This review is strictly for the 2024 performance…read more Who ever thought it was a good idea to change the traditional format. think twice next time. Stick to real and traditional mariachi bands. Not lame people and bands who come up with songs or twists lyrics. There are certain things that are best unchanged.

This event was quite disappointing. The first mariachi should not have been there. They played and…read moresang like amateurs. I personally do not have a problem with music of other genres but when I go to a MARIACHI festival I expect to listen to classic MARIACHI songs. Please stick to traditional mariachi music. Many of the other festival attendees I spoke to were in agreement.

Had the chance to previously see this with amazing center seats…read more So... my suggestion: Definitely if you can get center seats, go for those. We got seats to the right of the stage and although, they were pretty close, some of the acting and storyline was missed. Fortunately I knew from previously watching, what the story was about...the love...the expression of the performers, but my kids were not able to see their faces several times from the side seats. A plus is that their ventilation was good, kinda cold in fact so bring a jacket in case you might need at Microsoft Theater. Restroom had lots of stalls like two levels so the wait in line was short. Popcorn was $5.50. Kids. However, I refused to pay $5.75 for a Dasani bottle of water (we had two in the car) so though the employee at the concession said she didn't know if there was a water fountain (what?!), the employee and security back inside by the seats said he'd take us there since it was close to the back of the stage. I'm glad there was a discount on the tickets (family packages or Yelp discount was also available) and it's a great experience to watch at least once...can't wait to watch the other Cirque shows now!

I bought my tickets via Goldstar for $30 each + tax and fees. They don't let you pick specific…read moreseats, just the area, so I hoped for the best! I chose the Orchestra seats and we ended up sitting in the fifth row of permanent seats down front to the left of the stage. Best seats ever, especially for the price!! We took the bus from Gardena straight to Figueroa & Olympic. Saved gas, parking fees, and frustrations during rush hour traffic. We ate dinner at a restaurant at L.A. Live then made our way over to the Microsoft Theater. I don't think I've ever been inside before. My bag was inspected at the door, got our tickets scanned and we headed to our seats. Upon reaching the theater door, peering to the stage, I was in awe! I saw a giant egg and fog which got me intrigued about the show. Did you know that it's an inflatable egg? We didn't buy any merchandise, but there was plenty for people to purchase! There were snacky items to eat as well as beverages, both with and without alcohol. If you need the restroom, you won't wait in line for very long... they have many stalls, two levels in the same bathroom! With a very short intermission, it is necessary to get everyone back to the show as quickly as possible! The seats are comfy, but not much space for people to skootch in front of you to pass by to their seats. There was a rope ladder that I thought was going to block my view during the entire performance, but luckily, it was retracted and out of sight after use. The show was great fun and entertaining! I feel that Iris and Kurio were better than OVO, but it could just be the themes that helped them stand out more in my mind. Nevertheless, I was super happy to enjoy this with my husband! The characters were chit-chatty in their unintelligible way! It reminded me of The Sims which my daughter played and averred she could understand them! We came for the 2nd to last day of the show. I was hoping for performers to be in the theater roaming around and provide some entertainment while we waited. It is a fun way to engage the audience and I was sad that didn't happen. I can't remember My favorite part was the trampoline acrobats! The green bugs, crazy crickets took turns jumping onto the wall using trampolines. I could've watched them for a while longer! There were performances using a hoop, silk ropes (with spiders), a green metal apparatus (with a dragonfly), and trapeze. The intriguing thing about this trapeze act was that there were no swings, it's stationary! The men were the moving swings, swinging the other members through the air! So amazing! Whoa! I held my breath a couple times when they flew over and between the platform legs! There was a contortionist who was hyper-flexible, and astounding! Cirque du Soleil rocks! I can't wait to see another show!

When the stars align, two major events occur at the Santa Anita Racetrack: the 626 Night Market and…read moreCal Phil's Festival on the Green. Despite their proximity, it's hard to believe that these events could exist in the same universe, as the two events could not be more different. While the former is overcrowded and unruly, the latter is relatively low-key and calm. Thus, if you're looking for a fun experience but not enthused about battling pushy people and lengthy lines, I'd highly recommend checking out Cal Phil's Festival on the Green. Since this is THE Cal Philharmonic Orchestra, the excellence of the music is indisputable. But, the selection of pieces could probably have been improved to better fit the advertised theme. For a concert entitled "Lights, Camera, Action," I expected more music from iconic movies, as we only heard one piece from Hercules, Jurassic Park, Lawrence of Arabia, Psycho, and Star Wars. Other selections, such as Korngold's Violin Concerto and Shostakovich's Symphony #5, were beautiful, but were less engaging given their disconnect from the night's theme. (The programs for the other concerts in the series seemed to feature a mix of pieces as well, but I can imagine that the musical / pop-oriented concerts allow for more crowd participation.) The setup of the venue is pretty straightforward: closest to the stage are tables; behind the tables are rows of benches; and further back is the eponymous green. While you could score seats closer to the stage, I'd recommend choosing the cheaper lawn seats, as this is the perfect spot to have a boozy picnic with friends before the concert. Just don't forget the corkscrew! Although lawn chairs are helpful, they are certainly not needed as long as you bring blankets or towels to sit on. There is a slight berm along the edges of the venue, so if you want to be elevated / avoid having someone stick their chair right in front of you, then arrive early to stake your spot! We arrived at approximately 6PM and most of the elevated lawn spots had already been claimed. Tickets can be purchased online via Cal Phil or Goldstar. If you choose to purchase food at the venue, you do have several options in the form of food trucks serving ice cream, sliders, and Cajun fare. Obviously, this can't compete with the fare you'd find at the Night Market. And, if you don't bring enough libations, there is a bar that sells various forms of booze, including entire bottles of wine. There is ample parking is available through Gate 6. It costs $15 per car, so it's definitely worth it to carpool. You probably could walk over from somewhere with free parking, but it would certainly take you awhile, especially if you have lots of stuff to carry. Definitely check out Cal Phil's Festival on the Green if you're interested in a fun experience with family and friends. Even if the music isn't your cup of tea, you'll have fun being outdoors and picnicking in good company!

Outdoor on the grass, temperature about 80 and the night sky is clear. Listening to singers,…read morechoral groups and a very talented orchestra perform Andrew Lloyd Webber meets Puccini. Movie scores, play scores and opera all in one evening. The sound system was good and the lighting was well done. One projection screen showed multiple views from the many cameras on stage. Parking is easy and the departure from the lot is easy. Great food and bar. Overall, a fine example of the arts in SoCal. Admittedly, this is a scaled-down version of the Hollywood Bowl experience, but not very scaled down on price with good seats at the A, B and C tables going for $90-120 each and parking at $14. Still, 4-5000 people show up every two weeks during summer. Last night's performance was underwritten by Smith Brothers Restaurants in Pasadena Current Developments in the Financial picture. The orchestra and management ratified a two-year Agreement in June of 2013, including an increase in wages. Performance scale increased from $139 to $142 in the first year, and from $142 to $145 in the second year. Rehearsal scale went from $114 to $116 in the first year, to $116 to $119 in the second year. Health & Welfare contributions also went from 7% to 8% for the duration of the agreement. The orchestra suffered a massive meltdown in the 2012 season, finishing the year owing musicians over $120,000 for three unpaid concerts; management also reneged on their obligations to make payments to the Health and Welfare Fund and the Pension Fund. After a protracted legal fight, including grievances and filings with the National Labor Relations Board, an agreement was reached in May that made all payments owed to the musicians, including late payment penalties, H &W and Pension Fund payments and work dues.

My first time visiting The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles! A friend of mine had suggested we…read moreattend the play of Macbeth, and upon light reading I was very intrigued by the immersive experience and Disney imagineer that designed the set! I admit that the exterior led me to doubt the production value of the play, but as the old saying goes, never judge a book by its cover! The layout of the space was very unique! I loved the way they used the space and arranged the seating. Everyone has a different view of what they see and experience. The set designs were well done, the special effects and lighting were amazing and the actors were great! Even while moving from scene to scene, you are taken through a journey. The attention to detail is much appreciated and it was very well put together! Theater is evolving, and I love where it's headed!

I saw their "Comedy of Errors" production and it (1) healed my relationship with Shakespeare (we…read moredid not part on good terms after "Othello"), (2) increased my fondness of Griffith Park, and (3) gave me fodder to brag about LA's cultural offerings over NYC's. Truly, I've lived in and loved New York, but LA's Shakespeare Festival in the Park beat's NY's. Tips: - The performers do not use mics -- The natural acoustics in an open air PARK... not so good. Get there early and sit as close to the stage as legal. - Bring snacks. You may have just eaten a banquet, but when everyone else brings out their ingenuously packed hummus, sweet potato chips etc, you may feel left out.

I had high hopes for this festival, but the turnout wasn't as good as I expected. First of all, it…read morewasn't organized and there was no marketing for this event, also there's no website or any way to know the schedule of events. The festival's goal is to celebrate Ecuadorian Independence Day. The confusing part was that they held this on Sunday despite that their Independence Day is on a Saturday. The area they cover isn't that big as it is located in La Plaza at Olvera Street. The line for the food vendor is just way too long as they charge $10 per plate which is definitely overpriced. But again there are not many areas where you can get an Ecuadorian dish in L.A. The main attractions were the singers and dancers. There was good amount of crowd that did show up and many wear Ecuadorian Soccer Jerseys, but very few wear traditional Ecuadorian clothing. They definitely have room for improvement like better organization and offering more vendors.

1 Star I attended…read morethe Ecuadorian Los Angeles Fair about 10 years ago and had a bad experience. Unfortunately, after giving it another chance, I can honestly say the organization--especially with the food vendors--doesn't seem to have improved much. The music is OK, but the food situation was a complete mess. I have rarely seen food vendors this disorganized and unprepared for a large event. Lines were easily over an hour long, food was overpriced, and vendors were already running out of several items within the first few hours. By around 1 PM, many menu items were already unavailable. What made it even worse was the heat. You're standing outside sweating under the sun, getting sunburned, only to wait an hour or more just to order food. For those kinds of conditions, the vendors and organizers should be prepared to move people through quickly--not have hundreds of people standing around in painfully slow lines. The pan de yuca situation was especially ridiculous. They were apparently making them in small home-style ovens, so individual orders were taking 20+ minutes. How do you expect to serve a massive festival crowd using equipment that can only produce a handful at a time? If you're going to charge festival prices and attract thousands of people, you need festival-level organization, equipment, inventory, and staffing. The cultural aspect is nice and the music is decent, but the food experience was frustrating enough that I would not recommend attending unless they seriously improve the organization.

I suppose this is more of a tip than a review…read more YOU CAN VALIDATE PARKING FOR EVENTS First time I came to the building I paid $28 for a 1 hour of parking LOL. Later on found out that they validate and will also reimburse you if you forgot to do so. People who work at this building are really helpful and nice. Other than that, it's a cool visit to make if you ever need to come here.

I work with recoding artist and would recommend if you put in your work and can prove that you love…read moremusic and want to make a difference, you should join the NARAS. I WAS WRONG! After repeated attempts and several different acts I have had such a hard time getting the basic information needed, If your not a 10 Grammy Winner you get Zero Respect at the Grammy Membership Department. New members should be treated with respect and fostered so that others may enjoy what they may have to offer. But it's a club. The Grammy Membership department from personal experience was rude, corse, mean and even acted like diva's with attitude when asking questions. We felt disrespected when they don't call you back or refuse to assist you with what you need to do with membership, so we asked for a supervisor,,,,, it was even a ....colder and curler response. Up coming artist wouldn't want to join due to this type of attitude. The Grammy Membership .....was a total wast of time the Membership Dept. is nothing nice, nor do they respect new members. Our personal experience and the artist around me. GRAMMY MEMBERSHIP GET'S A ZERO !!! WE WILL NOT RENEW OUR MEMBERSHIP'S !!!!! WE ALSO WILL NOT WATCH THE GRAMMYS !!! get more @AceNewsNetwork

Love it every time I go there. I hate driving downtown but if you go on Sunday evenings, traffic…read morewon't be that bad.

Tried to see them today at the Disney concert hall but they denied my boyfriend entry based on his…read morevaccine status. Three days prior the website stated that a negative Covid test within 72 hours was sufficient so we got him test (I'm fully vaccinated). We arrived today to find that the policy had been changed to fully vaccinated. If you find yourself sneakily pulling stunts like that are you really on the side of Good? Furthermore, my boyfriend would have been the safest person in that room actually KNOWING his status. I've had plenty of fully vaccinated patients still come down with Covid- just some food for thought. Stop the nonsense- now I'm wondering if you even test your singers who are literally projecting their microbes into the air. At least you gave us our money back

Unfortunately, experiencing this auditorium's beauty and rich tradition is constantly eroded by the…read moreunprofessional and rude personnel that staff the venue for special events. On multiple occasions, the management have power tripped and threatened to cancel events while said events were underway. I observed them scold event organizers and attendees for things such as adjusting seats and a podium to accommodate wheelchairs and elderly. I would not recommend contracting special programs nor events through USC until it's evident that these shortcomings are addressed.

Our family attended an event at the USC campus. If I could give a zero, that's the rating that…read morethis venue would have received. The staff was condescending and rude. They were unable to adapt to an event's needs. They treated our family with disrespect; we felt belittled and unwelcomed. It was a horrible experience and poor customer service.