Kate's Note

Not too long ago I was walking around the reservoir in Central Park when I spotted film star and NYC resident Kevin Bacon out for a run with his dog. (Bacon starred in the original Footloose movie, now being remade with Chace Crawford in his part!) Over the years, I’ve glimpsed handfuls of celebrities going about their daily business in the Big Apple. (I even saw First Lady Michelle Obama at American Ballet Theatre’s gala last May.)

 

But what fascinates me the most about NYC is the people I don’t recognize. I know I walk by people who are amazing every day. I even often dream of freezing the street to ask everyone where they’re going and what they are doing. It seems to me that, especially in the dance world, everyone is here for a purpose. You don’t just “hang out” in NYC. (It’s too expensive.) You have to be working, striving, creating! It’s that energy and life that gives NYC its exciting edge.

 

So when Lauren Levinson, DS’ associate/fashion editor, ran into my office and suggested that for this year’s NYC guide we go to the source of the city’s dance cool—its residents—I said, “Yes!” In “18 Bites of the Big Apple” (p. 59) we asked dance pros and students (from the ever awesome, Brooklyn-based Mark Morris to hot ballet newcomer Beatriz Stix-Brunell) to speak about their most beloved NYC classes, company performances, festivals and hangouts!

 

The Great White Way and its Broadway dance scene are at the heart of NYC. So for our seven-page fashion feature, “In the Spotlight” (p. 42), we photographed seven emerging Broadway stars in looks inspired by their shows.

 

And we even got to bring three up-and-coming teens to NYC (well, one is studying at Juilliard already) to be photographed for our 2009 Cover Model Search Contest sponsored by Discount Dance Supply! Turn to p. 69 to find out who our finalists are. Then log on to dancespirit.com/ to vote for your favorite! One lucky winner will grace the cover of our October issue.

 

My husband’s favorite thing about NYC is that it belongs to everyone—those who were born here, those who have moved here, those who visit here and those who have not been here yet. This issue is our love letter to one of the greatest cities in the world and to the people who make it that way!

Keep striving!