Cheap ballet tickets! NYCB and ABT $29 tickets on the upper tiers are a bargain

I love ballet! I confess I didn’t understand it for many years, and only went now and then when invited because I didn’t want to seem un-cool. But after many years of “not getting it”, I finally “got it” after an evening with friends who invited me to see Diana Vishneva in “Giselle” at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Then decided that, living in a small apartment building with some of the most recognizable members of the New York City Ballet (NYCB), it was pretty ridiculous to not make the effort to understand what these highly respected artists –and athletes—did for a living.

Summer Outdoor Films

Bryant Park (42nd St and 6th Ave) starts this week its series of outdoor films every Monday at sunset, through Aug. 23rd, 2010. Here's the list of films:
July 12- My Man Godfrey July 19th: The China Syndrome July 26th Monty Python & The Holy Grail; Aug. 2nd Rosemary's Baby Aug. 9th The Goodbye Girl Aug 16th 12 Angry Men Aug. 23 Bonnie and Clyde.
An eclectic mix, to say the least, but most people don't attend for the film, but more for the only-in-New-York spirit of the event.

Free Stuff: How to get tickets to TV shows taped in NYC

I have to admit I never think of going to talk shows because I live here. Which really makes no sense! But it's tops on the tourist to-do list, so herewith some how-to-get-tickets links to various shows shot in New York (I will update this post throughout the week):

NYTIX.com: Comprehensive listing of TV shows taped in NYC

Regis and Kelly (studio is at 67th and Columbus): Stand-by line at 7AM is worth a try if you don't have tickets. As per website: "Up to a 12 month wait for tickets because there is very limited seating in the studio. To help assure the dates you request will be available, please submit your ticket request at least 6-8 weeks in advance and be sure to include multiple back-up dates to work with in order to help us fulfill your request."

The David Letterman Show: (Studio is the Ed Sullivan Theater at 53rd and Broadway) Call the Stand-by PHONE line the day of starting at 11AM --(212) 247-6497. To get tickets you must 1.) Submit your request using their Online Ticket Form OR 2.) Visit the theater during specified hours and submit an In-Person Request

TDF-your portal to cheap tickets to fabulous events

The Theater Development Fund--aka TDF --is a fantastic organization for up to 70 percent discounts to tickets to Broadway, Off and Off-Off Broadway shows, as well as dance and music, events, including ABT, NYC Ballet, NYC Opera and Met, and more. In the past month I've paid $35 or less for tickets to "The Miracle Worker" with Abigail Breslin and the magnetic Alison Pill; the Ethan Hawke directed "A Lie of the Mind" with David Carradine, Laurie Metcalfe; and Venus in Fur w/Wes Bentley and the thoroughly remarkable Nina Arianda (surely a star-is-born).

The one caveat, as per their website:

To qualify for TDF membership, you must belong to one of the following groups: full-time students, full-time teachers, union members, retirees, civil service employees, staff members of not-for-profit organizations, performing arts professionals, members of the armed forces or clergy. When you join, you will be asked to supply TDF with proof of your eligibility.

It is a wide net--so if you are not eligible, find someone who is.