I can't say enough good things about MCMS. With no musical experience, I came to MCMS as an adult…read morebeginning cello student. My teacher, David, has patiently and thoughtfully worked with me as I very slowly progress. When I'm in the school before and after lessons I get to listen to other students, or all ages, with David and the other wonderful teachers. There is a great sense of community and the interest and enthusiasm the instructors have for each of their very different students is heartwarming. From talented mini-rock n' rollers to older students, everyone is treated with care.

I am 66yo with long forgotten high school music experience and wanted, if I could, pick up were I…read moreleft off. What was I to do? I found MCMS and it was exactly my answer. This small but loaded school caters to the young and older alike. It has a bevy of accomplished and practicing musicians; teaching drums, guitars, piano, violin, cello. I see it as a place to perhaps learn to be a multi-instrumentalist. My first inquiry to the school was answered quickly and then put in touch with it's cello instructor (the instrument I wanted to learn). I was given a complementary hour of introduction and was sold after that. I appreciated the instructor's encouragement and that he did not sugar coat the road ahead to learn; I liked the challenge of that. This school has checked off all the boxes for me to learn. It is conveniently located in not quite down town San Anselmo and has a neighborhood feel about it. It is San Anselmo's very own School of Rock and Bach!

The people in charge of this establishment should be ashamed of themselves…read more My son is a 13 years old professional recording artist who lives and goes to school in Marin County. Our school's music director reached out to me asking if my son could help the Stapleton School. Apparently, they were in need of a pianist who could provide musical accompaniment for a ballet recital. I was put in touch with Isabella Qureshi who is the Director of Stapleton's Theatre Division. Isabella began an email thread communicating with us daily to ensure that my son would be able to fulfill their request. I explained to Isabella that despite being only 13 years old, that my son is an advanced pianist who has both competed as a state finalist in the MTAC program and was also the recipient of the Marin Music Chest Scholarship (he won in his first year of eligibility.) After receiving the sheet music, my son set out to learn the pieces. We were sent 4 individual piano pieces. I should mention that my son is actively involved in numerous recording engagements and live performances throughout the U.S. While my son was willing to take on this request for help on behalf of the Stapleton School, by no means was it convenient to do so. My son dedicated time every evening to learning these pieces in order to get them performance ready. This was after completing all his school work and other responsibilities. By no means was this effortless, he spent about 2 weeks overall in preparation for the event. A couple days before the performance date, I receive an email from someone named, Janell McFarland stating how "small changes can really confuse the kids" and "thank you for your offer." First of all, we didn't offer, we were specifically asked to help the Stapleton School in their "time of need." Second, is this how you conduct business on a regular basis? What a shame! You could have used this as an opportunity to build relations within your community. Instead, your flippant disregard for a young man's commitment and dedication has left us disenchanted. I'd like the Stapleton School to know that I share this experience with everyone who mentions your name.

Recently saw Stapleton's Swan Lake ballet at the San Anselmo Playhouse. I was blown away by the…read moreprofessionalism and poise of the dancers. They all seemed to love to dance and obviously have really great teachers. The costumes were lovely, the music beautiful and all in all a thoroughly enjoyable performance! Thank you!

We were invited to a Canadian costume birthday party. Say what? We were stumped what to wear. Our…read more"go to" place for costumes .. Belrose Theater. We had such a good time looking through the many costumes. The woman (sorry I didn't remember her name) was so helpful in finding just the right ones. We decided on being Canadian Mounties. See pic. Overall, an excellent experience in costume choices, customer service and a whole lot of fun.

To be fair, I've been coming to this studio since I was in my teens (years ago!) so it's not a new…read moreexperience for me. But we went this weekend to see Will Durst and couldn't have had more fun. Even though we worried as it was hot outside, fans were going and kept it cool. Great show. Great ambiance. Really glad we made the show.

Our whole family came to Marin Shakespeare for the first time to see Spamalot, self-described as…read more"ripped off from" the Monty Python and the Holy Grail movie. This was a show especially well suited to Monty Python fans, with lots of in-jokes and nods to other Python skits. As a lifelong Python fan, Wifey first took me to see Spamalot 10 years ago at SHN Golden Gate Theater, and I actually liked this smaller more intimate production at the Forest Meadows Amphitheater even more. We were BLOWN AWAY by Marin Shakes. The show was sooooo good--Incredibly funny, witty, and well performed. There were multiple actors on stage with serious star power -- special mention to Susan Zelinsky as the Lady of the Lake (What a presence! What a voice!), Joseph Patrick O'Malley as the historian, corpse that won't stay dead, and prince that needs rescuing (sooo funny), Michael P. McDonald as a quick talking peasant turned Sir Galahad, who frequently broke the 4th wall to great effect, Ariel Zuckerman as the overly macho Sir Lancelot, and the incredibly talented Phillip Percy Williams (who we also loved in Grease) as Sir Robin. Bryan Munar was endearing as the under-stated and oft-forgotten page, Patsy. And of course King Arthur himself Jarion Monroe shone brightly. The rest of the cast was all highly skilled. Parking and access were super easy. Seating was comfortable (get a free seating pad by checking in on Yelp! Or pay $1 and save yourself the hassle of bringing one from home). This was Marin Shakespeare's first full musical, and their first show with their new audio system, which was set up by the same audio engineers that set up the Mountain Play theater on Mt. Tam and it sounds great. The audio was excellent, well mixed, and it was easy to hear the entire cast and the live orchestra. During the pre-show announcements, we heard that they've been gifted a warehouse-sized space in San Rafael (former Heller's for Children building at 514 4th Street) and are working on renovating and making it into a full theater. We also heard about their Shakespeare in Prison program, which is running 15 years strong and continuing to expand. Very exciting times for a very cool organization!

I loved this year's production of a Midsummer's Night Dream, updated for today's sensibilities…read more Humorous and well acted. I'm looking forward to future shows. There are no bad seats. Don't forget to bring your seat cushion and a water bottle.

He is amazing. What can one day about these bubble shows? This guy is a magician. He comes in and…read moresets up and just does his thing and the kids are in awe. He has different bubble sticks and ropes and with different bubble patterns. The show is spectacular. We were lucky to witness this at lake temescal for a bday party we attended and it was just magical. We saw him again few weeks later in San Ramon at the wind and kite festival. Brilliant! I don't know how much he charges but we'll worth it if u can afford it.

We just hosted our 2yr olds birthday with Sterling the Bubblesmith! He was amazing. I had never…read moreseen nor hired a bubble show before but thought it would be a great idea. He arrived promptly and set himself up in the backyard. He was friendly and cheerful and excited for the show. The kids LOVED IT. We had a mixed crew of kids from 1-9 years old and all loved the bubble show. Highly recommend as the entertainment for any gathering but especially birthday parties! Can't imagine one without it now! Thanks so much, Sterling! Details: Our show was hosted in Lafayette, CA so into the East Bay and he had no problem. We requested 1hr but now wishing we had done more! Payment was easy via cash or Venmo after the show. He doesn't take any money upfront. We paid cash. And he promptly left after the 1hr and cleaned up his tools. He required no help from any one.

We had Tobias Weinberger from The Traveling Spectacular perform at our seven year old's birthday…read moreparty. He was awesome. His manner was captivating and his performance was very entertaining. He has an excellent sense of humor and all ages were enthralled. Our nine year old always tries to guess the tricks and explain them. He couldn't believe his eyes. He said he was by far the best magician he's ever seen. The adults were mesmerized by his contact juggling and sword swallowing. Definitely second to none. See him before he makes it on Broadway, Vegas or moves to Europe!

We hired Tobias and the Traveling Spectacular to perform at my 50th birthday party and we were not…read moredisappointed. Their performance and performers exceeded every expectation. All of our guests were so impressed and entertained which was exactly what we wanted. Between their live music, their amazing stage set-up (and the truck!), their props, and costumes...the Traveling Spectacular performers and show created an incredible experience for us. We felt transported to a different time and place; just the right combination of carnival + circus. The Traveling Spectaculars took my birthday party to the next level. I would definitely hire them again.

Hidden and tucked away, you have to be "somebody" or "know somebody" in order to gain access to…read morethis elitist club. They have 6 courts and a swimming pool. Great food options including tuna melts and Mediterranean chicken salads. Fun in the sun.

This is an Old Ross club right before Phoenix Lake. You can play tennis there and swim. Oh yes and…read moreI think there are paddle tennis courts. It's a very difficult club to get into. It's like getting a Manhattan rent-control apartment. Somebody has to die. We all use to go to ballroom dancing school there in 7th grade. White gloves. Boys come across the room awkwardly to ask you to dance. The big scandal way back in the day that created tensions in many a family in Ross was the "Redwood tree Massacre" or "Carnage" to make more tennis courts. It's a funny little charming place. It can be oddly formal and yet incredibly homey. For instance, I think you have to wear tennis whites there, but it's OK if your golden retriever walks across the court midgame to sit in the shade. Nice for kids in the sense that it's a really small community. Everybody feels like family.