The Kessler Theater — Attraction in Dallas

I saw Spyro Gyra May 3. Got the $50 general admission seat.

These seats are in 2 sections basically- the middle of the venue behind the tables that make up the front two rows (higher priced), and the section I was sitting in, which is a row of chairs up against the wall maybe 25 ft from the stage. Great location, can see well, and you're super close to the artist. The acoustics here are great. The sight lines seem pretty great from what I could tell walking through the place.

Basically if you're not at a table in the middle section on the first floor, you get to sit in what are basically card table metal chairs with maybe a half inch of padding. These were the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in in a concert in my entire life. I got there when the doors opened at 7:00 p.m., and I had to end up leaving before the concert ended around 9:50 p.m. I am 6'3" and barely fit on the seat at all. I wanted to see the rest of the concert, but I was in so much pain but this point I was dying to get up. There's no real way to stand up and stretch in this setup without blocking everyone, and people constantly were walking by so you had to constantly move your feet pulling them in super close to the chair as to not trip anyone. That, and leaving your chair would likely end up in your chair being taken as a lot of people were standing with no seats left. Venues need to stop overselling concerts like this as well. If you pay $50 to see a show then find you have to stand the entire time- that's just a bad way to do business, and you are packed like sardines in this place.

The chairs that are linked to the tables for a higher price have what looked to be three or so in of padding. I didn't sit in any of them even though there was a empty table near me, but after about an hour sitting in these horribly uncomfortable seats I wish I would have. The seats in the balcony lining both sides look to be super padded. I will never ever go back to this venue and sit in the general admission area.

For $50, these seats are completely unacceptable. My tailbone, back, and my knees still hurt hours later.

This is a very small venue. The pictures online make it look quite a bit bigger than it is. I was surprised as to how small it was. That isn't necessarily a negative, but the way the chairs are arranged, if you sit anywhere in the middle section, you're going to have a hard time going to the bathroom or getting back to your seat. The layout of the seats is kind of a mess overall.

This is a decent venue except for the seats. Like I said, there's no excuse for a $50 seat to be a cheap card table metal chair. I spent money to see a concert not spend time at a cheap friend's house and play poker, so I don't think this is a nitpicky issue. I've been to numerous venues and dallas, and never have I left early in pain. It's wild that anyone thought this was a good idea. If they fixed this issue, it would be 100 times nicer of a place...

On this night of our Lord and Savior: April 4, 2025. THIS WAS AN EPIC (day &)NIGHT! This is going down in history & I’m gonna tell this story in my afterlife. {the stars were aligned from the moment I woke up, the day was littered with the little things continuously working out that day} 1st: the historically charming Kessler Theatre, Dallas TX babe’e, has always been known for its uniquely Modern/Art Deco architecture as a movie house & now with cutting edge tech, which is exactly my style. It’s been around since the RLY 40’s, closed for a long spell, then ‘phoenixes’ on us, into the ‘pillar of beauty’ she is today! The ambiance & atmosphere were ELECTRIC y’all, even on the outside, when I pulled up!,And the bartender wasn’t too shabby @ all, y’all. He must’ve been “left-handed” lol Next, Dallas’s own AVRA Boom, little catholic girl from Dallas ain’t so little anymore yall. Her look & voice was provocative & angelic. Not to mention an audience proclaiming, “Hey Legs” a few times! Do not sleep on her. I’m telling you now! THEN: Babe’e we have our very own, home grown, Dallas’s own, Grammy Award winning R. to the C. Ampersand (&) THE GRITZ!! Chiiild they could’ve had the concert all night, by themselves! R.C. is so diversely talented in each of his fingers and he’s certainly chosen his band wisely (in my Obi-Wan voice)! And ooohh weeee: MY FIRST LOVE!!! “B.I.L.A.L., Beloved, Intelligent, Lustful & Living It! Mr. Pop yo collar to that!” has never failed my ears, soul & heart! I have literally been in love with his look, his life, and especially his voice since 1st Born Second album! I introduced him to @ least 5 distinctly different folks who, in-turn fell in love with him too-2 of which reminded me when we found out Bilal was gracing us with his presence here in Dallas. AND WITH RC & the GRITZ, forget about it!!!!!!!! This is over a week later and while I’m posting this I’m having complete sensory memory excitement as if I was there last night. Their, our, MY kinda music made/makes me feel like I am literally transcending, up over & beyond, as we speak, euphorically, in eureka! Like I said, an epic night, for...

Something has gone awry with the crowd and atmosphere at the Kessler. My family has been supporting this venue and the fantastic musicians who perform here for years. We formerly called this venue our favorite place to experience live music. We can't say that anymore. After two different shows this week in which a certain staff member rudely interacted with guests and various attendees were heard loudly shushing others and even yelling at people to shut up, we are taking a break from the Kessler. People were not being inappropriately loud or unruly at either show, yet at both individuals in the crowd acted as if total silence was expected; it was even stated that the show was "listening only, no talking allowed." Seriously??? It seems like there are too many in the Kessler crowd who believe that they own the venue, it's their own personal show, and they have the right to personally enforce their own version of venue rules. The biggest annoyance and distraction were the loud shushing and shouting at people to be quiet or shut up and the staff member trying to make people move or throw people out. What a shame that such a great music venue has become something like this. Thankfully, there are other options where a concert crowd is allowed to be a concert crowd and fun...