Shanghai Mermaid throws parties that are a blast from the past! I went to a "Casino Night in…read moreParis" theme-party at Downtown Association and it was amazing! They have a rule that you need to dress up for this party or else you will be turned away at the door even if you paid a ticket. I know it sounds strict but I think it is necessary since I am making an effort to dress accordingly so that way everyone at the party can look like they've gone back in time to the 1920s. That was the theme of the party after all. It was such an interactive and creative event as you get the chance to see people use their imagination to bring their inner-flapper and dapper selves to life. There is so much to do at this mansion, such as get your drink on at the bar with an Old Fashioned or dance to a French band. They had several performances but my favorite were the Can-Can dancers. They were so exquisitely naughty ;). The only thing that they have to eat at this event is Chinese noodles, which I enjoyed eating at the library along with my drink. But if you have a big appetite, then you should eat beforehand. The parties here are more suitable to socialize than to wine and dine. There were even men and women sitting at the ladies restroom (looked more like a lounge) having a nice conversation. The presenter and founder of the show is such a lovely person to meet. I had volunteered to help out with setting up the event earlier that day so I had the pleasure of meeting her. She is such an amazing woman for finding the time and energy to create such wonderful nights where people can pretend to take a time machine and have a good time in an era where our problems and worries are non-existent. I am definitely looking forward to Shanghai Mermaid's next event, which is the Halloween Party. I am already planning my costume for that night :).

I'm all for trying new things, but Shanghai Mermaid was disappointing. We went to a "1930s…read moreArgentina" themed event at the Jane. Venue was great and perfect for the theme, but not unique to the event -- anyone can pop in to the Jane for drinks whenever they want, so the venue itself wasn't a draw. We also felt a bit "tricked" by the overly-vague invitation. I get that this is part of the intrigue associated with these events, but when "a decadent soirée with live music, dancing, lovely craft cocktails, small plates, and intriguingly glamorous fellow guests" actually means no food whatsoever and tango dancing exclusively, it's worth mentioning explicitly. Beyond this, our evening was soured before we even got inside, thanks to security staff power-tripping like crazy and making us feel unwelcome. PSA: Long lines aren't the customers' problem. They are a result of poor logistics on management's part. So instead of herding your customers around like cattle and berating them for being in the wrong place, maybe try apologizing to them?

We took my daughters to see Le Grand C. We thought the staff and ushers did a great job and…read moreenhanced our experience. The prices were very reasonable and there was not one bad seat in the house (except if you got stuck in front of a post). When we are visiting family in New York City again we will look to make this part of our weekend experience again.

great staff, friendly people, you can tell its a neighborhood joint, everyone is friendly and knows…read moreeach other, they've had 46 seasons so they know their stuff, saw a bunch of awards for competitions and stuff. send your kids here. support a good local business! my daughter is enrolled once a week, tap jazz and ballet, its $85 plus 30 for registration (115) and then i believe its $85 a month, sure its pricy but you want to keep places like this up and running. plus they love dance school. Do your kid a favor, put them in something they love! they teach all styles of dance, i heard hip hop and a few others being mentioned.

Theater is small and wonderful. Not a bad seat in the house. Was very happy with the entire…read moreexperience.

The show Flex was fantastic! However The theater needs serious updating and cleaning. We had to…read morechange our seats due to flying insects!

Went there to see the Nutcracker and we were delighted. The auditorium is small and cozy, no seat…read moreis a bad seat. Only about 20 rows deep. The quality of the production, the stage and everything else was very well done and affordable....easily 50-80% off what you pay for similar productions in Manhattan. The area is a bit industrial, so not many choices of places to eat or shop, but not too far from the subway stop (about 4 blocks).

Great venue for live performances. The acoustics are great and the space is not too large ergo…read moreevery seat in the house is prime seating.

COSTUMES GALORE…read more Think abandoned warehouse renovated into a movie set & costume warehouse all in one. Great views of the East River but obviously the wind chill factor here ESPECIALLY in the winter is damn near frigid. You will have icicles hanging out of your noses. It is also in the middle of nowhere which is a great location for everything except convenience. G train to get here. A few blocks of walking. KARCZMA would be a great dining option if you come here before or after.

Was here as my first stop for Gowanus Open Studios to pick up a map, but also popped in to see some…read moreamazing art from BIPOC artists regarding their pandemic experiences, as curated by Jas Espinal. Some amazing paintings, photos, and some textile art as well. There's also a dance studio in the back (duh), where you could pop in and watch people rehearse. Fun little space!

If you want to to SWEAT and have an hour FLY BY without you realizing you just burned a million…read morecalories, take Kuni's Wednesday night Zumba class at 7:30pm. Her choice of music, killer choreography and upbeat personality keeps her cult following coming back again and again... Come drink the Kool-aid with us and see what the hype is all about - only thing you'll be missing is a few hundred calories by the end of the night!

This play only runs until April 19, so go watch it!!…read more This was a one woman show which I'm normally not into, but it was really good!! The main character plays the parts of other voices/people really well, and it is pretty hilarious. Getting into prestigious kindergartens can be intense, and this play shows it really well. So check it out!! It runs for 1.5 hours without an intermission.

Miss Bianco amazes again! Only thing lacking is more inventive blocking on the part of the…read moredirector....and a show that isn't super heffalump stompy playing upstairs. But just a wonder to watch Christina work!!!! Every character is distinct, clear, and 3-dimensional, in that you have no doubt she knows each and every one of those people through and through, regardless of how much, or how little, we are shown of them. It's a cute piece, well worth your time and ticket price.