4.5 STARS When:…read moreFriday, May 3rd at 7:30pm What: The Addams Family Price: $10 A nice affordable night of entertainment.

Great day of the dead performance here everything was very well acted and professionally handled…read more Auditorium was very clean and was allowed to take pics during the performance.

Mother heck yes!!!! I can't believe I've lived in Oakland for this long and neeeevverrrr knew about…read moreHoodslam. Buy your ticket(s) in advance. You'll be able to get through faster. They're super clear "Do not bring your effing kid." Sorry adults only. There's a bar on your left when you enter and one in the back. Casssssh money y'all. There's plenty of beer to drink and enjoy. You'll then walk to the back and see the ring. This is where all the action takes place. High flying. Hard hitting. Exciting moves. The MC really gets the crowd going. Now, the place gets packed. Like, lots of people. Drinking. Getting rowdy. And there's no A/C so be prepared to sweat - a lot. There's a merch table where you can get some one-of-kind stuff like a onesie that looks like a dude's chest. Overall, it's a very fun and different way to spend a night in Oakland. And it's one you won't forget.

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.

This the best and most ornate theater in the Bay Area. It was originally opened in 1931 as a grand…read moremovie palace (yes Palace!). The Art Deco Decor is everywhere, on every surface, with unique patented ceilings, gold leaf everywhere, art carved into the walls, period furniture, carpets, light fixtures, and a Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ (which can reproduce the sounds of a symphony orchestra, including percussion). Wandering around the theater looking at the hundreds of artistic elements in the decor is worth the price of admission. I have been here many times over the decades and each time I am in awe of the decor. You don't get tired of it. There is so much to see you can't see it all in many visits. I was here on Friday 17 July 2026 for a performance of the 1920 movie "The Mark of Zorro" with Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. This silent movie was accompanied by Mark Herman playing the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Not only was the original Zorro (all the other Zorro movies are remakes of this one) movie very good, the music was fantastic. I was seated in the center of the balcony in the second row, perfect for the full sound experience of the mighty organ (whose pipes are level with the balcony on both the left and right walls just in front of the state). You can feel the music as well as hear it. (I did say the organ was Mighty!). This showing was part of the Paramount's summer classic movie series every Friday night. Get there at 6pm to explore the theater. Then there is a half hour concert of theater organ music, then the Cartoon Short (it was Tom and Jerry on this day). Then follows a prize drawing (Deco-Win) where based on the numbers drawn that match your ticket stub, you can win prizes. Then the movie follows. Everything here is perfect except one thing. The prices at the snack bar. There is a mandatory 20% service change and sales tax applied after the high menu prices. I had a cognac and some caramel corn and it cost about $32!!!. The price of the movie ticket was only $10. The theater is only a half a block from the BART 19th station (20th street exit), so BART is the best way to get to the theater.

1/2 (3.5 Stars) I…read morehad the opportunity to visit the Paramount Theatre while I was in Oakland visiting my best friend, and we had a wonderful time. The theater itself is absolutely beautiful and full of historic charm. You can definitely appreciate the craftsmanship and character of a venue that's been around for decades. My only challenge was accessibility. Because I require ADA accommodations, I found that there were quite a few stairs throughout the theater, and even the parking area involved navigating steps. I understand this is a historic building from the 1930s, so I know there are limitations, but I hope they continue looking for ways to improve accessibility wherever possible. What really made the experience positive was the staff. Everyone was incredibly kind, patient, and accommodating. No one rushed me as I made my way up the stairs, and they treated me with genuine courtesy throughout the evening. Overall, despite the accessibility challenges, we truly enjoyed the concert and had a great experience. The outstanding customer service made a big difference, and I'd certainly consider returning.

Great comics, good vibes, overall so much fun! The energy of the crowd was infectious and the…read morevariety in the rotation was great too.

Five different comedians, all quite funny and interactive with the audience. No food but drinks…read morewere excellent. Also, the cost was reasonable.

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.

Fell in love with this amazing studio. Such a warm, welcoming and supportive environment. Quality…read moreteachers, lots of performance opportunities and an opportunity to compete when children are ready! After all we'd been through in the past, we are blessed to have found the right match for my daughter.

NOTHING BUT GREAT THINGS TO SAY about our dance studio! We LOVE B*Dazzled. My daughter is 7 and has…read morebeen dancing at this studio for 2 years now. I have always been impressed by how organized they are and how they keep us parents informed and up to date with everything our dancers have going on. From their monthly newsletters, to consistently sending us cute photos/videos on the Band app, down to how neatly labeled and packaged the costumes are when sent home, I have no idea how they keep up.. but they do! The teachers are very sweet, talented and dedicated- I love the fact that most of the teachers have been dancing at B*Dazzled since they were little and are still so involved. I also knew this was a great place to be once I met the director and learned that she actually knows her dancers. I can email her, ask her questions, and she is able to give me feedback as to what classes she thinks my daughter should be in. She has grown so much in her technique and confidence. She knows and loves all of her dance teachers and dance friends. My daughter used to be SO nervous before performing- to the point where she would get nauseated. But this year after recital was over, she said, "Mommy! I don't want to stop performing, I want to stay and keep dancing!!" If you are looking for a new dance studio that your child could grow in, build lasting friendships and make great memories at.. Look no more!

Really fun experience to see Broadway performed outdoors and to experience the stage and…read moreperformance transform as the day gave way to the starry night sky. We found ourselves sitting next to small children who were having a small meltdown mid way through, but since it was outdoors, the sounds dispersed and we were still able to hear and enjoy the show. We've been twice. Both times it was a Broadway review. The first time was during the pandemic and we were all lined up watching from our cars like a drive in theater. It wasn't ideal, but it was greatly appreciated and shows how much they are dedicated to both their craft and to the community. They've also been incredibly supportive of health care workers who have so much during the pandemic. This year, we went to their "new" location in Sonoma. There is a VIP area with couches and such, but the non VIP area seemed more fun to me. There was a performance from a local dance school as well as different wineries and beverage you could chose from. There was a food truck or you could pack your own picnic and eat at the picnic tables there. Parking was a little confusing, but there were staff/volunteers that were really friendly and could point you in the right direction. We look forward to going again and seeing a full Broadway musical production.

A picnic, great wine and a live musical review out under the stars in a beautiful outdoor setting…read more What's not to like? Much of the cast has spent time on and/or off Broadway. The location at Jack London State Park is just lovely. The scenic back drop behind the performers as the sun sets is like getting two shows in one. So glad we have season tickets.

This was a very good museum to find in Downtown San Leandro!!…read more I came in here while I was at the San Leandro Cherry Festival, and it was free to enter. This museum tells the history of San Leandro, with murals, exhibits, and photographs!! There's also an exhibit about redlining and housing discrimination in the city and the effects it has had on people! A small, but very informative museum!!!

I love still finding hidden gems in my hometown 18 years later and the community theater at the…read moreMuseum/Auditorium right next door to the Casa Peralta is my latest find. Two years ago, I wrote a blog post comparing movie theater to live theater - http://aroundthebayandaway.blogspot.com/2016/05/live-theater-vs-movie-theater.html discovering that live theater especially community theaters can be a much better value than going to the movies. With my introduction to the SL Player's performance of Agatha Christie's Mousetrap, I cannot wait to return to see what mystery they have in store for us next season. Since this is a community theater with a limited budget, chairs are just stackable chairs put out for the performance but once you are immersed in the storyline unfolding before you, you won't even care.