07/03/08

Bring your own a/c and earplugs

by musicmagus

The room temperature on this July night was around 85 degrees in my seat H3 in Mezzanine B. I was drenched in sweat most all night. Occasionally I would feel a slight breeze for about 30 seconds that would fuel my hope that I could watch the rest of the show comfortably. Then the breeze would stop and not return for another 15-20 minutes. The ushers were waving the lapels on their black blazers trying to keep from passing out.

In addition to the tropical temperature in this theater, the seats are too close together to be comfortable and anyone that coughs or sneezes behind you is spitting right on your head.

The sound system was not equalized properly so that the frequencies around 1500 Hz were dramatically too loud while those below 1500 Hz were oftentimes buried. The vocals were inaudible during the dramatic portions of the music and painfully loud sounds were common. The high frequency sibilants were dulled by the blaring sound at 1500 so it seemed as if we all were experiencing high-frequency hearing loss.

• Pros: Beautiful facility with efficient check in
• Cons: Heat, sound, seating

11/17/06

Classy Place

by cuetee

Looking for a night on the town with a great concert? Arlene Schnitzer is your place. The venue is wonderful and classy. Parking is a breeze with a parking garage right across the street. Great acts have come through here and you won't be disappointed. Great for getting dressed up and enjoying music for the evening.

A first-class theater dubbed "the Schnitz."

by Contributor

In Short
Sandwiched between Broadway and the South Park Blocks, the Schnitz is best-known as home to the Oregon Symphony. This component of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts complex warrants a visit for the atmosphere alone: Grand staircases, red carpets and massive mirrors lead into an impressive, chandelier-adorned interior. An excellent mix of visiting artists and lecturers--from Tracy Chapman to William Safire--ensures the performances are as good as the interior is majestic.

12/04/04

Aaron Meyer & Bill Lamb w/ OR Symphony!

by earthworm

First time for me to see a show in the Schnitz. Came down from Seattle, WA to see Aaron Meyer and Bill Lamb perform w/ the OR Symphony! Very nice venue... and EXCELLENT show! What a treat! I am so happy we came to see the performance, and I hope they will invite Aaron & Bill to perform with them again... because it was amazing!!!! Aaron & Bill could do a show at the Schnitz w/out the Symph... they are AWESOME!

• Pros: Beautiful/Ornate, Easy to get to, Conveniently Located

11/30/02

Could they play a little louder?

by bpdeleon

If you want to see a great concert, this is the place. But if you want to hear a great concert, get seats close to the stage or go somewhere else. The sound is not very good if you sit under the balcony.

• Pros: Close parking, Pretty building, Good sightlines
• Cons: Bad traffic, Bad sound

10/16/02

Beauty and the Fleece

by Heizer

I agree this is a beautiful venue. It absolutely is. However, the sound is just awful. They haven't figured out a way to balance the sound for both the upper and lower levels, so what you get is the amps blasting right into the balcony overhang. You'd think for the $35-$50 dollars you pay to see a concert here the sound would be pretty good. Wrong. And why do the seats with the worst view cost the same as those up front? Also, if you attempt to move from your $50 seat under the balcony overhang to somewhere closer where you can actually hear the band, be ready to be harrassed by the militaristic bouncers.

• Pros: Interior, Beverages allowed
• Cons: Sound, Sound, Pricing

09/06/02

Great place

by shaft28

The Oregon Symphony is fantastic and I'm really looking forward to all of their shows at the Schnitz this year.

I find the sound is great, and it has plenty of character. A fine place to see any kind of show.

We saw the free concert the Sympnony put on and were truly impressed. This should be a great season for shows, even if you aren't into classical.

(We're not and are always surprised at how many songs we recognize.)