Ahoy gang, Well I took the first morning I've had off (for a while) to put together a basic, tentative proposal for our trip to NY, scheduled for the week directly after the Christmas exams, before the start of semester 2. All of the details listed here are subject to change, but they're something to go on anyway. Most of the theatre companies that I've spoken to are willing to book groups, but need a credit card number/arm/leg/first born child. Ditto with the hostel. I've explained to all and sundry that I'm making initial inquiries, so there's no fear of me selling my soul to them just yet :) Right, with out further ado: AER LINGUS GROUPS: Have quoted us a Dublin-New York (direct) price of €295.57 per head for a group of 30 flying to NY on Monday 30th January (11am depart Dublin) and returning on Friday 3rd of Feb (6pm depart NY). This offer is subject to change/availability etc etc. This price includes all applicable taxes/blaa. HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL NEW YORK (891 Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan): Have quoted us a price of $32 per head per night for our 4 nights stay. This will be in 3 10-bed dorms. I figure one dorm for the girls, one for the boys and one mixed one for those who have no problem sharing (or who want to share...?). Right now, these rooms are available, and Nancy at sales@hinewyork.org says it should not be a problem keeping them open (although the sooner we get it sorted out the better) And on to the shows... I've looked into a few, and have a good contact in carolc@bestofbroadway.com, who is positively thrilled at the prospect of 30 drunken Irish kids coming over to catch a bunch of shows. Probably 'cos she gets commission, but what the hell. RENT: TUESDAY 31ST JANUARY, 8pm: The nice folks at the Nederlander Theatre (41st St/7th Avenue) have kindly offered us 30 ORCHESTRA (i.e. kickass) seats for the show on that night at a bargain bin price of $50 per head. That's about half price. They recommend that we purchase before November (when the movie comes out) because after that, the show is bound to rise in popularity. SPAMALOT: WEDNESDAY 1ST FEBRUARY, 2pm: It's easier to get tickets for the matinee of the hottest selling show on Broadway. Carol Goldsmith at the booking office has promised me that she'll do her best to sort out 30 tickets for the matinee at the fantastic price of just $36.25 per head. She also says that some shows are sold out up to next MAY but she'll do her best, and I'll know in a couple of days. AVENUE Q: THURSDAY 2ND FEBRUARY, 8pm: Avenue Q, the only show on Broadway to feature full muppet nudity, have offered us 30 seats at just $41.75 per head. My contact here is the aforementioned carolc, and she can book a whole shitload of shows, and is very eager to help us out. Should one show become unavailable, she can search out other shows that we can check out including: WICKED MOVIN' OUT ALL SHOOK UP! THE PRODUCERS MANY MANY MORE... I've also made good contact with the Irish Repertory Theater on 22nd Street, who are currently holding a production of "Philadelphia, here I come!" Patrick, the MD, has promised me good rates on whatever show they're performing when we get over there - it's a compact theatre, about the same size as the Space. I've also talked to Patrick about writing and acting internships - he is interested in helping us out! SO, IN SUMMATION: Flights: E€295.57 Rent: $50.00 Spamalot: $36.25 Avenue Q: $41.75 Accommodation: 4x32 = $128.00 At current exchange rates, converting the US prices into Euro and adding it all up, we get a grand total of approximately E€500 per head. Wow, that's pretty fucking cheap, even without SPC funding. Assuming we get 50% of travel, 60% of ticket sales, and ooh let's say 40% of accommodation, that works out at a ludicrous €E275 per head or thereabouts. If we put together a killer proposal, there's no way the SPC could deny us this trip, especially after last year. This could be our event of the year, nobody else is gonna come up with something this ambitious. Elaine/Shane, if you need more info for the grant app, please let me know and I'll try to find it out for ya. If we market this right and push it during the first few weeks of semester 1, it'll sell out in no time. Who wouldn't wanna fuck off to New York right after the exams? Lemme know what ya think... REMEMBER: NOTHING HERE IS CONCRETE, EVERYTHING IS PROVISIONAL/SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Bob!! Roibeard "Bob" O Mhurcu, Student # 54144094 "You there ! Bring me the Wall St. Journal ! You two ! Fight to the death !" - Stewie Griffin, the world's campest megalomaniac toddler -