I visited this theater for a performance by Soulpepper theater company. While each performance is…read moreunique so I am going to rate this theater based upon the things matter to a performance area. I watched a performance that was 60 min long at Michael Young Theater which apparently is the smaller of the two theaters. I found the the view was unobstructed for all the seats with a good view of the stage even from the last row of seats. The lighting and mix media were used well in the performance I saw as otherwise the stage was spartan for this particular play. The seats were unfortunately not comfortable. The main lobby area is nice and inviting and plenty of drinks/food items available for consumption. One is even allowed to bring in drinks into the theater which is becoming rare and rare. Bonus points for the extremely clean washroom. Getting here depends on your mode of transport if you Uber/Drive here getting here is ez. Public transport even with the new street car isn't very frequent and it is a good 10-15 min ride from King station. 3.5 star.

The Young Centre is one of my favourite places to see theatre in the city. I've had lots of…read morememorable experiences here. On the Eastern end of the Distillery District, it's close to lots of good dining and shopping options and you can make a day of it. The Young Centre is home to Soulpepper Theatre, George Brown Theatre School, Global Cabaret Festival, and the occasional dance event. There are 3 theatres ranging from small and intimate (The Tank House, where I saw "Paper Series" by Cahoots Theatre Company), inbetween (Michael Young Theatre, where you can catch "Kim's Convenience" on now!), and grand (Marilyn and Charles Baillie Theatre, where they show the biggest productions like "A Christmas Carol", "Parfumerie", "Our Town", etc.). Even in the largest theatre, there are almost no 'bad' seats in the house (with the exception of the 2nd level, anything really far on the side, where you sit on chairs instead of regular seats). I really like the warm and unpretentious vibe of the space. Lots of long, wooden communal tables, exposed brick, and a cozy fireplace in the lobby make intermissions more fun. The box office and ticket pick-up desk are always running efficiently. The little cafe in the lobby is surprisingly good too. I once ate a meal there because I didn't have time to go to a restaurant. They have a small selection of toasted paninis, crepes, and salads in addition to the cookies and muffins. In terms of drinks, they make a good latte and have a decent wine selection + beers. Overall, the variety is so much better than concessions stands at other theatres like the Sony Centre, Four Seasons, Factory Theatre, etc.! It's nice to be able to find something other than candies and overpriced mini Haagen-Dazs. Finally, washrooms are clean and big, and there is almost never a line! Great performers deserve an equally great performance venue and this is it!

Over the years I've been here a few times, and each time I'm once again pleasantly surprised at how…read morenice it is. Located in Markham, this theatre is easily accessible from Toronto, lots of free parking, and extremely polite and helpful staff! There is a small concession stand where you can purchase coffee/drinks - both alcoholic and non alcoholic, with some seating to enjoy your sips before the show . The theatres themselves are a decent size, but the draw is that no matter where you sit...you have a a great view of the stage or screen. There literally is not a bad seat in the house! I like this theatre because it often shows interesting and more unique performances. You probably aren't going to find these elsewhere so it's always a good idea to check out their website to see what they have going on. It reminds me a bit of the Soulpepper theatre in the Distillery District if one wants a rough comparison.

Great shows so close to home & all the better with specials such as 50% off or buy 2, get 2. Free &…read morelots of parking and wonderful staff. I already bought tickets for 2 more shows next year. So excited to return!

My friend really wanted to go to a TSO concert while we were visiting Toronto, so we got tickets on…read morea Saturday night. The lobby of the concert hall was a bit dated (think lots of beige carpeting), but overall, it was a beautiful space. We sat behind the orchestra in the choir loft, which was such a fun experience. Great way to spend an evening!

If you are looking for an unforgettable night out in Toronto, don't miss the Toronto Symphony…read moreOrchestra! I saw La Vida Loca on May 13th, and it was hands down one of the most entertaining performances I have ever experienced. The musicians were incredible, and the whole show was bursting with energy and emotion. The TSO really knows how to bring a crowd to life. Five stars all the way. I can't wait to go back!

How I hate jazz, let me count the ways…read more 1. I hate the way it's pronounced. Every letter pronounced with its own specific jazziness. The pursed-lipped J, the undulating A, and the buzzy Zs are horrible, horrible, horrible. 2. Improvised solos aren't that cool. It's the musical equivalent of stepping on to an oil drum and masturbating. People shouldn't applaud in the middle of a tune, nine times. What the fuck. 3. Watching people close their eyes and snap their fingers and twitch as though approaching an epileptic fit is excruciating to watch. 4. There's, like, way too much saxophone. 5. The holier-than-thou attitude of jazz afficionados is laughable. Please don't tell me to "listen to that bass." The notes they didn't play? Fuck off. 6. Avant-garde jazz is fiercely maddening. I'm all for experimental music, but this stuff might as well be called "You wouldn't understand, jack!" Turn that dial. Obligatory Title Pun: JAZZ lovers? EFF EM. Menu Readability: 911 is right. If I'm listening to jazz, It's some kind of emergency. Need to mention: I wrote this while listening to Lee Morgan. Not half bad. What this place teaches me about myself: Hate it. I fucking hate it.

Do I love every single piece of music they play? No, but this is still a world-class jazz radio…read morestation and Toronto is lucky to have it! The personalities are great, from Heather to Jaymz, Brad, Ross and others, and for the most part they play seriously terrific jazz. FYI: as a "member supported" station they rely on donations in order to do-do that voodoo they they-do so well.......so if you listen, throw them some dough why dontcha. For more jazz on the airwaves, check out the Quebec station 90.3 which occasionally plays jazz (when they do, it's excellent) and also the fabulous "Some Experiences in Jazz" program on Fridays from 10pm to midnight on 105.5FM (also available on Rogers digital 945, Bell Fibe 973 or chry.fm)...I never miss that one. Jazz lovers unite! :)

I've came here a few times to see the plays. Only 1 I wasn't really into, usually the storylines…read moreare quite intriguing and funny. The washrooms are gender neutral, some people may not be comfortable using them so just be aware. The theatre is a bit warm, try to wear layers so you can take off outer clothing to be cooler if you are afraid of the heat. I watched The Waltz this time. Cute story and you'll understand the jokes if you grew up in Toronto. Highly recommend.

We bought tickets to a show for Fringe Next Stage at the studio theatre. It was a snow storm so we…read morewere grateful to get underground parking directly across the street...access from Adelaide it was below a building and took the honk mobile app for payment. There was a heated tent outside the theatre where we lined up for the show. The box office was in the tent as was a bar and a park bench if you wanted to sit. We were led into the theatre by staff and then asked for our name to enter. I did not need to show the barcode on my phone as they had my name and number of seats that I had purchased. The washrooms were small, cramped and smelly. It felt like we were in a trailer? 2 stalls and 1 sink. The studio theatre was small and the seats tight but we could easily see the stage and hear/see the entire show with no problems. The staff were friendly.

I've been to a lot of Cirque Shows... I mean a lot all over the world. Hadn't seen Luzia before so…read morehad to catch them before they left. Managed to get a discount special and went at the last minute as lots of seats were still available. Although not my favourite of the Cirques, the waterfall feature made this a fun watch. Luzia was one of the first shows developed under the new owners in 2015, and was worried that the shows would have lost some of its Je Ne Sais Quois. There's been a lot of cutbacks in recent years, so I hope they'll be able to maintain the it's essence going forward.

Although I've seen one show in Vegas, this was my first time seeing a Cirque Du Soleil show in it's…read moretraditional fashion/setup - under a big top tent. We saw the "OVO" show which focused on plant/insect life. What a great experience! Because we had our mobile tickets and didn't have large bags, we went through the entry point pretty quickly. They had an area setup with a backdrop to take pictures, which we did. We got there with not much time to spare before the show started, so a couple people grabbed some drinks and snacks, and then we headed to our section. Once seated, the lights turned down soon after to indicate the show was about to start. We weren't sure what the focus of the show would be, but quickly figure it out and caught on as the show went on. The performance itself was amazing! Seeing them do their moves, the level of energy, involving a crowd member here & there and the acts itself made for such an enjoyable, entertaining experience. Highly recommend checking them out and I hope to go to another Cirque Du Soleil show very soon.

I celebrated my birthday at Famous PEOPLE Players Theatre with my mom and teenage son, and…read morehonestly, it was one of the most memorable nights we've had in a long time as a family. I had seen the show many years ago as a teen on a school trip, before they had their own venue. Like a good wine--or anything special that ages with care and purpose--it has only gotten better with time. The cross-city rush hour drive was absolutely worth it once we arrived. The venue, located in a strip mall/industrial park, had plenty of free parking. We stepped into a one-story, open, airy, and accessible building that immediately felt welcoming. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth, professionalism, and a genuine sense of joy that set the tone for the evening. We were escorted to our table in a dining area that felt both spacious and intimate. Everything was clean, well-organized, and thoughtfully arranged. The tables were dressed with cloth napkins, tablecloths, and seat covers, giving it a relaxed yet elegant feel. I especially loved the photos of celebrities who've been involved with the company, tastefully displayed around the room. The service throughout the night was excellent. Every staff member we interacted with was kind, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. They struck the perfect balance, friendly and warm without being overbearing. We truly felt like more than just guests. We felt part of something meaningful. The evening unfolded in three acts. Act 1: Dinner. The meal far exceeded our expectations. Each course--from the appetizer to the main--was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully plated. I'm not usually a fan of salad, but I really enjoyed the one served. Even my son, who's not easily impressed when it comes to food, not only cleaned his plate, he raved about the meal. Act 2: The Show. Before the performance, the cast encouraged us to sing and dance in our seats, and we did not hold back. Twist and Shout was a high-energy, creative, feel-good experience. The puppetry, lighting, and choreography were brilliantly done, and you could feel the joy radiating from the stage. Watching my son fully engaged made it all the more special. Act 3: Coffee and Dessert. The desserts were decadent--two types of chocolate delights. My son and I went halvesies on both, a perfect sweet ending to the evening. What really sets this place apart is its purpose. You're not just seeing a show; you're supporting something meaningful--an inclusive and empowering space that celebrates ability in a truly unique and beautiful way. Equity, inclusion, and diversity are not just buzzwords here. They're lived values, visible both on stage and behind the scenes in a way that feels authentic and inspiring. If you're looking for something uplifting, meaningful, and different from the usual night out, this is it. It's rare to find something that resonates across generations, but this did. It would be a fantastic option for schools looking to offer students a fun and impactful experience, and it would also make a memorable, purpose-driven setting for a corporate event. Whether you're going with family, colleagues, or students, this place is a gem. The experience itself felt like incredible value for the money.

I'd like to start off with the food, the food was amazing and delicious and I love how they had…read moremusic, a good ambiance everywhere. Second the staff and players were very friendly and nice. And the show was truly amazing. I would definitely recommend this place if your looking for a wonderful time not to mention it's a non profit place so they do good things that just add to make the experience better

It's an old Buddhist temple turned into an event space…read more That alone should tell you how cool it is. There are several rooms here, the centerpiece is the great hall... a wonderfully large room with a stage that's outstanding for theater troupes, lectures or large meetings. With it's massive space, interesting acoustics and good sight-lines, there's also the obvious... you could throw a killer party in here. There are other rooms on the main floor. It's a surprisingly good floor-plan for both separation of space and ease of use. Downstairs there are several breakout rooms, classrooms and a giant kitchen. The rumour is that the actual piano that Oscar Petersen learned on in Montreal is sitting detuned in the back of the main stage. Avant-garde groups in the city have been onto this place for a year. It's been rented for everything from conferences and showcases to math-groups and chess clubs. They'll work with you to arrange liquor permits, and are incredibly cool to partner with.

Super cool venue space that I had the privilege of visiting again last night when Great Lakes…read moreBrewery hosted their celebratory party for being Canada's top brewery of the year for a second year in a row (2013-2014). Located just a hop, skip or a stumble away from the Bathurst Subway station, an in an area with more than adequate street parking (within certain hours), 918 is a hidden event venue gem that you actually might mistake as a church - and you'd be right one bc this little beauty used to be a Buddhist temple! The aesthetic is a tad dated in some spots but you can tell they're working hard at modernizing the place more and more while retaining the original charm of the venue. The secondary room and basement are brand new, while the entrance way and the main "ball room" look more original. What I love about this spot? It's the perfect raw space, and you could literally plan anything from a wedding, gala, or trade show to even a concert or speaking engagement here. It's got that look that's the right fit for just about anything - just need to use your imagination!