DDC in NYC: June 21-26, 2011
Trip Details
6/16/11
Luggage Update
I had a few questions about luggage allowances and prices so here you go:
Delta Airlines - first checked bag is $25, second checked bag in $35. You can pay cash or credit card when you get your boarding passes.
Each bag must be no more than 50lbs. Overweight baggage is $90/bag per flight.
You can bring one personal item (purse, backpack) and one carry-on small piece of luggage with you on the plane for no fee.
Check out all of the baggage restrictions and allowances here:
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/carryon/index.jsp
My suggestion, if you plan on doing some shopping while you're here, don't pack too much and leave room in your suitcase to get it all home, or stick another small duffel in your suitcase, and then use that as your carry-on with your new goodies on the flight home!
If you have any other questions please let me know!
6/16/11
Trip Itinerary
TUESDAY JUNE 21:
Arrival in NYC, pick-up from LaGuardia Airport at 12:30pm
-pick up from NYC Van & Limo in two 14 passenger vans and drop off at Sheraton NY, 7th ave @ 53rd St.
Arrival at Sheraton NYC, between 1:30-2:00pm
-Hotel check-in, rest, refresh until 3:00/3:30ish
-If you need food during this time, try Cafe Metro, 7th Ave @ 54th St. or Broadway Deli on 54th & Broadway
3:00-5:00pm, CLARE MEETS GROUP at Sheraton, walk to Central Park / Columbus Circle area
5:00-5:30pm walk through Theater District to Carmine's
5:30-7:30pm, DINNER at Carmine's, 44th St. and Broadway or other restaurant option.
Carmine's confirmation number: 1736852
8:00pm-10:00pm, Walk to Empire State Building for nighttime view of NYC, 34th St. and 5th Ave.
Empire State Building Ticket Prices. You will individually purchase these at the building.
Adult (13-61) ....... $20.21
Child (6-12) ......... $14.70
Senior (62+) ........ $18.37
+ $2 surcharge/ticket
10:30pm Cab back to Sheraton NYC.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 22:
9:00am Depart Sheraton with Clare
9:30 Arrival at Broadway Dance Center, 322 W. 45th St. at 8th Ave.
9:30-10:30am - class registration***, tour of space
10:30-Noon, Ballet Class with Andrey Silantyev
12:00-2:30 BREAK: Times Square - Shopping & Lunch
-LUNCH at Chop't Salad (42nd & Broadway) http://www.choptsalad.com/#
-shopping in the huge Forever 21 in Times Square (45th & Broadway)
2:30pm - back at Broadway Dance Center
3:00-4:30pm, Theater Dance Class with Lainie Munro
4:30-5:00pm - girls walk back to hotel with Clare, moms should go back before this to get ready for dinner and show.
5:00-5:45pm, QUICK CHANGE at hotel for girls to get ready for dinner and show.
5:45pm Depart Sheraton with Clare, walk to dinner
6:15-7:45pm, DINNER at Brooklyn Diner, http://www.brooklyndiner.com/
8:00pm Anything Goes (2 hours, 45 minutes)
Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 124 W. 43rd St. bw 6th Ave & Broadway
Walk through Times Square after performance back to hotel with Clare.
***IMPORTANT BDC CLASS REGISTRATION INFO: Before arriving at BDC you must register for your BDC Club Card in order to take classes. After you fill out the online paperwork, you will take a picture and get your card at the studio on the first day you arrive.
-For students between 13-17 years old, complete this form before you get to BDC: http://www.bdcclubcard.com/join.aspx (You will have to provide a guardian's name and email address.)
-For students younger than 13, the guardian must fill out this online form: http://www.bdcclubcard.com/join_guardian.aspx
Single class $18. Plan to purchase two classes for the day. You can pay with cash or card.
THURSDAY JUNE 23:
8:30am depart Sheraton with Clare, take subway to Red Bean dance studios (E train at 53rd St.)
8:50am arrive at Red Bean Studios, 320 W. 37th St.
9:00-10:45am - Modern Class & Improvisation Workshop with Clare Cook
10:45-12:00pm - Jazz Class & Musical Theater Repertory with Emily Cook
12:15-1:30pm, LUNCH: Cosi, 37th & 7th Ave.
1:30-2:00pm - walk towards Macy's area
2:00pm - 4:00pm, Macy's & Herald Square shopping
4:00-4:30pm, Subway back to Sheraton with Clare
4:30-6:15pm - shower, refresh, rest, snack
6:15pm leave Sheraton to walk to theater
7:00pm How to Succeed in Business.... (2 hours, 40 minutes)
Al Hirshfield Theater, 45th St. & 8th Ave.
10:00pm LATE DINNER at Sombrero (reasonably priced, casual mexican place)
48th St. & 8th Ave.
12:00am, Walk back to hotel with Clare
FRIDAY JUNE 24: NYC PLAY DAY!
We talked about doing the big red tour bus...here are the details:
$39/adult
$29/child (up to age 11, but I bet some of the older girls could pass for 11)
http://www.newyorksightseeing.com/tourpage.php?item=DL
Another alternative to the big red bus: CLARE and the subway!
It might actually be quicker and more cost effective if I take us around to the downtown 'hot spots' that you would want to see if you did the bus tour. For about $15/person, we can use the subway to bounce around downtown and get to spend more time in certain areas than if we were waiting on the bus.
-Greenwich Village/ NYU area
-Soho/Chinatown/Little Italy
-World Trade Center/Battery Park/Statue of Liberty (just to look at but not take the ferry to ellis island)
In a way, I think this might be more cost-effective and more leisurely because we don't have to worry about getting on and off the bus and hoping there's room for the group. If everyone is OK with taking the subway a few times throughout the day and walking a decent amount, I feel confident that we can see a lot and I can talk like a tour guide and try to give you as many stories about what you're seeing as possible. The positive of this option is getting to see more areas up close and personal by walking through some of the different neighborhoods. The downside is that you would be doing more walking, but I figure this group might be up for that!
BUT, we can totally do the bus tour if that's something that most people are excited about as a way to get an overview of the city. The bus is a great way to sit back and see things while hearing some stories along the way. The only downside to the bus is that when you get off in a certain area to walk around, you can end up waiting in a long line to get back on another tour bus. I just worry that if we travel as a group of 19 people, it could be hard to fit everyone on the same bus each time, and I'd hate for anyone in the group to get separated.
12:30-2:00 range - LUNCH, there are many places downtown and we can decide once the day shapes up.
Leave downtown area around 3:30pm, subway back to hotel with Clare
4:30-6:00pm, rest, refresh, snack
6:15pm depart Sheraton, walk to Lincoln Center with Clare
7:30pm Cinderella (2 hours, 35 minutes)
Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center
10:30pm, LATE DINNER, Carnegie Deli, 7th Ave and 55th St.
12:00am, walk to hotel
SATURDAY JUNE 25:
9:30am, Depart Sheraton, walk to Broadway Dance Center, no Clare for this morning.
10:30-12:00pm Hip-hop with Leslie Feliciano
-After class, bring a change of clothes for the theater and freshen up in the BDC locker room.
12:00-1:30pm, LUNCH at Shake Shack, 8th Ave. bw 43rd & 44th St., Clare meets up with group.
1:30pm, walk to theater
2:00pm Billy Elliott (2 hours, 45 minutes)
Imperial Theater 249 W. 45th St. bw Broadway & 8th Ave.
5:30pm-7:30pm Fifth Avenue shopping: H&M, Tiffany's, Saks, Rockefeller Center, Magnolia Bakery with incredible cupcakes!
8:00pm, DINNER at Ellen's Stardust Diner. They don't take reservations, but would like to try since I think it would be fun! The waiters are all performers and sing while you are dining. Sometimes they even pull people up to sing with them! If we put our names down early enough I think it will work out. Also, the restaurant is very near the hotel so if people wanted to drop off shopping bags that would be an option.
11:00pm Late night Time Square pics, walk back to hotel.
SUNDAY JUNE 26:
SLEEP IN!!!
12:30pm, pick up at Sheraton by NYC Van & Limo, two 14 passenger vans to LaGuardia Airport
CLOTHES PACKING LIST:
-dance clothes:
1 pair pink tights & leotard with ballet shoes
1 pair black tights & leotard with jazz shoes or character shoes
1 pair of dance pants/capris/booty shorts and leotard or fitted tank for modern class with no shoes
1 hip-hop appropriate dance pants and top with tennis shoes
-Cover ups: dresses, shorts, tshirts, etc. Something you'd feel comfortable walking to class in down the streets of NYC
-Also, remember it's hot here and the studios are not air-conditioned so you WILL NOT need any dance sweaters, long dance pants, warm-ups, etc. You will be sweating!!
-clothes for the performances:
There is always a mix of attire, from jeans and cute tops to summer dresses and skirts. Wear anything that you feel comfortable to walk around in and bring a light sweater or jacket because sometimes the theaters can get cold.
-clothes to walk around the city in:
Again, it's summer and while it's not nearly as hot as Louisiana, it does get warm here especially when you're doing a lot of walking around.
Shorts, capris, short sleeves, tank tops, cool, breezy fabric, summer casual dresses and skirts are great too.
MOST IMPORTANT is the SHOES! Don't bring lots of shoes and don't bring heels. Tennis shoes, sandals with support (not flat flip flops...your legs will hate you after walking around for a day with no support!). Everyone in New York cares more about function rather than fashion when it comes to footwear so don't worry if it's not the 'perfect' look with your outfit. Your feet will thank you later!
Purse / Dance Bag:
-Don't bring a huge dance bag full of gear...it will get heavy to carry around after awhile. Just bring something that can fit your dance clothes, shoes, and a change of regular clothes so you can keep shopping and bopping around the city after class without being in your sweaty dance clothes.
MEALS and SNACKS:
As you can see, the schedule is pretty packed, and I've done my best to work in the major group meals as those will require some advance reservations since it's such a large group. For breakfast, I'd say pick up some fruit, bagels, yogurt and such at one of the delis near your hotel and just have that each morning in your hotel room. I would also bring some on-the-go snacks for the girls and the moms as everyone might want a little bite here and there in the midst of the activities, especially on those nights with late dinner plans after the show. Of course, there is food on every corner in NYC so no one will go hungry and we can stop to eat as much as you want just say...I'm HUNGRY..!!
GROUP ACTIVITIES:
I put together the itinerary trying to get in as much as possible on many different fronts: dance class variety, performances, shopping, restaurant requests, sightseeing spots, etc. Please know, there is no obligation to do any and all of these activities It's completely fine if you want to branch out on your own or take a breather every now and then. It's packed pretty tightly but it's true when they saw New York is the city that never sleeps...no time for sleep! (clearly this is true as I write this to you all at 3:00am..haha!). I'm happy to offer help with directions or suggestions of things you and your daughter may want to do on your own. Or if the whole group is not into something just let me know and I can adjust our plans!
5/31/11
FINAL Ticket Update:
-We are confirmed for ANYTHING GOES on Wednesday June 22 at 8pm. $42.00 per ticket.
-We are confirmed for HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS... with Daniel Radcliffe on Thursday June 23 at 7:00pm. $83.00 per ticket.
-We are confirmed for American Ballet Theatre's CINDERELLA on Friday June 24 at 7:30pm. $49.00 per ticket
-We are confirmed for BILLY ELLIOTT on Saturday June 25 at 2:00pm. $41.50 per ticket
TOTAL PERFORMANCE TICKET COST: $215.50/person (I had planned on around $250/person for our ticket budget so we did well in terms of ticket costs for 4 great shows!)
***All tickets will be purchased initially by Delarue Dance Centre and you will need to write DDC a check for ticket costs***
Here's a little Anything Goes, How to Succeed..., Cinderella and Billy Elliott to get you excited!
A different version of Cinderella by The Royal Ballet, but gives you a little taste :)
Airport Transportation Update:
-I have found ground transportation from the airport to the Sheraton for your arrival to NYC. It will be two 14 passenger vans to accommodate the group of 18 people plus all of your luggage (I estimated one bag per person plus a few extra bags..). The total for this is $300 which divided by 9 adults comes to $34 per person. To cover tip each person should plan to put in $5-7 on top of the $34.
I have also booked the same transportation on June 26 from the Sheraton to the airport. I assume this will again be $300 divided by 9 adults @ $34/person. I will have final confirmation on the final total cost by the end of this week.
I would budget approximately $80 for round trip airport transportation which includes tip.
Clare's Planning/Teaching/Touring Fee:
Included in the original proposed budget was $350/family for my time, teaching, touring, planning, etc. This fee also covers all expenses that I will incur to be with the group during your stay here so that no one get's lost and there is always someone with the girls during their dancing days. I have many fun surprises in store to make this week a memorable and educational one for the dancers and moms, too!
I will ask that you each send a check made payable to Clare Cook for $350 by June 15th to the address below:
Clare Cook
46-06 Skillman Ave. #2F
Sunnyside, NY 11104
5/17/11
Broadway Tickets: I'm currently working on getting the broadway tickets as these will be the toughest to secure. In our proposed schedule, I had included one broadway show, but I know that once you see the one, you will be dying to see another! So I suggest we put two on the schedule. One Wednesday evening at 8pm and one Saturday evening at 8pm. There are so many shows to see, but we do have to decide on two that would be enjoyable and appropriate for the group.
Here are my suggestions based on the show and the fact that I can get group discounts on these :)
-Anything Goes (http://www.anythinggoesonbroadway.com/): Perfect, classic musical for all ages with great music, big dance numbers, broadway stars Sutton Foster and Joel Grey, lots of Tony Nominations and it will be sure to win something. This is my TOP CHOICE for the group. I submitted a request for student group tickets which would be around $40/ticket for the mezzanine (balcony). I had a friend who sat in these seats with another student group recently and said they were great. I should know in the next couple of days about the group tickets.
-How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (http://www.howtosucceedbroadway.com/): Daniel Radcliffe from Harry Potter is the star...I'm thinking that pretty much sells itself to this group of girls! Again, this is a revival of a classic musical, big cast with lots of dancing...and Daniel Radcliffe. I submitted a request for student group tickets which would be around $60 for the mezzanine. I should know in a few days if we can get the tickets.
-Billy Elliott (http://www.billyelliotbroadway.com/): I saw this show in December and it was fantastic. There are lots of kids in the cast, and the lead boy dancers are phenomenal. I think the girls would love it. I will see about student group tickets for this as well.
Ballet Tickets: You are so lucky because American Ballet Theatre will be performing Cinderella while you are in town. I am working to get a group ticket rate for Friday June 24 at 7:30pm. Gillian Murphy is scheduled to dance the lead this evening and she is one of the great ballerinas of our time so this is very exciting! It looks like the tickets will be in the $60 range, but I'll know more after confirming with the group sales rep.
These are my top choices for shows thus far. I've just chosen three broadway shows so we have a back-up option, but I'm only planning to secure two broadway shows. I will find one more dance performance for Thursday evening, but still on the hunt for the right one. I am working to get all tickets around $60/performance, but depending on the availability it might end up being more. Should this be the case I will let you know. Please let me know your thoughts or preferences regarding these tickets.
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Airfare: I would purchase ASAP (by 5/13/11) to avoid higher rates or the flight times getting later. Below is my suggested flight plan.
Getting to NYC-
Departure: DELTA FLIGHT #5485 from Lafayette, June 21 at 6:30am
Connection through Memphis
Arrival: DELTA FLIGHT #1260 Memphis to NYC Laguardia, June 21 arrive 12:15pm
Getting Home-
Departure: DELTA FLIGHT #2347 from NYC Laguardia, June 26 at 3:00pm
Connection through Atlanta
Arrival: DELTA FLIGHT #5473 Atlanta to Lafayette, June 26, arrive 8:06pm
The price is currently $386.30/person which already includes taxes.
You'll most likely get the best rate and times if you book directly through Delta's website: http://www.delta.com/ or you can call Delta at 1-800-221-1212 to book over the phone.
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Hotel: I would book this ASAP (by 5/13/11) to avoid higher rates and not enough rooms.
Sheraton New York
811 7th Avenue at 53rd St. New York, NY 10019
(212)-581-1000
To get the cheapest rate, you must book online through the Sheraton Website and pay in full with a credit card online at the time of reservation.
Sheraton New York website: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=421
Check-in: Tuesday, June 21
Check-out: Sunday, June 26
(Select 1 room for 2 adults with two double beds from the online selection menu)
The nightly rate should be $298.29 which already includes taxes. ($150/night per family which is great for NYC!)
As for who shares a room with who, I will leave that up to you. Please decide among yourselves who will room with who and also what person will reserve the room on their credit card. You can comfortably have two moms and two daughters per room.
Here is the full list of everyone on the trip:
Kate Gary and Paige Gary
Victoria Landry and Monica Landry
Katherine Lantier and Jennifer Lantier (with Anna)
Alexandra Leblanc and Jeannine Leblanc
Ellen Moody and Joan Moody
Camille Moreau and Angie Moreau
Madison Noel and Nicole Noel
Haley Simon and Amy Simon
Carol Delarue
Feel free to contact me with any questions:
Email cook.clare.m@gmail.com
cell: 337-654-2537
