Macky Auditorium

2012 Review #42: Mackey is one of the few venues where I have probably seen and performed in an equal number of performances here. I think the best thing about Mackey is its imposing view as you walk toward it from your parking spot, which is undoubtedly a mile away. There's a wide variety of performers who come here, from the CU orchestra to the Boulder Philharmonic to famous touring artists such as Hillary Hahn, Joshua Bell and the Kronos Quartet.

The hall lends itself well to big performances but doesn't doa  lot of enhancing for small ones. When I saw Bell here he was doing a recital with just a pianist, and the hall didn't really do much to improve or carry the sound, not that it needed improving. Same with Kronos quartet. I'd say the hall lets the sound carry naturally, but it might be hard to hear things like spoken dialogue or quiet subtleties.

As a performer, Mackey is a really neat venue. The back stage area is essentially unfinished, so it's like you're walking around a big castle. The green room type areas are actually a little sketchy, with dumpy couches and stuff strewn around, but it does have a certain cool factor.

If you are a CU student you can get some awesome deals on tickets here, but otherwise the cost is a little less than you'd experience at Boettcher, but I wouldn't' say cheap. Any money you save will go to parking, which will cost you at least $5 and will still be at least a 10 minute walk away. Mackey is Boulder's one, and basically only, answer to having a large, traditional venue, and it fits its role rather well.

I love the guest artist series here. Every time the concerts are great. They get Van Cliburn laureates to come through every year the competition occurs. And the tickets to their events are relatively inexpensive.

Mackey is a classic auditorium. You feel like you've gone back in time as you cozy up in your seat. I've seen Peking Acrobats and  Carousal. I preferred sitting in the balcony when I saw Peking--the view is fabulous and you can see the stage better than sitting directly behind someone. I love visiting the building during the day--it's usually open for wanderers. It's magnificent!