Last night we got to rock out at Rock of Ages at the Boch Center Wang Theatre! It felt like being at an 80's rock concert and a musical which was fantastic! The show is only here until the 28th so get your tickets now!
The music from this show will have you rocking in your seats. I know I was.
Two standouts are Anthony Nuccio as Drew Boley, and Katie LaMark as Sherrie Christian who were fantastic. Their voices were so good. At one point Anthony held a note for a good two minutes, it was amazing!
John-Michael Breen was fabulous as Lonny. He was hilarious and I loved his talking directly to the audience.
Sam Harvey as Stacee Jaxx was so good. I loved his look and his singing.
Chris Renalds as Franz made me laugh out loud numerous time.
We were lucky enough to attend a reception before the show sponsored by show sponsor Smirnoff and food from event partner P.F. Changs.
We got to try out their Spiked Sparkling Seltzer which was refreshing.
Now we were ready for the show.
More about the Show:
It’s 1987 on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip when a small-town girl meets a big city rocker. As they fall in love in L.A.’s most famous rock club, ROCK OF AGES allows fans to rock out once again to their favorite ‘80s hits. Featuring the music of iconic bands such as Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister, and Whitesnake among many others, this Tenth Anniversary production features a dynamic new cast revisiting the larger than life characters and exhilarating story that turned ROCK OF AGES into a global phenomenon.
ROCK OF AGES opened April 7, 2009 on Broadway and played more than 2,300 performances at the Brooks Atkinson and Helen Hayes Theatres earning five Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical. The show also enjoyed successful national and international tours and, in 2012, was turned into a major motion picture by New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures. With a book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, the tenth anniversary tour is being directed by Martha Banta and choreographed by Janet Rothermel.
Disclosure: I was provided with a reception and tickets to Rock of Ages for promotional purposes. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
Recently I was able to interview the New Kids on the Block in Boston and last week I was lucky enough to travel to New York City to attend a live QA with them that was live streamed and it was an amazing experience. Here is the fully live streamed Q&A. These guys are awesome and it was so fun listening to them talk about their experiences.
We got to learn a lot of cool things from them. I found out that Mark Wahlberg was originally in the group. All the guys in the group were friends back in 1984 from their Boston neighborhood when they formed the group. Danny Wood joined the group when he found out Jordan was going to be in the band. Not only did I get to be there for the Q&A but I also got to take a picture with Donnie Wahlberg! So cool.
We also got to screen episode 2 of their Season 2 of "Rock This Boat". The show is hysterical and shows the New Kids on the Block on a cruise with all of their fans. As Joey says "It was Spring Break in the best way possible"..."we want to give our fans the best time of their life". You really need to watch the show, it is so entertaining. If you are a fan or even if you are not you will appreciate the experience that these celebrities deal with. The cruise really is "Mayham". I also learned that Jordan calls it Mayham not Mayhem.
Every year they try and make the cruise better and better for their fans. They truly care about their fans which I love. The show really portrays their experience on the cruise.
The episode we watched made us all laugh out loud when they had to perform a concert on the cruise and were forgetting the words to songs. Before the concert they had spent 6 hours taking pictures with a line of fans which must be so exhausting! They talk about how their body aches from hugging everyone and taking pictures with them.
Donnie talked about how they still love performing and have a great time. They really enjoy being together on the cruise. He also talked about the love his Mom showed for him. Donnie's son loves to play the drums and they love doing that together. He talks about caring for what your kids do.
These guys are truly a class act. The whole group is so wonderful.
We had such a good time.
This picture makes me laugh. It is like Where's Waldo? Find all of the band members in this picture if you can.
Here is a little preview! Get ready to "Rock This Boat"!
Tune in weekly and watch "Rock This Boat" on Wednesdays at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT on PopTV!
Disclosure: I was invited to New York City to be at the live stream with the New Kids on the Block members and was provided with a travel stipend. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
There are times in life when you get to do things that even you don't believe you are doing. Recently I had that experience when I got to interview the New Kids on the Block Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, and Danny Wood then go on a Boston Cruise with them!!! Yes you read that right! My 14 year old self was screaming inside. Did you know they have Season 2 of "Rock This Boat" is premiering on June 1st at 8:30 pm EST/7:30 CT on Pop TV? The show goes on an extremely popular NKOTB fan cruise.
I got to sit down with them and interview them with only a couple other Boston Bloggers. The guys were really down to earth and I was impressed that Jordan even asked me by blog name when we sat down to talk. They explained to us that this season will allow viewers to see their point of view during as they prepare for the cruise with their fans and then on the cruise. You get to see a "day in the life" of a New Kid on the Block preparing for the cruise and on the cruise. The show gives you the perspective from each of the band members including going through an airport taking selfies with fans and then their experience throughout the cruise. Joey explained his experience with one fan who had guilt for leaving her kids to go on the cruise and how he could identify with that having his own family now. I love that this a band that I totally grew up with. They are the same age as me now and have families but still get to reunite and have a lot of fun on this yearly cruise with their fans.
We talked about what they would do if they were not in the band, Joey explained he would have stayed in theater. Danny explained that he had a four year scholarship to Boston University but also said he didn't feel like he missed out by joining the band. It was really amusing hearing them talk about Jonathan Knight and how he is a farmer complete with his own bees.
To further immerse viewers in the NKOTB experience, Pop has teamed up with Littlstar, a premier global network dedicated to virtual reality (VR) and 360 degree video, to launch immersive content on web, mobile, headset and Apple TV platforms. The dedicated VR and 360 degree experiences will include live performances with the band, selfies with Donnie, surf lessons with Joey and Jonathan, and more. They explained to us that everyone wants a selfie with them and they are happy to accommodate. I must say Danny is a pro with selfies, he grabbed my phone right away to take this photo.
Of course who wouldn't want a selfie with these handsome guys?
They really do focus on the fans and they talked about the theme nights they have on the cruise and how creative fans can be. One specific theme they talked about was a Cowboy night and they laughed at how they were split at first if they wanted to do it but then they agreed and it turned out awesome.
They also talked about the impact they had on the music industry and Joey joked that they had the most sung O's on an album - Hangin' Tough. They are excited that they were a part of pop history. They were influenced by New Edition and Jackson Five. Joey explained how he felt Jordan's voice influenced N' Sync and Justin Timberlake.
They had a very comical commentary about Justin Bieber and how he is a star and how much pressure he is under. Joey explained how he went through the pressure himself but had four other guys to lean on. Danny spoke of how his mother would not have tolerated some of the things that Justin B. does. Joey even stated that he is a talented kid and that you don't have the most talented writers and producers working with you unless you are really talented. In addition to the social media coverage that stars get these days. They do enjoy social media themselves and use it to share their experiences with their fans.
The NKOTB have sold more than 80 million albums worldwide! The band's annual party cruise has sold out eight years in a row which is a true tribute to the band and how beloved they are. While on the boat the band members were enjoying the entertainment by the "Sing It On" members and meeting media.
After we completed the interview we headed over to the Boston Harbor for a Cruise with the band.
This was the lovely boat we got to go on.
Here is Sing It On performing on the boat.
Here they are with "The Right Stuff". They were very relieved when the band members clapped and liked their rendition of the song.
We had lovely views of Boston on the boat.
The guys had a blast on the cruise and so did we! I couldn't believe how close I was to them the whole night!
Here I am with my Boston Blogger friends on the boat.
Get ready to get up close and personal with these guys!
Here is a little preview! Get ready to "Rock This Boat"!
Tune in weekly and watch "Rock This Boat" on Wednesdays at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT on PopTV!
Disclosure: I was invited to interview the New Kids on the Block members and take a private cruise with them for promotional purposes. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
Recently we received a letter home from the music department. Little did I know that in the fourth grade you can try out an instrument. At first I thought that Evan wouldn't be interested. I was very surprised when he said that he wanted to try it and of all the instruments he wanted to try and play the violin. I have to admit I had to hold back a giggle. I just can't envision him playing the violin. Apparently there had been a demonstration at school and the kids got to try all of the instruments and this is what he liked the best. Plus many of the kids discussed what they wanted to play and it seems violin is a popular choice. I am fairly sure he is not holding the bow correctly in this picture but he was so excited with his new instrument.
Now if Evan has the musical ability I have this will not last too long however I always want my kids to try new things. I remember this as a kid and deciding I was destined to be a wonderful clarinet player. To my dismay I was not a musical person. I practiced but I was terrible and ultimately only lasted a couple months. In fact I remember trying out for the chorus also in 4th grade and being turned down. I still to this day have hard feelings over this because I had to remain in my classroom with a few other non-musical friends. I still remember how upset I was to not have been chosen. To be fair they should have just let us all be in chorus. Why did they let everyone except for about 4 kids? Of course times have changed and this would not happen now.
Well after making sure Evan really did want to play an instrument and not caring that he would miss one recess a week to do this we decided to take the plunge. So we headed to the information night where I was overwhelmed by many companies that you could rent instruments from. Ultimately I chose the one with the largest crowd and a deal to pay for one month and get three months free. Seemed like a good deal. It was funny as all the parents were walking out with their children holding their instruments. We all looked at each other with a bit of an eye roll knowing that ear plugs would be in our future. I was amazed at how many kids were there.
We will see, who knows he might be destined for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. But for now I will take just a few less screeches and a pair of ear plugs.
Evan is in the Third Grade and apparently with the third grade brings playing the Recorder in Music Class. While I was nervous for squeeking hurting my ears I was excited to see Evan play an instrument. Plus to my surprise there is a Third Grade Recorder concert.
I have to say I had no idea what to expect however I was pleasantly surprised. It was super cute and the kids did an awesome job!
Plus they played a song I would have never expected, We Will Rock You!
Evan was all smiles. You can see him in the turquoise and black shirt.
They really listened and were amazing. Great job to their music teacher also.
Here they are doing This Land Is Your Land.
Here is some video, this one made my Mom tear up:
Two of the songs were written by a music teacher. Here is Rise and Shine: This is School's Out:
You must have the song Hot Cross Buns in a Recorder Concert. What a great concert!
We loved it!
Great job to all the kids! I can't wait to see them evolve on their musical journey!
CONTEST CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS TO APRIL AND KRISTIN FOR WINNING! We love listening to Disney music. I have Radio Disney on in the car and we watch a lot of shows on the Disney Channel. What parents recently hasn't been listening to "Let It Go" or "Do You Want To Build a Snowman" on an infinite loop? I know we have. I am extremely excited to offer an awesome giveaway to my readers.
You can win a Walt Disney Records-themed cellophane treat bags.
You will have your choice of a Preschool Basket with: Doc McStuffins Soundtrack, DJ Shuffle, Jake and the Never Land Pirates Yo Ho Matey and the Frozen Soundtrack.
OR
A Tween basket including: Frozen Soundtrack, Austin and Ally: Turn It Up Soundtrack, Disney Channel Play it Loud and Teen Beach Movie Soundtrack.
I will be giving away one of each!
We received the Tween bag and my kids are overly excited about it. They absolutely loved Frozen. In fact my daughter is having a Frozen themed birthday party. They also often times go around the house singing songs from Teen Beach movie. In fact my daughter's baton twirling team is competing this weekend using the song "Surfs Up" complete with surf boards, beach balls, batons and hoop batons.
We love watching Austin and Ally. I think I have been known to walk around the house singing Turn It Up. They are such talented singers.
Play It Loud looks awesome too with great songs from shows that we watch like Jessie, Liv and Maddie, Shake It Up, A.N.T. Farm and even the Austin and Alley Glee Club Mash Up.
I love the whole Frozen soundtrack. The movie was awesome and the music is brilliant. Plus Let It Go won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. I recently went on Lauren's field trip to see Frozen and all the kids were singing Let It Go. It was also very popular in our school's Talent Show.
It's a Summer Kind Of Time, Cruisin with the Boys and Girls. I love the songs from Teen Beach movie. Both Evan and Lauren love them. In fact they had already made me download this soundtrack a while ago.
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win either the Tween Pack or Preschool Pack of Disney CDs. TWO WINNERS!
Disclosure: I received these 4 CDs for review purposes as part of the Entertainment New Media Network. Prizes provided by Walt Disney Records. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
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