Live Performance entertainment in California
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A
Magicopolis
Not only aspiring Harry Potters will enjoy the comedy-laced sleight-of-hand, levitation and other illusions performed by Steve Spills and cohorts in this intimate space. Escapes from reality last about 90 minutes, and there's even a small shop for all your wizard supplies.
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Arlington Center for the Performing Arts
Aside from being home to the Santa Barbara Symphony, the Arlington Center for the Performing Arts is a drop-dead-gorgeous, old-fashioned movie palace when the orchestra isn't playing. Great place to catch a flick.
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Bang Improv Studio
You'll get lots of bang – and laughs – for your buck at this pint-sized improv stage with attached school. All ages welcome.
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Classical Revolution
Young up-and-coming chamber musicians – usually recent grads from conservatories around the country – perform live on Sunday evenings at Momi Toby’s Revolution Cafe in the Mission. If you’re a formally trained musician in your 20s, find your tribe here. Arrive early (by 7pm latest) to snag a table.
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Edgemar Center for the Arts
There are two stages and a gallery, but more than just being a passive venue, the Edgemar provides a platform for cross-over collaborations between playwrights, musicians, actors, dancers and performance artists and, through its acting school, also sees itself as a nurturing ground for the next generation of thespians.
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Highways Performance Space & Gallery
Provocative and experimental performance art is what socially progressive artists cook up in this cutting-edge lab of creativity. This results in a multicultural, all-embracing mosaic of cabaret, music, readings, dance recitals, mixed-media shows and plays that continually push the envelope of expression.
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HP Pavilion
The San Jose Sharks, the city's NHL team, plays at the HP Pavilion, a massive glass-and-metal stadium. The NHL season runs from September to April.
Tickets are available from the Compaq Center box office or, for a surcharge, through Ticketmaster.
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Curran Theater
The big spectaculars - like the Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals - show at the Curran, which opened in 1922 with Broadway-style opulence and crystal chandeliers all around. Avoid the balcony seats if possible, which are cramped with limited legroom.
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Puppet & Magic Center
Steve Meltzer's Puppetolio puppet show (suitable for ages three and up) has delighted audiences since 1998. All performances are followed by a tour 'behind the strings' and a visit to the puppet museum. Steve also runs puppet workshops.
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Winters Opera House
Davis' long-standing favorite live music venue, Palm's Playhouse, moved to the town of Winters, about 12 miles west of Davis. Shows take place in the historic Winters Opera House. The old hall is an absolutely fantastic place to see a show.
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Theatre Rhinoceros
By turns edgy, bawdy, serious and experimental, the Rhino mounts noteworthy shows on a shoestring. Despite being a small, no-frills black-box studio, it’s the nation’s longest-running GLBT company. Check the calendar.
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Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium, which dates from 1923, is the university's 76,000-seat sporting venue. This is the site (in alternating years) of the famous football frenzy between the UC Berkeley and Stanford teams.
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Ice House
Dana Carvey, Lily Tomlin and Billy Crystal have honed their chops at this former ice warehouse. Drinks are disappointing, the show – usually – not. Over 18s only.
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Warnors Theatre
Downtown, Warnors Theatre is home to several more classic old theaters, including the stunning 1928 Warnors, which hosts concerts, musicals and other events.
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Raiders
Also playing at the McAfee Coliseum are Oakland's NFL team, attracting a particularly rabid brand of fan.
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Counterpulse
Check what’s on at Counterpulse, a performance space for cultural innovators.
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Fox Theatre
The gloriously restored 1930 Fox Theatre hosts assorted concerts and special events.
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Levi's Plaza Park
Presents jazz styles from post-bebop jazz to blues and sometimes a little klezmer.
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Old St Mary's Noontime Concerts
Features a varied repertoire of free classical performances (sometimes indoors).
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Improv Olympic West
Home of the ‘Harold, ' a 30-minute improv technique.
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