This review is for the music classes. I've always wanted to learn how to play Salsa music,…read moreespecially latin percussion, ever since I started learning how to dance Salsa, and that was years ago, but all the classes I saw offered were either too expensive or the teacher was basically a dancer who knew just one or two basic rhythms, which is okay, but I wanted more. Piel Canela's music teacher, Jessica "La Timbalera" Rodriguez, has more, A LOT MORE. She's teaching on Wednesday nights at Piel Canela's 7th avenue and 27th street location in Manhattan, and the classes are deep, because she's deep: she has a STRONG pedigree - check out her bio (http://www.pielcaneladancers.com/music-school) and this YouTube video of her performing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KBey9aZgIw) or go watch her perform for yourself - see often plays at Gonzalez y Gonzalez - look for one of her bands called "Jaie Timbalera y la Sorpresa" (http://gygnyc.com/calendar/). She's undeniably one of the best percussionists and, to boot, a really down-to-earth person, i mean she's very patient, and knows how to critique us students gently. She breaks down concepts in an easy-to-grasp way. You don't have to bring your own instruments (having to have my own instruments was a problem for me in most of the other classes I have tried), Piel Canela has the instruments already in the classroom. I recommend bringing a notebook and pencil, though, since you will get a lot of solid info in one hour - not too much, she will see where you're at, and give you more when you're ready (and believe me, she's not going to run out of things to show you, don't even worry about that). Piel Canela's music class is inexpensive compared to whatever else I've found, and then they also offer their socials on Fridays, in the same room, so you can practice all night with their instruments. The classes are broken down into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. To me, it's waaay better than a private class, because it helps you understand better what you're doing because you actually get to see how the different instruments interlock, and it's more fun because you get to feel what it's like to be in a band (your classmates playing the other instruments at the same time - this happens more often in the advanced level, although you definitely get a taste of it in the prior levels). The class isn't just for dancers - in fact, most of my classmates either heard of Jessica through word of mouth inside the music scene, or saw her play, and are themselves musicians or just interested in the music aspect of Salsa. If you love Salsa and/or are interested in learning latin percussion (and don't own your own instruments, yet), Piel Canela's Music Class with Jessica is the perfect place. Definitely one of NYC's best-ever things (and, strangely enough, especially since NYC is one of the, if not the, largest Salsa-capitals of the world, the only one of its kind in NYC - I don't know what's up with that, but I'm glad I found it).

Very small, quaint, intimate theater. The play I saw maybe fit 25 people. I saw a one woman play…read morecalled "Divorce! Albanian Style" and it was pretty interesting, funny, shocking, and touching...almost in that exact order. This theatre is literally a hole in the wall and I drove right by it without even blinking an eye, but it is worth the price of a ticket, even though the spring in my seat was broken and stabbing my right butt cheek the whole hour and a half.

The femme choreo class was so fun. We did a small warm-up and stretch and the Choreo was really…read moreeasy, it was to the song kiss from Demi Lovato. I haven't had a dance class in probably 15 years but I was able to keep up and actually do a decent job. There were about five other people in the class, which was nice. It gave a lot of space for Every one and at the end you have a chance to record yourself, which is fun. There's also a lot of community. They were having a viewing party on Saturday and next Saturday was a birthday benefit party. We had small intros at the beginning and asked one ice breaker. My only criticism is that it's not easy to figure out how to get in the building. I entered on Johnson Avenue. I'm not sure if that was the right entrance, but someone opened the door and then I went up to flights and luckily again someone was leaving and open the door otherwise I don't know how I would have gotten in. They send automatic text through class pass however they should include directions on getting in the building in that text, that would be very helpful.

I love love LOVE this place I SWEARRR. All I ask is please make a permanent designated section for…read morethose who don't want to be recorded at the end. Some instructors will ask to "let them know" but that's in front of everyone and that singles you out. If I don't get the routine that week I don't want to be in the back of someone's else's video but I still wanna dance. All love, this place is great.

Big welcome to The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre in their new location on 47th Street!…read more This is a review for their show "Guaracha!"...I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. I may have liked it more if I spoke Spanish, but judging from the other audience member's reactions, that may have not made too much of a difference. First and foremost, I thought the cast was very talented and loved the live band. Theatre personnel was very friendly and welcoming. My issue with this show is that it was mostly geared towards the Spanish speaking audience. I understand that their target audience is the Spanish community; however there are those of us who love other cultures and would like to participate/support multicultural shows. Kudos to them for trying to provide subtitles in English, however, that's also where they fell flat. The subtitle were very hard to read; especially when the stage lighting was bright. Also, the timing of the subtitles seemed to be a little off. Either they were too slow or so fast, that you didn't have a chance to read them before they changed. There were also times when there were no subtitles at all. Not all the dialogue was subtitled. There were several times when the audience laughed and I had no clue as to what was going on. Again, kudos to them for trying to provide the subtitles, but there is much to be improved. I think this theatre is a great addition to the thriving NY theatre community and I wish you good luck! I would love to come back for other shows and hope the language barrier will not be a big issue.

I always enjoy supporting the arts as well as my Puerto Rican people. This show included some very…read moretalented performers with some really good as well as dramatic scenes. Unfortunately I didn't understand some of the show since most of it was in Spanish. As the youngest of three children in my family my Spanish is a little weak. However, what I did get was really good performances by very talented people. The singing was really good, and there were some funny as well as dramatic scenes. Off Broadway shows are truly a pleasure to watch as they are in more quaint theaters and much more friendly settings. The people are always so welcoming, my night was a truly a pleasure.

Flying solo today -- which I like -- I looked for something that fit my schedule. Have you ever…read morebought a ticket to a show you know little about, in a venue you never heard of? I did! And it was great. The York Theatre has been around for over fifty years, dedicated to producing new and innovative musical works and reviving lesser-known productions. Stadium seating, great acoustics, wonderful sets and nice-sized stage. The production I saw, "This is Not a Drill" touched upon a host of relatable themes: politics, love, fear and the kindness of strangers pulling together. This is a theater I'll keep my eye on!

Great theater. Nice and spacious. Big flat stage. I loved the experience! Very clean.read more

I attended Circus Warehouse for years when I was just starting out, and continue to come back and…read morelearn when I can. Despite not attending any classes for some time, upon return I was recognized and greeted. This place has a comfortable, accepting feeling that I haven't found anywhere else, especially anywhere of this size, and I always try to make time to come back when I can. There's a huge variety of classes for all interests, and I have met so many great people through Circus Warehouse.

I've been taking classes and training at Circus Warehouse for the past two years (mostly dance…read moretrapeze with Summer Lacy, but also lyra/hoop, static trapeze, and flexibility). CW is by far one of the best centers for aerial arts instruction that I've visited, not just in the New York area, but in the country. They really take you seriously, no matter your age or prior experience. When I initially started, I was surprised by just how much harder I felt like I had to work compared to being at other studios/facilities. It does feel tough at times, but with time and consistency I've felt like I've improved in a way I never would have if I hadn't started coming here. The other great thing about this place is how immediately welcoming I found Suzi and Michelle and the other staff to be. They seem to care as much about the 'amateur' students who come here, as much as they do about the seasoned professionals. There is nothing corporate, pretentious, or anonymous about this place -- it's just a really friendly space with friendly people, ready to become your second home. I truly hope CW will stay around a good long while! A great way to check them out is to come to one of their Caught in the Act shows (donation-based, happening every couple/few months).

Would you walk 24 minutes in 80 degree temperatures to see a display of ballet costumes?…read more We didn't see any ballet in New York during our last time in New York city September 20-26, 2019. However there was a free exhibition of ballet costumes. We walked 1.2 miles from the Vessel at Hudson Yards along the High Line path to the exhibition called "Design In Motion" on 14th street. Place is called Intersect by Lexus. Must not have many visitors, as the person in charge initially sent us to the wrong elevator. The 3rd floor gallery is open daily 11am-10pm Sept 24-Oct 20, 2019. Gallery features 40 costumes created for New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala, which takes place each fall at the Lincoln Center. The Gala was launched in 2012 featuring among others the designer Valentino. This exhibition is a collection of costumes created by some of the fashion world's leading designers. I didn't take any pictures, but my wife did. Rather than save the pictures, I thought I would put them into Yelp. Talked to the very attractive hostess at the 3rd floor entrance for the 10 minutes we were there. The mannequins are virtually all white, in a New York City setting, one of the most racially diversified cities in the country. Also the mannequins have no hair, resembling cancer patients, and no facial color and minimal facial characteristics, making them unattractive even in the most alluring ballet costumes. Limitations as no music, background staging, nor dancing to blend in with the costume design. Can only image the choreography in a fixed setting. All the mannequins were on the thin side compared to the average guy on the street, and if were cattle,would not have met the grade for meat here in the old days in the meat packing district of New York City. My wife loves ballet. While I like story based classic ballet, I usually take a nap during modern ballet. At least it was a short walk to the 14th street subway station for our trip back.

Once upon a time, there was no mortgage, no wedding band, no dirty diapers, no…read morelate-night-early-morning feedings, no alternate side parking. This was before Brooklyn, before our 30s hit us, knocked the wind out our sails, forced us to rub our eyes and recalibrate. Once upon a time, there was a couple in love, sleeping past noon, cheap veggie dumplings on Eldridge Street, parallel biking down Grand Street, free outdoor music, 2007's newest buzzband, some Paul Simon khaki kids from Columbia, sunshine and no cares at all. Life goes on. Ob-lah-di. There are no good old days. Only good days and bad days. Upward and onward. So begin our tales.

I'm going to guess this was architected in the 1950s/60s because it has a neat atomic model look to…read moreit. Nice amphitheater with great views of BK. Check it out before the man stops making it free.