This review is for the beginner adult ballet class that I took through SweatNet. The Grand Rapids…read moreBallet is the only professional ballet company in the state of Michigan, which is so amazing to me. I have only ever been to one performance at the ballet, but have always been interested in seeing more at this theatre. I grew up taking dance, including ballet, and have always been interested in dance. Plus Center Stage was one of my favorite movies in the early 2000s, haha. The Grand Rapids Ballet also includes a ballet school for students ages 3-19, plus adult and Adaptive Dance classes. The beginner adult class is open to anyone and you can request a complimentary trial class. Beyond that, classes are usually $15 for drop ins, or you can get a 10-class punch card for $120. Classes are on weekday evenings from 6:30-8 pm. They also offer adult intermediate classes. Parking is limited in their lot, and the night I went there were lots of parents picking up kids so I ended up parking on the street. The class was taught by Attila Mosolygo, one of the instructors at the school. We started with warm ups and lots of barre work, focusing on strength, lower body movements, and flexibility. There weren't a ton of modifications given but with my limited knowledge of ballet I made it through as best as I could. We ended with a bit of floor work, including practicing chene turns and lots of jumping. My quads were definitely working hard and I worked up a sweat. I had a lot of fun and would go back for another class in the future.

From the start, the entryway of Grand Rapids Ballet shows you just what you'll be experiencing! The…read moredoors are lively and inspirational, and, once inside, the soaring, light-filled space, decorated with a large-scale photo of a dancer, fills you with joy. That's just a taste of what's to come. The most powerful, moving, and extraordinary dance I've ever seen? Aquatic hypoxia, choreographed by Nicolas Blanc, and part of MoveMedia: handmade... 7 new, original works, all world premieres. If this is the caliber of GR Ballet's shows, this company will go FAR. The dancing and choreography talent is tremendous. There is a spacious coat room, a closer men's bathroom, and a women's bathroom at the far end (why? I wished there was a closer handicap bathroom for either gender). The seating is pleasing, with plenty of leg room and comfortable chairs. I sat at the end of the row, and perhaps 10% of the stage was obscured by the side curtains. Luckily, most of the dancing occurred in visibility. One very smart thing inside the theatre: the lighting on the stairs is very clever. It is covered, so not obtrusive, but definitely lit up the stairs if you needed egress during the snow. Thank you! There is a parking lot in front (with 2 handicap spaces, so get there early if you need it), and a city lot across the street. We attended this as part of an official Yelp event, and I am SO glad we drove from Kalamazoo in a crazy winter ice storm!

We took a beginners class here for a date night and had a great experience! We let our instructor…read moreknow what we wanted to learn and we learned the fundamentals of several dances! It's such a nice studio, very clean and tidy. We were able to let loose and enjoy the private dance just us two. They have several packages for people to join the studio with private and group lessons as well as parties with other students. Such a great experience!

Dance lessons are surprising because you ultimately learn so much more than just how to dance…read more You'll have to take a few lessons to understand!

Opera Grand Rapids is so lucky to have this fantastic rehearsal space. While a little live it is a…read morenew building with lots of light & plenty of large windows. Plus there are extra practice rooms upstairs. Piano needs a little tuning but that happens a lot. This building is also the space where the offices & box office is. There is parking in the rear or free parking on the street.

My daughter takes voice lessons with Mr. Kohl and it's really upped her skill and helped a lot on…read moreher choir journey. Staff is friendly and kind, price is reasonable, and they have many musical options.

More than a year ago, at the outset of getting my Copyright protected, not performed songs, put to…read morevoice and music, I posted a favorable note on YELP. My journey within 6 months became concerning, to say the least. No sense into going into chapter and verse here, but for especially those who know me as a neighbor, educator, psychiatric practice clinician, musician, author and composer. Safe to say, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! What adds injury to insult, resulting in stagnation for me as a regarded composer. The complete absence of active security within the studios and the absence of business policies that protect the customers, like me, from any and all transgressions. Frankly, pathetic. About time, this Chapter One is shared......Stay tuned, my experience is still be analyzed.

There are things I can't un-see from this show. Fortunately, I think the cast would feel that is…read morethe equivalent of a 5 star review and it is. I've been meaning to write this since I saw their "Art Prize- The Musical" act a few years ago. I loved it - stand up and cheer, couldn't stop talking about it, loved it! It poked fun at every local stereotype, popular public figures, and especially Grand Rapids' beloved, Art Prize. It was witty and subversive, all while having clever accompanying music. Then this Grand Rapids-based vaudeville/burlesque act really pushed some Midwest buttons when I saw them again around Thanksgiving. Complete with songs, dance, and a full band, the show was much more R rated, showcasing several skits with tasseled girls and at one point, a large man wearing nothing but a diaper. The performance closed with a bearded female Jesus in glittery panties doing acrobatic tricks on a cross. I can't even make that up. If you are looking for a shock-value laden, goofy and outrageous, boundary-pushing good time with plenty of laughs, check them out! You won't be disappointed.

For my money, this is the absolute BEST entertainment/theatre in west Michigan. The most…read moreinteresting, the most edgy, the most engaging. While every show is different, and some have misses instead of hits, the fact that the work is risky, current, political, and beautiful. The music and orchestra, originals by Mr. Happy Pants usually, is amazing. He is an MC worthy of the title. And the sketches and audience interactions are inviting and can be squirm-worthy. "Artprize: The Musical" was the best thing I have ever seen, satirizing everything that is wrong and right with the arts in Grand Rapids. And Ms. Finan as Jesus is sublime. We go every time we can and take friends. If it makes them uncomfortable, yea! Art isn't supposed to appease--it is supposed to provoke. You want pablum? Check out Circle Theatre. You want real theatre? Super Happy Funtime.

Kathy & Molly are money hungry!! They are down right mean to some dancers, tearing them down…read moreconstantly. Statistics say less than 1% of dancers further their career for profit. This should be a safe space for children to learn and grow, not have threats and be belittled. These kids have so much pressure already these days. School, homework, other sports, bullies, need transportation and don't forget to eat. I guarantee if there were a live feed in the gym no parent would be content with the teachings. They are clueless why parents are moving their kids elsewhere. Shame on both of you!!!

The staff is like family. Our girls are constantly stretched to become better and it's a great…read moreatmosphere for both parents and dancers. Very please with the $ we are spending.

Circle Theatre is such a little gem in our community. I recently attended Girls' Weekend, which was…read morea super fun comedy. There are no bad seats as it's in the round, and when I ordered my tickets online there was plenty of availability. When we arrived, we were greeted at a podium and just had to give my name. We got a cute brochure with our seat numbers written on it and then got in line for concessions. They serve alcohol at select performances, and ours was one of them, so we got a couple drinks and some snacks. I was hoping for popcorn, but they didn't have any so we got Cheez its and some candy. All the employees we encountered (I think mostly students) were very friendly and polite. Once the doors opened, friendly ushers helped us find our seats. The theatre was comfortable and the rows were short, which is nice so you don't have to climb over too many people to get to your spot. The play itself was hilarious and so much fun. I'm looking forward to seeing more shows at Circle Theatre in the future.

We visited the Circle theater to see the play "A Few Good Men". We loved the atmosphere and the set…read moreup of the theater. Anywhere you sit in the theater has a great view. And the local actors did a phenomenal job! We decided that we would definitely be back!

AWESOME local theater featuring AMAZING talent at a GREAT convenient location!…read more Thank you for for welcoming me to Grand Rapids DST (extra tear in my eye to Joe) ...it's been a heavy and hard transition from Hollywood and you gave me an opportunity TO BE entertained during my complaints of boredom living here and TO entertain in my wacky 'east meets west' "Love vs. Arranged Marriage" show. Hey you folks living in or visiting Grand Rapids, this venue is a must go if you haven't been already, why? * Inexpensive dates: shows range from only $5-$12 ($15 for special events). * Convenient: located bang downtown, but not near "hard to park" busy downtown and there are bars and restaurants to grab a bite (woof) and drink before and after. * Variety: there are shows almost every single day suited for all audiences from Shakespeare to Second City style improv fans....and if there is not one for you, hell you can put on your own show here! (theater friendly). * Venue: LaughFest and other community-wide festivals have hosted some fantastic shows at DST and if you are a business, you can even host your own classes and workshops here at VERY affordable rates. P.S. It's a non-profit organization so update your Rockstar status by donating whenever you can even $5 to support and keep this local gem going and businesses can become a sponsor and get lots of cross-promotion and free swag. A big waggy tailed WOOF to Dog Story!

this is the exact kind of small blackbox theatre venue an established city needs. It is right…read moredowntown and sports a 70 seat house at full capacity. This place tends to have stand-up and sketch comedy as their go to (every Monday night), however Pigeon Creek Shakespear performs here as part of their tour for every show. As a performer or company coming in for production, they have a decent backstage with a medium-sized changing room and clothing racks for costumes. I also like that it has the capability of a backstage crossing for right or left entry points to the stage. The stage measures roughly 16'WX10'D, and is elevated off the ground around 2' so everyone in the audience at ground level five rows back can get a great seat and see the action onstage. This venue is great to see any performance, providing the performance is worth seeing. The intimacy, acoustics, and friendliness of the staff makes this venue worth checking out for at least a performance or two.