Once the huge buildings, mounds of people, and busy roads came into view was when the GHS Performing Arts department knew they had finally made it to New York City. For many of the kids and even some chaperones this was meant to be an eye-opening adventure. Even though it became cold and busy, the department was excited for this new adventure.
The Performing Arts trip to New York City, December 10th-12th, was offered to students in select honors groups, such as jazz band, full orchestra, and select vocal ensemble, as well as students
in the fall play, She Kills Monsters, and dance classes. About 43 students went on the trip. The group stayed in an Embassy suites hotel in Elizabeth, New Jersey, which is roughly a 30-minute drive. They were taken by coach in and out of the city but got to walk to other destinations within.
The itinerary was full, keeping students busy while also having plenty of free time to shop and explore the big city. After boarding the bus at 6AM, they took off. The group arrived first in Connecticut for comfort and food, although a few spent their time at a Labubu claw machine instead. After about a four hour drive they had made it. The first real stop in the city was Bryant Park, which was full of small shops and places to get food. Next, the whole group walked down to the museum of Broadway for a walk through. Afterwards they walked to Times Square for some more small group time before heading over to Johns Pizza for dinner, which is in a converted church. After dinner they explored Radio City Music Hall to see the NYC Rockettes perform their winter show. Day two the group went back to Radio City Music Hall for a tour. Students and chaperones heard a lot of history about the 100 years of the Rockettes, and some even got pictures with one. After was a small group time at Rockefeller center which was full of shops and great places to buy gifts. Afterwards they walked to Macy’s to explore the seven-story building and nearby places to eat. The group then returned back to Times Square to explore a bit more and eat dinner at Dallas BBQ. They then walked to the Walter Kerr Theater to see Hadestown. The final day in the city was spent on a circle line cruise around the statue of Liberty and shopping time at the Hudson Yards Mall. Afterwards, the group walked the high line to Chelsea market to explore before boarding the coach and heading back home.
Senior Daniel Filer, who is part of the jazz band and on tech for school performances, said this was his first time in the big apple. After getting food at Liberty Bagels, he shares, “Liberty Bagels was great. Although a bit expensive, my brisket, egg, and hashbrown bagel was really good, although I was not expecting that to be a menu item. I would recommend that someone go there if they are visiting New York, it is totally worth it.” He also states he had a positive experience with the shows they saw and would definitely recommend them to people.
There is always an unnerving side to big cities such as New York, and that is the people that can be met out on the streets. While the group was gathering back together in Times Square on day one, a street performer spotted the group. Worried a few members of the group were too close to his bag, he stood up on a bench and shouted at the offenders, girls taking selfies. Teachers on the trip, such as Mr. D and Mrs. Okeefe stepped in to defend the girls and move the students away. Quickly the performer circled the group while singing and shouting at them. After some passive aggressive comments, Mr. D hurried the group away.
Margaret Gill, a Junior in the jazz band and tech had been to New York before. She states that her favorite store to visit in the city was the Nintendo store because “I have always liked Pokémon and Nintendo stuff, so I went to the store and finally caved into capitalism.” She was also aware of all the people that would be wandering around the city, so she was more prepared for it than others in the group. However, she still would not have been prepared for the adventure in Times Square.
