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Q: Hey, wait a minute...this is a website about flamenco in Washington DC, why New York City?A: Ever since my first one-day trip to see a flamenco show in New York City (NYC) a couple of years ago, I've made it a point to keep up on what's going on up there.Here's a list of some of the artists I've seen perform in NYC:
This is by no means a complete listing, but it's my hope that the information I provide here, will help you plan your first flamenco trip to NYC and discover first-hand why a serious DC area flamenco aficionado like yourself should make the effort to go to this exciting city every couple of months! (Note: I will try to keep this New York webpage as up to date as possible, but I'm no match for someone who is more in touch with the New York scene such as Lupita Sebastian at flamenco.twocatz.com)
So...let's go to New York City! TablaosYou might want to try Mesón Flamenco, the tablao on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn (only a few subway stops out of Manhattan) which has regular flamenco shows and videos. Call (718) 625-7177 for more info or visit their website at http://www.mesonflamenco.com.Another place Alegrías...I'm sad to report has closed down. Thanks to Jorge Navarro, owner of Alegrías, for the memories. For more current information about other tablaos, please check Lupita's website ClassesAn excellent overall source is the flamenco.org website.DanceThere are a number of places, but the main studio is Fazil's. Located at 743 8th Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets. When you're looking for it for the first time, don't blink because you'll miss it. There's no huge storefront...just a single door that opens up to a staircase. Go up to the third floor and you'll know you're at the right place 'cause you'll hear the characteristic sounds of a flamenco class going on.When you enter, turn to your left and check the bulletin board to find out who's teaching or if you'd rather call ahead, here's the number: (212)245-9504. The person at the reception desk can help you choose the right teacher if you're not sure. A lot of the touring flamenco companies give a class or two at Fazil's when in NYC so this is worth checking out. GuitarTry the American Institute of Guitar at http://www.aiguitar.com/ and ask for the flamenco guitar teacher Enrique Vargas. He's good! The American Institute of Guitar is located at 250 West 54th Street, 6th Floor. (Just a few blocks away from the world's greatest music stores, by the way.)Telephone: (212)757-3255Another place is the Luthier Music Corporation (LMC) at http://www.luthiermusic.com/ which is a few blocks away. They have an excellent collection of flamenco guitars, books, videos, accessories and they also sell the guitar string endorsed by Paco de Lucía. LMC is located at 341 West 44th Street. You'll have to press the buzzer, before they let you in (I don't blame them...they've got a priceless wallfull of flamenco and classical guitars.) Telephone: (212)397-6038 Fax:(212)397-6048 Other NYC flamenco websitesNow there is a website devoted to New York Flamenco. It's at http://www.oocities.org/SoHo/Coffeehouse/9046/ Organized by Lupita Sebastien. Thank you Lupita!!Here is a group of websites of a few flamenco artists who are either based in New York or frequently perform there:
If you know of any others I should add, please let me know. My thanks go to Eric Martinez of María Benitez's Teatro Flamenco. He maintains a website of flamenco artists a few of which are listed above: http://www.la-tierra.com/rico/ For flamenco in New Jersey, visit Alma's site at http://members.aol.com/flamenco99/page/index.htm Planning your tripMy typical plan:
You can take Amtrak (about $160 roundtrip), drive up or take the bus (about $40 roundtrip, any way it's about a 4 hour trip each way. BY TRAIN: Here's a sample of some of the many Amtrak choices:
BY CAR: Driving up is by far the cheapest way to go. Besides gas, you'll need money to pay the various tolls along the way, so have some coins and small bills ready. This is good if you have a group of friends to keep you entertained for the trip and to split the cost of gas and tolls to make this trip even more cheaper. (travel time: approximately four hours) BY BUS: Well...I haven't taken the bus yet, but I hear it's also pretty cheap. I've been told that Peter Pan is the way to go. (travel time: four hours) Where to stayIf you can, stay at a friend's place. Accomodations can be quite expensive in NYC. When I stay for a whole weekend, I usually stay at the Excelsior Hotel (which overlooks the American Museum of Natural History on 78th St near Central Park West) for about $90/night. It's clean and comfortable and in a relatively safe part of town. If you want more hotel information, you're on your own...good luck. As for myself, nowadays, I stay at a friends apartment for free!Here's a webpage called "Where to stay in New York," and guess what? It's geared especially towards dancers! Other tipsLiz from Columbia University gave me this tip: (added 6/1/99) There is an even faster way to get into Manhattan from Laguardia airport:Just hop on the M60 bus ($1.50) and it takes you directly to Manhattan's upper west side without the hassle of a transfer. Here's some helpful info from a friend of mine who goes up to New York from time to time: BUS FARES:...Inasmuch as I've heard that Peter Pan IS the way to go (i.e., more comfortable buses, etc.), GREYHOUND currently has a promo (they offer several) of which I have taken advantage. Since last year, it has been offering a companion-rides-free promo until May 15, 1998 (it just might get extended). The RT fare to NY -- weekend rate, drop off at 42nd St. (at 8th) Transit Authority terminal -- is a mere $56 bucks ($30/one way). The last couple of times I've gone to NY, I went with a friend and we split it for $28 bucks each. Obviously this promo comes with restrictions (it assumes your companion has exact travel itinerary), but it's flexible enough for a long weekend in NY and it's certainly worth the price of NOT having to put up w/Manhattan traffic, any day! (It's hell through Lincoln Tunnel on a nice day.) Even if you go w/o a companion, $56 is still a good deal. ... On the Express nonstop bus, if traffic is light to nothing, you can get to the 42nd St. TAT in 3 1/2 hours! It usually takes 4 hours with or without one 10-minute smoke stop, if your bus driver happens to smoke and traffic is medium. (It's the driver's discretion whether to make a stop.) There are no "bathroom pit stops" since there is a loo on board. If you catch the 8:00AM bus, you can still catch up on sleep. When we saw the National Ballet of Spain in February, we arrived at 11:35 AM (for a 2:00p matinee)." AIRLINE FARES:"Also, don't forget to mention the Delta and USAir shuttles for those who are in a rush or are pressed for time: you can often get a SAT fare of $59 (one way) with return fare for next day (SUN) at either $59 (total $120 RT) or $90 to $150 (for $145 or $209 total). You can also call the airlines for off-peak travel fares and have your travel agent "get creative" with the combinations. (The fares basically require you to fly on flights not usually flown by business people.) I was in NY Aug/Sept. last year for the Labor Day weekend/short vacation (4 days) and was able to get RT air travel for $168 on the Delta Shuttle. Also keep in mind the $50-$60 in RT cab fare (including tolls) from LGA to Manhattan. (Which you obviously don't incur if you arrive by bus or train.) Each way takes an hour (or less) to total air travel time of two hours (or less). Since my time/schedule was PACKED (between B'wayshows, dance classes, library research, etc.) on that trip, $227 was worth the air AND ground travel." CHEAP HOTEL RATE I also stayed at a mid-town hotel (Eurostyle) for $50/night!" Some useful advice from Billy from Tennessee (added 5/5/98): EVEN CHEAPER HOTEL RATES "Hey Mike, I was reading your Flamenco in New York page. You sure pick some expensive places to sleep. Have you ever thought of staying in a hostel? I go to NY all the time and sleep for $25 a night at the Aladdin Hotel at 317 West 45 St in center of Manhattan. This page has a list of other really cheap places to stay: http://www.hostels.com/us.ny.ny.html CHEAPER WAY FROM LA GUARDIA AIRPORT Also,it doesnt have to cost $30 or up to get to Manhattan from La Guardia: Get on the Q33 bus from the airport, it'll stop right under a train overpass (I forgot the name of the stop, but it's real easy to see) Then take the train(#7 , purple line I believe) all the way to times square or wherever! The bus is $1.00, the train $1.50 plus $2.50 to get from La Guardia to Manhattan." If you have any other tips or corrections, let me know and I'll gladly add it right here. |