Monday, March 30, 2015

3/30/15: Big Apple Circus Metamorphosis in Boston

I love going to the Big Apple Circus!  The proximity to the action and the wonderful performers make for an amazing show.  This year their new show Metamorphosis is at City Hall Plaza in Boston and run through Sunday, May 10th.  Read on for our thoughts on the show and for a discount code on tickets!
This is the 37th Season of the Big Apple Circus and they pulled out all the stops.  
I was in true amazement when seeing one of the first acts.  To see the flexibility of this performer to get in to that small box was unbelievable.
Not to sound like an infomercial, "but wait there's more!"  Yes this other performer is getting in to the box too! 
 Not one but two ladies in the box!
 Totally amazing!  The kids couldn't believe it and watched in awe.
There was some cool acrobatics.
To save 20% per order for select performances, use the code APPLE* when buying tickets online at http://www.bigapplecircus.org/ by phone at 888-541-3750, and at the box office. 
*Limited availability. Offer good on select seats and shows. Other conditions apply. Children under 3 are free on the lap of a paid adult, one child per lap. 
 My personal favorite is the animals.  Here is a cute little porcupine!
 Love this guy and there is a dog in their too.
My dog can't jump rope. 
 So cute!  These are all rescue dogs which makes me so happy.
Look at the little doggies on the ponies! 
Unbelievable! 
 Did someone say it is hump day?  No it wasn't hump day but these camels are so cool.
Beautiful horses. 
Magnificent animals. 
 I love them all lined up going around in the circle.  So amazing and so close.
I love this act, the balance is amazing!
Francesco the Clown was really funny.  He did some funny parts in between acts.
 Flip!
 Such skill to do these tricks.
 I really loved this act also.  There was a rocket ship and two people doing a trapeze act.  They were unbelievable, plus no net!
 Wow, she then released one leg and hung.
It looked really cool, my pictures can't do it justice. 
I highly suggest going to the Big Apple Circus while it is in town.  You won't be disappointed.
Tickets for METAMORPHOSIS start at $20 and are available at www.bigapplecircus.org or by calling (888) 541-3750.  Premium seating at $100 is available for all Saturday, Sunday, Patriots’ Week, and Good Friday shows.
NEW THIS SEASON! Wednesday Family shows at 11 AM and 6:30 PM: BOGO – Buy One ticket, Get One free for a special 75-minute version of METAMORPHOSIS (no intermission).  

Disclosure:  I received 4 tickets for my family to attend the Big Apple Circus and 4 tickets to giveaway.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

3/29/15: Harlem Globetrotters Fun at the TD Garden Boston

Last night we went to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the TD Garden in Boston.  We always have an awesome time going to the game as it is a family friendly way to watch a basketball game.  Impressive tricks, fun basketball game, and meeting the players makes for a great night.
I love that they start out the show every time with tricks to Sweet Georgia Brown.
This game was the Harlem Globetrotters 2015 “Washington Generals’ Revenge” Tour.  The Washington Generals beat the Harlem Globetrotters in 1971 and they wanted to win this one.  It had been five years since the Globetrotters and Generals had faced off, as the Generals have been searching far and wide for the best players to retool their roster and have been preparing for one thing: victory over the Globetrotters.
The kids love seeing all the tricks they do.  Here you can see one of the players up on the hoop.
Here they are being silly again.
 Globie!
The team acknowledged a member of the military in Boston.  Fans can nominate a Harlem Globetrotters Hometown Hero at harlemglobetrotters.com.  They also played a portion of each game with a camouflage basketball as a sign of respect to all who protect our freedom.  They won the game against the Generals.
After the game is the most fun for the kids.  All the players stay on the court and give autographs and take pictures.  Here is one of the women on the Globetrotters, Sweet J Ekworomadu.
One of my favorite pictures with one of my favorite players, Chris Handles giving his thumbs up! #thumbnation

  Here are the kids giving the handles thumbs up during the game.
Evan getting his basketball signed by the Emcee for the game.


Evan got all the players autographs. 
Here is Big Easy Lofton.
 
Here is Ice Man.
Evan was so fast getting autographs it was hard to get a picture.  He loves getting autographs from all the players and was very happy he got them all.
I highly suggest getting tickets when they come to your town.  You can see the full schedule here.
 


Disclosure:  I received a Four Pack of tickets to a Harlem Globetrotters game and a Four Pack to giveaway through the Harlem Globetrotters in exchange for this promotional post.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

3/16/15: Calling All Kids to Fenway Park

Fenway Park is getting even more Family Friendly by cool programs for children to get more children to the game.  The "Calling All Kids," program by Hood allows free membership in the Red Sox Kid Nation and free tickets to 25,000 kids.  Plus there is a Kids Concourse, and Wally's Clubhouse which we enjoyed last year.
For the first time, entry-level membership in Red Sox Kid Nation will be free, and every child in the program can attend a game for free.  Membership is for children 14 and under. Fans can begin signing up for the membership on redsox.com/kidnation.  Also, all high school and college students 15 and over with a student ID can purchase tickets for only $9 for every regular season home game. 
The Red Sox have created "Gate K (for Kids)," a kid-friendly entrance located adjacent to Gate B leading into the new Kids Concourse.  The right field area of the Big Concourse will be revamped with games, entertainment, Aramark concessions, and amenities.  Also in the Kids Concourse, the club will create "Wally's Clubhouse" from the 3rd through 7th innings in the Champions Club presented by ALEX AND ANI, below the Royal Rooters Club. 
Building on the success of last year's partnership between the Highland Street Foundation, the City of Boston, and the Red Sox, "Out of the Park" will return in 2015.  The free event for families at a city park emulates Fenway Park's Yawkey Way atmosphere while fans watch a Red Sox road game on a giant screen.  The date and park will be announced in the future.  
For young fans who wish to choose additional amenities, a paid membership will also be available. It includes an extra-early entrance into Fenway Park to watch batting practice, a youth-sized Red Sox jersey, a Red Sox player backpack, a discount at the Yawkey Way Store, and Kid Nation email newsletters. 
 "Gate K (for Kids)" will be an entrance dedicated to children and families near Gate B at the corner of Van Ness and Ipswich Streets.  The entrance leads to the Kids Concourse.  Kids Concourse A revamped Kids Concourse is a roomy area of the original Big Concourse behind the right field corner with new attractions for young fans, including a six-foot nine-inch-tall Wally bobblehead, an interactive video wall that allows first-time fans to take photos and electronically sign their name to the video wall, and a Kid Nation welcome station.  The festive area will feature a balloon artist, stilt walker, and face painter.  
The Kids Concourse will also be the new home for old ballpark favorites such as the historic bullpen cart used in the 60's and 70's, the Red Sox Mickey Mouse statue, and the Wally Bench. Aramark, the Fenway Park concessionaire, will create kid-themed offerings in the upper level of the Kids Concourse.  A $5 kids meal features a mini hot dog, cotton candy, and a small juice. Also, new souvenirs include a Wally ice-cream tray, cotton candy that comes with a novelty bat, and a glove-shaped tray with nachos or chicken fingers. 
Other affordable, bite-size menu items include mini pigs-in-a-blanket, corn dogs, fried Oreo mini churro bites, and fried apples. Healthy options include fruit cups with grapes, sliced apples, and chopped watermelon, depending on the season, along with string cheeses.  Aramark will also surprise kids at random with free ice cream during the season. 
 Wally's Clubhouse Inside the Kids Concourse is so much fun to visit.  My kids loved it last year.  It is open from the 3rd to the 7th inning.  Wally visits in the third inning, and children can participate in interactive games and activities such as "Simon Says" and "Red Light/Green Light."  
Boys and girls can also enjoy craft tables, a safe play area for toddlers with toys and a slide, a beanbag toss, video games, and a balloon artist and face painter.  Kids Crew Overseeing interaction with children in the Kids Concourse and Wally's Clubhouse will be the new Red Sox Kids Crew, a staff who greet kids as they enter Gate K, lead children in games, and provide families with assistance and information about kid-friendly activities. 
Kids can also play video games.
The key is this is FREE!  You are not paying extra to play these games unlike other parks where you need to buy tickets.
There was a Magician that Lauren really enjoyed.
There is even a Toddler Play Area.
So take your kids out to the ballgame!
As a part of the #RedSoxParents I look forward to sharing more cool ways the Red Sox are welcoming families to Fenway Park and hosting other cool events.
Come on Spring and Go Sox!

Disclosure:  I am part of the RedSoxParents program.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.