Dancing Their Way Out Of NYC

That is a horrible shame. DNA is world famous for their contemporary / lyrical jazz performance and education. In my opinion, it's the most exciting form of dance to watch. But, I'm pretty confidant that if they are evicted, they will find a space that wants them.

@JenMac: I agree with you. If they are evicted, they will find some place else to go. Maybe even find a place where the rent is cheaper.

@hhusted so many businesses in NYC are currently facing the same predicament though some manage to find an alternate location. Remember how the famous Second Avenue Deli was shunted out of its original home on East 10th Street in 2006 due to a rent increase ? it came back to open on East 33rd Street in 2007. Now if only my favorite patisserie,Payard which shut it's doors last year were to come back to the city life would be blissful ...so miss their dark chocolate walnut, flourless cookies!

Sorry to hear that - and that rent is ridiculous! Landlords at some point need to realize that affordable commercial rents ---> more interesting shops, boutiques, restaurants, studios, etc ----> more interesting neighborhoods ---> higher property values as more people want to live in these neighborhoods. Who wants to live in a chain mall?

I actually go to DNA to study so that would be a big disappointment if they left lower Manhattan. One of the most wonderful things about studying there is the location. It would still be a great place even if it were in the outskirts of Brooklyn but somehow...not the same.

@Uptowngirl: Knowing you and your chocolate cravings. :)

@Ajadedidealist; Landlords are in it to make profits. That is why they bought the property to begin with. They use it as an investment vehicle. So the higher the rent, more profits come about.

On a trip to Williamsburg recently I saw signs posted by some documentary filmmakers looking to interview artists who are leaving NYC because they cannot afford to live here any more. It's seems the phenomenon has been all too common in the last couple of years, and artists are the first to flee. The closing of Dance New Amsterdam is just another sign of the arts suffering economically in this city like never before.

@hhusted true what you say about landlords but do they want a NYC that is filled with retail banks and large fast food / chain store outlets for they are the only establishments which have the means to pay those fantastic rents?? the soul of NYC will be ripped out if that happens and it will become like any old place in America and will lose its status as a prime tourist magnet that earns much needed dollars for the economy.. if I am not mistaken nearly 48 million people visited NYC last year which other US city can beat that appeal?

@hhusted I am on my soap box here but I do think that some landlords are incredibly greedy in this city and they rather have their premises unoccupied than lower their expected rentals .. I have pondered on these endlessly and am convinced now that they get some form of tax abatement or they would not behave in such a manner and drive truly creative and unique individuals and small businesses away from the city..

Uraniumfish: you study at DNA? That's awesome! I take class every day at BDC; and, while I love it. It is pretty far and it's always SO crowded.

@Uptowngirl: NYC lost a lot of tourism last year. But to be truthful with you, owning an apartment building is about making money. I know real estate investors and they tell me that when they invest in apartments, they do so for the profits they can make. That's coming from the horse's mouth.

When some apartments are vacant, they charge more rent when other leases are about to expire to compensate. The real estate investor I talked to told me for every apartment that is vacant, they have to recover the money to pay bills and their mortgage, unless the amount they charge the present tenants covers those expenses. Then having an empty apartment for a short time does not hurt as much.

@JenMac Yeah, but it's infrequent that I'm there lately since I've been doing a lot of performance work. It seems like classes are important to take when I'm not doing much, to keep up. BUt I really love DNA and definitely don'y want to see it go. what would I do without it?!?

@Uraniumfish What do you study there?

@JenMac What's BDC?

Broadway: BDC is Broadway Dance Center. I basically live there lately.
Uraniumfish: I am always on the hunt for a good live dance performance. So, please send any plugs my way!

@BroadwayBK Lately, it was Simonson technique. It's such a great workout but you also develop so many other skills with dance than you would just going to the gym.

@JenMac I have one to recommend that runs from this Wed through Sunday and that's pretty interesting, if I do say so myself. Mebbe I'll send the link in a private message, I'm feeling shy about posting on here in public.

I used to study at Ballet Academy East when I was a kid - and I did the Yorkville Nutcracker for a couple of years in minor roles that didn't really require dancing...anyone remember that performance? I don't know if BAE was just for kids or not though.

@ajadeidealist DNA is definitely not for kids. They're pretty professional around there.

@uraniumfish: send it!!!

That's good to know, @uraniumfish! I only remember the kid's classes, so I couldn't say! I remember really enjoying it! The Yorkville neighborhood has long been one I've found just so darn pleasant to walk down and through. I love Tasti-D-Lite, the shop, Lexington Avenue, etc.