prairie girl musings

Tag: Broadway

  • On Supporting The Arts

    On Supporting The Arts

    Supporting the arts is important in any community. In a city that’s rebuilding and finding its feet again, it’s essential.

    Christchurch lost so many buildings in the earthquakes and having Isaac Theatre Royal as our home for the performing arts is truly a treasure. Every time I set foot inside this beautifully restored building, I think about how fortunate we are to have access to such a stunning venue. It’s been four years (nearly five since it reopened in November 2014) and I still get chills every time I sit down to take in a performance.

    In Toronto, we lived on a shoestring budget. Both fresh out of university (with design and arts degrees, no less) we knew going to the theatre was a luxury we probably couldn’t afford. Thankfully, the National Ballet of Canada had an under 29 deal where you could get $30 tickets to every performance. How rad is that? We ended up frequenting the ballet and soon became regular patrons of the arts. It helped that Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts was only a couple blocks from our one-bedroom apartment.

    As a writer, I am occasionally sent tickets to the theatre, and count myself incredibly lucky. Even if this wasn’t the case, Nick and I would do everything possible to go on a regular basis.

    How often do we lament the fact that there’s nothing worth doing in our hometowns, but fail to see all the opportunities right in front of us? I know I’m guilty of complaining about how boring Christchurch is, which simply isn’t true.

    It’s great to see local attempts to make arts and culture accessible to everyone. Events like Bread & Circus and the Christchurch Arts Festival are an excellent way to take in world-class theatre, live performance art and busking on the streets. And all are free or only a fraction of the cost of a theatre ticket.

    When we’re struggling to find meaning in our daily lives, escaping for a few hours can be therapeutic and nourishing unlike anything else. Attending the ballet or a broadway show helps express our values while celebrating diversity and true prosperity. The arts foster creativity and they bring us together regardless of our ethnicity, religion or age. When the world seems cruel or unfair, laughing through a musical can help mend our broken hearts.

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    Photos by Nancy Zhou
    Ganni dress borrowed from Designer Wardrobe

     

  • Bright Lights, Big City!

    Bright Lights, Big City!

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    I initially fell in love with the Big Apple during my first visit in 2006. It was the summer prior to my last year of high school; the summer I decided I was going to be a Broadway star.

    After five days of intense dance classes at the Tremaine Dance Convention, evenings spent exploring Manhattan and catching the world’s best shows, I was convinced THIS was the place for me. Infatuated with the bright lights, the multitudes of tastes and sights, and its vast history, I felt compelled to return.

    Luckily, thanks to the upcoming nuptials of my friends, Kirsten and Steve, I had the opportunity to return to NYC for a second visit. Kirsten chose New York as the location for her bachelorette trip; a city she had always wanted to visit. The eight girls who comprised our group had all gone to the same elementary school, so you can imagine what a reunion it was! Our five-day trip was packed with sightseeing, gallery hopping, riding bicycles through Central Park, indulging in local cuisine, partying in Greenwich Village, and taking in all the sights and sounds of New York. I also had the opportunity to catch up with some of the friends I’ve had the pleasure of meeting during my travels.

    A lot has happened in the past seven years, but New York still holds infinite optimism and possibility. Not only is it the city that never sleeps, it is a city that anyone can enjoy. Regardless of age or gender, New York City will captivate you; it will dazzle your socks right off. There’s Manhattan that only runs 13 miles long, yet is packed to the brim with people, culture, and skyscrapers. We visited both MoMA (Modern Museum of Art) and the Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) where we caught the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit.

    Brooklyn, a hipster mecca, is perhaps my favourite borough. It is stocked with flea markets (Artists & Fleas is a must-see) carrying handmade, locally-designed goods, vintage shopping (Beacon’s Closet, anyone?), locavore food scene (you’re seriously missing out if you haven’t been to Smorgasburg), independent galleries (Brooklyn Art Library) and stores and trends that began right in Williamsburg (Catbird!)

    I can’t possibly list all the amazing spots we visited throughout Greenwich Village, SoHo, NoHo, Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, so instead here are some memorable photographs: