A hidden gem in South County, The Clark Center is like a scaled down version of the PAC. I've seen amazing shows here by Poco, Emmylou Harris, Cobie Callet and The Dark Star Orchestra, just to name a few . The acoustics are first rate.
The problem is the 2011 season of shows was a steaming pile. When the highlight of the season is Charo and a Bee Gees cover band, it's time to re-evaluate booking. This was the first year that we skipped shows.
Still... this review is for the venue and with that, The Clark Center gets 5 stars.
The Clark Center is a beautiful facility for any venue. It has a charm all its own and every seat in the building has great views of the stage.
I attended the show this weekend America the Beautiful with the Central Coast Follies and it was excellent. My family  from Southern California who attended the show were impressed with the intimacy of the theater and its professional design.
All the staff and volunteers were so friendly and welcoming.
Thank You.....You made me proud!
The Clark Center is amazing. To think that a small town like Arroyo Grande could have a facility of this caliber is a dream come true. I have seen many wonderful performers here, from Big Band to Juggling Acts. Check their coming events and get in there to see something. It is fabulous to see big names show up at little old Arroyo Grande! -
Review Source:I am an AGHS alum, so I remember the days when the Clark Center was just a grove of pine trees and grass with a large wooden thermometer sign showing how much more money was needed before a professional performing arts center would materialize in that spot. When I returned to the area after college, a beautiful building was in fact there! And even more extraordinary is that it hosts more community and school events each year than ticketed shows.
That said, the staff at the Clark Center -- from the Executive Management, to the Marketing Department, from the Box Office to every single volunteer usher, valet and snack bar attendant, this 600 seat venue looks and feels like a major metropolitan performance house and attracts some fairly impressive names to boot!
Although not a Theater Professional, I am told that sound and lighting is also impressive given the size of the space. Some of my fav's have been Gloriana, Jack Ingram, The Great Big Sea, The Best of San Francisco Comedy Competition and Preservation Hall Jazz Band -- to name just a few.
If you haven't caught a show at The Clark Center for the Performing Arts, I strongly recommend that you add it to your "bucket list." It is an amazing theater attracting amazing shows for reasonable prices and hidden in sleepy Arroyo Grande. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't returned to see it for myself!
In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I am a board member for the Association that manages the daily operations at the Clark Center. However the reason I am a board member is because of how the venue is run and the type of shows it attracts, considering the theater size.
My boyfriend and I were SO disappointed by this place. Â We went to see "Yesterday", a Beatles tribute band back sometime in early spring 2010. Â $50 a ticket, and they were horrendous. Â A total disgrace to The Beatles. Â
I know that this seems like more of a rating of the band (Yesterday), but the center must have SOME control over who they choose to bring in and how much they choose to charge - FIFTY BUCKS for a show that seemed like a middle school talent show (at best). Â I am a HUGE Beatles fan, too. Â I didn't even want to stay for the whole show, but we kept hoping it would get better by the end, but it definitely did not. Â
The venue sucks, too. Â It's like a small multi-purpose room. Â The lights even stayed on throughout the show (the ones pointed at the audience) although dimmed a little), we thought that was quite odd. Â The staff also treats the audience like they're a bunch of middle-school students (we figured that's why they left the light on the audience so they could "keep an eye" on them or something.... so authoritarian).
As broke college students (now engineering graduates of Cal Poly), we selectively take chances with shows, and thought given the fifty dollar price tag this show would be a lot better. Â I will NEVER go back to the Clark Center again and discourage anyone from doing so. Â Huge rip off.
What a treasure for the residents of Arroyo Grande and for the students at the adjacent high school! Â This is a very special small venue that is clean, modern, well-run and is very well-appointed. Â We recently went to see Jim Messina here (awesome show!) and were very impressed with the accoustics, the seating and the friendly and helpful staff at the Center. Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!
Review Source:What a great place to hear a concert!
The Clark Center seems new and well maintained. Â They started close to on-time. Â The sound was good. Â I went to see Altan, the Irish traditional music band, and while I typically prefer to experience Irish traditional music in more cozy venues, the Clark Center served well. Â It's the perfect small yet modern theatre.
I'm looking forward to seeing more concerts here!
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