NYC

It's amazing what you can do in a week.  It feels like I was just in New York.  

I can't say enough about the crazy-good time I had with Festival Singers and my New York friends!  It all started with such a rush.  Getting up ridiculously early that Thursday after just leaving my classroom for the summer the day before, enjoying the new body scan before 6am and finding my cab ride into the city to be extremely New York.  Once we settled into the hotel, it was basically time for our pre-concert rehearsal after a stop at Whole Foods for dinner :)  The church,  Christ & St. Stephen's Church on the Upper West Side, had such a beautiful sound that it almost made up for the heat.  But the overwhelming freedom I felt during the concert was completely worth it.  The audience was so supportive.  We really could not have asked for better.  Looking out into the crowd to see the smiling faces of friends that I just don't see often enough made it even more special.  

On the way back to the hotel we passed Ethan Stiefel, from the movie Center Stage, leaving that evening's performance of the ballet.  I know I was bit alone in my state of awe (once a dancer, I guess), but leave it to Lindsay to indulge me.  Lindsay, as you will see, is the best tour guide on the planet.  She took me up the steps to Lincoln Center leaving our group to finish their walk back.  She showed me pictures of one of the dancers she was friends with when she lived in the city.  I can't describe how elated I was to not just be standing there, but to be so close to my childhood dreams.  They may be long gone from my reality, but I don't ever want to forget them especially when it's still so inspiring.  

Friday started with our morning rehearsal with the other choirs in  Church of St. Paul the Apostle also on the Upper West Side a block from the hotel.  So many voices in such a large, beautiful setting had it's challenges, but you couldn't deny how cool it was to have a built-in sustain pedal.  No piece ever really cut-off.  It would just keep ringing.  Gorgeous.

Lunch took us on the hunt for sushi.  Justin (Mr. Havard) lead us to Hell's Kitchen to a place called Bamboo 52.  Delicious!!  

After lunch, we all split up.  My half of the group decided to explore since we had Lindsay with us to keep us out of any dark alleys.  We saw this gorgeous park, Paley Park, right off of 5th Avenue.  It's squashed between two buildings and while not belonging there it makes perfect sense to have this oasis, waterfall and all.

Then it was off to H&M.  My favorite!

Except for the fact that it was torture.  As I had already packed for London, I had zero space let alone weight allowance in my suitcase.  I narrowly missed a huge fee ($90!!) for overweight luggage due to a computer glitch on the flight to NYC.  How could I buy more clothes?!  However, I did find a dress that would clearly roll up small enough and weigh very little that Elizabeth (Mrs. Richter) insisted I buy.  Problem solved :)

With what energy we had left, we took a detour through Rockefeller Center.  Mistake!  Found Anthropologie.  Great.  Knowing it's what my heart wants, but my bank account won't allow it.

After a sad walk-through, we decided to eat our feelings at the Magnolia Bakery.

The concert that night was a lot of fun and very well received despite a very popular Thai fighting match in the basement of the church.

Afterword, it was time to hit the town.  Our rather late visit to S'mac almost didn't happen, but they let us in and I strongly believe I will never have mac 'n cheese that good until I go there again.

Then we were off to a rooftop spot, 230 5th Avenue, with some of the most beautiful, panoramic views of the Empire State Building, Chyrsler Building and the rest of Manhattan's east side.

The next morning it was the end of our choir tour, but not New York.  Rush tickets to How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and John Larroquette were totally worth waking up early and standing in line for over an hour for our matinee $30 orchestra seats 6 rows back!

They were phenomenal!!  Daniel Radcliffe can no longer be considered solely an actor.  His voice was surprisingly good.  This part was a great choice for him vocally.  Also, he held his own with some fantastic dancers.  He was rather athletic between all the jumping, foot-work and even handstands.  Impressive.  And John Larroquette was a stand out hit completely earning the Tony he received the very next evening.

Then it was off to an aftershow late lunch at John's Pizzeria.  Yummy :)

Not to be overshadowed by a stop at the Alvin Ailey studios.  *sigh*

Later that night, we waited like little girls (sorry Kurt) for the co-stars of How to Succeed outside the theater.  Not my thing.  I eventually gave up taking Elizabeth with me, while Lindsay and Kurt stayed it out.  Kurt was the real winner with a photo of John and him.

Lindsay got a far way shot of a hat-hidden Daniel.

But, they met us with their triumph at the only Scottish Pub in NYC, St. Andrews.

Kurt revealed my dance background to the trio playing there, so I can proudly say that in spite of my protests, I danced the Scottish version of the Irish Jig in NYC.  Dancing bears, you're welcome.

Sunday was a real NYC adventure.  We had to say good bye to most of the FSOF that were still in the city, so Lindsay and I set out to explore the city.  We began in Union Square to eat brunch at Max Brenner's sinful Chocolate by the Bald Man.  I loved it and I don't even like chocolate!

That was followed by some relaxation enjoying Union Square Park and meeting up with Colby and Beth on their way to Babys R Us for their final Baby Carson (aka. NPH Carson) preparations :)

Actual bird that was fascinated by my shoe.

Central Park was the next stop to have any chance of working off brunch.  We went also to find a park within the park even Lindsay had only heard about, the Conservatory Garden.  Located on the north end of the park, this place seems so secluded from city around it.

We wondered for bit and got in trouble for cartwheeling on the grass (Oops! Didn't see the sign).

Then walked east to west across the park to find the subway and send Lindsay on her way after some Gray's Papaya and we even stumbled upon the Beacon Theater the morning of the TONY'S!!!

Although I was sad to see my tour guide leave, I couldn't believe I had only started my journey.

I spent the last two days eating delicious Indian food hoping to meet NPH Carson before I left, writing my DIS so I could enjoy Berlin and London and enjoying my time with Colby and Beth, the ultimate hosts.  I also got a chance to explore a bit of the city on my own and realized that I can use the subway without ending up in Brooklyn.  Yay, me!