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…

Snow, Snow, and More Snow = SNOW DAY!!

Boston, Massachusetts

We finally made it!!  We arrived in Boston and still had two days off to spare.  Little did we know, we were getting ourselves into a long two weeks of snow and long drives to the arena. 

Traffic was awful and it took two hours just to get to the arena on opening night and that was jus the beginning of it.  Most of the time, the bus didn’t even show up and we were taking taxicabs or the train to get into work.  It definitely made for an interesting time especially when more snow hit. 

Blizzard!!

As if Boston didn’t have enough snow already, we were in for more. 

Topping off at about three feet of snow, we even had a Snow Day!!

Who gets snow days at work?!  WE DO!! 

It was perfect timing to since we were snowed in after we got back from our shows on Valentine’s Day we were not only able to celebrate the holiday, but also spend some extra time with the lovely break workers from D15. 

Saying Goodbye to them was definitely hard, just like every other time, but we are really hoping to see them all again soon!  

Keeping our heads high and pushing through we were starting the second week in the city with 16 shows.  Luckily, we started getting lunches on three-show days since our tour schedule is so busy and it gives us something else to look forward to in order to get through the days. 

A few other treats came this week too along with my birthday :)   

Thinking happy thoughts and smiling through the birthday wishes from home, we went to the Beehive.  It just happened to be on the one day we had off that week and it was on Mardi Gras.  So, the Beehive was perfect for everyone since it was a restaurant, a jazz bar, a lounge, and a club all wrapped into one.  It made for a good night and fond memories.  

By the end of our two weeks though, we were all ready to move on to the next city and get out of all this snow. 

Show Buzz #4

D34!

It was starting to look and feel a lot like the Christmas season on tour even though we were down south.  The Christmas trees and lights were starting to make their appearances in the make-up rooms and hotel rooms and we even had the pleasure to go to a crewmember’s house for a homemade Christmas dinner!  We were definitely getting spoiled with homemade cookies and apple cider.  There were even Christmas trees in every room of the house!  Also, as a little treat from our PD, he starting pulling people out to watch the shows so we can get an idea of what we are part of being on Frozen. 

Adding to our Christmas treats and the holiday spirit we had Christmas class and documented it with pictures and videos.  Everyone showed up and skated in their very best red and green attire with bows, Santa hats, and jingle bells.

Topping off that week in Fayetteville we had our first company BBQ on the road! Yes, it was cold now, but the ugly Christmas sweaters and homemade hot chocolate kept us warm as we huddled around the grills for warmth. 

We thought it was cold then, well we were in store for even colder weather heading north for our last long bus ride of the calendar year to Philadelphia where we had our first three days off of the tour!  We hadn’t had more than a day or two off since before we started rehearsals and the crew and FCP were lucky to have just a day off once every few months.  Everyone was ready to relax for a few days before starting our crazy schedule. 

We also wanted to take those days and enjoy what we could of the holidays! After all, it was Christmas Eve! Then, we opened the show on Christmas Day and hit the ground running after that.  We were all in high spirits though after exchanging Secret Santa gifts and White Elephant Parties along with the surprise little gifts in the make-up rooms.  This kept us going through the 28 shows in 11 days and of those shows was a 15-pack to start it all off. 

Knowing that New Year’s was approaching gave us something to strive to because then we knew the rest would be easy and soon the engagement would conclude and we had four days off in our future!

It was definitely well deserved for everyone and most of us too advantage of the time and went home for the first time since the middle of July.

It was hard to believe though that when we opened in Cleveland, that was our 200^th show!  We weren’t even half way through the year and did that many shows!

It was just a crazy concept.  Coming off of two crazy weeks, we had two lighter weeks ahead before moving on to Illinois. 

From there, it was luxury-style living with apartment-like rooms for the week and all the room we had at the hotel made up for the lack of room that we had at the arena.  We were literally in closets for the make-rooms and costume rooms, but that did not stop the never-ending lines of audience members coming into the building every day. 

We did manage to make it through and being able to watch U.S. Nationals along with the X-Games, and Miss Universe helped pass the time and provided us with some pretty good laughing sessions as well. 

Before we knew it, we were off to the Windy City.  Unfortunately, we did not get to stay at the Embassy Suites that everyone raves about though. However, we were still able to enjoy the usual highlights that the city has to offer. 

Aside from the fancy lights, shopping, and deep-dish pizza Chicago-style, we were plagued by snow.  It not only affected the show schedule cancelling a show and adding it to a day off, but it also kept us in the city for additional days before we could move on to the next city on the schedule, but that also meant that we were able to attend the Black Hawks vs. Coyotes hockey game!

So, it has been a crazy year already and even though we have a lot more cities to go before we can say we completed Year #1 on the New Show, we are here for the rollercoaster ride that lies ahead.  

Places to see:

Raleigh – 150 shows, 4 shows added, Christmas at Brian Moore’s house 

Fayetteville – Christmas class, Christmas BBQ, ugly Christmas sweaters 

Philadelphia – 28 shows in 11 days, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve and Day, Secret Santa, White Elephant Party

Cleveland – Opening Night was 200^th show, 4^th street is a line of bars, restaurants, and little shops closed down to traffic, Chocolate Bar

Rosemont – 9-pack, Steak ‘N Shake, Longhorns, outlet shopping

Chicago – The Bean, The Sky Deck at Willis Tower, The Skating Ribbon Trail, 12-pack, The Magnificent Mile, Black Hawks vs. Coyotes hockey game  

Special Thanks:

Thank you to all the D-15 and D-32 skaters and crewmembers that have come to D-34 to help us out!  Your time an effort has been greatly appreciate and we hope to see you all back in the near future!  Until then, Good Luck on your shows and your Frozen family will miss you!