Went to see "Urinetown" here Thursday night, and had a splendid time. The cast was outstanding, and…read morethe musical was hilarious. Ticket costs $20 per person (for students it was $10), and parking was close and convenient (parked at the parking structure across the street from the Martin Luther King Library, cost was $3). Although the theater is small and a little stuffy AND the bathrooms seemed like a mile away, the musical made it extremely worthwhile. It was nice to be in a relaxed environment to watch such an entertaining and talented ensemble. Bravo to the cast of "Urinetown," and thanks to them I had an outstanding time!

If you are a fan of the book, "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini, you will enjoy this adapted…read moreplay in the SJSU Theater. It was my first time in the theater, having graduated from another college, but I was excited to see this show. The play only has 3 more nights--March 3rd, 6th, and 8th, so buy your tickets fast. It only costs $15 per person for this marvelous two hour production. The theater was of moderate size, but it filled up quickly. It was very hot inside and the seats weren't very comfortable. I was glad to be sitting on the aisle at the very top row. The stage was very simple, and so were the music and effects. But this is purposely done as to not take away attention from the story and its message. I thought the actors and stage crew did an amazing job. Although I can't wait for the movie version to come out, this is worth seeing. Minus another star for the poor advertisement...they only advertized in SJ and the local newspaper in the 408 area. Had it not been for a colleague, I woud've missed the show!

Not what I expected but okay. Interesting that the program…read morehad everyone working on the set down to the payroll clerk and NOT ONE name for any of the performers. And they were good. Not spectacular visually but a pleasant family night. Would not go again.

I went without any expectations the show would be equivalent to Cirque du Soleil. It's a third of…read morethe price so as long as it was a third as good I would be happy and happy was how I left the Flint Center. I enjoyed the show. The contortionists and the dual balancing act was the best part of the show. The costumes were cool especially in the black light. There was a fiddler in a tree costume who performs through most of the show. At one point a "mushroom" stool was wheeled out for him to sit on. All he does is fiddle! There was a performer jumping rope in the push up position with two guys on his back. Two contortionists were supporting their entire bodies, intertwined around each other, with just their chins touching the stage. The fiddler though, he needed a stool to sit on.

Described as the only music festival in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to Mozart, this awesome…read moreannual event presents a talented group of musicians and entertainers performing the classical creations of this artistic genius. The 2023 festival schedule includes shows in Saratoga, SF, Berkeley, and Sonoma, with lovely intimate settings in churches and wineries comprised of stunning architecture and decor. I, of course, chose to attend the opener this past Wednesday at one of my favorite venues. The Chateau Deck at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga created the perfect ambience for such an amazing performance. Alluring flagstone pavement, magnificent views in the background, the sun setting in the distance, and plenty of umbrellas for comfort before sundown, it was certainly a very inviting and fitting atmosphere. The two-part performance started about 10 minutes after the listed showtime, and lasted about 1.5 hours thereafter, including a 15-20  minute intermission. The orchestra was the star of the show for the first part, a delightful performance of Symphony No. 33 in B flat major, K. 319 (including 4 movements) on the violin, viola, cello, bass, oboe, bassoon, and horn. The second part of the event featured the same musicians playing alongside several vocal soloists/actors, as part of Mozart's Bastien and Bastienne, K. 50/46b, a German comic opera, which he impressively created at the age of 12. The play was charming and well-performed, with a nice touch of humor to entertain the audience wonderfully (especially Colas, the magician, played by Kirk Eichenberger). Though the dialogue was in English, the musical numbers were sung in German. We were able to follow along with the English translation included in the program pamphlets. Parking was free and easy, built in with the ticket price. Snacks and beverages were available for sale (pre-order, or purchase at the bar next to the stage). We had some wine and cocktails, as well as chocolate chip cookies which were chewy and delicious. In addition, all of the staff were friendly and helpful, and ensured a pleasant time at the event. Definitely a perfect date night experience :)

Yelp Review for Williamson Music…read more 06/17/10 Williamson Music (Bert Williamson) Inside The Starving Musician 3427 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95051-2806 (408) 603 9943 Popab1@yahoo.com I have been a Bass Guitar student of Williamson Music for four and a half years, now. My wife has been a Flute student of Williamson Music for five years. We are both very pleased with our progress and the treatment we receive. Bert Williamson, the instructor, is a very patient and enthusiastic person and always positive. He really loves what he is doing! When I was searching for a music teacher, I was looking for patience, respect, and the ability to read music. Bert has all those attributes and many more. He is an extremely accomplished musician, but shows me great patience. Usually, when I arrive for my lesson, Bert and I discuss music and musicians. He has some great stories to tell. I enjoy this very much and have learned a lot over the years. My wife and I have performed three times together and Bert has always prepared us very well for our performance. Bert occasionally plays with local bands in the Bay Area. We have seen and heard him play three times and have really enjoyed his performance. There are very few instruments that he doesn't play. I've seen him perform on the Tenor Saxophone, Guitars, Piano, Keyboards, Violin, and Cello and he is a very accomplished musician. I know there are many other instruments he play, but have not heard him on those. Bert is very strong in music theory and I have learned a lot from. A couple of years ago, I completed a music theory workbook. It was a great learning experience and strongly support by Bert. He has the ability to listen to CD's and, using a piano, to figure out the music. Bert charges are reasonable, less than others in the area. Overall, I could not be more pleased with Williamson Music. Sincerely, Gary Jonas, Santa Clara, CA

Bert teaches my daughter in the Starving Musician on Steven's Creek. He's amazing. She's always…read moreinspired to practice and has a lot of fun with him during the lesson. We waited until she was an older teen before we started her on music lessons for many reasons. We wanted her completely on board. She chose electric guitar. She's learning so much. I would recommend Bert to anyone for themselves or their kids. He knows every instrument and can play something back once he's heard it. And he's a great guy.

Pirates meets Ballet?…read more Seemed like an odd combination to me at first, but like Courtney Cox and David Arquette it somehow works. A very close friend of mine recommended that I get over to San Jose and check it out. When I got seated and house lights dimmed, and a loud argument broke out with a couple entering the theater "disrupting" the performance much to the displeasure of the people around me, it turned out it was all part of the show, as they turned out to be the soprano, tenor, baritone and alto. They acted as the narrators through song in this performance and blended in as other theatergoers. I enjoyed the interesting personalities that Raymond Meyers (tenor) and Alison Collins (Soprano) brought to their characters. Dwight Oltman, the conductor, and his symphony delivered a flawless performance on the musical score and the sound resonated in the hall, and went perfectly with the actions on stage by all the performers. The sets were amazing and the transitions between the sets were very quick, and despite how quick the changes were, the sets had some amazing detail and lighting. The entire cast was fantastic, but I have to say one really stood out, it was watching a dancer by the name of Meng Lu, who delivered a jaw dropping performance, as he played the role of the Pirate King, who was an eccentric and flamboyant pirate, (kinda like a Jack Sparrow) but with the moves of Neo from the matrix. The way he moved seemed to defy gravity, as the moves he did where a precise combination of grace and power. I am not even a person with any ballet background, and despite that, I was able to comprehend and appreciate the things they were able to do during the show. There was a little bit of everything in this production that I think many people enjoy. A little comedy, traditional and non traditional ballet, vocals, and music. This was a dynamite show and definitely worth the drive to go and see it! "Avast Ye!" Mates, grab ye wench, jump abaft from your car, and get on over to the San Jose Center For the Performing AARRRRTTTs, (Pirate joke) the show is running from November 19th to the 22nd, don't miss out this performance it's Aarrrrsome!!!

I've been working with and hired The Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers for many special event over…read morethe past 20+ years and they have never let me down. Along w/ wonderful voices and professional presentation, their colorful arrangements by talent extraordinaire, Ken Malucelli, the founder, are delightfully unique, whimsical and musically delicious. Complete with Dicken's Costuming, this caroling ensemble is truly a Bay Area, holiday tradition. An excellent choice for private or corporate events and perfect for shopping centers.

We've had the Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers perform at our Children's Holiday Party for the past…read morefive years now. We all look forward to seeing and hearing them every year. They're very talented and are the consummate professionals.

Bono for the MOST part sounded right on cue vocally, however, the sound of the venue sounded like…read moreshit which heavily compromised the full potential of the tour and the sound technology that the band went through all the effort to create with this tour. The band were very tired and it showed in most parts of the performance. Bono was more comfortable in his own skin on this tour but there was a bit of an emotional disconnect. His vocals did crack at the most awkward of times like a pubescent boy. This was pretty obvious when the first song The Miracle busted out. There were moments in which he took the Morrissey short cut of "talking the lyrics" rather than singing them. This was pretty obvious at the last 30 minute mark. They played Out of Control which I am suspecting is now going to be a semi permanent staple on this tour. I heard it enough times in Vancouver rehearsed. Bono was very into this performance. He even gave a shout out to the name of the band before they called themselves U2 (The Hype). Watching Bono perform this song, I forgot that he is old. I saw a 17 year old boy inside him as he energetically pranced on stage. The same can be said with The Edge. Truthfully this was a better performance of Out of Control than what we got on opening night in Vancouver. The stage banter was more or less the same as opening day, especially during the introduction of the new songs. My heart and soul melted during Song For Someone, my favorite track from the new album. The echoes in the audience was the best sound ever heard to a U2 fan. This show made me appreciate Invisible a bit more both as a stand alone track from the new album and as how the song was presented live. A better performance of Every Breaking Wave. Bono was very self conscious about ensuring that he hit every note. Another song from the new album that made me melt inside. The only curveball songs of the evening was City of Blinding Lights. Pride I have heard on many tours, however, good to see it make a comeback even though it was an octave lower. Troubles was dropped from the set. The cool thing about the show is that they did a small tribute to the track The Wanderer from Zooropa.

What a smashing hit! For only three nights (Oct 18-20), Stage Kids CA is putting on a performance…read moreof Guys and Dolls at the Historic Hoover Theatre (www.yelp.com/biz/hoover-theatre-san-jose) in San Jose. Admission is only $12, way more affordable than a professional musical. Tickets can be bought here: https://tix3.seatyourself.biz/webstore/webstore.html?domain=stagekidsca&event=. It was almost a full house last night. Considering that Stage Kids is a community program designed to help kids develop in performing arts, and some of the kids may not have a lot of performing experience, they certainly pulled off a great show. Sure, a couple lines were stumbled over, and some words were sung off key, but by and large the kids did an outstanding job. To see their energy and excitement displayed on stage gives me hope that some of these kids may be the future faces of a Broadway-quality production. It's too bad this show is only going on for three nights. So much obviously went into production, from the hand-painted sets, the large number of props, to the excellent use of the small stage space. Mad props (pun not intended) to fellow Yelper and choreography director Denise L for the top-notch choreography, which was, from what I could tell, executed flawlessly. The kids really got the routines down, and yes the girls were better dancers than the guys, but that's how it always is until you get into the professional dancing realm. The use of the central and side walkways in the theatre helped bring the show out beyond the stage and made the audience more a part of the show. And the costumes- there was much attention paid to getting details right. Those costumes were the real deal. Finally, the girl playing Adelaide did an amazing job vocally and with her acting. Her use of vocal inflections and overt mannerisms really brought out her character and made the show over-the-top funny. Reminds me of Glinda from Wicked. Three words: See. This. Show. Only two nights before it's gone!