I just saw The Phantom of the Opera at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, and wow--I was absolutely…read moreblown away. The entire production was stunning. From the gorgeous costumes to the seamless scene transitions, every detail was beautifully executed. The set design and overall production quality were truly spectacular, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The sound quality was excellent. I could clearly understand everything the actors were saying, even from my seat in the back of the Orchestra section. The live orchestra was phenomenal--the music was absolutely beautiful and added so much emotion and energy to the performance. The theater itself is gorgeous. During intermission, I walked upstairs to take in the entire space, and I was in awe of how beautiful and grand the venue is. It's worth taking a few minutes to explore and appreciate the architecture. I sat in the Orchestra section, Section ZZ, on the far left end. While the seats were still enjoyable, my view was partially obstructed by the overhang from the upper level. There was also a scene involving the iconic chandelier where I wished I had been seated a bit closer so I could fully appreciate the effect and see more of the theater from that perspective. Intermission was about 20 minutes long, which gave everyone enough time to stretch, explore the theater, and grab refreshments. They offer a full bar, wine, snacks like candy and pretzels, and souvenirs are also available for purchase during intermission. One tip: as soon as intermission begins, head straight to the women's restroom. I was able to get there right away and was first in line. Within minutes, the line became incredibly long! The employees were also incredibly friendly and professional. They did a great job ensuring guests stayed off their phones so the bright screens wouldn't distract others during the performance. I also appreciated that once the show started, late seating was held for approximately the first 10 minutes to minimize disruptions. After that, guests were allowed to enter and exit as needed. Even with the partially obstructed view, the performance was so incredible that it didn't take away from the overall experience. If you're planning to attend, I would recommend sitting a little closer if your budget allows. Regardless, it's an unforgettable experience, and I can't wait to return to the Hollywood Pantages for another show.

We came here for the Phantom of the Opera. Parking was easy. The theater has a very nostalgic but…read moreglamorous vibe. I love all the details on the ceiling. Once inside, love the theater even more. All the fine designs on the walls and ceiling bring in much sophistication to the theater. We had a fantastic show. The sound and visual effects were amazing. We would love to come back for another show!

The Ford may be to The Bowl as a quickie in the elevator is to a rose-petal trail to a big…read morehoneymoon suite bed. The "Cinderella" of venues, it takes the grand, outdoor setting of the Bowl (concrete Jerusalem gates carved into the Hollywood hills) and the intimacy of a backyard party. With 1200 seats (opposed to 17500), you're always under 100 feet from the stage. The seats being steeply raked means you are closer to the stage than the Greek. (The Theater, I mean, not loud, hairy Niko guy next to you). And being tucked into a natural canyon makes the acoustics extra crispy, which made Erasure (10 years ago today) one of my favorite concerts. Side note: I found the 3 tickets on ebay for 99 cents, something that pissed off the guy next to me who paid $200. He Loved to Hate Me. He called me "Biggie Fries" all night, referencing Wendy's Value Meal. Built in 1920 by Christine Wetherill Stevenson, a wealthy heiress who wanted to build a space for her play about he life of Christ "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Calvary". No, it was "Pilgrimage Play" It burnt down in 1929 but rebuilt in 1931 to look like stone, making it feel like an ancient, rediscovered space. Anyway, it only hosted Christ plays (I would have called it "Nailed iT!") until the 1964 separation of church and state opened the venue to all arts. It was named after the county supervisor John Anson Ford, who was a champion of the arts. In the late 80's it was the "West Coast CBGB", hosting Ramones, Social D, X, Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction. If you need more bands, just use your first three Wordle guesses: Tacos Marry Happy opened for Radio Caulk Barfy. It unveiled a $80 million renovation in 2017, so if it was gorgeous in 2006, I am sure it is Gorgeouser now. In 2019, the LA Phil took over, so now it is the little sister of the Bowl and Disney Concert Hall. In 2020, it had its centennial, marking 100 years since Stevenson first staged a Christ play in that canyon. To celebrate, the partygoers turned wine into pee.

Sometimes, I forget how much entertainment is available in LA, from theaters to museums to outdoor…read moreexcursions and more. I had previously seen advertisements for The Ford LA through various outlets, but I am frequently reminded of my introversion and often avoid driving through LA traffic. However, my wife wanted to check out the The Natural World of Studio Ghibli, and what a night it was! We have seen nearly all of Miyazaki's creations, but this was our first time watching "Howl's Moving Castle" in an outdoor theater. It was lovely! Fresh air, a few butterflies flying across the projector, stars in the night sky, and the iconic backdrop were some highlights to mention. The Ford is as fun as advertised, and I've already begun recommending it to my friends. This place has history, and you can feel it! Additionally, there isn't a bad seat in the house! We sat in Row P, and when I arrived, I took it all in. There's certainly a bit of magic here. The only negative is the parking. It's stacked parking, so you may end up waiting on other visitors to get to their cars before you can even think about moving. Otherwise, we already have plans to return to The Ford Theater!

If you ever get the chance to attend the Magic Castle, it is an absolute must! For those who don't…read moreknow, you have to be a member or invited by a member to attend, and you'll also need a reservation. Once you enter, you'll immediately sense the venue's long and rich history -- it's truly unique and one of a kind. I've eaten here several times, and the food has never disappointed. Every room you step into and every show you attend feels special, adding to an experience that is unlike any other. Before entering and after exiting each room, you'll find magicians performing incredible close-up tricks for passersby, so there's no shortage of world-class entertainment throughout your visit. If you can attend, you'll want to come back again and again to this exclusive club.

Established in 1963, the Magic Castle is an exclusive members only clubhouse for magicians and…read moremagic enthusiasts. It's also the home of the Academy of Magical Arts. However, non-members can attend if they accompany a member or receive a pass from a kind magician. I've been here numerous times over the years. I've known members and people that worked here. I've seen amazing shows in the main room & fun shows in the parlors. I've been for dinner & brunch. This time I came with friends for drinks & fun. The Castle is big and there is so much to discover. It's charming & mysterious. Take your time and soak it all in. Grab a drink in the main bar, have a seat in Invisible Irma's Room, and ask her to play you a tune on the piano. The magicians are world class performers with unique talents. House magician Mike is darling and he dazzled us with card tricks, mentalist David Stryker wowed us with his mind reading capabilities, and Richard Turner amazed us with his ability to perform card tricks even though he is legally blind. The staff here are all fantastic and work well together. (Especially, Rose at the front desk.) We were treated with kindness & respect the entire evening. Food & cocktails are top notch. We shared Hummus that came with the softest pita bread, Shrimp Cocktail with large juicy shrimp, House Made Veggie Burger with Beer Battered Fries, and the Four Cheese Garlic Bread. Everything was delicious. For drinks we had: Smoke & Shadows (Mezcal Margarita), Cosmopolitan, Champagne, Manhattan, Perfect Timing (Vodka based), and Caymus Cabernet. A night at The Magic Castle is always a fun time and I think everyone should have the opportunity to experience it at least once. The dress code is strictly enforced and I'm ok with that. I appreciate that they adhere to the standards of the exclusivity of a private club. I also believe that if you are going out you should dress up. *No photography allowed inside. *Check website for dress code, valent, & entrance fee.

What an amazing show. I tell you what I was very impressed…read moreby this show. The MC was entertaining and very funny. The dancers were great and very talented. The sets where impressive. Now the lighting was incredible. Enhanced the dancers and have it a great vibe. The acts were so sexy, classy, funny, entertaining, and very well choreographed. I had a great time and want to go back. Zeke recommend!!!

Yesterday we visited the Montalban for The Empire Strips Back, a galactic burlesque show and parody…read moreof the well-loved original Star Wars trilogy (despite the name the storylines were not strictly based on the Empire Strikes back, but featured homages to all three films in the trilogy!) This review is for the show, rather than the venue, which I'll do a separate review for. I purchased VIP tickets for the Fever-run event as a Christmas gift for my significant other, and we both loved it! It was hilarious, and tastefully sexy! The different acts featured a variety of music genres, so there's something for everyone's taste! The show was about 2 hours in length with a 15 minute intermission between the first and second half of the show. VIP tickets got us VIP entry, 2 champagne or other sparkling beverages, and a t-shirt each (our selections are pictured! Also definitely recommend picking these up at the beginning to avoid long lines at the end!) Per google reviews of the show, lines were long for drinks, and merchandise, so to save time, we redeemed both our drinks at the beginning of the show. They also offered a QR code, order ahead option, for merchandise. Neither myself nor my significant other had ever been to a burlesque show before, and this was certainly a fun, and worthwhile, introduction! Tip: there is a 24 hour parking garage adjacent to the Montalban with a max $10 fee for the day!

I took classes with Striptease Symposium for most of 2008. The classes are wonderful for aspiring…read moreburlesque performers and those looking to do a private show in front of the bedroom mirror. Classes consist of a warm-up, technique and a cool-down. There are often handouts with tips on makeup, performance preparation and choreography. The classes are taught by professional burlesque dancers so everything covered is relevant to real world performance. I highly recommend their classes for anyone interested in finding out more about burlesque.

Went here on a date night after watching Company Retreat and seeing that a handful of those actors…read morewere alumni from UCB! We go back every other week. All the shows are fantastic. Great crowds.

The people who lined us up and welcomed us into the theater were really nice. This theatre is very…read moresmall. They had to put chairs on the stage to accommodate all of the patrons. I went to a special Show on Juneteenth where all of the performers were Black, and it was hysterically funny. The seats in the theater were comfortable. I recommend seeing a show here.

We went to the one at the hotel Biltmore, Los Angeles. David's magic happens right in front of your…read moreeyes -- and somehow it still feels impossible to figure out how he does it! He's not only an amazing magician, but also a super fun storyteller who keeps everyone engaged from start to finish.

He was a great magician. We saw him for our anniversary at the biltmore hotel in DTLA. Smaller…read morecrowd so he could interact well. The seating was great because you could see well. He was funny and did great tricks. Left us wondering and talking about it for hours after. Highly recommend for a fun and different night out! I wish it would have been longer!

We had a great experience with wonderful service! First time visiting the lounge, it opens 1hr…read morebefore the show & intermission. They have 2 private restrooms, a bartender with unlimited drinks (alcohol, sodas, water, juices, coffee, tea, etc). They have to-go cups so you can bring drinks inside the theatre. You can preorder your snacks & drinks before the show for intermission so it's ready for you (nuts, pretzels, fruit snacks & lots of candy choices). They had a basket of baked goods (cookies & brownies including gluten free options) and a charcuterie board & a plate with hummus, veggie sticks, caprese & fruit. The door to the lounge is located on the left after entering the theatre. To access the lounge you or someone you know needs to have the presidents club membership, which also gives you access to the first 12 rows center orchestra & free parking.

The small bite offering leave lots to be desired. The room smells stale. Other than that the…read moreservice and staff are EXCEPTIONAL

I remember I had come across this business when having a Universal annual pass last year. Even…read moreafter the annual pass expired, they still send me emails on being cast as a background actor on Universal City Walk or now, upcoming t.v. shows that they need audiences for. They pay, of course, CA's minimum wage of $10.50/hr., but not sure if it is whole day rate of $84. I guess just go by whatever the email states. Doing some extra gigs myself, not affiliated with this business; these jobs also tend to sometimes throw in a weird overtime like $147 ($84+$63OT), included within the day rate. Cannot wait to work for them! Within the month of December, I remember seeing an email blast regarding a party/get together for all the people they have cast that year. Of course, since I was not in California at the time, I could not attend it.

COMPLETE SCAM. Do not work with this company because they…read moredon't pay. I was promised payment within 5 days after working as an audience member with them. It's been almost a month and I haven't been paid. I've sent multiple emails asking when the check would be sent out and haven't gotten any responses. Then they ended up blocking me. They seemed pretty sketchy from the beginning so I guess I'm not surprised, but don't work with this company.

Twin Diplomacy time! Love the vibes and the atmosphere here at Sound. Initially before going, I…read morealways would see up and coming house artists or after parties here from other shows. I would always see those lamps in the air moving on social media and it was so cool to see in person, a simple touch like that could add some fun to the experience. The parking lot nearby was really accessible and for the venue. Parking was really cheap and a 10 second walk to Sound. Going into the venue was also easy and felt safe in that area compared to the main street. Among walking in is a bar, restroom and merch table. Drinks are hella expensive. Venue is pretty small but intimate and you can see the artist well. There are tables on the right side and railing on the left for you to stand. The sound was great and listened to Twin Diplomacy absolutely rip. Would definitely come back.

This club is a lot of fun and gets excellent electronic djs/producers. You can dance under the…read moreshark disco ball! Drink price aren't too bad and the bartenders are really nice and pour heavy if you tip. Especially whey you have drink tickets cause you're a guest of the manager! Overall the vibe was really good though there are pockets that are weird but everyone in the VIP was so friendly to me and started chatting, especially when finding out I was visiting from Austin.