Hey my favorite RIDE-ers. It’s that time again… Time to read my musings about this ridiculously amazing city. New York City is, to many, the epicenter of performing arts in the United States. For many years, people like you have flocked here to experience countless exhibitions, concerts, and plays. Why do you think I decided to put my roots down here? Believe me, I had the chance to go to Vegas and become a show-bus, but that would have been the easy way out. I stayed in New York City because of the diverse nature of the arts.

In 2013, the New York City Opera kicked the bucket. This left a hole in every New Yorker’s heart, or radiator, and those aren’t cheap to fix. Since then, we locals, and tourists alike have been searching for something to fill the gap left by this New York City mainstay. The silver lining is that there are numerous smaller productions which add the same level of richness to our lives. You might be thinking, “Is this tour bus really lecturing us about New York City’s performing arts?” In short, the answer is yes, and being a member of a performing arts group, I consider myself highly qualified.

Now, more than ever, is the time to go see performances by students and universities. The reasons are numerous and the quality is high. Juilliard alone puts out over 700 performances a year. Imagine going to a performance featuring the most talented performing arts students and their teachers. Now, imagine paying $15 per ticket. Though performances of this nature don’t have the grandeur of the New York City Opera, they are far more intimate, spontaneous, and just downright fun.

These student shows have amazing potential to succeed and become a new New York City staple. You all remember my buddy Frank, the garbage truck. Well one of his two PHD’s are in the art of playing the cello. It’s amazing what he can do without completely crushing the cello in his compactor. The direction the arts are going is excellent for talented folks like him. New York City is loaded with talented individuals like Frank. Now you’ll be able to go see some of New York’s most amazing talent for pennies compared to the huge productions. In fact, I’m going to see a corvette play J.S. Bach’s masterpieces on the bagpipe tonight.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/arts/music/music-students-play-major-role-in-new-york-culture.html?_r=0