Rio Theatre — Attraction in Santa Cruz

I used this venue for my wedding. I must pre-face by saying I am not the easiest bride to handle. My lack of caring actually makes things difficult. I pushed off most of, if not all of, the questions asked of me until the week of (or even day of) my wedding. I was sick on the day of and completely useless. That said, Christy was a pleasure to talk to and to work with and was prompt in returning emails (I live off grid and phones are not easy to come by.). She let us in whenever she could so we could do planning and even offered suggestions (GREAT suggestions) for who we should use for vendors. The place was... BEAUTIFUL. Breathtaking. The lighting was perfect; the sound was wonderful, the marquee was amazing and giant, and everyone who was working there that day made my chaotic (my fault) wedding go off without a single problem. This is inexpensive and fun, and I recommend people use it for a wedding venue possibility in Santa Cruz. EVERYONE keeps telling me how amazing and perfect the wedding was and how it was the most beautiful, fairytale wedding they had ever been to. If I could, I would do it again! Maybe for a 10 year...

I really wanted to like this venue. First visit there to see Little Feat. Easy parking nearby and several great restaurants. Spent the money for front row. We are older and are willin' to pay extra for the better seats; can't stand up for the whole show. Other patrons kept crowding the aisles and in front of the stage. Good for them that they want to get up and dance but very selfish and rude to those of us that paid to be there. We had to shoo them away. Most left without a fuss but a few were belligerent. One suggested that the guy beside me move his feet in so he could dance there. He was told to go dance at his own seat. No sign of security. Couldn't go to find security since the aisles were plugged. Very unsafe. If there was a medical emergency, a fire or a shooter, it would not end well. Feel like complaining to the Santa Cruz fire marshall. Little Feat were good but hard to enjoy the show under those conditions. Other venues have security to keep the aisles and front of the stage clear. Very disappointed. We...

I paid $100 for a New Year’s Eve music event at the Rio…& was surprised that as the main band came on people stood up & some continued to stand up during the whole concert…. Obstructing my view for the whole evening…& also for many other audience members views of the band… After asking Rio Staff To remedy the problem .. by asking those people to sit down…..they ignored Me & my friends & said they couldn’t do anything about it…what?

So just know for the future… when you go to a music event at the Rio… you will not be able to see the band unless you stand up the full two hours.. because the Rio Theater allows people to stand up in front of your seats… so weird…

People standing should have been motioned to sit down…& people wanting to stand should have gone down to the dance area in front…

This experience ruined our evening….will not be...