So, I'm turning 30 this year. I want to do something cool for my birthday with lots of friends, but not too outrageously expensive.
Since my birthday is October 22nd, I'm still in the initial planning stages, but I'd welcome thoughts and opinions.
I'm debating between the weekends of the 15-17, and 22-24. For obvious reasons, I'd prefer the latter, but that's also ALHC, so will that draw people (i.e., "you") away? (It's been suggested that I come for Halloween, but that's a bit too much crazy for me.)
I would obviously like to get some dancing in while I'm there, I don't want the weekend to be dance-centric (a reason I'm avoiding Blues-blaze.) Other suggestions are welcome, including dance-adjacent events like Dances of Vice. And while Lindy is preferable, I do a little bit of everything.
Are the Yehoodistrators planning anything for Y12A? Because that might sway me to come that weekend, if it's near that time.
I would love to do some more food and photo strolls, and basically, just hang out a lot.
While I appreciate all the offers of housing, for now, I'm still going to investigate a hotel. I've learned that I need a bit of quiet time when I'm doing all that visiting. Can anyone suggest a (preferably Marriott) hotel and location that isn't insanely expensive, but is conveniently located?
Logistically, it's probably too tricky to plan an actual party, so I was mostly hoping to piggyback on to an existing event, or have people join me for dinner or something.
Any other thoughts? I know you guys have opinions.
Originally posted Thursday, July 22, 2010 (1 year ago)
I'd love to celebrate with you! And food/photostroll with you! As an aside, Halloween weekend is not a bad time ... you don't HAVE to go to a Halloween party then! There are loads of other things happening then!
Also waiting to hear about Y12A ...
"Change your thoughts, and you change your world" - Norman Vincent Peale.
Originally posted Friday, July 23, 2010 (1 year ago)
Oh no, not the 21st! I was leaning towards the previous weekend since TM will be out of town, and I assumed you guys wouldn't pick ALHC weekend. Hmm.... decisions.
And that's why I didn't ask for "cheap," just not "insanely expensive." In other words, is there a Marriott (other than the one at Times Square) that's not too far from a metro and/or people and places that I'd want to hang out with/at?
Originally posted Friday, July 23, 2010 (1 year ago)
Awww, YOU GUYS SUCK. YOU GUYS SUCK HARDER THAN THE SUCKIEST SUCKING THING IN THE HISTORY OF SUCKING.
throws crap around Stupid friends getting stupidly married in stupid Washington DC, the stupidest town ever.
Toni -- people have mentioned the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott before as a cheaper option to the Times Square one, but if you don't need a fully-fledged Marriott hotel, there is a Marriott Execustay around the corner from my place, on 24th and 7th. I don't know if it's more or less expensive, or how nice it is, but if the price is right I can vouch for this being an awesome 'hood. And you're right across from the Whole Foods, so you never need to worry about picking up munchies! :-D
Originally posted Friday, July 23, 2010 (1 year ago)
Well, making it in town in time for Fram was already up in the air (extra day off work, extra night in a hotel), so that doesn't automatically sway my decision.
Thanks TM (and Will, via e-mail) for the Hotel info. I'll check out your suggestions. I'm hoping to use points to help cover the cost.
Originally posted Friday, July 23, 2010 (1 year ago)
The New Yorker hotel is popular amongst people who want convenience and somewhat "cheap" As a bonus, it's 1 block of Frim Fram.
You won't be paying any less than $200/night anywhere convenient in Manhattan. So I suggest you book a hotel and keep your options open. There are plenty of people who can and are willing to host so why not take advantage? Better yet, you can probably cat/house sit someone's place for free. If our spare bedroom is free, you're welcome to it after I get the missus's permission.
I know I know, it's nice to feel independent but are you willing to fork out $400-$600 on a hotel for 2 nights?
On a fun note, I suggest you do an outdoor beer garden, if it's not too cold. Bohemian Hall, Zum Schneider. If you like beer, Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg has a tasting get together on Friday nights.
If Governor's Island is open, it's nice to walk around there. There might be a special event, although it might be closed in October. Just something to look at.
The East River Esplanade just opened. It's new and fantastic and nobody knows about it. Great for a walk and photo ops.
Originally posted Saturday, July 24, 2010 (1 year ago)
A lot of cities including New York have some kind of "hospitality" phone number where you can get great deals on hotels. Though whether you can book early or if it has to be last-minute (like the way I've always used them) I can't say. For example, when I first moved back to the city about 11ish years ago, I consistently got $80 rooms in hotels where they were typically $200. No idea if it still exists, but I got it just by calling a couple of hotels who gave it to me instantly.
There's also a Days Inn right next to Queens Plaza in Long Island City which is one subway stop from Manhattan and has several trains to chose from.
Or you could just be a typical lindyhopper and expect that someone will automatically host you regardless of whether there's an organized event or not. ;)
Originally posted Sunday, July 25, 2010 (1 year ago)
Edited on Sunday, July 25, 2010 2:25 am (1 year ago)
Quote You won't be paying any less than $200/night anywhere convenient in Manhattan. So I suggest you book a hotel and keep your options open.
Yeah, October is still the shoulder season and hotel prices are still high then. You're probably looking at closer to $300/night for a decent centrally located hotel room.
Since you are thinking about using Marriott points, there is a Courtyard Marriott at 40th and 6th Ave. It's not too far from Fram, Koreatown, shopping, etc. But otherwise the neighborhood doesn't have any personality. I think it's called the Courtyard Times Square South. The Marriott Brooklyn Bridge has also been mentioned, though I don't think it will be much cheaper than the Courtyard.
There are also a number of newly built Hilton Garden Inns and Hampton Inns around midtown. The rooms are small but nice and since they are newly built, you won't have problems with mice or mold (sometimes a problem with older hotels in Manhattan). Still not cheap, but a bit cheaper than full service hotels.
Originally posted Wednesday, August 11, 2010 (1 year ago)
So, I think I've finally decided to come the weekend of the 15th-17th. TM, you owe me a personal tour guide to yummy eats in Chinatown for that decision. ;-)
I'm also leaning at staying at the Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue, using Marriott points to help offset the cost. I'm looking at taking the Bolt bus, which would get me in around 6pm Friday. Coming up Thursday night instead, (for Fram), and staying with a friend that evening is a slightly possible idea that I'm keeping in the back of my head. I'm also trying to recruit some fellow DC dancers to come that visit that weekend as well. (ShadeEagle, maybe Signet.)
<
p>Now I need to start keeping an eye on the calendar for that weekend, and see what NYC events come up.
Originally posted Sunday, September 19, 2010 (1 year ago)
Some updates:
I think I've finally talked myself into coming Thursday night, so I can hit Fram, and then have Friday free to do fun things.
I've always been intrigued by the Dances of Vice, and there's one that weekend. Thoughts?
Certain people think that the Florida/Mississippi St. Football game is a priority. It's at noon on Saturday, and I'm wondering if we could do the game, and then the Chinatown tour after? The Gotham Gators appear to meet in a few different places in/around NYC. If we're staying near Times Square, and want to hit Chinatown after, any suggestions as to the best place to watch the game? (The website appears to be down, but it was working yesterday.)
Would it work for the food tour to start around 4pm-ish? Maybe it could double as dinner?
Assuming I do DOV, it looks like that's Friday night. I'm still open to suggestions for Saturday night.
Originally posted Sunday, September 19, 2010 (1 year ago)
The only caveat I have about Chinatown in the evenings is that a lot of stuff will start to close. Not restaurants, of course, but many of the street vendors and a lot of the food stalls. It's just less fun in the evening. Why not do something else Saturday evening, maybe something like Soho, and save Chinatown for Sunday morning/lunchtime? When are you leaving on Sunday?
Also, if you're coming in on Thursday night, I could be up for hanging out Friday during the day... I hit my PTO cap lately and am planning to just take random Fridays off to use it up. :-)
Originally posted Monday, September 20, 2010 (1 year ago)
I haven't actually booked tickets (train, probably) yet, but I will try to choose something later Sunday afternoon, say, 4 or 5pm, so we can try your idea.
And hanging out Friday sounds like a great idea. I'm trying to schedule a photoshoot with Swank, but am otherwise free.
Help me make final plans for my 30th birthday in NYC!
Updates Here.
So, I'm turning 30 this year. I want to do something cool for my birthday with lots of friends, but not too outrageously expensive.
Since my birthday is October 22nd, I'm still in the initial planning stages, but I'd welcome thoughts and opinions.
I'm debating between the weekends of the 15-17, and 22-24. For obvious reasons, I'd prefer the latter, but that's also ALHC, so will that draw people (i.e., "you") away? (It's been suggested that I come for Halloween, but that's a bit too much crazy for me.)
I would obviously like to get some dancing in while I'm there, I don't want the weekend to be dance-centric (a reason I'm avoiding Blues-blaze.) Other suggestions are welcome, including dance-adjacent events like Dances of Vice. And while Lindy is preferable, I do a little bit of everything.
Are the Yehoodistrators planning anything for Y12A? Because that might sway me to come that weekend, if it's near that time.
I would love to do some more food and photo strolls, and basically, just hang out a lot.
While I appreciate all the offers of housing, for now, I'm still going to investigate a hotel. I've learned that I need a bit of quiet time when I'm doing all that visiting. Can anyone suggest a (preferably Marriott) hotel and location that isn't insanely expensive, but is conveniently located?
Logistically, it's probably too tricky to plan an actual party, so I was mostly hoping to piggyback on to an existing event, or have people join me for dinner or something.
Any other thoughts? I know you guys have opinions.
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
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I will gladly celebrate with you!
Awesome Dance Movies • Teaching Teens to Charleston is Awesome
I too am waiting to hear about Y12A to make plans.
Me three. YAY TONI!!!!
I'll be back up Oct 13 - 23, so we'll definitely have to party like rockstars!!
I already emailed you, but I'm in DC the weekend of the 23rd, so I personally would prefer you come the 16th! :-D Can't WAIT to hang again. :)
Aw yes ..."Autumn in New York...it'll be good to live it again".
Healthcare is a Team sport.
I'd love to celebrate with you! And food/photostroll with you! As an aside, Halloween weekend is not a bad time ... you don't HAVE to go to a Halloween party then! There are loads of other things happening then!
Also waiting to hear about Y12A ...
"Change your thoughts, and you change your world" - Norman Vincent Peale.
Check mic 1, 2. Is this thing on? Can the Y12A administrators hear us? ;)
Looks like a photoshoot with Swank might be in order.
And yeah, any possible Y12A info?
Any hotel suggestions? (See #5 in the original post.)
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
Y12A will be a very special Frim Fram on 10/21, stay tuned for details!
I'd love to hang out and photo stroll!
...and "cheap" & "hotel" are two words generally not heard together in NYC.
Oh no, not the 21st! I was leaning towards the previous weekend since TM will be out of town, and I assumed you guys wouldn't pick ALHC weekend. Hmm.... decisions.
And that's why I didn't ask for "cheap," just not "insanely expensive." In other words, is there a Marriott (other than the one at Times Square) that's not too far from a metro and/or people and places that I'd want to hang out with/at?
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
Awww, YOU GUYS SUCK. YOU GUYS SUCK HARDER THAN THE SUCKIEST SUCKING THING IN THE HISTORY OF SUCKING.
throws crap around Stupid friends getting stupidly married in stupid Washington DC, the stupidest town ever.
Toni -- people have mentioned the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott before as a cheaper option to the Times Square one, but if you don't need a fully-fledged Marriott hotel, there is a Marriott Execustay around the corner from my place, on 24th and 7th. I don't know if it's more or less expensive, or how nice it is, but if the price is right I can vouch for this being an awesome 'hood. And you're right across from the Whole Foods, so you never need to worry about picking up munchies! :-D
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=execustay+marriott+10001&fb=1&gl=us&hq=execustay+marriott&hnear=New+York,+NY+10001&cid=16010232813061441106
Well, making it in town in time for Fram was already up in the air (extra day off work, extra night in a hotel), so that doesn't automatically sway my decision.
Thanks TM (and Will, via e-mail) for the Hotel info. I'll check out your suggestions. I'm hoping to use points to help cover the cost.
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
The New Yorker hotel is popular amongst people who want convenience and somewhat "cheap" As a bonus, it's 1 block of Frim Fram.
You won't be paying any less than $200/night anywhere convenient in Manhattan. So I suggest you book a hotel and keep your options open. There are plenty of people who can and are willing to host so why not take advantage? Better yet, you can probably cat/house sit someone's place for free. If our spare bedroom is free, you're welcome to it after I get the missus's permission.
I know I know, it's nice to feel independent but are you willing to fork out $400-$600 on a hotel for 2 nights?
On a fun note, I suggest you do an outdoor beer garden, if it's not too cold. Bohemian Hall, Zum Schneider. If you like beer, Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg has a tasting get together on Friday nights.
If Governor's Island is open, it's nice to walk around there. There might be a special event, although it might be closed in October. Just something to look at.
The East River Esplanade just opened. It's new and fantastic and nobody knows about it. Great for a walk and photo ops.
A lot of cities including New York have some kind of "hospitality" phone number where you can get great deals on hotels. Though whether you can book early or if it has to be last-minute (like the way I've always used them) I can't say. For example, when I first moved back to the city about 11ish years ago, I consistently got $80 rooms in hotels where they were typically $200. No idea if it still exists, but I got it just by calling a couple of hotels who gave it to me instantly.
There's also a Days Inn right next to Queens Plaza in Long Island City which is one subway stop from Manhattan and has several trains to chose from.
Or you could just be a typical lindyhopper and expect that someone will automatically host you regardless of whether there's an organized event or not. ;)
Martinis do not contain vodka. —Rachel Maddow
If you alternately want to get your geek on while in NYC the New York Comic Con is the weekend of October 8-10.
The velocity of Spanish is that many tables do not have sadness...
Yeah, October is still the shoulder season and hotel prices are still high then. You're probably looking at closer to $300/night for a decent centrally located hotel room.
Since you are thinking about using Marriott points, there is a Courtyard Marriott at 40th and 6th Ave. It's not too far from Fram, Koreatown, shopping, etc. But otherwise the neighborhood doesn't have any personality. I think it's called the Courtyard Times Square South. The Marriott Brooklyn Bridge has also been mentioned, though I don't think it will be much cheaper than the Courtyard.
There are also a number of newly built Hilton Garden Inns and Hampton Inns around midtown. The rooms are small but nice and since they are newly built, you won't have problems with mice or mold (sometimes a problem with older hotels in Manhattan). Still not cheap, but a bit cheaper than full service hotels.
So, I think I've finally decided to come the weekend of the 15th-17th. TM, you owe me a personal tour guide to yummy eats in Chinatown for that decision. ;-)
I'm also leaning at staying at the Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue, using Marriott points to help offset the cost. I'm looking at taking the Bolt bus, which would get me in around 6pm Friday. Coming up Thursday night instead, (for Fram), and staying with a friend that evening is a slightly possible idea that I'm keeping in the back of my head. I'm also trying to recruit some fellow DC dancers to come that visit that weekend as well. (ShadeEagle, maybe Signet.)
<
p>Now I need to start keeping an eye on the calendar for that weekend, and see what NYC events come up.
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
It doesn't even have to be Chinatown, Toni -- we'll go walk and eat in ANY neighbourhood you want, for as long as you want to do it! :-)
OMG you must have been 9 when I met you first! heee, All the best to you and happy BIG birthday!
If the Blue Saracens are playing while you're up, consider yourself on the guest list! :-)
Excited to see you here soon! (No ILHC for me, so I'll have to wait that long. :)
Looking forward to celebrating your weekend with you! And photographing! And TinyMich, please let me join you on the eating stroll too!
"Change your thoughts, and you change your world" - Norman Vincent Peale.
Sure! It's Toni's birthday, anyone who wants to come should come! (assuming she doesn't hate them ;-) )
I will definitely be posting my itinerary for the weekend with the hopes of getting as many people to join as possible.
<
p>I'm also open for suggestions for plans, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings.
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
Woot!!
Do you know how awkward it is to have a political argument with a naked man?
Some updates:
I think I've finally talked myself into coming Thursday night, so I can hit Fram, and then have Friday free to do fun things.
I've always been intrigued by the Dances of Vice, and there's one that weekend. Thoughts?
Certain people think that the Florida/Mississippi St. Football game is a priority. It's at noon on Saturday, and I'm wondering if we could do the game, and then the Chinatown tour after? The Gotham Gators appear to meet in a few different places in/around NYC. If we're staying near Times Square, and want to hit Chinatown after, any suggestions as to the best place to watch the game? (The website appears to be down, but it was working yesterday.)
Would it work for the food tour to start around 4pm-ish? Maybe it could double as dinner?
Assuming I do DOV, it looks like that's Friday night. I'm still open to suggestions for Saturday night.
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
The only caveat I have about Chinatown in the evenings is that a lot of stuff will start to close. Not restaurants, of course, but many of the street vendors and a lot of the food stalls. It's just less fun in the evening. Why not do something else Saturday evening, maybe something like Soho, and save Chinatown for Sunday morning/lunchtime? When are you leaving on Sunday?
Also, if you're coming in on Thursday night, I could be up for hanging out Friday during the day... I hit my PTO cap lately and am planning to just take random Fridays off to use it up. :-)
I haven't actually booked tickets (train, probably) yet, but I will try to choose something later Sunday afternoon, say, 4 or 5pm, so we can try your idea.
And hanging out Friday sounds like a great idea. I'm trying to schedule a photoshoot with Swank, but am otherwise free.
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
So, in an effort to be frugal, I think I'm going to take the bus to NYC on Thursday. Any opinions on Megabus Vs Bolt Bus? Any other thoughts?
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
I've heard that both are fine, and both drop you off within 2 blocks of Frim Fram. :)
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