Ballet

If you’re a fan of ballet, you probably don’t need us to tell you that an evening at the Houston Ballet makes a great date. This write-up is for the skeptical among you.

We think a lot of people don’t enjoy the ballet because the experience is so unfamiliar. There are a few things you can do ahead of time to make sure you get the most out of it.

First, make sure you know the plot. Most ballets tell a story, and here, unlike movies, spoilers are your friend. The dancers are acting it out, but pirouettes and pliés, while beautiful, can be less than helpful when trying to follow the plot. Read over a good synopsis in advance. Don't count on the program notes; once you get there you should be too busy talking to your date.

Second, listen to some of the most famous musical numbers beforehand. If you don’t listen to a lot of classical music, you will enjoy it more if the music is familiar. Also, the most famous musical numbers are usually where you will see the flashiest and most impressive dancing. When that music catches your ear, you will know to be on the lookout for something extra-special from the dancers on stage.

The ballet is a great change from the usual dinner and movie, so give it a try.

Seats in the Balcony go for less than $30 per ticket. Even these "nosebleed" seats are pretty decent; the acoustics are very good and the height makes it easy to take in the entire performance without losing the ability to see the dancers clearly. Parking at the Theater District parking at Texas and Smith (Turn East onto Texas from Bagby) was convenient.

Check out the Houston Ballet calendar online.

She says: Beautiful dancing in a beautiful setting. Highly recommended.

He says: I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. The music was great and the dancing was amazing.