I recently attended a concert event at VPAC -- my second visit there -- and cannot rave enough about how much I enjoy this venue. It is a jewel in the San Fernando Valley, and I would wholeheartedly recommend seeing a performance there.
THE BUILDING
It is beautiful, inside and out. If you're a fan of architecture or a design fan, there's much to take in here. Arrive early to your performance and explore. There is a gallery on the loge level featuring rotating artists. There is also a patio cafe on the balcony level. Even without these additional destinations within the building, there is still much to see and soak in. The tiled walls, the grand staircase, the glass-planked balcony overhangs -- it's simply a fantastically designed space.
THE HALL
It is a thing of beauty. Once you enter into the performance hall, you will be surrounded by wood. Wood accents on the chairs. Curving wood on the walls. Curved wood clouds suspended from above. These are likely acoustical treatments that serve a specific function to amplify or tune sound, but they also make the space very inviting.
SOUND
Exemplary
SEATING & TICKETING
The great hall is actually deceptively small -- only 1,700 seats though it looks twice the size since much of the seating on the floor and parterre levels are open to the ceiling four floors above. (The rear portion of the parterre section does have the loge overhang above it, and the loge level has the balcony level above it.)
The parterre, loge and balcony levels also each have a row of single seats that straddle both sides of the hall, approaching the stage. These chairs swivel and angle toward the stage, so the view from them is quite good though they are on the sides of the hall. If you attend a show solo, as I enjoy doing, I recommend these seats. How nice to not have to stand to let someone out of your row or have someone sitting right next to you.
I have seen concerts on the balcony and loge levels. The balcony level was quite high, but I found the viewing from the loge level to be very nice. I suspect that the side seats on the parterre level are the best in the house, though admittedly I have not tried them yet. Of course, the higher you go, the cheaper the seats.
I purchased my tickets AND parking permit online, printed both at home, and had no issues. The seating chart at VPAC's website is pretty easy to navigate. Just remember, the floor level is obviously the lowest and closest; the parterre level is slightly elevated and BEHIND the floor level, with a row of single seats along the sides of the hall ABOVE the floor. The loge level can be considered the third floor. Think of the balcony level as the fourth floor.
CONCESSIONS
I did not try the concessions at either show I attended, but here's what I know. There are refreshment tables on each level. You can actually pre-purchase food online. There is also a small cafe with mostly pre-made items on the balcony level of the venue. Additionally, there is Orange Grove Bistro, an on-campus restaurant a short walk away with a pre-fixe menu that friends have enjoyed. Reservations for the bistro would be recommended as it is not large.
SERVICE
It appears many of the ushers and attendants are CSUN students who go the extra mile to be helpful. I was offered an escort to not only my seat...but also to the restroom. :-)
BOOKINGS
The performers are quite varied -- Broadway stars, dance companies, lectures, symphonies, ballet, opera.
CONS...
LOBBY SEATING
There is not a lot of seating in the lobby or on the other levels outside of the main hall, so if you arrive early for your show, prepare to stand for a while before seating in the hall begins twenty minutes before the show. (Or use the time to explore the gallery.)
NARROW ROWS
Not a lot of leg room in the balcony, so everyone will be standing to let someone out of the row.
PARKING
This will not be a con for those who would enjoy a bit of a trek from the car to the venue, but if you expect to park "near" the venue, you'll be out of luck. Let me be clear that there is ample parking available for $6 in a few lots on the CSUN campus. It's not a struggle to find a spot; the issue is that the spot will not be very close to the venue, and the walk may be a concern for those with ambulatory issues, or those in heels, or if the event falls on a rainy night.
VPAC has tried to mitigate the inconvenience by providing a free shuttle from CSUN's Lot B to the venue. If it's raining, or you're in heels or with someone who is, you might consider using it. Both times I attended, I just parked in the Lot G parking garage (where there is no shuttle service) and hoofed it -- once in the rain.
NUTSHELL
First class venue with unique performers. I love that there is a performing arts center of this caliber in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. I hope valley residents will support it and the varied acts they have been booking.
Despite the cons listed, 5 stars read more