NEW YORK (AP)  -- Come and meet those dancing feet. ... On the avenue I'm taking you to...

...No, not 42nd Street.

Manhattan's Avenue of the Americas was the preferred path Friday for fans eager to see the Rockettes opening the ``2008 Radio City Christmas Spectacular!''

Before the show at the historic Radio City Music Hall, some of the famous dance troupe made a ceremonial stop at the Empire State Building -- on Fifth Avenue.

The symbolism, Radio City explains, is that during this year's Spectacular, the Rockettes ``take a thrilling tour through Manhattan aboard a real double-decker bus.'' Hoping for more than figurative fireworks? No problem: Real ones are part of the special effects.