Our Jewish Health Centre!!

We found our 'dance world' escape...Yoga, Thousands of fitness classes, Pool, Art classes, Cooking classes and much much more...without membership just drop in classes...

JCC Manhattan http://www.jccmanhattan.org/about 

Sam's already planned his classes for the weekend, 'Hard core Abs and More' , 'Athletic Boxing' and 'Kettlebell Academy!

It is based in a Jewish area, offering us discount on a lot of the Jewish food shops (?!) and it closes any 'buisness' sides on Shabbat, were not converting, and its not Jew only, its just the only place in Manhattan that offers drop in classes without a $500 membership fee!!

The Catch-Up

If you have been religiously reading our blog then you will have realised we missed one yesterday, if you don't usually read it (because it clogs up your inbox!) then you won't realise...quite simply!

Our International Student Visa Program at Broadway Dance Centre started off Full throttle yesterday @ 8am...it's ok a 'light breakfast was served'! We started with a big meeting of all 74 of us, 3 so far from London, the others from all over the world, nice though as accents remind us of our friends back home. We then took an afternoon class 'Brice Mousett'- amazing I felt right at home and then an Assisted Flexibility class which involved Ropes...!

Had a bit of lunch with some of our new friends who's names all begin with 'M' (Maggie, Malcolm, Maria, Matilda) and then got home and chilled.

Today we had a self defence class (again starting at 8am), it was actually really good and we both now have some smooooth moves! Sam and I then booked in to classes later this afternoon so had a nice 4 hour break, which we spent scouting out the best adult gymnastics classes. Found a perfect one, located at the lovely Chelsea Piers, very much like Circus Space at home. We then popped home for lunch and then back to the studios. Two classes we took tonight, Blackstone musical theatre http://www.broadwaydancecenter.com/faculty/bios/blackstone_al.shtml, where we did this beautiful 'Come Fly Away' Style piece (mind you 'Theatre' class in this country does not include step clicks, more like fouette releves!) It was Sam's turn to feel at home in this class, and I found it nice to Musical Theatre it up for the first time in aggggges!Although I couldn't wait for the 2nd class, Wes Veldink, http://www.broadwaydancecenter.com/faculty/bios/veldink_wes.shtml. Words cannot describe how amazing the class was, the choreography was brilliant, the vibe was relaxed, although our bodies were beginning to say 'i'm tired' by the end of the class at 9pm, I could have done it all over again. It reminded me of Kinisi, as did Wes when he said 'kinda sorta'.

We just got home, 3am your time, getting ready for tomorrow at 8.30am, this time is a placement class for our 'majors', either Jazz, Ballet, Theatre or Hiphop. I had to write a blog though, its a pretty momentous occasion!

Sex and the City Tour

So, as a birthday gift to Rosina from Aunty Julie, we went on the Sex and the City tour around Manhattan. It was a great 3.5 hours with loads of info and trivia from the comedienne tour guide, views and video links upon the very plush air-conditioned coach and stop off's at the 'Pleasure Chest' (SATC viewers, this is where Charlotte bought her Rabbit!), 'Magnolia Bakery' (where Carrie and Miranda ate cupcakes) and 'Scout' for Cosmopolitan cocktails (Steve and Aidens bar).

Some of the many Hotspots;

The Plaza Hotel - Where Big and Natasha had their engagement party and she bumped into Carrie.

The New York Public Library- Carrie and Bigs wedding that never happened.

The church where Samantha met the Friar...!

Soho House- Where the girls went to the pool, as Samantha was Annabelle Bronstein!

The Magnolia Bakery (and complimentary cupcake!!) - Where Miranda and Carrie ate cupcakes.

Charlottes Art Gallery

Dolce and Gabanna

'Scout'- Steve and Aidens Bar (Plus a Cosmopolitan!)

Feel like watching the box set all over again now...although we only have season 6 with us!

2 Amazing Gems in NYC!

Missing from the guidebooks 'main activities of NYC' pages and hidden away in simple listings are two places that we have discovered that anyone who visits NY must go to!

1. The High Line http://www.thehighline.org/

The High Line is a NY State park, but with a difference, it is a converted rail track above the city which has been decked out with sunloungers, water features, stalls and offers panoramic views of the West Village and the Hudson River. The best bit, are these window features that allow you to sit directly above the busy avenues watching the city go by. 


Yesterday afternoon we chilled here, I got drawing in my sketch book and Sam reading, to be swarmed by a family of kids from California. Over my shoulder near my sketch book  I heard 'that's awesome' there was a cute little girl and her sisters who chatted away for at least half hour! We then left the high line and walked through the lovely Meat Packing District and Greenwich village, having some dinner on Bleeker Street.

2. The Frying Pan http://www.fryingpan.com/

The Frying Pan is a US Lightship used by the US Coastguard and built in 1929.After being abandoned and then sinking due to a broken pipe, she was underwater for 3 years before being salvaged and turning into a bar and grill situated on Pier 66 on the Hudson River. Complete with engine room, original features and the gentle rocking of the waves!


We met Mary here last night for a drink and catch up of our adventures, along with numerous NY related questions, after a lovely warm day and a relaxing evening we left the outdoor bar to walk back to the subway just in time for a torrential down pour and thunderstorm...it was a long walk back to 23rd street, we got a bit wet!!!

Broadway Dance Centre

Had our little 'meet and greet' yesterday with about a 1/3 of our course, everyone seems really lovely, from all over the world. Got all the information for Monday's start including our orientation activities and choices for the 12 classes we get to take a week.

Looking forward to Monday, although starting at 8am is gonna be fun, however it only takes 15mins from our apartment to BDC at 45th so least we don't have to get up as early as those coming from New Jersey!!!

Two old ladies sitting under a brolly!

The events of today...

1. A run, Rosina (in new running trainers) hitting 2miles (whoop) and Sam of course doing about 5!

2. Strolling to Central park, and then around it, to get submerged within a sound check and rehearsal call of a massive concert, we think Black Eyed Peas, or one of those mixed bills.

3. Notice a rather large thunder cloud, engulfing Manhattan.

4. Bam, torrential rain and thunder, people running to shelter like it was raining acid!

5. Sam and I huddled under a small brolly on a bench by the boating lake...two old ladies doing exactly the same opposite for at least half hour!

6. Stroll, slightly dampened, up 5th Avenue, along to 7th, have a bagel and then onto Times Square (it had to be done, but we will be bypassing it on all future occasions!

7. Nipped home to get dance gear, and find post from England!:) Thanks Mum and Aunty Julie!

8. Met Dmitry at Union Sq (officially the most confusing place in NY, everything is EAST where is the West!??!?!?!)

9. Went to Peridance Capezio Centre and took Derek Mitchells lyrical jazz class, which was amazing, and we especially love ronds de jambe pique on releve in the centre as part of a warmup! (below is a link to A routine, we are not in the video, this isn't today!)

10. Popped in to Food Emporium for a cucumber for tonights dinner, and found the gem that is Iced Vanilla Chai tea .

Good day! BDC tomorrow for a meet and greet!!

Kinisi USA love

After a busy day of touristy things, China Town, Little Italy, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty Ferry, Union Sq etc as well as purchases of new running shoes, some post cards and a special gift we had an evening of FOOD and wine (compliments of 'U.S.A') with some of our London friends who are currently in NY. Mary (who lives here now) and Dmitry who's just visiting. It was so lovely to see familiar faces within a city of so many different faces.

(P.s Hudson River Park is beautiful, it has coaxed me back to running so I don't just slob in bed when Sam goes for his run, its also lovely that its at the end of our street! 10/10 for apartment location, also very near to a busy and express subway line!)