MidsummerMagic Wants to Know

MidsummerMagic, who has sent reports on the New York City Ballet's performances at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center to my blog for the last couple of seasons has asked me to post the following:

"Greetings from Saratoga Springs, the summer home of New York City Ballet! Mother Nature has cooperated (for the most part) this week, and we have had good houses. Good, but not great (again for the most part). We want to do better so that we can have our three week season back next year, and forever. I promise to tell you about the first week and I will after today's two performances, but for now I'd like to make two requests:

 

First--if you are able to, please come to SPAC next week. I promise you a great experience. Second--if you live in the NY Metro area, please post here or send Philip an e-mail (oberon481@hotmail.com) that he can forward to me--with answers to these questions:

 

If  charter bus transportation to SPAC were provided from NYC (say Penn Station) at a reasonable cost, would you be interested in coming to SPAC for one day?

 

Would you prefer to come on a matinee day (Thursday or Saturday)?

 

If so, would you stay for two performances? Are you willing to leave NYC at say, 8 AM, and not get home until around 2 AM the next day?

 

Or if not, which would be your preference? Matinee or evening?

 

I realize that this is not a scientific survey, but an informal canvassing on my part. Your answers will be very helpful.

 

If you live in another area, Boston for example, how do you feel about this idea from your city?

 

And finally, if you post on any other ballet or dance forum or blog, would you copy this into a post? Feel free to change anything--such as contact information.

 

And thank you in advance so much! BRB--tomorrow, I promise.

 

MidsummerMagic"

Comments

[Deborah]

As you know, Rhona, I'm coming next Thursday (overnight. Seeing two performances). Looking forward to seeing you!

I'm not sure if I would come if it was by bus or train (certainly not by bus. I don't like buses). I do like to drive my own car (it's convenient). It's an easy drive too.. Saratoga Springs itself is gorgeous. I'm not crazy about matinees (as you know) because it's weird to see a performance in bright sunlight. But I'm doing it on Thursday, and I'm happy to see the NYCB
anytime.
I would not be willing to do it in one day -- it's too long a day.
For those of you who might go up next week, stay at the Saratoga Arms. It's a beauiful old B&B. I love it! (and will be staying there).

[Bob]

Because of a prior vacation commitment, we unfortunately cannot make it to Saratoga this summer (the first time we have missed it in several summers). However, for any of you who are still thinking of going up, a great place to stay is a small B & B on Union Avenue, across from the Race Track, called Six Sisters. They have nice rooms, excellent breakfasts, reasonable rates, and they can get discount tickets to the ballet for you. I really miss the Saratoga experience this year, and I will be sure not to miss it next year.

[tonya]

Hi Rhona -- thank you for asking these questions. A charter bus from New York City would definitely get me up to Saratoga! I don't have a car and hate to rent a car, drive in NY, etc. It's too nerve-wracking for me! I'm a public transportation person. And that's what keeps me from so many of these festivals -- Saratoga, Jacob's Pillow, etc. I would definitely take a charter bus and I know others who would too. I would love to come up for a whole day of two performances -- I don't have a problem getting back late at night (kind of an adventure that way). For me right now, any day of the week works, but I'm sure for most a weekend day would work best. I hope they can put together something like this -- thank you so much for thinking of it!

[Marina]

I believe it may be a little bit too far to go and come back in a day—it's almost four hours one way from NYC, no?

[Michael]

Oh yeah, I'd definitely be interested in this. I think some of my co-workers would be, as well.

A matinee day seems like a good way to go, either to get back at an earlier hour or to take in two performances. I'd prefer the latter, just to get the most from the long trip.

Anyway, it seems like a great idea. Saratoga is beautiful and getting up there would soften the blow from the end of the season. Thanks!