Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital? Well, 4 hours later, we got the tickets...

So, my MIL has been taking my DD, Katherine, to dance class since September. If it were strictly up to me, I probably wouldn't have done the whole tap-dancing thing at this age, but my MIL couldn't wait to have a girl in the family, so the minute Kate popped out she was signed up!

Well, they both love it so I'm happy they can do this together! Until today...

I thought it was bad enough that you have to pay $75 for a costume they wear once. I thought it was over the top that you have to pay about a billion dollars for the professional pics. I think it's a hassle that you have to attend a full dress-rehearsal or you can't participate. And I thought the ticket price of $25 was a little high. But this morning takes the cake...

Today the tickets go on sale between 9-12. FIL phoned to say people are on line around the block with chairs, pillows and...AIR MATTRESSES!! My DH just returned from the place only to get a number (of 135) and was told to call back later to see which # they're currently serving...which is...yeah...13!

WHHHYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

ETA: I was never in the dancing scene as a kid, so I have no idea...is this typical?

Message edited 5/17/2009 5:10:56 PM.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

I know this all too well being a dancer teacher myself... what you described is absolutely the NORM!!!

What studio is this, if you dont mind me asking?

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

YES...very typical! Thankfully, my cousin owns a dance studio and DD will be attending when she is 3. I won't have to worry about those crazy lines!

I drove by a dance studio last week and saw people camping out!

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

I remember all of the stuff you mentioned in the beginning. However, if I remember correctly, we were allowed 4 tickets per family per show. So my parents + 2 the 1st night and my parents + a different 2 the 2nd night. Something like that. And I think you sat where ever. The tickets didn't have seating #'s. That is insane. I want to sign DD up for it in the fall but all of this is making me think twice.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

Emmas dance class (shes 6) is ballet and tap. its $55 monthly (there are 100 kids... I want to be a dance teacher!!) Her costume was $65. Her pictures are $40. Dance recital tickets are $15. I sent my SIL because we were out of town and she said the line was in the parking lot and she got there 10 minutes after they went on sale. Yes, it's totally normal.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

I'm sorry but that is nuts.
My DD is in dance out here. Costumes are included in the cost we pay monthly.
Tickets are $5 and plenty available.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

Yup it's very typical...my niece is in dance and she's 12 and my sister has been going through this every year since she was 4. My nieces recital is 3 days long and she's dancing all three days so the family is splitting up this year so someone is there each day for her.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

totally typical, i grew up down the road from a pretty big dance studio and there was ALWAYS lines around recital time

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

omg that is INSANE!

I remember when I took dance and my recitals were always in HUGE auditoriums-- at least it seemed that way when I was little.

So, you have to pay all that money, and then there is no guarantee that you get seats to see your little one perform? That is total bullshite.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

Wow I had no idea. I was in dance as a child I'll have to ask my mom if this insanity existed back then.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

Yes! Insane, but typical. Same thing happened for Ava's recital last year.

Costume was $120
Tickets were $35 pp
The show started at 7pm, and the youngest group- 3/4 year olds, didn't go on stage till after 9pm!
No photos or recording during the show, but you could order the DVD for $75!

Forget about getting the tickets The Moms lined up overnight, in the rain, and the police were called about line jumping!!!!!

As crazy as it was, I would still do it!!!

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

where is this ????? i always want to put my future dd in dance but this is crazy

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

This post seriously makes me think about whether or not I want to sign Jaidy up for dance

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

This is all normal???

Thank g-d I have boys!!!

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

My nieces are in dance (the ones that live by you) and my SIL has never told me of any of this going on. The studio that she goes to is actually in the instructors house in the basement. The recital is at queens-boro. I can find out the name of it if you want.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

That is just insane! I know the city is different, but here, each family gets 4 tickets for each night and that is it! There are no lines, no fighting, no insanity!

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

OMG that is insanity!! I took dance when I was little, in the 80's, and I'm pretty sure everything was the same you describe except the ticket fiasco. Actually, I know from previous convos I had with you that you live right where I grew up in Queens, I wonder if your DD goes to my old studio!! It was Scilla School Of Dance in North Flushing.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

oh, don't get me started ...

i got "peer pressured" into signing up DD#1, and while cute and fun, totally not worth the $$ at this point. i mean, she's TWO (three soon)! in the fall i plan to check out the dance class the local rec center has to offer, it sounds more low maintenance

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

For me, that is totally the norm.

I danced for almost 20 years...taught for 5. It was my life. I actually want to open a dance studio with my sister.

I started tap when I was 4. And all that you are describing is exactly what my mom went through for years and years. My sister is STILL a dance teacher and this isnt abnormal at all. To some, it was really frustrating but I can't wait for it to be Megan. I am praying she has a love for it like we do. Our recitals were always at Colden Center at Queens College and then we moved to Tribeca Performing Arts. It was the biggest day of the year for us each and every year.

I know it seems like a lot but if she discovers a true love for it, this may become such a HUGE part of your life..for me...its the fondest memories I have growing up. I STILL MISS IT!!!!!! Can't wait to see pictures of her in her costume!!!!!!!!

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

Quite honestly, I think it's ridiculous. Ava, thank god, was in a non-recital class this year, but seeing everyone else waiting for tickets at our studio made me second guess whether or not I want to have her signed up for next year. First of all, the price of costumes is insane. Yes, it's the norm for costumes, but I still think it's waste. Secondly, I don't want to have to sit through like forty other numbers of kids that I don't even know just to see my 3 year old not dance while four others are rolling on the floor and two are actually doing the routine. Call me a dance scrooge, but it's too over the top for this mom.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

I was in dancing school all through elementary school, I remember my parents going through this.

EVERY YEAR for Halloween, I dressed up in one of my recital costumes from the previous June.

Re: Can we talk about the insanity that is 3 year old dance recital?

holy crap!!! I was in ballet class when I was little (ok, so that was about 24 years ago... ), and it was nothing like that. It was through the school district, so it was dirt cheap, and the only thing my mom ever had to buy for me was a pair of ballet shoes and a leotard. I made her buy the tutu also

When our recital came, it was FREE and we wore the same outfit we wore to class. It worked!!!