Happy New Year- let's hit the road!

Hubbard Street has been touring a bit this month. We had performances in Princeton, NJ, Des Moines, IA, and Minneapolis, MN. Touring is a huge part of a dancer's career and lifestyle. When we're on the road, we live in airports, hotel rooms, and theaters.

On our Princeton tour, we spent about 4 hours at Newark airport in the American Airlines terminal. Your only food and drink options there: Ruby Tuesday or Philip's Seafood. We chose the latter. Recommended drink: Bloody Mary. Recommended food: eh...clam chowder?

I love touring- even if the cities aren't all that exciting. I love finding hidden gems or parks or enjoying certain perks the hotels provide.

Des Moines, IA was a very pleasant surprise to me. Small town vibes AF. The company was stationed at the Staybridge Suites located in the East Village. We all ended up at Zombie Burger + Drink Lab after our early morning flight. Whatever you do, do not order a grilled cheese. I wanted the kids size and obviously I was too old for that. So, I asked for an adult version. They obliged. It was on a flattened hamburger bun. It looked like a pancake. DO NOT RECOMMEND. What I DO recommend is the Zombie Joe milkshake. You get some yummy ice cream and a kick of caffeine.

There seemed to be some great shopping around the East Village- mostly thrift and vintage. Adrienne and I invested in a cute little vintage cape from Preservation, located a block behind the hotel.

If you're looking for something to eat closer to the theater , we were graciously hosted by Splash Seafood Bar + Grill after our evening performance. Ask for the Kung Pao calamari if they don't already have it out. We had some hours to kill after our early morning school show the next day and were easily able to find a giant community table at St.Kilda. V yummy! Half of us ordered the Salmon and Eggs- 100%.

After our family boozy brunch- we endured 5 hours on a bus to Minneapolis, MN. Overall uneventful.

Here, our home was The Graduate Hotel (formerly known as the Commons Hotel). It's located in the middle of the U's campus- which in my opinion is not ideal but is also walking distance to the newly remodeled Northrop Auditorium. The hotel itself is home to The Beacon restaurant, provides (Malin + Goetz) products, and is across the street from the U Recreation and Wellness Center.

If you venture into downtown, don't miss Open Book and The Guthrie Theater. I love a good space for artists and creatives! Staying closer to campus?  Red Stag Supperclub has a late night menu, Annie's Parlor offers great milkshakes, and you can finish your night downstairs at the Kitty Kat Club. NOTE: it is not a low-key jazz lounge like I thought.... If you're also into sneakers like me- hit up Piff.

(((Stock photos because I left my phone on the bus yesterday and didn't save any of the ones I took to the cloud. Dumb)))