I won tickets through BARTable to see the Smuin Ballet perform at the YBCA Theater a while back. I…read moreended up taking my brother's partner since he didn't want to go. The performance we saw was unusual. Part of it was short numbers performed by two, three, or four dancers at a time; part of it was a slightly longer work that involved most (all?) of the ensemble; part of it was these duet snippets almost previewing parts of a larger upcoming performance. The dancers were amazing. They were really skilled, and it was neat during the intermission to read their bios. It also felt kind of uncanny, because they had recently moved into the regular-person dance studio that I had passed on the bus for years, so I won this random contest to see a ballet company that I had never heard of but whose future rehearsal space I knew well. When I was in college, a good friend of mine was a dance major, so I used to go to all of her shows, and I sometimes spent time with her in the studio while she practiced. I got to know some of her classmates and actually learned quite a bit about dance and choreography just by spending time with her. All of that experience from years before was helpful, because I don't think I would have enjoyed this particular show as much as I did if I hadn't seen all kinds of dance, not just the most traditional, well known forms. If, unlike me, you're paying for your tickets, be sure to find out what actual show you're seeing. Again, some people only seem to enjoy the most traditional forms of dance, including ballet. Based on the show and what I read afterward, Smuin incorporates all kinds of styles. If you're happy with The Nutcracker that you've watched every year since the '80s, this might not be the ballet troupe for you. I'm crossing my fingers that San Francisco can continue to support multiple ballet ensembles. The rich techies in our midst have more money than they know what to do with, yet the arts can't get the funding they need. It's really sad, and proof that taxes are way too low.

This was my first time attending The Smuin's Christmas Ballet on December 8, 2024. I was amazed at…read morethe performance and selection of holiday songs. There were two acts, and this performance in Mountain View was their last one and their next stop is San Francisco. The two acts were 40 minutes with one twenty minute intermission. The first act was more traditional with classical music, and dance/music from different cultures: Spanish, French, Czech, and Jewish. Act 2 was more contemporary, modern songs and the second half started with the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by the Jackson 5, children's art work projecting on the closed curtains on stage, and lastly, a reading of A Night Before Christmas. This was a nice touch to start act 2. During the last song of the performance, snow fell to the stage and in the middle section of the audience. A winter wonderland! The only thing during the falling snow was the noise of the contraption that the employee was pulling it was loud and distracting. This holiday ballet performance got me in a festive mood from the holiday classics of "Santa Baby", to "Last Christmas" by Wham. The performances were magical, a delight to watch. The dancers were enthusiastic, the stage was festive, and both acts went by quickly. I wanted the performance to go on forever. I was pleasantly surprised since I had no idea of what I would be seeing and this was my first time hearing about the Smuin Ballet. I will definitely come back next year. The Smuin Ballet will be performing in San Francisco till Christmas Eve, "2024".

Last year in 2025 we saw the Nutcracker. Such a sweet and well put on performance. Prices are much…read moremore affordable compared to the SF ballet. These are students...I think? I loved the different ages and talent. Parking is a bit of a headache. There isn't near enough for what this building can hold. Please give yourself enough time in case there isn't any parking stalls left. There are plenty of bathrooms, but during intermission, they have ropes set up for the huge line that forms. Snacks are sold, however can't be consumed inside the theater. Go figure? You can only eat outside in the lobby area. In the lobby is a table of Nutcracker/Christmas items you can purchase. I wish that there was a live orchestra, but this was my first time going and I don't understand much about this group. It was a recording that they danced to. I do recommend anyone to see this performance and let us know what you think?

This facility is top notch! We had a dance recital here after being in other venues, and wow! The…read more stage was large and equipped with all the bells and whistles, lighting was great, audience seating was wonderful from all the vantage points and spacious and comfortable, and the backstage areas for the performers were ample downstairs. Having more bathrooms backstage would have been helpful.

The San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, produced by World Arts West, is a wonderful show with…read moreincredible dancing from a diverse range of cultures. In case you find the title somewhat unclear, it is a series of performances at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater held annually. For four weekends in a month, changing weekly, a different line up of dance troupes dazzle the audience with their creative expression. The costumes, props, lighting, and music are all first-class. Overall a well orchestrated production. This was my second year attending and I can't see ever missing it in the future. I happen to go this year on the night of their fundraising gala pre-function. It was nice to see all the foreign dignitaries and local celebs including Rita Moreno (Honorary Chairperson) come out and give their support to the show. Bravo!

I've been attending the Ethnic Dance Festival for 3 years now. Every year, it gets better. This…read moreyear's event at YBCA (on 6/16 @ 3pm) was outstanding. They had a mix of 9 dance groups representing Asia, Europe, South America, Native Americans, Hawaii, etc. (I would have liked one from African, perhaps replacing one of the two East Asia performances). The music, costumes and overall quality of the dancers are excellent. It is lively and fast paced. One suggestion: they announced at the end that the next day's performance still had plenty of tickets available. Why not offer a discount for those who just attended if they come back the next day. I would be willing to return, but not pay another $48. Or a series price if you attend more than one. Also, consider selling tickets on Goldstar (and related discount sites) to increase sales. Wouldn't it be better to get half than nothing at all?

"Shakespeare, the Musical."…read more I would not have believed that it would work, but it did. I've never seen the musical, "As You Like it," but I had a chance to see it today, on a cool summer evening in the spacious lawn of Amador Community Park in Pleasanton. It was a very large crowd tonight--perhaps one of the largest I've seen at any of their performances. The cast also offered a green pre-show which was also really funny and warmed up the crowd. Special shout-out to the Kilbanes songwriting duo for the magnificent songs in this play. The singing was surprisingly good! It really made a nice change-up from the traditional setting. Perhaps my favorite was the last song from part 1, "Blow blow thou Winter Wind." It also helps if you have a few drinks before Act 1. The plot seems to make more sense that way. I really love the costuming. Someone has spent a lot of time sitting up all these gorgeous costumes. I thought it really added to the entire production. This is also the first time I've seen a Shakespeare musical with a wrestling competition in Act 1. Ii was pretty brutal, and might have actually been mixed martial arts, rather than wrestling. So overall, a very pleasant evening. Great job cast and crew, and especially the musicians. Thanks for taking the time to set up this wonderful production. Perhaps the only gripe was the occasional crackling noise from the audio system. A really great way to spend an evening.

update: this year's play is "Two Gentlemen of Verona"…read more(http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/RHRIU2rstjADv0YvX3ZzIg?select=d7JMdTYvPDWqcB4B4Aj5Ng). An enjoyable way to spend weekends during SF's Indian summer=warm sunny weather from late August to the first week of October. Speakers are placed all around so there's really no bad "seat", not unless you want to be up close to the actors. Plenty of open space to set your picnic blanket or straw mats down to eat/drink/be merry with one's bread/cheese/wines/etc. This is also a calmer crowd than Stern Grove's or similar fests. The porta potties outside the fenced in area are the nicest/modernest I've ever seen. Difficult to get find, but it's located at the Presidio: Main Post, Parade Ground Lawn, between Graham St & Keyes Ave (near the Officers Club and Visitor Center). For directions, mass-transit, shuttles, trip-planner: (http://sfshakes.org/park/details_sanfrancisco.html).

This symphonic orchestra "provides a safe and supportive environment for musicians of all sexual…read moreorientations, gender identities, and gender expressions." Tonight they had their first performance. It was fun! Most pieces were things I had heard before (beside the one that as premiered!) - and liked. I think the orchestra has room for improvement, but I am impressed how far they have come in a short time! I am looking forward to a coming season with concerts! I am happy to have been part of a night where the ranks of LGBT music has a new spiring branch!

So I have to say this first, the symphony itself was great and I really enjoyed everything…read more This complaint is more about the marketing department. I won the the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony Sweepstakes sponsored by Pebble Beach Food and Wine. I was really excited and could not wait to go. However, the marketing department did not give me any information and never contacted, as they said they would do, until the day before the event. On top of that they lied about sending me this information, which they did not, I search my email spam and everything. Just very disappointing that I could not go since I had no time to give my employer a notice about taking the next two days off from work.

One of our go to and favorite places my fur baby loves going to. The lawn is packed with families…read moreand fur babies during the weekend and a variety of food trucks. We'll grab lunch and Bacon Bacon and walk over near the visitor center to catch views of the bridge. A great day to walk around, sit and relax and just people watch.

#ChuseokFestival One…read moreof the best festivals in the SF Bay Area! Multiple food vendors (Korean and other cultures). But the performances focus of Korean culture. Fantastic music & dancing!

We attended the 2023 SF Silent Film Festival this past weekend, over the course of two days, and…read morehad an amazing time. The Castro Theatre is such a magnificent and ideal venue for this event. The organizers did a remarkable job, and all of the workers we interacted with were kind and helpful, from staff handing out event programs (more like beautifully detailed books!) to friendly attendants at the concessions stand. There was never a line for event entry each day, and the concessions line always moved quickly. But there were definitely a lot of attendees for each film, so we ended up sitting on the balcony for our first two films, and on the lower level for the last two (favoring the latter). The sound system was great overall, and viewing was pretty good from almost anywhere with an extra large screen on stage and stadium seating in the auditorium. We chose four films to attend, which were all quite different and allowed us to have the full experience here. Stan & Ollie included three shorts with a hilarious viewing of the famous pie fight scene in front of Ye Olde Pie Shoppe in the The Battle of the Century to top it off. A Midsummer Night's Dream included a remarkable musical performance by the Sascha Jacobsen Quartet on the piano, cello, violin, and flute (though the live accompaniment for ALL of the showings were pretty great). Pigs Will Be Pigs included the sounds of the drums, piano, and violin, an adorable storyline, and an even deeper meaning behind the Ukrainian flick. And the same musician and composer (Guenter Buschwald) played both the piano and violin simultaneously for A Daughter of Destiny, the following day, as well. It was impressive. The Silent Film Fest Award was presented before the screening of this German film, with a speech by Stefan Drössler on this final day of the event. Watching silent cinema from the 1920's and 30's with live accompaniment and fun and fitting sound effects, learning about the history of each film, the work put into restoration projects and more, and hearing from noteworthy entities on stage before each showing was quite an experience. And I was lucky enough to experience it with my favorite person. We will be back.

Uncertain whether I'm any sort of fan of silent films I recently purchased a ticket to the "day of…read moresilents" aired at the Castro Theatre by the SFSFF. The program was dense with possibility and I opted to see the Harold Lloyd film, "Safety Last!" featuring the iconic hanging-from-a-clock-face scene. That scene alone pretty much comprised my entire knowledge of both that film and silent films in general and this has presented somewhat of a conundrum: I'm now convinced that I saw the best silent film there is in the most optimal setting possible, so what more could be gained by returning to the SFSFF? Experiencing the SFSFF at the Castro Theatre, which began its life during the silent film era, is seeing these films as intended. SFSFF amps up the experience though, by distributing a fascinating program detailing each film and providing a unique live orchestra to accompany each film. The experience in a full theatre? Sublime. I was nearby several years ago when I noticed the crowds flocking into the Castro for the SFSFF and wondered whether it would be something I'd like. Now I know, it's something everyone would like. Great festival, great setting, fantastic experience.

Carolé was a wonderful teacher for the four of us who attended her class. She was patient since we…read morehad no background in how to do it. She's incredibly graceful and skilled, and even gave us a little bit of a bonus extra which we really appreciated. This is a great way to spend an hour and feel like you've been to Spain.

Tachiria Flamenco comes from five generations of Flamenco and Spanish dance. She is respective of…read moretraditional Flamenco but knowledgeable and innovative to fuse in other dance forms. She is a dynamic dancer, director, choreographer, actress, comedienne, singer and writer. Come see her shows, take classes, or book events with her.