All Around The Town
May 15, 1997

Dear Dancers,

Those of you planning a summer visit to NYC have probably already booked your accommodations, decided whether to attend an intensive or take open classes, and made plans to see some dance performances and Broadway shows. However, if this is your maiden voyage to Manhattan (or if you haven't been here since you were a kid with parents or teachers to do the navigating), you may be harboring a few concerns about how to get around town safely and affordably. Not to worry. Manhattan is actually quite small. From midtown, you can walk or take public transportation to an amazing array of classes, attractions and restaurants. Except in Greenwich Village and the Financial District, the city is laid out in a neat, easy-to-understand grid pattern. Street numbers get higher as you go north or "uptown" ("The Bronx is up and the Battery's down and the people ride in a hole in the ground. . .") Avenue numbers get higher as you go West. ("East Side, West Side, all around the town. . ." Makes you want to toss off a couple of waltz clogs and a Maxie Ford, doesn't it?)

GETTING AROUND:

Elaborate maps are sold in bookstores, or you can ask for a transit map at any subway station. You can also call (718) 330-1234 with an itinerary request. You'll receive detailed information about how to get from Point A to Point B. Now, here's what you need to know about public transportation:

Subways: Tokens are $1.50 for a one-way fare, and are sold singly or in packs of ten at subway booths. You'll also see signs for a "Metrocard," a piece of plastic which you can "fill" with a specified amount of money. Don't bother. Most stations are still not equipped to process this dubious innovation and most natives still prefer tokens. One token lets you ride as long as you like and you don't have to pay to transfer, nor to take the Grand Central shuttle across town or change to another line. (You can't transfer to a bus, however.) Trains run every few minutes. Be sure you know whether you need a local or an express, and do step on and off quickly, as the doors close fast. During rush hour, trains are always jammed to standing room capacity, but the rides are never very long and most trains are air-conditioned. Be forewarned: Panhandlers abound, even though the practice is illegal. Just look at your shoes or keep talking to your friend. On the other hand, if you encounter itinerant musicians or hoofers with a portable floor in a subway station, go ahead and put a little something in the hat or the guitar case. These folks are usually very good and most have permits for designated spots. A warning: Late at night, especially if you're female and alone, take a cab.

Buses: Drivers accept only coins (no dollar bills) that are exact change for $1.50, or tokens. Or again, that much-maligned Metrocard. Transfers are free, but you need to ask, so look at your map and plan your route in advance. Traffic is fairly congested, so leave plenty of time, especially if you're going crosstown. Note: There are even buses to the airports and you still pay only $1.50.

Taxis: Cabs take up to four people at a time, and no one is allowed in the front seat. The rate is the same no matter how many passengers there are and there's no charge for luggage. The roomy old checkers with the jumpseats are gone, but a new breed of minivans is on the street and may soon replace all the regular models. You pay $2.00 when the meter starts running and 30 cents per every 1/5 mile thereafter, or 30 cents for every 90 seconds of idle time. There's a flat rate of $30 from JFK but the meter runs from La Guardia and you'll probably pay about $25 to midtown. It is customary to tip 15%. At the airport, go to the designated cab stand with the official dispatcher. DO NOT fall for the guys with the limo signs. They are not licensed by the taxi commission and they charge a fortune.

To hail a cab once you're in town, you simply step as far out into the traffic as you dare and raise an arm. Cabs with lighted signs are looking for passengers; cabs with the words "Off-Duty" lit up are not picking up people; cabs with dark signs already have passengers. Hail yellow Medallion cabs only. All others, called "gypsy cabs," are unlicensed and illegal. Even in a Medallion cab, however, don't expect the driver to know how to get where you want to go. Many drivers are as new to the city as you are, the majority of them East Indians with lilting Ravi Shankar accents. The legendary gabby cabby who was born and bred in one of the boroughs has gone the way of the checkers so you probably won't hear a running commentary on the sights, laced with streetwise philosophy, the way you once would have. What you will hear is a taped reminder (most often with an authentic "New Yawk" accent) that you should take all your belongings and ask for a receipt.

Parking: Bring a car to the city at your own risk. Parking garages average over $15 a day or $300 a month. Parking on the street is bothersome since alternate side of the street rules mean running down to curbside early every morning to re-park before the sanitation guys get there. Also, you may find your car has been relieved of its fenders, tires or whatever during the night. You're better off renting a car for a country week-end every now and then if the adult in the group wants to chauffeur everyone to a beach, for example.

PLAYING IT SAFE:

As your mother has always told you, don't take candy from strangers. Beyond that, if you exercise reasonable caution, you shouldn't have any problem staying safe in the city. Remember, even very young dancers live and study in the city year round without any trouble. Here are some guidelines:

*The Buddy System When you travel as a twosome, you're less likely to be bothered, and one of you can get help or call 911 if something goes wrong.

*Expect Whistles and Catcalls New York City construction workers, among others, make a tradition of whistling and commenting about pretty girls. Don't smile, don't say anything, don't stop. Just keep walking.

*Walk on Main Thoroughfares Go where there are plenty of lights and people and open shops. Duck into a shop if a vagrant or anyone else seems to be trailing you. Also, the parks are generally safe during the daylight hours, but again, try not to venture out alone.

*Hang onto Your Belongings Carry your dance bag and/or your purse close to the vest, and don't leave anything in any dressing room. In most studios, you can put your dance bag under the piano or near a barre during class. Some studios also provide racks and hangers in the classrooms. In coffee shops and restaurants, put your dance bag under your chair or stool, between your legs. Seasoned New Yorkers automatically put one leg through the strap of their bags, just to be sure.

*Lock Your Doors Most New York apartments and residences, even those with manned security desks, have a lock plus a dead bolt. Lock both, even if you're just going down the hall to the garbage chute.

*Have a Wallet Full of Security Be sure you have identification (a driver's license or a student ID), a long-distance calling card, traveler's checks and/or a bank card, health insurance card, credit cards if you have any. Enroll in a card protection plan if possible, but at least write all numbers down and put them in a safe place in case your wallet is stolen. Special note: Do not make calling card calls from public phones unless there is an enclosed booth. Vagrants make a practice of watching people punch in calling card numbers. They then give the numbers to hundreds of homeless or city shelter people.

*Carry Some Cash If you ever really are "mugged," your assailant will probably be appeased if you have at least $15 to $20 dollars to hand over, so keep that much on hand. A small price to pay for your safety.

There! Now you're ready to be an intrepid (but not foolhardy) visitor to NYC. But what's that you say? You had hopes of being more than a visitor? You were thinking of auditioning and maybe landing a job? That's not out of the question! Just pick up a copy of "Back Stage" at any newsstand on any Wednesday morning, grab your pix and resumes, and see what the cattle calls are really like. (Break a leg!)

Dance whenever you can!

Sondra