‘Tis the weeks before Christmas, and right here in Bay Ridge,
Free photos with Santa abound, and cost not even a smidge!!!
That’s right, folks! For the fourth year in a row, one local business here in the heart of Bay Ridge offers photographic meet-and-greets with Santa Claus for the entire family — all 100% FREE, NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!!
Triple Promise Academy for the Performing Arts — an acting and musical theatre school for children and teens — offers these family-friendly events at no cost every December.
Owner and Founding Artistic Director Jill Hudson said, “We love hosting this event! It’s our pleasure and part of our annual ‘thank you’ to the Bay Ridge community for welcoming our family-owned and operated business with open arms! Why fight Manhattan traffic and pay exorbitant prices when you can get gorgeous photos with Santa in front of our stunning backdrops right here in the comfort of your own neighborhood for free?”
Dozens of families from all over south Brooklyn come out each year to enjoy this free and exciting event. Christmas music plays in the background while children sit in Santa’s lap and tell him what they hope to receive for Christmas! Each visitor receives a gift, a candy cane and as many photos with Santa as they wish — and it’s all FREE!!!
Fur babies are welcome too!!! Not to mention feather babies and scale babies! “Yes,” Hudson said, “Santa will take a photo with your pet boa constrictor! Come on down, and don’t be shy!!! Santa loves ALL creatures, great and small!”
Bay Ridge families are loving the experience! Candis M., whose children Ciel and Oasis attended this past Sunday, shared: “This is our fourth year visiting Santa at Triple Promise. Such a jolly Santa, friendly elves, and a welcoming host and photographer! This makes such great memories for our family and provides an excellent event for the entire community!”
Newcomers were just as enthusiastic as the seasoned visitors! Jennifer L. of Bay Ridge shared: “Triple Promise is a super friendly place! This was my first year and I have to say, everyone was so welcoming! We will definitely be visiting again next year!”
Jeff M. agrees that all of the faculty and staff at Triple Promise are top-notch. “Extremely friendly,” Jeff said. “Very attentive to my child and extremely welcoming. Santa was great and helped my baby be photogenic!”
Josephine Martingano, whose 11-year-old granddaughter Frankie is also a Triple Promise musical theatre student, shared: “It is so beautiful to share holiday cheer with Triple Promise Academy!! Frankie always feels loved here, as do all of the children. The Triple Promise teachers are angels on earth.”
If you missed the event, fear not!! Santa will be back at Triple Promise this coming Sunday, December 14th, from 1 to 4 p.m. No reservations are needed, and you may bring as many friends and family members as you like. Everything is 100% free!!! Swing on by Triple Promise Studios at 155 Bay Ridge Avenue, between Ridge Blvd. and Colonial Road, and be sure to tell your friends and neighbors!!!
In addition to these free community events, Triple Promise offers classes in acting, dance, vocal music, improvisation, musical theatre, sketch comedy, student directing and much, much more!!! They are currently in rehearsal for a production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, featuring 30 students from Bay Ridge and the surrounding neighborhoods. The show opens in late January. For more information on Triple Promise shows, after-school and weekend programs and free community events, visit www.triplepromise.com
Text and photos courtesy of Alana Smithee
