"Spot On" reviews fellow Yelpers!! Â Thank you! Â I was not disappointed! Â TCA is a hidden gem! Â As everyone has said, the venue is beautiful - contemporary in design, yet warm and inviting. Â We went for the first time on Friday to see one of the Comedy Concert Series performances. Â No belly laughs but definitely smiles and chuckles. Â The best part about the comedy series is you can just purchase a ticket (if that's all you want). Â No two drink minimum and wondering if your drinks will actually show up. Â No trying to read your "tab" in darkness wishing it had been printed in braille so (at least then) you'd have a fighting chance. Â And no concern for your credit card being gone so long - you end up hoping it hasn't travelled the world without you! Â The Comedy Series is a "must do" on a Friday night. Â Attire is casual (not to be confused with "slum-wear") so you can dress comfortably. Â We attended the 7:30 p.m. show which lends itself to grabbing a quick bite before or dinner after. Â We'll be back!!!
Review Source:This building is beautiful inside and out. I came here for Innovation Arizona Summit last week and it was my first time there. Well, inside. I've walked and ran by millions of times. But actually walking inside was a real treat. The summit was a very successful event and I enjoyed exploring the TCA for the first time. It's a very artsy and visually appealing place. I loved seeing the Pedestrian Bridge at sunset from inside. Very cool.
Review Source:Hosting a photo competition with 40 photographers at this place was a BLAST. So many things to take pictures of around. The pretty blue bridge right in front of the building, the water features, and I also found a new hang out place which is on the 2nd level patio which was a great place to look around. By the time we were there, they had Miss Arizona event so we were in the right time and place to take photos. This is definitely one of the most favorite place for AZ photographers to take pictures..
Review Source:This is my favorite venue in the state. The venue is beautiful, the ambiance is cultivated to be cool and contemporary without alienating an older or more conventional theater audience.
Outside theres lovely water and places to wind down and its quite lovely before a show, during intermission or after a show to spend some extra time with your date.
As far as it being a center for arts I love the diversity in show they offer. I've been to classical concerts, opera singers, and comedy and its never been a miss. Whoever chooses the shows here does a much better job than other local competing venues.
The only thing lacking is the selection at the bar. For such a nice place i'd think they could go higher class above the well.
All the reviews here are true! Â TCA is gorgeous and worth the visit. Â I have only ever gone in for Childsplay shows. Â But I've been in both their smaller intimate theater and their larger theater. Â Both have excellent sound capabilities, the chairs are comfortable, and I have enjoyed myself every time.
The architecture is a beauty to take in when you are inside and out. Â It's worth coming in just to look around if you are in the area. Â They have walking paths outside with one of the new pedestrian bridges. Â Stop just looking at it from the freeway and come in for a show!
Don't expect to be chintzy in their little snack bar though. Â Even the chips cost an arm and a leg!
Truly a jewel in the desert this lovely venue is the home of the nationally acclaimed children' s theatre "Childsplay" and also is home to numerous musical and dance groups. There used to be a Tempe Community Theatre also, but sadly they went out of business.
The venue features 2 theaters and a lovely art studio along with the "Lakeside Room" that is used for events such as weddings and company dinners. The venue is situated on Tempe Town Lake and the views from the large windows at the back are breath taking. Even if you don't go to an event here, it is worth it to drop by to see the venue itself.
I've been to Tempe Center for the Arts a handful of times, mostly for really fun events such as the Epik Dance Troop performance this past weekend, Ignite Phoenix, and the annual 20-30 Club Noche de Gourmet.
The facility is gorgeous. Â It sits right on Tempe Town Lake. Â It has ample parking, and it's pretty centrally located. Â There are three levels with stairs and elevators, and plenty of restrooms as well.
Whether you're considering going to an event at Tempe Center for the Arts as a guest or thinking about hosting an event there yourself, go for it! Â Just make sure I get an invite as I'd love to join you!
Hit up the local comedy show on a recent Friday night. It was great. It was cheap. Like 10 comics for $10. There were no lines at the bar. Bartenders we super cool. It was walking distance from downtown Tempe. There were cabs and bicycle taxis available. The venue was awesome. Brand new, nice, swanky, clean, well lit. They had a jazz show going on in another studio and a party up on the rooftop also. Every seat in the comedy show had a great view. Right on the water. C'mon get down there and check it out for a concert or a show or an artist exhibit!
Review Source:TCA is a beautiful space. I feel like I am in San Francisco or something.
There is really no bad seat in the house and everyone there is very nice. I think that makes a difference when you are attending an event and everyone is all smiles.
The outside area is right up against the water with a very cool fire place. If it wasn't so damn hot in August it would be a perfect place to hang out.
I just love it here!
Love the TCA.
Of course the arcitecture is the 1st thing youll notice (it's literally modelled on the outside after a crumpled up piece of paper). The inside is beautiful as well. the bar is nice and well stocked. The patio is spacious and who doesnt love an infinity edge on a water feature?!
Ive seen shows on both the mainstage and the Studio stage. The Studio is my fave, but probably because Ive performed on it once or twice.
A great place to see a show.
Fantastic! You get the idea from all the reviews, here's the compacted version:
1) Amazing architecture - inside YES, even from the outside alone (footbridge, garden area on East side, fountain, etc)
2) To see a performance - amazing acoustics, the wooden walls/ceiling create a fantastic venue!
3) Wedding - friend of mine just had wedding reception here, spectacular - they use Santa Barbara Catering (top 3 in the Valley - AMAZING) and the room was all glass, sat on the infinity pool that "merged" with the lake.
A must see - whatever the reason is!
Beautiful art center. It sits right near the Tempe Town Lake and offers plenty of great views. The interior is well kept and holds plenty of people.
In the main auditorium, it appears they are using cell-blocking devices because immediately cell signals are dropped upon entering. I don't know this for sure, but it was experienced by me and several others. This was only an issue if the event was supposed to be interactive like Diggnation (when they went on tour in Tempe) or Ignite Phoenix.
I have attended two graduation ceremonies of friends in this building. The modern asymmetric architecture, the beautifully landscaped grounds, and the scenic views around make the area a pleasure to stroll in. The building itself is spacious and can accommodate a lot of people while giving you a sense of being in a more personal, somewhat intimate setting instead of a cavernous, impersonal space.
Review Source:I went here during the Mexican American artwork exhibit. Â The exhibit was full of diverse, remarkable pieces, including an entire vintage kitchen. Â The staff was friendly and helpful. Â The entire layout of the building was simple and modern. Â I have gone twice since the first visit. Â It's a good trip for a lazy day in Tempe.
Review Source:If you're looking for a little adventure out of the Summer heat, Tempe Center for the Arts is the way to go... Â Docents are available walk you around and explain some of the intricacies of the building you might not otherwise have noticed or even thought of. Â Some of the features, such as the theater dome, are particularly impressive.
A small art gallery is also open in the center - fun and interesting pieces - some are even interactive like an amped knarl of roots that functions as a drum set... The gallery, along with the rest of the complex, is open Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-6PM during the summer. Â
Check it out!
The architecture along deserves five stars. When I drive past Tempe Center of the Arts on the freeway, I can see it shimmering in the sun. When I drive up and park to walk inside, I see its glory and realize this is truly a masterpiece in Tempe.
While we don't have an ocean, we do have a "lake"... well maybe it's not a lake to some, but it's as close as we can get here in Phoenix. Tempe Center for the Arts created its architecture so that the water is a negative edge, so that when you look out all you see is miles of water. It's gorgeous.
Tempe Center of the Arts is one of the few venues in Tempe that can hold a large amount of people. I hosted an event here in a previous job, and we brought in 250 high school students for a academic day. Not only was the staff a gem to work with, we were able to use every level, knook and cranny of the venue which gave a unique twist to a conference and allowed the students to have some visual stimulation.
I have also attended events here as a guest and every time I visit, I walk away in awe of the space. This truly is one of the great venues of Tempe or Phoenix for that matter and I applaud them!
As someone who lives in Tempe in the general Mill Avenue area, I consider this one of the great benefits of my location. The center opened, I think, in 2007 or 2008 and it offers a great mix of cultural activities. Some fun ways to get started in your cultural adventure with the Center is to go to the Wednesday evening local music event where you can grab a beverage (adult or non-adult) from the bar and hear some great local musicians try out their material (from 6 pm to 10 pm) and in April, every Wednesday night, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm a local poet reads their poetry, along with a discussion of their work. In the Spring, there are a ton of events but they have stuff going on throughout the year. You may also want to make time for a walk along Tempe Town lake to see the local people out and about and to watch the sunset. A great addition to the city of Tempe and for many us in the Mill area, easily within walking distance though if you want to drive there, parking is free! :-)
Review Source:Was here for Ballet Under the Stars on 9/24, which was hosted at the outdoor ampitheatre on the lawns (300+ attendance).
Beautiful architecture and public space - great nighttime views of the Mill Ave. bridge from lakeside walkways overlooking Tempe Town Lake, outdoor fountains, spacious lawns. Perfect to catch a concert or view the exhibit collection and a leisurely stroll along the lake afterwards.
The Center has both a 600-seat theatre as well as a 200-seat studio and hosts diverse, multi-media programming as well as ongoing exhibitions.
The Center is well laid out with plentiful parking, including overflow lots at Hardy/Rio Salado.
A Year With Frog & Toad performance was awesome! Â We went with the third grade class from Lomas Elementary. The actors were great and the stage props engaging to all audience age groups! Â
The facility was great! Â We all, parents included enjoyed the entire event at Tempe Center for the Arts!
This place is pretty dope. The building is unique and its employees and volunteers are laid back and informative. I went here to check out the Chuck Amuck: A Legacy of Laughter exhibit and was expecting to pay a admittance fee. But nope, it was free. And I was like, "kickass". So, once I was done reading, looking, and watching all the Cuck Jones stuff I went up to the person who was working as the information/supervisor of the exhibit and said, "this place is nice, what else do you guys have and do here?' And she filled me in on the whole Wednesday open mic night thing and gave me a flyer of other events going on. I asked if they had a nice theatre and she replied with a, "why don't you see for yourself and you can decide". So she hooked my cousin and I up with a little tour of the theatre and building. I have been meaning to go to one of the open mic nights there since, but haven't gotten around to it being that I'm pretty lazy and all. But overall, Tempe can hold its head up high when it comes to their center for the arts.
Review Source:This place offers so much yet I have experienced so little.  I've lived down the street ever since it was built but have only made the 10 minute (walking) trek twice.  The first time was to see the Chuck Jones exhibit which was very cool and very interesting.  The second time was last night for their open mic night (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tempe.gov%2FTCA%2Fwiw.htm&s=c38d5aa68ca3a9c4fee349b5e4362e3b58ed417e2460ec816458d2fd712729c7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.tempe.gov/TCA…</a>).
The inside and outside of the TCA is actually pretty cool. Â I've never seen the inside the concert area, but inside the surrounding area is pretty neat. Â I can't really explain it but it has a good vibe.
My wife and I have been wanting to try their lounge/cafe/bar thing ever since it opened. Â We heard that it was a nice place to sit and enjoy the TCA and the surrounding sights. Â So, when we heard about the live music in the lounge we finally decided to give the place a try. Â However, upon arriving, we found that the open mic thing had grown to popular so it was moved into a much larger and less intimate area of the TCA. Â The room was nice but reminded me of a room in a conference center, but it did have a very good view of their negative edge pool/fountain thing overlooking the lake. Â There was small bar setup where you could purchase wine/beer/cocktails and snacks. Â Nothing to elaborate, fancy or expensive. Â Anyway, my wife and I sat for about an hour and listened to some up-and-coming musicians. Â I really wasn't a fan of them, but I give them mad props for getting up there and doing their thing. Â However, it was a relatively good time and I could probably sit there all night and listen to random and diverse music. Â You can check it out every Wednesday from 6:30 till 11:30 I think. Â The bar shuts down at 9ish though.
After we left the the open mic area we visited the main bar/lounge thing. Â It had a very nice ambiance and was pretty dead which was nice. Â You can sit, watch tv or enjoy the view of the lake. Â The beer/wine/cocktail selection is pretty standard for a small bar.
Anyway, it was a neat experience and nice to have a place like TCA less than a mile from my house. Â I'm not sure I would rush back to the open mic thing, but if I'm ever board on a Wednesday night, I know where to walk. Â However, I can't wait to see a concert/show in the main concert hall to see what that's all about.
Ok this was my first time at the Tempe Symphony Orchestra, or any symphony orchestra for that matter. I arrived early to find a friend had been the first in line in anticipation of a huge crowd. I was told earlier in the day by the box office lady to get there early because tickets would sell out fast. I'm glad I did I had the opportunity to chat and catch up with a couple of friends and the thought of running into the theater first was exciting even if I have to stampede over a few grey hairs in wheel chairs. The doors were suppose to open at 6:30 pm and did about ten minutes later. At that time the line looked like a polling place for a Bush election; it was long. We headed for the second floor balcony and sat just left of center with a fantastic view of the stage. I headed to the bar and was surprised to learn that I can take my wine back to my seat without having to place a security deposit for carpet cleaning. Drinks were average price $6 dollars for the house wine and $6 dollars for a cocktail. Not bad considering the tickets are free. I don't know much about classical music or orchestras but what I can say about the acoustics from the second floor balcony is that the sound from the back of the stage was more clear than the instruments in the front. At intermission I ventured back to the bar and then onto the patio with the negative edge pool that looks out over Tempe Town Lake. The fire pits were well placed and flowed well with the water and the mood of the night. I sat through the second act with a new found respect for classical musicians and look forward to returning to TCA for more opportunities to out seat gray hairs and drink in public to a refined art that some may say is reserved for the privileged and I say is reserved for my entertainment.
Review Source:I attend a lot of networking events, and frankly, the thought of going to one more "event" on a work night, when I could be home snuggling in my pjs and drinking pina coladas did not thrill me. Â But I thought, "Hey, I'll try it once, sounds interesting." Â
And golly, was I glad I attended. Â It was the most fun I have had since, well since I don't know when. Â
The purpose of Ignite is that random people, (who have previously applied and been accepted by Ignite) get up and speak on random subjects for appropriately 5 minutes. Â Â Seriously I thought it would be really boring. Â You know; Â a bunch of really bad speakers umming and ahing all over the stage, but it wasn't. Â All of the speeches were insightful and interesting, even the ones that I didn't think I'd be interested in like solar power, or comic books. Â
The audience was huge. Â I was amazed that so many people showed up to an event that was only advertised through word of mouth.
I also met some really interesting people there. Â The most memorable was the man that sat on my right, Chris Halloran, photographer to stars and presidents. Â From looking at him you wouldn't have known, but he was one of the few photographers allowed in to photograph President Obama when he came to Mesa.
Anyway, I had so much fun, I applied to speak at Ignite 4. Â Hope I get picked!
...This review is actually for the Ignite Phoenix event that was held on 2/25/09...
I had heard about this event from another Yelper and decided to sign up and give it a whirl! I am glad I did, it wasn't quite what I expected but it was alot of fun! There was about 20 different presenters ranging from the advantages of solar power, to reasons why fear helps us grow, to a go talking about the human brain! They were all very enjoyable and 3 hours went by very quickly. They had a rule that you have to meet 5 people before the end of the night and I must have met 20-30. It was nice to try and network with people in many different professions and genre of employ. I even got some tips on how to cook my stuffed chicken more thoroughly! Needless to say it was a great event and I am volunteering for the next one! I wil be yelping about when the next one comes around in June, this one being held at the Phoenix Muesum of Art, which is one of my favorite places! I am very excited about this one!
So three cheers to Ignite Phoenix and bringing more people together in the professional community!
I love this edifice so much I want to marry it. But since marrying buildings has not been approved by the voters of Arizona, along with same sex marriage and the marrying of goats, I shall perhaps just have to have a party here. WOW! What a venue. The ECHO magazine awards were held here and they couldn't have picked a better space. The textures, shapes and colors are stimulating and soothing. Much like that chilled double shot of Patron they served me. Great sight lines, audio and comfy seats all added up to a win win situation. Oh. And the fact that we won that night was even better. The views of Tempe Lake and the infinity pool were amazing. From the outside, I have to admit, it looked a bit like a Evangelical church. But once inside, full of drag queens and Grey Goose schwilling mos, I knew this was not that kind of church. In fact, no church at all. Tempe Center for the Arts is its own art. Sexy. Chic. And urban. I think that party I'll have will be a yelp event and y'all are invited.
Review Source:The facility is beautiful. Â Even the cheapest seats give a decent view of the stage and the place has a great atmosphere. Â The staff is helpful and it's in a great location.
The very best thing about the place? Â The quiet room. Â Off to the side of the stage is a soundproof box with a speaker piping in the audio. Â If you kid gets restless, you can head off to the quiet room and help soothe the kid without disturbing anyone else in the audience.
Sometimes it just takes a few minutes of quiet time and life is back on track.
Brilliant, brilliant concept.
Arizona inspired architecture; circles and triangles, and Arizona inspired elements; water, fire, zeroscape, dominate the Tempe Center for the Arts.
They have a full Fall 07-Spring 08 schedule posted on their web site. Go for a show, but it's beautiful enough to enjoy walking around Tempe Town Lake at Sunset.
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