole experience was the tea we decided to purchase and take home - the tasting itself is free and completely un-rushed. This is a great place to go if you love Chinese-style tea, want to converse with fellow tea-lovers over a beautiful wood table for 5-6 (though private bookings are also available), and get to know the quirky and kind Zen Dog.

Great ambiance, nice decorations. It was a Thursday so it was pretty chill. I'm sure Fridays are…read morevery busy and fun.

The Sunset Tavern is set up with a front bar room and back venue space that's perfect for…read morediscovering regional bands you might not catch elsewhere. The venue room gets seriously crowded and compact during shows, which makes grabbing drinks mid-performance a bit of a challenge. The upside to this cozy squeeze is that it creates an incredibly intimate concert experience. Everyone's right up close to the stage, making it ideal for bringing along dates or groups of friends who want to feel connected to the performance. You can actually see the performers' expressions and feel part of something special rather than watching tiny figures on a distant stage.

The first time I saw Sarah Fletcher sing was at a fundraiser on the Hill. I WAS BLOWN AWAY. She has…read moreamazing ability and control over her voice that puts her in a special class of vocalist in my opinion. I am pleased to see that she is sharing her skill with others who could really benefit from her expertise and experience. I can not wait to see her perform again and am thinking about taking a voice class just for fun! lol

From the owner: Energize your voice through Yoga and Classical technique!…read more Yoga defines and harnesses one's ability to "control, yoke, and unite" the body, mind, and vital energy. Dive deeper into the vitality of your voice through postures and breathing exercises that specifically support healthy tone production. Lessons are fortified with Classical voice technique to support the most dedicated musicians. As an avid yogi and opera singer, I enjoy helping my students reach their full vocal potential through the music that motivates them. Any style/genre of singing can utilize the power of these ancient techniques, as can any age or experience level of singer.