Show Buzz #5

D34!

The Queen has cursed this land…how fitting because the snow just seemed to keep following us. 

We were right in the middle of the Boston snowstorm with over three feet of snow that just kept piling up.  It got to the point that we could not see over the six-to-nine-foot-high piles of snow along the roadside.  There was only room for one person to walk single file on the sidewalk, so most of our off time was spent inside instead of exploring the city.  

Yes, we had a SNOW DAY!! It felt like we were little kids all over again.  Snow Ball Fight!  Having some fun in the snow, made it all that much better since on opening night it took us two hours to get to the arena!  Knowing that we had a long week ahead of us, the snow day helped break things up along with the soup!  Due to the busy schedule and having 16 shows in about five days, we have been graciously given lunches and its always nice to see the new faces of the break workers as well.

It is sad to seem them leave, but always nice to meet new people.  So, it was time that we said goodbye to the D15 skaters and hello to the D32 skaters as we headed slightly south. 

Hoping to get out and away from the snow, we took off to St. Louis where literally everyone ended up with the stomach flu.  While some of us spent the off days laid up in bed, the lucky ones were out rock climbing or exploring the Arch, City Museum, or the Galleria.   

Not spending too much money at the mall in hopes of really good shopping in the next week, we headed to Montreal and it was time to cross the boarder for the first time this tour season. 

We were headed into a 12-pack with 14 shows in five days in FRENCH without any rehearsals.  On a brighter note, for the first time ever, we had a shuttle from the hotel to the arena!  

And before we knew it, we were back in the states again! 

Even though it was a long time coming and 10 hours later by bus, it was so nice to be back.  It was time to go shopping so we could hit the slopes the next day.

The car rental companies loved us this week, as we all headed to Mount Brighton for some skiing and snowboarding.  Somehow, we all managed to stay in one piece and no one got hurt so I would say it was a successful trip. 

On top of that fun, there was a Culver’s right across the parking lot from the hotel so in the free time and even after the shows, the whole cast and crew could definitely be found enjoying the frozen custard. 

Unfortunately our weigh-ins were impacted by the convenience, but it was a tasty treat for the time being and brought back all our memories from Freddy’s during rehearsals in Florida. 

Then, just as we were getting comfortable being back in the states, it was time to depart and head back to Canada.

We had some special visitors in the audience as well to start everything off with a bang.  Not only did Patty Vincent come, but also the cast of D15 did as well on Opening Night.  Other famous faces in the audience appeared later in the week, like Elvis Stoyko, Piper Gilles, and Javier Fernandez.  It’s always nice not only to have the support of other fellow company members, but competitive skaters as well.  Some even came to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with our group.  The CN Tower was also a main attraction for everyone as well. 

And even though getting outside was key, there were a fair amount of us that never stepped outside because the hotel and arena were connected.  It only took about three elevator rides to get from one to the other.

Somehow though, everyone was in high spirits performing in the first baseball field stadium of the tour season and on tank ice again, in the dark.  It was literally always dark in the building and our makeup rooms and costumes rooms were in tents.  Even though everything was really close, it was also covered in dirt.

Hoping to be clean and see sunlight again, we were headed south to the Lone Star State.   

The departure time was at 3:30 AM so that we could make it through customs and let me tell you, pulling our bags at that hour is a struggle to begin with, let alone for about a mile.  Luckily after that we got in to Dallas early, but unfortunately some of us had to wait around for four or more hours for our rooms to be ready.  So, we basically took over the lobby and crashed out on the couches.  When we finally got into our rooms, we couldn’t wait to get to the pool.  It had been what felt like ages since we had seen sun and warm weather.  We wanted to spend every moment possible out there soaking up the rays especially because the pool had a nice view overlooking the city from the ninth floor and since we knew the workdays were approaching quickly.

We performed our 334^th show as this city’s performances commenced and are still going strong while some shows have already finished for this season. 

Continuing our journey, we headed across the state of Texas to San Antonio where it was time to enjoy a few days off and hang out together besides seeing everyone at the arena.  It was time for the first Girl’s and Boy’s parties of the year.

It’s crazy how much time we can spend together at work, but you really don’t get to know a person or a group of people until you see them outside the work environment.  That is when you really get to know a person and how their journey in life has brought them into yours.  As this tour continues to go on and each show passes, we may be counting down, since we are into single digits of weeks left for this season, but we are all wishing that one another returns so that we can see how each grows and masters the road that lies ahead. 

Places to see:

Boston – Harvard, little shops and eateries lining the streets, Beehive (jazz bar, restaurant, lounge, club)

St. Louis – The Arch, City Museum, Rock Climbing, The Galleria

Montreal – A&W, Tim Horton’s, shopping, Mount Royal, Old Montreal

Auburn Hills – Brighton Mountain, Great Lakes Shopping (?), Culver’s

Toronto – CN Tower, Rogers Center, shopping

Dallas – Skyline at night (literally every building in lit in a different color), Dallas Aquarium, Dallas Science Center, lots of places to eat – Mexican, Katy Trail

San Antonio – River Walk, River City Mall, Mirror Maze, Wax Museum, Market Square

Special Thanks to all the Break Workers that we have met along the way!! THANK YOU!!

River Walk City

San Antonio, Texas

Say hello to three days off in a beautiful city!  Even though it was cloudy in the morning, the sun did come out just in time to warm the pool and make for a few gorgeous days.

It was definitely time to get out and about and see the city since the hotel rooms were so humid, but having a balcony was a major bonus though. 

Also, since the weather was warm and we only had a six-pack this week, it was prime time to have our Guy’s and Girl’s nights. 

While the guys chose to go out with a bang, the girls were more reserved and enjoyed a nice dinner out together on the River Walk. 

Of course this was one of the main attractions for the week and everyone wanted to go every night that we possibly could.  The River Walk offered not only its’ picturesque landscape, but also an abundance of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. 

There was a Wax Museum, Mirror Maze, the Alamo, Whataburger, and if we weren’t all busy along the water, we had to make time to enjoy the pool and hot tub that looked so inviting at the hotel.  

It was safe to say that no one wanted to leave and head north to colder temperatures, but we had no choice.

Here we come; home of Mall of America. 

Warm Weather and Sunshine!

Dallas, Texas

Finally the weather was working in our favor, and by that I mean we were finally seeing the light of day and feeling the sunshine. 

Coming off of a 3:30 AM leave time where the buses were late for us heading to the airport, then we had to pull all of our luggage; basically 100 pounds (50 pounds per checked bag) for about a mile (5,280 feet) through the airport along with our two carry-on’s just to get through customs: and if that wasn’t enough, then we get to the hotel and some of us had to wait four or even five hours until our rooms were ready.

It was a rocky start to our stay in Dallas, but the sun definitely helped once we were all able to get to the pool to enjoy it. 

Even though there were only two days that we had, we all made sure to soak up as much sun as we possibly could. 

There was still time to visit with family that I haven’t seen in I don’t know how long as well as enjoy the city and what it had to offer as well. 

It seems as if our off days fly by so quickly that before you know we are back to work at the arena and this time it was a crazy schedule. 

By the end of the week in Dallas we hit 334 shows!  Most shows finish around that number and we still have over two and half months to go!

Thank goodness we have three days off coming up in the Lone Star State because we definitely need it.

See you a few hours down the road close to the River Walk!

Canada Round 2

Toronto, Canada

It was back to Canada for round two of two this tour season.  This time we were in Toronto and soon I was going to be taking a side trip to London, Ontario.  Not only was this only the second time that I rented a car, but it also had a lot of firsts that went along with it.

It was the first time that I drove a car since my drivers test because I am definitely a truck-kind of girl, and it was my first time driving a Chevy product as well.  I feel like a traitor and will only ever drive a dodge again if it is up to me. 

Not only that, but this was also my first time driving internationally and in a city as well; being from the country, I never venture in town with the truck.

Even though some of these may seem as if they are small firsts like driving in a parking garage and through a truck stop, but they are still big firsts for me.

Continuing the theme of “firsts” it was time to go home and meet the parents with Jesse and see where he was from. 

Here we come London, Ontario.

It was great to get away and walk around a new town, but before we knew it, it was time to get back to Toronto and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!

While the spirits were high, the workweek began and this time the venue was just three elevator rides away. 

Walking into a baseball field as the venue was a little intimidating seeing all the seats extending in every direction, but the more surprising feature was the fact that our makeup rooms and costume rooms were tents.  We definitely got the feeling of being on a baseball field with all the dirt still covering the floor.  Staying clean was not something that was easy this time. 

However, keeping the show in tip-top shape was a must with special visits from the D-15 performers along with Patty Vincent, one of the choreographers of the show as well as Javier Fernandez and Elvis Stojko!!

It was a busy week, but a good one at that!

Thank you Canada, but it is time to head back to the states and warm weather.

See you in the Lone Star State!!

State Side

Auburn Hills, Michigan

It was a week of a few firsts and trying to new things.  Not only did I rent my first ever vehicle, which of course was a Dodge Ram Hemi 1500, but I also went skiing for the first time!!

I have wanted to learn how to ski for the longest time and I never could because either it was competition time for skating or there were meets for track and cross-country, but finally it was time. 

It definitely took some getting used to, but having a skating background made it a little easier adjusting to the concept.  Sometimes I will say though I thought I had my skates on and tried to take a turn a little too sharp and well that didn’t turn out the greatest.  I have a whole new outlook and appreciation for those that compete and make a living out of skiing and snowboarding. 

Believe it or not, even though we went to the mountain to ski and snowboard, a few days later it was sunny and warm outside.  It was probably the first time we had seen the sun in what felt like ages.  We were even able to layout in the sun in between shows and I found a few back roads to go running on during the off time. 

And even though the time was becoming more and more limited with the shows, there was still time for visiting. 

This week it was quite a nice surprise because not only was I able to see my parents, but my grandma and sister also came for a visit as well as extended family and a college friend!

So, the long bus ride made it all worth it and topping it all off, there was a Culver’s right across the parking lot and the custard was amazing!  It was so yummy and it took us all back to all the trips after rehearsals in Florida at the start of this tour season. 

It is starting to wind down and it is crazy to think that we are over 300 shows now!

See you on the other side of the boarder!

O’ Canada

Montreal, Canada

Back into foreign country we went. 

Even though this was the first time this year that we crossed the boarder, it was the second time that I had been to Montreal, Canada.   And, it may not seem like a big deal to many, but that was huge for me because I knew more of what to expect.  Yes, it still was a pain not being able to use our phones the way we do in the states, but knowing how to get around and always looking for wifi was key.  Some things also just seemed to come back and look familiar just as they did last year, so that was comforting in a way as well. 

We stayed in the same hotel as last year, and the rooms are huge!  It is basically like living in an apartment minus the full kitchen.  However, even though Montreal has never been a city where we are shuttled to the arena, we were this time.  I must say, it was quite nice compared to the long walk in the cold that we normally have even though some still chose that option this time as well for old-time’s sake. 

Continuing tradition, the show also adapted to the culture and the track changed to French.  It was the first time that we had performed the show in another language so far this year.  Even though it was a change and quite different, it was also nice to hear something slightly different.  It seemed to make the days go faster and that definitely helped since we had a 12-pack and did a total of 14 shows in five days!

So, while most of our days were spent working at the arena on the ice, we did still manage to get out and enjoy the city. 

There was so much to take in from the shopping, to the culture, to the nightlife, to being in a different country in general. 

When in Canada you need to experience:

Poutine (French fries, beef gravy, and cheese curds)

All Dressed Chips

Ketchup Chips

Smarties (chocolate vs. USA fruit flavors)

A&W (restaurant)

Tim Horton's (restaurant/cafe) 

Crispy Crunch (candy bar)

Mars Bar (candy bar)

Coffee Crisp (candy bar)

The One Week City

St. Louis, Missouri 

So after our stint of spending two weeks in one city, which is very rare on the road, it has come to an end in St. Louis.  This was the first city in what feels like forever that we were only in one spot for about seven days.  Of course, it is when we have really large rooms that are spacious with a refrigerator and a microwave so we all want to stay for more than a week too.  Go figure, it’s just how this works.

And even though this was the second time that I had been in the city; we were performing in a different venue that had me all turned around because I kept thinking back to the arena we performed at last year. 

Sometimes it amazes me that cities are able to support two large arenas for different teams like that where each are just as popular in different markets. 

While the arenas were puzzling me, the city itself was not.  For one of the few times, things actually came back and I remembered where things were, like the Arch and the City Museum and along with that, the memories came flowing back as well. 

Since we were visiting the “Gateway to the West” in the winter, I was quite grateful that I was adventurous last time when the sun was shining and it was warm.  This time was quite a different story. 

Not only did the snow follow us and the two days that were in the 40’s and 50’s with sun disappeared to snow before we left, but of course flu season came back around and this time I was down for the count.  It was only a matter of time and well this was my time.

However, that did not completely stop me, because one of the off days I was able to make it out and of course find a reason to go shopping. 

With more items in my possession it was time to cram them back into my luggage and pray that my bags were not too heavy for another flight and this time it was across the boarder.

We were heading to Canada for the first time abroad for this tour. 

O Canada…O Canada…