Camp YATC has truly blown us away! Of course, I was not in attendance as the Mom. That being…read moresaid, I can begin by saying that the very FIRST thing my 13 year old son said to me today (after giving me a giant, obligatory hug ;) was: "Mom, I'll do anything if you say I can come back here next summer. I had the BEST TIME EVER!!" We live about 2.5 hours away from the beautiful Mt. Cross campsite in the Santa Cruz mountains and had heard about Camp YATC through a local, dear friend of ours. It had been over a year that my son had been begging me to go I had been in contact with Shawn and Valerie beginning last March with tons of questions. My son has a physical special need and all staff were supportive & compassionate. Shawn and Val both listened graciously to concerns I had regarding this prior, & reassured me during the week by response to a text message I sent; that he was safe, smiling, & thriving. It was at this point, that I felt like their promise to treat all campers as kids of their own -- was genuine & sincere. Sometimes the little things for one person are big things to someone else. My son had nothing but positive feedback to share about his cabin counselor, Ian... that he was attentive, patient, & helpful. Themed dinner evenings seemed to have been all the rage; and surprise on and off Broadway actors participated in mentoring with productive & validating feedback. What a remarkable bonus that was to hear about! The team at YATC has magically blended a smooth structure with room for each individual to be themselves -- simultaneously making it appear easy & joyful. He shared that his most significant takeaway from his time away from home st YATC was a tie. Learning and growing as a performer (in the Musical Theatre track) was at the top - and in large part due to the many experienced, talented, & insightful folks who taught. Right up there were the many new friendships made with campers from all over the world, literally. Upon our return home, I found my son in his room organizing each paper that he had torn off writing contact information for various new buddies -- and also reviewing a notebook chalk full of notes he'd taken during instructional classes. It sounds to me as though they have nailed it at being sure there was equal part "fun" to in "class" - and it stood out to me when I was told that he's never experienced how learning can be FUN in and of itself. Togetherness with other campers whose interests often paralleled his own, he mentioned how fantastic it was to learn from peers simply by getting to know these truly special people. "Mom, I don't know if there were bullet points in the adult paperwork about your child needing to be a kind human being, but I never met anyone who wasn't!" This made my Mom heart especially happy. The showcase held at pick up time was incredible! Each camper has been encouraged (but not forced or required) to stand up in front of the crowd & share their talent. Performers were excited and as an audience member, easy to see how hard they had worked! Something else that stood out was the way campers cheered on one another offering high fives or hugs. If you hadn't known that these kids only met 9 days prior, you sure wouldn't have been able to tell! So sweet to witness this! In my opinion, the sheer number of returning campers year after year says a whole lot about the phenomenal team behind the scenes executing this well oiled operation. It was abundantly evident that the people I came into contact with not only wanted to promote & encourage these kids' passion for the arts // but also, help strengthen self confidence, responsibility, and adventure. I promised my son that I'll do everything possible under the sun to make sure he can return to (what he called his new) "happy place and home away from home." This crew has absolutely nailed it!! BRAVO CAMP YATC! His countdown has begun! My gratitude and appreciation are endless for all they've done in playing an integral role in my son's happiness.

Where do I start!? Well, I was nervous-trepidatious-just not sure if we were doing the right thing…read moreby sending our son to Camp YATC. I must say, we were blown away- and so was our son! He's already a working actor, so sometimes it's tough to find a space that caters to someone like him- he has some experience-but of course-he's a kid! And has SO much to learn and so much growing to do. When they say that you'll feel at home- they are absolutely correct! Our son was nervous and within 5 minutes of arriving, he was waving us off~ from tears of anxiety to smiles and an eagerness to join and play and learn and experience all that camp YATC has to offer! From top notch coaches, teachers, performers, counselors, and the sweetest-most accepting & creative kids! All set in the breathtaking Santa Cruz mountains. It's a dreamy place where dreams grow and kids can be themselves, accepted, encouraged, and nurtured. Thank you Shawn & Valerie & everyone at Campy YATC for creating a welcoming space for these sweet performers to hone their craft, while making new friends in a gorgeous setting. PS-our kid is a mega boy-like plays football & has has a ton of bros- but-he's an artist and loves to meet fellow artists from all walks of life - this place delivered! Oh- yeah- the cabins- well- they're cabins... it's not the Ritz-but-it's safe-comfortable- well ventilated!! And really-so fun-our son tells it like it is and is super picky- he loved his time and can't wait to return. As a mom, I am grateful. Highly recommend for your young performer-actor, singer, dancer, writer, dreamer. Ps... the pool is clean and perfect- the cabins are older, but not moldy- I'm not sure where the bad reviewer below stayed, but it does not sound like this camp. The cost is not "cheap" but I feel that the value is there- the kids are learning & are safe-engaged-encouraged-and really well taken care of.

I have been to lille aeske many times now. The great thing is hard to say, it's either:…read more-The amazing people you'll bump into. Good people magnet. -The beautiful wine and other cool stuff you can get -The groups who perform- in your busy life you won't have a chance to find them. Anil finds them for you. Then you will listen for life. Wonderful. -The art. I was so inspired by the art here, some of it became part of my home. If I am able to go to a show here, I pretty much just go without trying to figure out too much about whether I will like it. I always do.

I had my wedding reception here at Lille Aeske last night, and it was the most beautiful night to…read moreremember. In the weeks leading up to the event, Anil was super helpful with everything in terms of planning down to the smallest details. I could tell he wanted to make sure that this was the most special of evenings for my partner and I, and in the end I can't have imagined hosting my wedding party anywhere else. Surrounded by gorgeous art on the walls and romantic fairy lights, we were served dinner and drinks while music played at the perfect volume in the background. I honestly felt like such a princess; every time I would try to adjust something to my liking it was quickly picked up for me and the hosts made sure to check in with me frequently that everything was going smoothly and on schedule. Even though I was very scattered and forgetful, Anil kept up really well and even walked across the street to buy us all champagne for the toasts that I had forgotten to bring beforehand. We had our first dance on the little stage by the door as per Anil's suggestion, and it was so intimate and lovely. It made for the greatest photos, too. Although I have yet to attend a music or art show at Lille Aeske, I feel like I truly got to experience the space at it's finest and feel blessed to have been hosted by Anil in his beautiful "little box" for my special day. Thank you so much for being a part of what turned out to be one of the best days of my life! I would highly recommend checking out Lille Aeske, for their own events or to host one of your own.

We saw The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Sunday matinee. The staging was incredible and the…read moreperformances were good. With the exception of Quasimodo (sp?), I did not think that the voices of the leads were as strong as I have seen at other performances. The story as presented was dark and I did not think suitable for grade school children. This was deceiving as it had been advertised highlighting the Disney association. I will, however, to continue to support this wonderful organization

Small theatre , we have seen several musicals here and thoroughly enjoyed them…read more Comfortable seating.

Magical! We were tearing our hair out brainstorming how to transform the dull vibe of the 1200 sq…read moreft room for our retro dance party last month (BDay party of 40 guests, all 21+). We were aiming for an exciting, colorful city nightclub-like environment, maybe even black-lighting on the dance floor. But HOW could it happen? We chased down DIY and professional service options--but they were all either paltry or too pricey. At last, a friend told us to check out Legend Theatrical in Scotts Valley. From our first conversation with them--and then all the way through their design, installation and teardown of the black lighted dance floor and colorful uplighting along the walls--Dave and his team were true pros. The truth about Legend Theatrical is that they're very creative, responsive and well-priced--and produce magical results. Guests entering our party were so wowed by the lighting, they instantly began grinning, shouting, and making dance moves--even without without any dance playing yet. Magical!

Legends Theatrical & a special mention to Mike are very thoughtful and detailed in their work…read more Their genuine "human" and non "robotic" approach in solving my last minute problem gave me such comfort and they are "rock stars". I did my research and was highly reccomended to them. Their emergency number saved me and I so appreciate Mike and his team! All My Best, Suzanne Glassman www.MorningStarEntertainment.net

West Theater has been a life changer for my teenager. He has attended Harry Potter camps on up to…read moreimprov groups. They are kind and talented instructors and the curriculum is stellar. This program has given my son a sense of confidence and that is a gift that will last a lifetime.

This little gem of a studio offers classes for all ages and performances year round. I love the…read moreofferings, like improv and playlabs..I need a boot to the behind to motivate myself to attend but once there it's pretty magical. Attentive to details, the staff seems to have as much fun as the students. Makes me miss the SF art scene less and less. SC has the bright shiny shiny right here in my backyard..Lucky us.

Outstanding Mariachi!!! They provide great value and lots of fun!!…read more They know many of the traditional Mariachi songs by Vicente Fernandez, Linda Rondstad, to name a few! Great job!!

We booked Mariachi Sol y Luna for our wedding in Salinas on October 26th, 2019. I was so excited to…read morehave a mariachi and they did not disappoint! We enjoyed having dinner with the mariachi playing and our guests loved it too. Perfect music to have before the DJ! Muchas gracias Mariachi sol Y luna!

At the Colligan Theater to see the play, Sylvia a modern…read moreromance comedy about marriage and their dog.

This is a great company! You really don't have to leave Santa Cruz to experience excellent theater…read more The choices of plays are varied and imaginative-from comedy to serious dramatic, historic, obscure stories. Lovely staff- incredibly helpful-clearly devoted to bringing their passion to Santa Cruz. Beautiful theater space, snack bar. Just a wonderful way to spend an evening or afternoon.

Cute theater highlighting local actors and writers…read more This is the second time I've enjoyed local theater in Santa Cruz. This particular show had 8 ten minute (ish) plays. It's fun to see the creative process at work. Amateur actors mixed in with veterans of the stage are all here. Please note the theater is located in one medium sized building just beyond some businesses and an office or two. I recommend you come and see some of the shows. Support local theater!

Engaging live theatre. The annual 8 Tens at Eight has everything a theatre goer would want…read more.. drama, humor, pathos. It always sells out.

I had a friend post on instagram about this circus, never had heard of it before as I live on the…read moreother side of the hill. I bought tickets, a table actually. It comes with 4 chairs and the option to add two more and the ability to order concessions prior to the show that get delivered to your table. As we showed up, big parking lot as it's located in the mall lot. Nicely done- 5 portapottys inside the tent, little concessions stand and souvenir section. The inside is small, but the seating gives you and your guest plenty of space between you and others. The show is mythical, more of fairies, Pegasus, snow daughters and such, but is an amazing experience for the whole family. Lots of acrobatics, cute little costumes and lots of laughs- especially the Pegasus! The staff is friendly, and it's just an amazing experience. My girls 3&5 said it was their favorite circus yet! The snowball fight was their favorite part of the show, and the trampoline act. We can't wait to come back next year! Definitely worth the drive, and a bargain for the show!

So much fun for the family. Classic early 1900th century vaudeville type of show with modern items…read morethrown in. Lots of fun!

I've been taking vocal lessons with Audrey and she's a wonderful teacher. Knowledgeable,…read moreencouraging and inspiring. Everything you want from someone helping you with your musical journey. The Skype lessons are super helpful as she takes video and the ability to watch and listen back to your exercises is incredibly valuable. I'm a drummer who is adding vocals to my repertoire and her assistance has been invaluable! I highly recommend!

Pulled my daughter (6 years old) out of the Disney Princess camp due to concerns that camp was…read morebeing treated more like a day care than an actual vocal camp. When we first dropped my daughter off at camp, my wife and I immediately felt a bit weird about this place. None of the instructors welcomed us in. In fact, only one of the instructors spoke to us. He actually recognized my wife from somewhere, but they couldn't remember where. After they figured out where they recognized each other from the coach's response was "Jesus F@#%$&* Christ, that's where I remember you from. Time sure flies!" Not exactly the type of language to be using in front of children. We checked in at lunch on the first day, and unfortunately, the instructors seemed to be more interested in whatever was going on with their phones than actually interacting with the kids. The scene was the same at pick up time. Coaches on the couch, kids playing on their own. When checking in with my daughter at lunch on the first day, she told us they hadn't sung anything yet. But instead watched a movie. At the end of the first day, we asked her "What songs did you sing today?" She told us she learned part of 1 song......over the course of a 6 hour camp. The following day was even more alarming when my when my wife went to pick our daughter up from camp and the coach informed her that they had a "very chill day." We asked our daughter what they did at camp and she said "We didn't sing at all today. Instead, the kids voted not to sing because there was a new kid and she didn't want to sing. I wanted to sing, but we voted. So we just watched movies and played dress up." I was dumbfounded. We had paid over $200 for a VOCAL camp. 2 days into this "vocal camp" our kid had watched Disney movies, played a lot of dress up and learned part of 1 song. After hearing all of this, I decided to call Forte. Nobody picked up the phone. So I drove down to their location to try and ask what had happened during camp that day. I proceeded to ask the lead vocal coach about the days events and why there was no singing today. Her response was (loosely quoted) "The kids decided they wanted to spend double time on costumes and so they voted not to sing today." "Also, the kids are young so they can't sing and do stage work all day, despite this being a vocal camp." I then asked when they are going to sing, and her response was (again loosely quoted) "Well they will have to spend the whole day singing tomorrow because they didn't sing today." (Wait....what? I'm confused. I thought the kids were "too young to spend all day singing...????) Never once did I receive an apology. But I did receive multiple attempts to justify why things at camp fell short. I notified the coach that my daughter wouldn't be attending the remaining days of the camp as I felt like this camp was totally misrepresented. To us, this camp acted more like a daycare. (But a daycare where the employees are more interested in whatever is happening on their cell phones than the children they are supposed to be interacting with.) We might have been able to just write this off, and chalk it up to one of those "you live and you learn lessons." But then something too coincidental happened and we felt like we just had to say something. We purchased a spot in this camp after seeing a posting on the Facebook site "Scotts Valley Virtual Garage Sale." The head vocal coach says a parent bought the spot, but their child came down with pneumonia, so she was trying to help her sell it. OK. Well interestingly enough, 2 weeks later the same head vocal coach posts on Scotts Valley Virtual Garage Sale again that a parent purchased a spot for their child for Katy Perry camp, but instead they decided to go to Hawaii, and thus she decided to help sell her spot. Coincidence? Maybe, but it sure feels more like a deceiving way to sell spots in your vocal camp. It feels unethical. I took screen shots of the two postings and uploaded them to yelp so you can review them if you want. Our daughter has attended many dance/performing arts camps for similar or even cheaper pricing. So this was not our first go-round. The other camps we have been a part of have all been professionally run. Unfortunately, Forte Vocal Academy's Disney Princess Vocal Camp felt completely thrown together. It lacked structure, professionalism, and even common courtesy.