The Winger » Touching the ceiling at the mecca temple

Touching the ceiling at the mecca temple

September 30, 2007 at 2:20 pm · Filed under SLOAN, dance, architecture, history, new york city, city center, iphone, fall for dance

KRISTIN SLOAN
New York City Ballet
New York, NY USA
BIO | POSTS

I was so blown away by the fact that City Center opened up the top balcony for the Fall For Dance Performances! In my limited experience with CC, I have never seen it open for ballet. The only time I’ve been up here was for a Harry Connick Jr. Christmas concert!?

Anyhow, it’s actually a very interesting perspective, much like being up in the fourth ring of the New York State Theater, minus the horizontal distance from the stage. One of the most interesting things about being up here though, is that you can really see and appreciate the interesting architecture and decorative elements of the space.

For those who may not know, City Center is actually in a building that was originally created as the Mecca Temple, where The Shriners would hold their meetings (according to wikipedia). All the moldings and light fixtures have a middle eastern flair (evidently it was built in the Neo-Moorish style), and on the left side of the house at the entrance to the lower mezzanine, there is a preserved splotch of amazingly colorful and intricate wallpaper, which has been painted over in the rest of the space.

Perhaps some of you out there know even more about it??

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tonya said,

September 30, 2007 @ 3:33 pm

Thanks for this info, Kristin — I didn’t know about CC’s history! It’s funny but, as many times as I’ve been in CC to see a dance performance, I hadn’t even known that area of the theater existed until I was seated there for Patti LuPone’s Gypsy. It’s just like being in the 4th Ring at the State Theater if you sit all the way to the front of the sides. You’re actually pretty close because you’re right over the stage. If you’re not afraid of heights you can lean over and see the dancers pretty well. I remember thinking as I watched LuPone how odd it was that I’d never been up there before for dance. I wonder why they haven’t opened it before. I guess they never had to. Fall For Dance did so well I guess they’ve decided to open up more seats! That’s awesome!

Irene Grumman said,

September 30, 2007 @ 6:49 pm

Yes, it is a gorgeous building with an interesting history. When I was young, the dance company was considered second to Balanchine’s, yet their performances were often more interesting. Manhattan is my home town. I enjoy your photos and comments. I found this site through your post on The Long Tail. Wishing you much success, Irene

SanderO said,

September 30, 2007 @ 9:04 pm

I like the closeness to the stage of all the upper levels at the CC. It gives a very intimate feeling to a dance performance. We were at the ABT Gala last year and you almost felt as if you could touch the dancers. We sat in the first tier quite close.

I also like see the “plan view” of classical choreography. it really is a completely different experience from viewing it down in the orchestra. I invited a friend to both opera and ballet when my wife was unable to attend and we sat in the Grand Tier at the Met row B or C as I recall. She has always sat in the orchestra and really loved being higher.

From down low the depth becomes one of overlapping layers ( looking at the side of a flower) whilst from up top it appears move like looking into a blossom. Both are beautiful, but they are very different. From nose bleed territory it might be too distant like a kaleidoscope. I haven’t seen any performance from way up there… yet.