Really bummed I couldn't continue with Pan Theatre. Great place to learn how to get back to having…read morefun with awesome people! I loved the experience and hope to one day return! Check out a show you definitely won't be disappointed. Improv is so much fun to watch and be a part of. The theatre is small which makes it great because the audience ends up becoming part of the show!

I passed a poster on Piedmont Avenue announcing Open Auditions at Pan Theater and thought, "huh, I…read moreshould take a picture of that for my husband John. I bet he would like it." Somehow, John convinced me that we should both audition. This is not usually my kind of thing, but it was Covid and any distraction from the monotony of the times was welcome. Now we are both all-in! Pan Theater Company is a courageous, generous, honest, challenging community. Everyone comes to improv without the baggage of the rest of their lives and they play together - with characters and storylines and emotions. I always come away from Pan Theater feeling lighter. I love this place!

Stagebridge is truly a gem for seniors in the Bay Area who are passionate about the performing…read morearts! For decades, they have provided a vibrant, creative platform for adults 50 and older, offering classes in Singing, Acting, Storytelling, Musical Theatre, Improv, and so much more. I've had the privilege of witnessing their work firsthand in the church where I am employed, and I am continually inspired by the talent, dedication, and heart of everyone involved. The staff--past and present--are nothing short of incredible, nurturing both students and the art form itself. And the students! The Stagebridge community is full of amazing performers, several of whom I am honored to call friends. Their showcases are consistently inspiring, entertaining, and a testament to the skill and creativity cultivated here. Stagebridge doesn't just teach the arts; it empowers seniors to discover, develop, and shine in their gifts. Many students have gone on to remarkable achievements, headlining in the Storytelling circuit, local theater, and even roles in motion pictures! I only wish more seniors everywhere had access to such a wonderful program. If you are over 50 and drawn to the performing arts, I wholeheartedly encourage you to join Stagebridge--you will be challenged, inspired, and welcomed into a community that celebrates creativity at every age!

I found Stagebridge five years ago when my next-door neighbor invited me to go to summer camp. I…read morespent the most fun, intense, exhausting week of my adult life and have been hooked ever since. Stagebridge offers classes in the performing arts to adults over 50 (and their friends) Every day, and has recently added evening classes as well for those who still have to work ;-( Before finding Stagebridge I was an early retiree, relocated from across the Bay, and at a real loss for fulfilling activities and good friends. My life has been transformed in the most positive of ways since going to camp that first summer and then taking classes during the year. I got to fulfill a lifelong dream of performing West Side Story! I can't say enough good things about the wonderful people who teach at Stagebridge and the wonderful students who attend classes there. You could be one of them! Check out the website for upcoming classes soon to be available for the winter session.

Attended Slam Town's Ekpyrotica at the Continental Club this past weekend, and had an enjoyable…read moreexperience. The listed ticket time was 8:00 to 11-ish, but in reality it was more like 8:45-11:20pm (doors opened around 8:00pm, and the entry line went quick). The place wasn't too crowded, and though there was a bit of seating against the walls, it was mostly standing room for viewing of the show. Beware, the action takes place both inside and outside the ring, so be ready to move if you're on the first level and the wrestlers end up battling it out and rolling around on the floor or against the pillars, or on the merchandise table (like they did this past FrIday). We watched from upstairs, and didn't miss a thing... they had a large screen for closeup views of all the shenanigans happening in and around the ring, too. There were quite a few matches throughout the night, including characters like Cereal Man, Prisoner 420, and my bf's fave, Bart-Man, doing their thing. I was a big fan of the MonsterTown tag team, all of the creatures dressed in comical costumes and putting on even funnier moves against their rivals, especially the three-headed giraffe and mummy. Lots of props used throughout the show, including ladders, full-size doors (for the dramatic illusion of slamming opponents into these and breaking them), and fake weapons...... oh, but THIS IS REAL... and the dynamic chants from the crowd will remind you all night. Commentary by the "news anchor" host helped guide the storyline with a bit of humor, but I've experienced better and more entertaining announcers outside of Slam Town. Apparently this underground wrestling show is a lot tamer now (in April 2026) than it used to be, back when it was known primarily as "Hoodslam", but we still had a good time. The next Slam Town event is happening on May 22nd at Drake's in Oakland.

fun hyphy vibes in a quiet neighborhood AND hotboys for food?! it can't get better than this!read more

To be completely fair (Miriam & Maria: I'm looking at you), yes there were lots of overpriced…read more"screened tees". In fact, I rolled my eyes when I overheard through the crowd a vendor going on about his "CERTIFIED ORGANIC NATURAL MILLED COTTON" t-shirts. As Vivian C once pointed out and I quote: "I don't care if it's shade grown, organic, cold processed, eaten by mountain goats, shat out by said mountain goats on Peruvian mountain tops, then collected thousands of years later by wandering gypsies in an all-natural roasted state." end quote. $45 for a simple cotton tee (esp. with a weakarse design) is too steep for me! But that isn't the whole story!! I picked up bargain basement, but top notch tees (last year's designs) for $10 from groovy local designers, Que Lastima(tm) and some early Xmas presents (FroBot!!) for the brothermangs from Fucking Adorable Tees(tm). None of these broke the bank or the environment and I got to support the local artist economy while sporting limited run styles. 5 Stars !!

I like the concept of arts festivals and this was a small quaint one featuring local artists. I…read morewould have liked to have seen more vendors - seeing as how it took me almost an hour and a half to get here and I was starving. Broad spectrum of products, from jewelry, to art to clothing. Next time though, I need to remember to bring more cash with me and a checkbook.

The Oakland Poetry Slam was founded in 1999 by a small group of Bay Area poets set on bringing…read morePoetry Slam to the sunny side of The Bay. These visionaries included Sonia Whittle, Charles Ellik, Nisa Ahmad & Nazelah Jamison. In that very first year the rookie team Oakland reached Finals stage at The National Poetry Slam, finishing the tournament as the 4th ranked team in the nation (of 64). After the teams triumphant return the Slam soon took of and took on a life of it's own. Over the years The Oakland Slam has been held at a variety of venues around the city of trees. The city doesn't always make it easy for the arts or the artists. Venues have included Mambo-Mambo, The Black/Oakland Box Theater, The Oakland Metro, Oaklandish Gallery, The Uptown Theater, KTOP Studios and currently The Oasis Restaurant & Bar. Since 2005 the Slam has been organized & promoted by the dynamic duo of Dahled & Nazelah who hosts the show and coaches the squad. While the team hasn't quite made it back to the Finals stage since 2003 they have performed consistently well in competition. In 2009 The Oakland Slam is branching out and growing. They've added a monthly COMEDY Slam and are part of the group importing Chicago's wildly popular Encyclopedia Show to the Bay Area. Past Oakland Poetry Slam Team Members: 1999 - Sonia Whittle, Jamie Kennedy, Shawn Taylor, Roxanne Hanna-Ware 2000 - Michael Cirelli, Nazelah Jamison, AfroKen, Y.A.D.D.O.S., Angela Boyce (alt.), Sonia (coach) 2001 - Michael Cirelli, Nazelah Jamison, Jamie Kennedy, Rupert Estanislao, Sonia (coach) 2002 - Danielle Drake, Meliza Benales, Ishle Yi Park, Mesej 1 2003 - Scorpio Blues, Danielle Drake, nerCity, Prentice Powell, Lucky 7 (alt), Sonia (coach) 2004 - Ise Lyfe, Lucky 7, L. Abdul Kenyatta, Dahled Jeffries 2005 - Mesej 1, Dahled Jeffries, Geoff Trenchard, Mack Dennis, Aaron Enskat, Nazelah (coach) 2006 - Prentice Powell, Mesej 1, Dahled Jeffries, Lucky 7, Nazelah (player/coach) 2007 - nerCity, Aaron Gardner, Dahled Jeffries, Queen D, Nazelah (coach) 2008 - nerCity, Jaylee Alde, Mesej 1, Dahled Jeffries, Deaidre White, Nazelah (coach) 2009 - Joyce Lee, D. Silence, "-i-", Stephen Meads, Dahled Jeffries, Nazelah (coach) -iWPS rep; Joyce Lee 2010 - Joyce Lee & Aaron Gardner, Jason Bayani, Milani Pelley, Nazelah (coach / alternate) -WoWPS rep; Milani Pelley -iWPS rep; Jason Bayani

Great entertainment, and Deandre is a great host. HILARIOUS. It was very touching to see these…read morepeople go on stage and share their stories through poetry... Majority of them were nervous, but they still did their thang. It was funny, touching, and raw. Beers are pretty pricey but a well spent night. They made me and my boyfriend one of the judges for the poetry slam. Just so happens my boyfriend is a poet himself. Great social activity with your people or significant other.

Very large, beautiful, well lit dance studio and theatre teaching pole dancing and the performance…read morearts. I know of FVT through my pole dance instructor, Kirsten (Mz. K) at Sedusa Studio in Campbell. She's been one of my first pole dance instructors since 2014 at Sedusa, and have taken other pole classes with her over the years at Phoenix Pole and Aerial Arts when it was open in Berkeley as well. Mz. K has since opened FVT. Mz. K was the first pole teacher I've had who first class, asked if we've had any injuries, and what modifications we can do for them. As an acupuncturist, and Qigong instructor, I really appreciate that level of concern for students since every body is different, and helps us be more conscious of challenging movement for our physical needs. FVT is a terrific space for the pole community to expand on our dance repertoire and skills. One feels like a professional performer in that dance space. With 12 poles, there's plenty of space on smooth, gorgeous flooring to explore your sexy dance side. Did open pole dance practice and a dress rehearsal on stage to prep for PSO GG 2025 competition. Have yet to take dance classes there, but with the teachers on board, it will be a marvelous experience to explore all our pole dance dreams. Get started ASAP & get stronger and more gorgeous as you go. You won't regret it!

There are so many amazing things about Flux that I rave about to people who haven't experienced it…read moreyet. There's something for everyone here - dark and moody choreo classes, chair classes, Pilates-focused classes, flexibility ("fluxibility" - so cute!), intro classes for those who have never touched a pole and advanced classes for people who have trained for years. I know many dancers who drive from the far corners of the bay to train here. I can always depend on the community that flux has created - a safe space, a clean space, a welcoming space. The owners are present and feel like old friends even when you're new. I love them as instructors, performers, and mentors if you want pole career or teaching advice. If you come here, I guarantee you'll keep coming back!

I loved this spot. The picture is an art piece outside of the building. I've been coming here for…read moremany years and have seen them grow. I know many of the people who work here and I love their vibe. I like the programing too. And the Malcolm X Jazz Fest is always a fun event. Should I say that? I do wish them well.

Among the best in the bay! Staff dedicated to helping you have best experience -- whether book…read morestore, art gallery or performance space

The theater was an excellent place to watch a show, and I found it highly enjoyable. I went to see…read morePrescott Circus . They did an outstanding Performance.!

Great building, they do a lot for the community. My one complaint is that they don't turn off…read moretheir 4th floor bathroom lights (or close the blinds). As a next door neighbor, this is a bit annoying. And not energy efficient.