63 replies to this topic

[Leigh Witchel]

Quick hotel suggestions (Note:  I do this as a hobby, follow my advice at your own risk, please don't ask me to talk you through a bid, I just don't have the time, etc. . .)

Cancelable Backup - Book at a Choice Hotel through this link: http://www.smartertr...mb.php?id=16348 . It's not super cheap (downtown DC is $145/night) but it gives you a room, and a "floor" so you know what to beat - and the reservation should be cancelable without penalty.  If you find something better that's cancelable without penalty, book it! (CHECK THE CONDITIONS BEFORE YOU RESERVE!)

Priceline - Looking at a similar site (Hotwire), the going rate in DC for midweek in June (I did 6/21-23) is relatively high.  $140 for a 2* hotel.  This is significantly more than last year - my guess is a hotel will cost more as well.  If I were bidding right now, I'd start at $60 for a 3* in Georgetown and expect it to be rejected.  My offhand guess is a winning bid for a 3* will be between $80-$110 in Georgetown and a good deal less in Arlington or Alexandria.  I also think brinksmanship may help here - hotels will load inventory onto Priceline about 1-2 weeks before the date.

To learn about how to bid - http://www.leighwitc...avel/priceline/ start at the bottom and read up.  Don't be freaked out by the detail - it is a tutorial so it goes through things in more detail than you may need.

[Clara 76]

Thank you. I see that is quite complete- what a wonderful resource!

[liebs]

McMillan's Gloria as I remember it was very moving.  More an evocation of an era than a story ballet.

[sylvia]

chauffeur, on Apr 12 2006, 04:47 PM, said:

Any thoughts on the addition of the Marriott and MacMillan pieces?

The critical reviews and audience reaction for Tanglewood were very favourable. It's a plotless work, and I remember from a masterclass Marriott saying that some moments in the choreography he was trying to evoke images of Margo Fonteyn('s Aurora?). Darcey Bussell, Leanne Benjamin and Martin Harvey danced the first night and I remember Sarah Lamb being in the frame somewhere too.

Some images here
http://www.ballet.co..._mixedbill_1105

I was watching MacMillan's Requiem at the ROH last night and was thinking how much I'd like to see Gloria again too in spite of the fact that it's only just been on. First cast for that was Alina Cojocaru, Carlos Acosta, Thiago Soares, Laura Morera, and second cast was Sarah Lamb, Edward Watson, Gary Avis...and I'm struggling to remember who the girl was, I'll have to look it up! But it's a powerful piece and both were fantastic - I imagine it'll be a similar cast for the tour.

[Starr]

Leigh Witchel, on Apr 12 2006, 12:50 PM, said:

Quick hotel suggestions (Note:  I do this as a hobby, follow my advice at your own risk, please don't ask me to talk you through a bid, I just don't have the time, etc. . .)

Cancelable Backup - Book at a Choice Hotel through this link: http://www.smartertr...mb.php?id=16348 . It's not super cheap (downtown DC is $145/night) but it gives you a room, and a "floor" so you know what to beat - and the reservation should be cancelable without penalty.  If you find something better that's cancelable without penalty, book it! (CHECK THE CONDITIONS BEFORE YOU RESERVE!)

Priceline - Looking at a similar site (Hotwire), the going rate in DC for midweek in June (I did 6/21-23) is relatively high.  $140 for a 2* hotel.  This is significantly more than last year - my guess is a hotel will cost more as well.  If I were bidding right now, I'd start at $60 for a 3* in Georgetown and expect it to be rejected.  My offhand guess is a winning bid for a 3* will be between $80-$110 in Georgetown and a good deal less in Arlington or Alexandria.  I also think brinksmanship may help here - hotels will load inventory onto Priceline about 1-2 weeks before the date.

To learn about how to bid - http://www.leighwitc...avel/priceline/ start at the bottom and read up.  Don't be freaked out by the detail - it is a tutorial so it goes through things in more detail than you may need.

I have followed your advice Leigh and have my cancelable backup(got a slightly better rate than I thought with my AAA membership) and will try priceline/hotwire to get a better deal.

[Starr]

chauffeur, on Apr 12 2006, 11:47 AM, said:

Still no casting list for Kennedy Center <sigh> but I did just notice that the description on the mixed bill has been expanded:

>>The company will also perform a program of mixed repertory to include two Ashton works--La Valse, with music by Ravel, and Enigma Variations danced to Elgar's beautiful score--as well as company dancer Alastair Marriott's new work Tanglewood, which uses the music of American composer Ned Rorem, and Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Gloria, an evocation of the tragedy of wasted life in World War I that is set to music by Poulenc. <<

Any thoughts on the addition of the Marriott and MacMillan pieces?

Tanglewood got good reviews in London. Did you get tickets for the mixed bill and Beauty? That's what I did.

[Leigh Witchel]

Starr - now that you have a backup, remember to be patient with Priceline.  At this point you can bid every 24 hours.  Make a decision about what zones you want to stay in and your bidding ceiling and stick to it - if you must compromise, do it much closer to the actual dates.

OK, enough hotel bidding - if you have a specific question, it's easiest to email me

I want to go to Boston for the May program (Les Noces, etc) and if you think hotel rates are insane in DC, try Boston.  Just vile.

[Helene]

Leigh Witchel, on Apr 13 2006, 07:31 AM, said:

I want to go to Boston for the May program (Les Noces, etc) and if you think hotel rates are insane in DC, try Boston.  Just vile.

Is Cambridge an option?

[chauffeur]

Thanks, all, for the input!  Sounds like we better eat a good dinner before the mixed bill show and prepare ourselves for a night with lotsa good dancing.  Yum!  And, Starr, I'm sending you a PM.

[Bill]

Clara 76, on Apr 12 2006, 12:09 PM, said:

Where & how would I go about getting tickets to see them at Kennedy Center? Do I have to pay for that Membership in order to get tickets? I have no idea how I'd swing this financially but I'd love to surprise my mom with tickets....

You can buy tickets, without becoming a member, at the Kennedy Center website - you have to open an account there but it doesn't cost anything to do that.  The website (just google Kennedy Center) is pretty easy to navigate.

[Clara 76]

Thanks so much for all your help! I did it- booked the hotel and got the tickets tonight!

When I tried earlier on the KC website, I couldn't find The Royal Ballet listed, but tonight, I figured it out! I am beyond excited, and I can't wait to see my mom's face when I surprise her with the tickets....this is a dream come true.

[jessemoo]

liebs, on Apr 12 2006, 03:10 PM, said:

McMillan's Gloria as I remember it was very moving.  More an evocation of an era than a story ballet.

did you enjoy mcmillan's gloria?  i don't know very much about the ballet myself but am very interested.  where did you see it performed?  i do know that it is set during wwI, but is there any other story behind it?

[nysusan]

I've been keeping an eye on Kobborg's website, and he's finally listed some info on his USA performances in June. The website says that he & Cojocaru will dance Manon (in Boston) on the 16th, which agrees with the press release from the Wang. It also says that they will dance in Sleeping Beauty at KenCen on 6/22.

http://www.kobborg.c.../diary/cal.html

I expected them to dance the first performance of Sleeping Beauty, but it's nice to have confirmation. Now if only the RB & KenCen would get together and give us casting for the other major roles (Lilac Fairy, Bluebird, Princess Florine, etc) and the rest of the engagement. Come on, Kennedy Center!!!!

[Natalia]

nysusan, on Apr 17 2006, 12:19 PM, said:

....he & Cojocaru will dance ....Sleeping Beauty at KenCen on 6/22.

BINGO!  I hit that one right...

Thanks for the info, nysusan.

[art076]

Hooray!  Not entirely unexpected to have Cojocaru/Kobborg on opening night, as they are first cast in London as well.  

Now, as for the others..... at least we know which casts will be rotated (see the Royal Ballet's web site here), its just a matter of *when* they might be performing.   In London they have 5 casts, and in DC we will have 5 performances.   I hope we will at least see Marianela Nunez and Sarah Lamb's Auroras.