Opera is worth $3.4 billion and is expected to grow to $5.33 billion over the next few years. First-time attendance has more than tripled since 2021, as more young people head to the opera house.
I don't want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it's like, 'Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.' All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there. I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I just took shots for no reason.
No matter your interest, there are choices aplenty this weekend: Miami City Ballet and Palm Beach Opera; the 20th annual African American Film Festival and 40th annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival; comedians Hannibal Buress and Zarna Garg; Monster Jam and WWE's "Smackdown"; Terence Blanchard and Oigovision Superjam; Styx and Boy George; tributes to Johnny Cash and the Bee Gees; Riverwalk Chili Cook-off and Science of Chocolate.
After a $100 million makeover, the center is back after being closed for nearly 20 years. Some big names already booked for this year, says CEO Terri Trotter. "Just coming up in the next few months, we have Mandy Patinkin, for our 'Princess Bride,' TV show and Broadway fans. Really excited for that. Kamala Harris. The Gypsy Kings," shares Trotter.
The reopening of Oakland's historic Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts has prompted demands from the IATSE Local 107 stagehands union that the venue honor its agreement to hire union workers, as has been the practice since it opened in 1915. The arts center, consisting of a series of smaller spaces that add up to create Oakland's second largest venue after the Coliseum, underwent a $100 million renovation and is expected to bring in $5 million per year in ticket sales.
Both of those ideas were torpedoed when I read this article about Daniel Lurie's's 31 hand-picked avatars meant to reshape San Francisco's charter (and we all know that his picks never result in any blunders). I looked at this 31-faced cavalcade of (mostly) capitalists and thought it only slightly less oligarch-ish than his onboarding team from last year. Sure, this one doesn't have Sam Altman, but this one's so nakedly appealing to business interests that it doesn't need Altman.
Now Eber, as executive director of what's formally called the Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center, is finishing up a $19.5 million renovation - the first major overhaul since the Egg opened in 1978. She hopes the glow-up will change the Egg from a place to sit and watch shows to a forum for immersive works - or just a quirky place for people in Albany and around the state and region to enjoy. The unique space itself should become a touchstone for performances.
"Acquiring the Curran expands our commitment to San Francisco and reinforces our core belief that sports, arts and culture are essential to San Francisco's identity, economy and resurgence," says Larry Baer, president and CEO of the Giants. "We intend to honor the Curran's storied past steeped in Broadway shows and musicals and continue to build and expand the offerings of live performances reflective of our city's culture, inclusive of music, comedy and family entertainment."
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The University of Kentucky has received a $150 million gift -the largest in the institution's history-to create a new home for the arts on the Lexington campus. The donation comes from the Bill Gatton Foundation, established by the late Carol Martin "Bill" Gatton, a 1954 alumnus who bought a chain of car dealerships and then invested his earnings in banking and real estate.
One day after it was allegedly stolen, a moving truck storing "irreplaceable" sets and backdrops for an Ontario-wide tour of The Nutcracker has been recovered, according to the head of the ballet company. Someone stole Christmas, and now it's back on, Bengt Jorgen, artistic director and CEO for Jorgen Dance, told CBC Radio's Metro Morning Tuesday.
The "Nutcracker" productions include: "Nutcracker Sweets," an abridged 60-minute version of the classic ballet for children ages 3-9 and families featuring dancers from Peninsula Ballet Theatre and students from the Peninsula School of the Arts; "Hip-Hop Nutcracker," a full-length production by Peninsula Hip-Hop Productions Artistic Director Stuck Sanders with additional choreography by Alée Martinez. This two-act dance scenario overlays Tchaikovsky's score with DJ industrial beats and remixes; A full-length professional production of "The Nutcracker" by Peninsula Ballet Theatre's Artistic Director Gregory Amato.
Berkeley voters may be asked to consider a ballot measure next year that would increase property taxes to generate money for performing arts organizations, which have struggled to bounce back from the pandemic and fear they can no longer rely on federal funding. A new coalition of arts groups that includes Berkeley Repertory Theater, Berkeley Symphony Orchestra and the Freight & Salvage announced last week that it will start collecting signatures for a parcel tax of 7 cents per square foot.
The RBO said its new pricing model, which was introduced in September, would enable the venue to "maximise ticket revenue and support a financially sustainable future". "Widely adopted across theatres and cultural venues, this model allows us to respond to demand in real time while maintaining full control over pricing boundaries, including clear upper and lower limits," a spokesperson said.
Now that the Los Angeles Dodgers' season has wrapped, it's the perfect time to explore everything Los Angeles has to offer this weekend. Whether you want to cheer on other LA teams or immerse yourself in the city's vibrant performing arts scene, there's something for everyone. Dodgers Nation has you covered with all the exciting events and activities happening around LA this weekend.
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Theaters serve as cultural and social institutions, shaping society by providing spaces where stories of identity, race, and justice are brought to life. These venues foster community through shared, live experiences, sparking conversations that resonate beyond the stage. Architecturally, theaters are more than performance spaces-they are landmarks that embody both the history and future of the arts. Their design often reflects the cultural importance of storytelling, while their refurbishments ensure they remain relevant in a modern context.
My 34-year-old daughter, Samantha, has already chosen the song she'll perform at her twin brother, Matt's, wedding in May next year. She's refining her version of Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings." Not that it needs refining: it was the highlight of her solo concert, "Daring to Dream," last month. The event was a sell-out, and there was rapturous applause. The crowd's appreciation of Samantha made me prouder than ever.
Tickets go on sale at 10 am unless otherwise noted. MUSIC Dirty Dancing in Concert Keller Auditorium (Jan 20, 2026) Dogs in a Pile Wonder Ballroom (Jan 24, 2026) GoldFord: Space of the Heart Tour Revolution Hall (Apr 5, 2026) Health x Carpenter Brut Roseland Theater (Apr 3, 2026) JADE - That's Showbiz Baby! The Tour Crystal Ballroom (Feb 5, 2026) New Year's Eve with Eagles of Death Metal Crystal Ballroom (Wed Dec 31)
