100 Things to Do in Cleveland Before You Die 2nd Edition by Deb Thompson and Tonya Prater

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

I'm not sure why, but we generally are terrible at being tourists where we live. When we head out of town, we do research and plan for the places that we might go and the things that we might do; but when it comes to staycations and finding things on the weekend, we seem be creatures of habit and return to the tried and true, rather than explore the local area. This summer, we decided to finally visit the Mansfield Reformatory, where Shawshank Redpemption and other films were filmed. It was a neat attraction full of information about the history of the facility and information about the films that were made there. It even had 'haunted' stories to share about paranormal experiences that others have had. This gem is right off the main road and only 45 minutes from home, but it took us 16 years after we moved here to finally check it out. It's examples like this that found me jumping at the opportunity check out 100 Things to Do in Cleveland Before you Die; a guide that could help me as a local explore many activities and places that are close to home.

The book is well organized, divided into 5 themed sections: Food and Drink; Music and Entertainment; Sports and Recreation; Culture and History; and Shopping and Fashion. Within each section there are several local places or events to check out, including a brief description or story about each. Also sprinkled in are tips with some other nearby things to check out. This format is easy to thumb through and check out some great options in (and around) Cleveland. Several of the listings actually include more than one place to check out, giving you even more than 100 things to check out. The locations and activities included are both everyday and special occasion activities, like the Summer Solstice Festival and the Woollybear Festival. At the back of the book there are suggested itineraries to explore, including one for date night or a family outing; a guide to the activities by season; and an index which makes it easy to look up something specific.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a mix of some places/events that I have visited and some hidden gems that I have yet to experience. The guide would work well for both locals and out of town visitors, offering a mix of places that local residents may not have tried and places that visitors will want to check out. There are several new places that I look forward to checking out. The book is the perfect size to stash in the car so that we will be ready for the next time we are out and about in Cleveland.

About the Book:
100 Things to Do in Cleveland Before You Die, 2nd Edition by Deb Thompson, Tonya Prater

Located on the shore of Lake Erie, Cleveland is as diverse as the people that call it home and is finally being recognized as the gem that it’s always been. From family fun to romantic getaways there is something for everyone in the city that Rock and Roll built. 100 Things To Do In Cleveland Before You Die is the ultimate guide to finding the best things in the city and, for life-long residents, new ways to explore old favorites. This is THE guide for finding the best food, festivals, museums, outdoor activities, music and more. 100 Things guides you through the city like a local and shares what residents have known for years; Cleveland is the place to live or visit for a memorable experience. A melting pot of people and cultures, Cleveland is a place where you can find great food from a truck or from an award winning chef, home to some of the biggest sports fans in existence, world class museums and venues, an amazing amount of green space, and features public art around every corner. Browse the pages of 100 Things before you set out on your next trip to the city to experience something new.


About the Authors:

Deb Thompson is a freelance travel writer whose work takes her across the country to find the most unique attractions that destinations have to offer. An avid fan of the strange and bizarre, she enjoys nothing more than exploring the hallways of haunted locales, searching for Bigfoot in the great outdoors, finding aliens in Roswell and mixing it up with a great cocktail. You can follow her endeavors at JustShortOfCrazy.com. Tonya Prater is a travel writer with the heart of a nomad. Once a full-time RVer who dreams of reliving the experience, she is on a mission to find the fun, quirky stops scattered across the U.S. that most people drive past. Tonya shares her experiences at TravelInspiredLiving.com, which offers travel inspiration for the budget-minded.

No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents LEGENDS April 25-28, 2014 Covelli Centre #Youngstown

No compensation was received for this post. My family and I have the opportunity to enjoy the show. Feld Entertainment provided the tickets and the information for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents LEGENDS
April 25-28, 2014
Covelli Centre

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS, an all-new edition that unites iconic circus stars with living mythological creatures in a celebration of the LEGENDS that have captured imaginations for centuries. Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson guides Paulo the Legend Seeker on his quest to discover real, living legends from around the world and presents Paulo’s fantastic discoveries to circus fans everywhere.

Mythology meets reality as Paulo encounters the wondrous Pegasus and the amazing Unicorn, as well as circus legends such as big cat presenter Alexander Lacey; the Riders of the Wind Cossack horsemen; and motorcycle daredevils, the Torres Family. They all come together along with a cast spanning 25 countries in a spectacular production.

LEGENDS also boasts the largest display of exotic hair-hanging artists in the entire world, magnificent Asian elephants, a twenty-acrobat troupe perched atop only a pair of bicycles and a never-before-seen double-wide, high-flying trapeze act.

Ticket Prices:
Front Row Ringmaster: $95
VIP: $38 (FRI. 7PM, SAT. 3PM/7PM, SUN. 3PM), $35 (SAT. 11AM, SUN. 11AM/7PM, MON. 7PM)
Price Level 3: $19
Price Level 4: $14
*$2 facility fee not included in above prices

The kids $12 tickets are only available on SATURDAY 11AM, SUNDAY 11AM, SUNDAY 7PM, MONDAY 7PM. not valid on Front Row or VIP seating.

Performance Times:
Friday, April 25- 7PM
Saturday, April 26- 11AM, 3PM, 7PM
Sunday, April 27- 11AM, 3PM, 7PM
Monday, April 28- 7PM

All Access Pre-show:
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Legends – an all-new circus spectacle beyond imagination! Arrive an hour early for the All Access Pre-show where you can meet circus legendary performers, amazing animals, try on costumes and learn circus skills – FREE with your ticket! Visit Ringling.com for more information. Playing April 25-28, 2014 Covelli Centre Youngstown.

Ringmaster Zone:
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Legends – an all-new circus spectacle beyond imagination is coming to town! We’d like to invite you to an exclusive behind-the-scenes up close and personal experience called the Ringmaster Zone!
Walk the Ringmaster Zone Red Carpet and get a family photo with a legendary performer! Step inside the Globe of Steel! See mini performances and an Asian elephant up close! Learn how the world famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clowns paint their faces and more! Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to be treated like a circus star! The Ringmaster Zone experience can be combined with any seat level purchased. Tickets are limited so get yours today!

One of my favorite animals to see at the circus are the elephants. They are such amazing 'gentle giants'. So, I thought I would share with you some fun facts about the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Asian elephants:

• Elephants drink 100 times more water than humans do. That is like drinking 800 glasses of water a day!
• A full-grown elephant’s tooth weighs about the same as a nine-pound bowling ball!
• When elephants swim, they use their trunks like snorkels!
• Elephants respond to over 60 voice commands.
• Elephants do not have sweat glands. They use their ears to fan themselves and keep cool.
• Each elephant eats 150-200 pounds of hay along with an assortment of local fresh fruits and vegetables, each and every day.
• Elephants have excellent hearing and also use their ears like a fan – flapping them back and forth to cool themselves!
• The Ringling Bros. elephants receive frequent pedicures and brushing and exfoliation scrubs.
• They love to eat whole unsliced loaves of white bread as a treat.
• An elephant doesn’t drink through its trunk. It sucks water into its trunk and blows it back into its mouth to drink.

You can find more fascinating facts here.


You can purchase your tickets here.

Performance Times:
Friday, April 25- 7PM
Saturday, April 26- 11AM, 3PM, 7PM
Sunday, April 27- 11AM, 3PM, 7PM
Monday, April 28- 7PM

Giveaway!

Courtesy of Feld Entertainment, I have the opportunity to give one lucky winner 4 tickets to the Opening Night performance on April 25th at 7PM.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through April 15th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Tickets are non-transferrable, they will be held at will call under the name provided by the ticket winner only.

No compensation was received for this post. My family and I have the opportunity to enjoy the show. Feld Entertainment provided the tickets and the information for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries coming to Akron Civic #giveaway

No compensation was received for this post.

I grew up watching Scooby-Doo and have shared Scooby-Doo with my kids. When I heard that Scooby-Doo Live! was coming to Akron, I was very excited, because I knew it was a show that the whole family would enjoy.

Tickets for this show would make a great Christmas present. I love to take the kids to live theater and when they are already familiar with the characters, it makes it that much more enjoyable for everyone. Plus, we have a history of giving each other tickets to live shows and sporting events for Christmas. We have frequently made 'vouchers' for those events where the tickets haven't yet gone on sale or we didn't receive paper tickets.

Scooby Doo: Musical Mysteries
Akron Civic Theatre
April 5, 2014
2 Thrilling shows at 2pm and 5pm.

Jeepers! SCOOBY-DOO and the Mystery Inc. Gang have been called in to help
solve an epic mystery in Akron. A trouble-making ghost is haunting a
local theater and SHAGGY, FRED, DAPHNE, VELMA and SCOOBY-DOO are
on their way in the MYSTERY MACHINE to help solve it! This hilarious live
theater show brings everyone's favorite animated series to life. Filled with wacky
new characters, fantastic songs and outrageous antics, SCOOBY-DOO LIVE!
MUSICAL MYSTERIES, presented by Warner Bros. and Life Like Touring, will
have audiences on the edge of their seats in traditional Scooby-Doo fashion.
See if this time the gang is in over its head!

Click here to buy tickets to the 2PM show

Click here to buy tickets to the 5PM show

Giveaway!
I am excited to be able to share with my readers an opportunity to win a family 4-pk of tickets to see Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries at Akron Civic to the 5 pm show on Saturday, April 5th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Giveaway will remain open through February 20th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received a complimentary set of tickets to attend the show from the Akron Civic and they provided information and the tickets for the giveaway. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Monster Jam - coming to Quicken Loans Arena!

Monster Jam
Quicken Loans Arena
Feb 14 - 16 , 2014

Friday, Feb 14 - 7:30 PM
Saturday, Feb 15 - 2:00 PM
Saturday, Feb 15 - 7:30 PM
Sunday, Feb 16 - 2:00 PM

Monster Jam is the most exciting form of family motorsports entertainment on the planet. The stars of the show are the biggest performers on four wheels: the Monster Jam trucks! The twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over - OR smash through. The 2014 touring season brings more Monster Jam excitement providing entertainment tailored perfectly for your family's budget, and these colorful, larger-than-life beasts are sure to capture the hearts of both young and old. In 2014, Monster Jam will receive 26 hours of original programming on FOX Sports 1 followed by a minimum of two re-airings on FOX Sports 2.

Monster Jam Military Appreciation Night – Friday, February 14th, 7:00 p.m.

Feld Motor Sports and Monster Jam are proud to dedicate their opening night performance in Cleveland to those who have served, or are still serving in the United States Armed Forces. Throughout Military Appreciation Night, Monster Jam will salute the men and women of the military for their dedication and the sacrifices they have made to serve our country.

Additionally, active duty and veteran military members can receive one FREE ticket to Opening Night. Tickets can be picked up at the Quicken Loans Arena box office with a valid military ID, between Monday, January 27th through Friday, January 31st.

Ticket Pricing:

Opening Night tickets $12.
Kids Tickets $12.
Pit Passes $10.
All tickets $3 more day of show, so buy your tickets early!

Party in the Pits

A sold-out event year after year, Monster Jam’s Party in the Pits runs from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15th and Sunday February 16th, prior to the 2:00 p.m. show. The pre-show pit party gives fans (with a pit pass and show ticket) the chance to see these larger-than-life monster trucks up close, meet the drivers behind the wheel, take pictures and get autographs! Pit passes will be available for $10 online at theQarena.com after tickets have been purchased and at the Quicken Loans Arena box office, while supplies last.

Ticket Discount!
You can get 25% off your tickets when you enter Promo Code MOM25 at check-out. Offer not valid on Opening Night. Not valid on Gold Circle or VIP seating. No double Discounts. You can buy your tickets here.

Like Monster Jam and Quicken Loans Arena on Facebook and be sure to share with friends!

Follow Monster Jam on Twitter.

Be sure to use one of the following hash tags if you share on Facebook or Twitter: #MJinCLE, #HappyinCLE, #MonsterJamCLE, #MilitaryAppreciationNight

Giveaway!
Thanks to Feld Family Entertainment I am able to offer a giveaway for a family 4-pack of tickets to one A Busy Mom of Two reader.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


No compensation was received for this post. My family and I have the opportunity to enjoy the show. Feld Entertainment provided the tickets and the information for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Scooby - Doo Live! Musical Mysteries North American Tour 2014

No compensation was received for this post.

I grew up watching Scooby-Doo and have shared Scooby-Doo with my kids. When I heard that Scooby-Doo Live! was coming to Akron, I was very excited, because I knew it was a show that the whole family would enjoy.

Tickets for this show would make a great Christmas present. I love to take the kids to live theater and when they are already familiar with the characters, it makes it that much more enjoyable for everyone. Plus, we have a history of giving each other tickets to live shows and sporting events for Christmas. We have frequently made 'vouchers' for those events where the tickets haven't yet gone on sale or we didn't receive paper tickets.

Scooby Doo: Musical Mysteries
Akron Civic Theatre
April 5, 2014
2 Thrilling shows at 2pm and 5pm.

Jeepers! SCOOBY-DOO and the Mystery Inc. Gang have been called in to help
solve an epic mystery in Akron. A trouble-making ghost is haunting a
local theater and SHAGGY, FRED, DAPHNE, VELMA and SCOOBY-DOO are
on their way in the MYSTERY MACHINE to help solve it! This hilarious live
theater show brings everyone's favorite animated series to life. Filled with wacky
new characters, fantastic songs and outrageous antics, SCOOBY-DOO LIVE!
MUSICAL MYSTERIES, presented by Warner Bros. and Life Like Touring, will
have audiences on the edge of their seats in traditional Scooby-Doo fashion.
See if this time the gang is in over its head!

Special Offer!
I am excited to be able to share with my readers an exclusive password that will allow you to participate in the presale event, the day before tickets go on sale to the general public.

The Presale is this Thursday,12/12/13 from 10am – 10pm

Use the password: SHAGGY

Links to buy tickets:

Click here to buy tickets to the 2PM show

Click here to buy tickets to the 5PM show

Tickets go on sale to the public on 12/13/13 10am.

No compensation was received for this post. The Akron Civic provided the information for the presale and the exclusive password to share with readers to participate in the presale. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

60's Rock -N- Remember coming to Akron Civic Theatre #giveaway

No compensation was received for this post. I received a complimentary set of tickets to attend the show from the Akron Civic and they provided information and the tickets for the giveaway. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Growing up, as I am sure most kids did, I listened to a lot of my parent's music. So, when I heard that the show 60's Rock-N-Remember was coming to the Akron Civic Theatre, I got a little bit excited. The show includes Herman's Hermit's starring Peter Noone, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap and Dennis Tufano of the Buckinghams. As I read through some of the songs listed in the show blurb, I find myself singing the songs in my head. I know so many of the songs and am certain that I will have to stop myself from singing along with all of them. (I know the songs, but I certainly can not sing!)

60's Rock -N- Remember featuring Herman's Hermit's starring Peter Noone, Gary Puckett and The Union Gap and Dennis Tufano, original voice of The Buckinghams.
Sunday, October 27, 2013 4:00 PM
Akron Civic Theatre

Peter Noone is a multi-talented entertainer, who has been delighting audiences nearly all his life.

At the age of fifteen, Peter achieved international fame as “Herman”, lead singer of the legendary Sixties pop band Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits included: “I’m Into Something Good” “Mrs. Brown, you’ve Got A Lovely Daughter”, “I’m Henry VIII, I Am”, “Silhouettes”, “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat”, “Just A Little Bit Better”, “Wonderful World”, “There’s A Kind of Hush”, “A Must To Avoid”, “Listen People”, “The End of the World” and “Dandy”. Ultimately, Herman’s Hermits sold over sixty million recordings. In all, fourteen singles and seven albums went gold. The Hermits were twice named Cashbox’s “Entertainer of the Year”.

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap was an American pop rock group operating in the late 1960s. Their biggest hits were "Woman, Woman," "Young Girl," and "Lady Willpower."
GARY PUCKETT and the UNION GAP was one of the most successful musical groups of the sixties. Gary's unmistakable signature voice garnered six consecutive gold records and top ten Billboard hits:
"YOUNG GIRL"
"WOMAN WOMAN"
"LADY WILLPOWER"
"OVER YOU"
"THIS GIRL IS A WOMAN NOW"

Dennis Tufano is the original lead singer of the 1960s rock group The Buckinghams, and has been a solo performer since the early 1980s.

Giveaway!
Courtesy of Akron Civic Theatre, I am able to give away to one A Busy Mom of Two reader a 4-pk of tickets to 60's Rock-N-Remember.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will remain open through October 20th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received a complimentary set of tickets to attend the show from the Akron Civic and they provided information and the tickets for the giveaway. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Built to Amaze!, coming to Cleveland, #giveaway

No compensation was received for this post. My family and I have the opportunity to enjoy the show. Feld Entertainment provided the tickets and the information for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Show Description:

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Presents Built To Amaze! ℠ , the 143rd edition of the Greatest Show On Earth. Surprise and wonder delights audiences with over the top feats of strength, agility and courage. As the momentum builds so does the anticipation, anything can happen when Ringling Bros. Presents Built To Amaze!

Circus performers from across the globe create the perfect blend of athleticism and bravery, where power meets fearlessness and amazement has no bounds. Magnificent elephants, ferocious tigers, astonishing acrobats and awe-inspiring aerialists are engineered into one spectacular performance.

Celebrate the tradition TODAY and experience its modern flare of twists and turns where excitement and suspense are so intense you’ll be tempted to cover your eyes.

From the blueprints to the band, the crates to the clowns, the hammer to the high wire, witness the spectacle as we measure out the perfect mix of marvel and majesty in an imagination equation where the impossible comes to life. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Presents Built To Amaze!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Presents Built To Amaze!
Quicken Loans Arena
Performance Times:
Wednesday, October 23: 7PM
Thursday, October 24: 7PM
Friday, October 25: 7PM
Saturday, October 26: 11AM, 3PM, 7PM
Sunday, October 27: 11AM, 3PM, 7PM

Ticket Prices:
Circus Celebrity - $85
Front Row -$68 Weekend/$60 Weekday
VIP - $43 Weekend/$40 Weekday
$23
$17
*prices do not include $3 Facility Fee

Exclusive Savings:
Discount offer: Save $5 to select performances!
Promo Code: MOM5
Disclaimers: Valid on ALL performances EXCEPT Wednesday & Thursday.Discounts not valid on Circus Celebrity, Front Row or VIP tickets. No double discounts. Discounts expire on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Get tickets at theqarena.com, the Quicken Loans Arena Box Office or by phone at 888.894.9424.

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through October 4th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. My family and I have the opportunity to enjoy the show. Feld Entertainment provided the tickets and the information for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Disney Junior Live! Pirate & Princess Adventure, coming to Youngstown, #giveaway

No compensation was received for this post. My family and I have the opportunity to enjoy the show. Feld Entertainment provided the tickets and the information for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.
I will probably never forget the day that we went to Target (we are there almost daily it seems) to pick up a few things that we needed and were looking in the toy section for my daughter, who had a few dollars to spend. As we walked up and down the aisles, we came across the row with the Disney plush toys. She looked and almost immediately saw a large stuffed Jake that she just had to have. I questioned it, not only because I had never seen her watch the show or talk about Jake before but also as I do most requests for stuffed toys, because they quickly fall out of favor and she is always wanting a new one.

I told her it wasn't on sale and I didn't realize she was a fan, so I said that we had to wait to get it. That way, she could think about it and make sure that was how she wanted to spend her money. I explained, that if it went on sale and she still wanted it, then maybe we could come back and get it. She immediately started to melt down. I don't think that I had ever seen her throw a fit quite like this. So, I calmly (as best I could stay calm), picked her up and carried her out of the store, leaving behind the cart of items that I had come to pick up. I don't know that anyone I know was there as I walked out carrying my very upset and loud daughter, as I was not about to make eye contact with anyone.

We talked about it later and she understood that was not the way to act and that sometimes, we have to wait and get things right away when we think that we want them. I explained again that I had never seen her even watch the show or talk about Jake. She told me that they watched it at daycare and she was a fan. So, as things have a way of working out, we set up Jake to record and she now watches it regularly. We did eventually, a few months later, buy that large stuffed Jake, when he was on sale...but only after we reviewed the experience of the first time she asked for Jake and what was wrong with her approach. She regularly watches his show with him and frequently he is the stuffed toy of choice at bedtime. So, in the end, it worked out that she has stuck with him and not lost interest.

She also is a fan of Sofia the First and anxiously awaits the release of each new episode, so when I learned that Disney Junior Live! Pirate & Princess Adventure was coming to Youngstown, I knew that she would be very excited to go and see two of her favorite Disney Junior characters live.

Show Description:

Grab your tiaras and doubloons and join us for Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure. Mickey and Minnie are taking their seats too at this never-before-seen live show featuring your favorite characters from Disney Junior's hit series, Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Get swept up in the excitement as Sofia and her family prepare for a royal celebration that helps us all learn the true meaning of being a princess with a special appearance from Cinderella. Then it's off to Never Land where Jake and his swashbuckling friends Izzy and Cubby, with a little help from Peter Pan, battle Captain Hook to unlock treasure hidden inside a mysterious volcano. It's danger and dueling on the high seas as Jake discovers what it takes to be a true hero. Filled with new music, amazing effects, thrilling action and endless surprises, your whole family will sing, shout, and soar into the action when Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure sails into your hometown.


Special bonus! Starting ten minutes before every performance join loveable Doc McStuffins for a special pre-show! You can help Doc take care of one of her beloved toys with her own special brand of love and magic. Free to all ticket holders.

Disney Junior Live! Pirate & Princess Adventure
Covelli Centre
October 26, 2013
1 pm and 4 pm

Exclusive Savings:
Disount offer: Save $5 on all performances!
Promo Code: MOM5
Disclaimers No double discounts. Not valid on VIP or VIP floor seats. Valid on both performances. Get your tickets at ticketmaster.com, the Covelli Centre Box Office or by phone at 800.745.3000.


Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through October 4th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. My family and I have the opportunity to enjoy the show. Feld Entertainment provided the tickets and the information for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

SPANK! The 50 Shades Parody, Coming to Akron Civic, #Giveaway!

Sometimes, you just need a night out with the girls. What better way to spend a night out than to enjoy dinner and a show. A few months back, a group of friends and I enjoyed the musical, Girls Night Out at the Akron Civic Theatre and next month, we are going to see SPANK! The 50 Shades Parody. I have not read the 50 Shades series and really don't have any intent to, but the show sounds very enjoyable, plus it is a night out with my friends and I can't wait.

SPANK! The 50 Shades Parody
Friday, October 4, 2013 8:00 PM
Akron Civic Theatre

It’s time for the saucy book that caused a world sensation to get SPANKED!

SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody is the hilarious new musical that brings all the naughty fun of the best-selling book to life. Your inner goddess will be laughing out loud with this new imagining of the characters as they come to life with sharp-witted comedy, musical numbers, steamy and fun performances from the hunky leading man, plus lots of surprises!

Get there early for pre-show cocktails, then stay to meet the cast after the show, and pose for a photo with the fetching star himself.

Grab your girlfriends and don’t miss the funniest and most exciting girls’ night out of the year!

SPANK! is not associated with, nor authorized by, author E.L. James or Vintage Press.

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through September 29th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received a complimentary set of tickets to attend the show, as well as those for the giveaway from the Akron Civic Theatre. The blurb about the show and the image are from the Akron Civic Theatre website. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Super Why Live: You've Got the Power! - Akron Civic Theater

Super Why Live: You've Got the Power!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 6:30 PM
Akron Civic Theatre

Super WHY Live: You’ve Got the Power! is coming to the Civic for the first time ever! Based on the top-rated, Emmy-nominated preschool TV series that airs on PBS KIDS everyday across the U.S., Super WHY Live brings entertainment and education together in a live show unlike any your family has seen before. It is sure to be unforgettable.

Super WHY Live was written by Super WHY creator Angela Santomero, with music by Jack Antonoff, of the Grammy-nominated band “fun.” The show is produced by S2BN Entertainment (Yo Gabba Gabba! Live, Spider-Man on Broadway, and Rock of Ages: The Musical) in association with Out of the Blue Enterprises.

For an extra special experience, You’ve Got the Power! Party Packages offer premium seats and a meet & greet with your favorite characters after the show.

Super Why VIP packages through TicketMaster ONLY!

Ticket Information
$24.75 - $34.75
Available at the Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

Giveaway!
One A Busy Mom of Two reader will win a 4-pack of tickets to see Super Why Live: You've Got the Power! at the Akron Civic Theatre on Tuesday, May 7th at 6:30 pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through April 15th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received the tickets for the show, courtesy of Akron Civic Theater. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Cirque Ziva, featuring The Golden Dragon Acrobats coming to Akron Civic Theatre

Cirque Ziva, featuring The Golden Dragon Acrobats
Sunday, April 21, 2013 3:00 PM
Akron Civic Theatre

The Golden Dragon Acrobats have been recognized as the preeminent Chinese acrobatic company in the United States. The Golden Dragon Acrobats hail from Cangzhou, Hebei province, in the People’s Republic of China and have toured the United States continuously since 1978 to international acclaim. Its members are athletes, actors and artists who have studied and trained for their craft since early childhood. The group averages 200 performances each year and has toured through all 50 states and in over 65 countries across the world.

They practice the rigorous art of Chinese Acrobatics, an art form that first became popular in China 2,500 years ago. The 25 acrobats are athletes, actors and artists who have trained since childhood. They will amaze you with acrobatic feats they perform using their bodies and simple props including everyday objects like plates, jugs, bicycles, umbrellas and more.

I have always been intrigued by the various Cirque shows - the acrobats amaze me with their strength and their precision. I can't wait to check out the Cirque Ziva when it comes to town.

Tickets:
Adult - $35.00/12 yrs and Under - $25.00
Adult - $25.00/12 yrs and Under - $15.00
Adult - $20.00/12 yrs and Under - $10.00

You can purchase tickets online through the website or at the Box Office.

Giveaway!
Courtesy of Akron Civic Theatre, one A Busy Mom of Two reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets to check out Cirque Ziva on Sunday, April 21st at 3 pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through April 9th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received the tickets for the show, courtesy of Akron Civic Theater. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

America's Got Talent Live - All Stars Tour. CANCELLED!

UPDATE:
This tour has been cancelled.
"AMERICA'S GOT TALENT LIVE - ALL STARS TOUR"
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 8:00 PM
Akron Civic Theatre

The America's Got Talent Live: All Stars Tour is bringing the top fan-favorites to you live!

Hosted by the one-and-only Jerry Springer, it will feature superstars such as:

• Olate Dogs and their amazing style of K-9 entertainment- This Season's $1 Million Winner
• Eugene Landau Murphy and his awesome big band Sinatra singing sound
• Last Season's Winner Eric Dittelman -This Season's Mentalist/Mind Reader
• Spencer Horsman -This Season's Escape Artist and Illusionist
• Singer Tim Hockenberry
• Comedian/Impressionist Dave Burleigh

... all under the watchful eye of iconic Master of Ceremonies Jerry Springer.

See the acts that wowed the nation live and in-person!

You can purchase your tickets online through the Akron Civic Website or in person at the Akron Civic Theatre. Tickets start at $29.50 and there is an option for VIP tickets with Meet and Greet for $85.00

Giveaway!

Show has been cancelled. Sorry!

Giveaway will remain open through February 5th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received the tickets for the show, courtesy of Akron Civic Theater. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Yo Gabba Gabba! - Get the Sillies Out! Ticket Giveaway!

YO GABBA GABBA - Get the Sillies Out!
Tickets on sale 12/3/12
Show Times: January 22, 2013 3:30 and 6:30 PM
Akron Civic Theatre

"Is your family ready to GET THE SILLIES OUT? Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! is going back on the road in 2013 with a new show, "Get the Sillies Out!" featuring the one and only DJ Lance Rock, plus Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, and Plex, and of course, hip hop legend Biz Markie.

Winner of Billboard's Creative Content Award, Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! has performed in front of countless fans across the U.S. and Canada over the past three years, and the new show "Get the Sillies Out!" is sure to be one you won't want to miss. They have taken the fan favorites from the past two tours and combined them with some all-new music and other surprises that we can't tell you about- yet!

Buy tickets or Gabba Party Packages (including a meet & greet with the characters) right away and give your kids an experience they won't soon forget. Plus, you'll have just as much fun as they will!

For more information, visit http://www.yogabbagabbalive.com."

You can head over to Ticketmaster.com and purchase tickets. Ticket prices range from $25 - $45 for the show or $125 for the Gabba Party Packages (including a meet & greet with the characters).

Giveaway!
Courtesy of the Akron Civic Theater, I have the opportunity to giveaway another Family Four-Pack of tickets to see Yo Gabba Gabba - Get the Sillies Out on January 22 at 6:30 pm at the Akron Civic Theater.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will remain open through January 15th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winner will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received the tickets for the show, courtesy of Akron Civic Theater. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Girls Night: The Musical at Akron Civic - discount code and giveaway!

Girls Night: The Musical

January 26, 2013 8:00 PM
Akron Civic Theatre
Girls Night: The Musical has been thrilling audiences and earning raves from critics throughout North America since it began touring after its sensational Off-Broadway debut. This touching and hilarious "tell-it-like-it-is" musical takes audiences on a journey into the lives of a group of female friends. Audience members can't help but laugh, cry and even sing and dance in the aisles to some the most popular hit songs of the 80s and 90s! Follow five friends as they re-live their past, celebrate their present, and look to the future on a wild and hilarious night out ... and you'll recognize a bit of yourselves in each one of them! It is described as "Desperate Housewives meets Mamma Mia" (Applause Magazine) and "As funny and outrageous as Sex & the City!" (The Advocate). Girls Night is packed with hits "Lady Marmalade," "It's Raining Men," "Man I Feel Like A Woman," "I Will Survive," "We are Family" and many more!

You can purchase your tickets through the Akron Civic site and get 20% off your tickets when you use the code PARTY.

My friends and I are looking forward to a night out. We will likely start our evening with a dinner and then head to the show.

Giveaway!
One lucky A Busy Mom of Two reader will win a 4-pack of tickets to see Girls Night: The Musical at the Akron Civic Theater on Saturday, January 26th at 8 pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through January 20th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received the tickets for the show, courtesy of Akron Civic Theater. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Disney On Ice - Rockin’ Pep Rally

Disney on Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After is coming to the Q January 11-21, 2013!!

On January 11th, the opening day of the upcoming Disney On Ice presents Rockin' Ever After in Cleveland, they are hosting a Scottish Target Practice Pep Rally at the Q Arena from 10 a.m. – noon. Clevelanders (moms, aunts, uncles, downtowners, etc.) are encouraged to stop down at the Q to throw snowballs at a target set up on the outside of the Q Arena.

Food trucks will be present to serve lunch. Participants that hit the bull’s eye of the target will receive 2 free tickets to the show! Each ring outside of the target has a discount amount attached to it (ex. outside ring is $3 off, next ring to the bull’s eye is $4, etc.)

Don't forget you can purchase tickets from the Q website.

Use FAMILY at check out and get the following deal:
Buy 4 tickets, get 4 FREE hot dogs and 4 FREE sodas.
Not valid on Saturdays @3PM or Sundays @1PM. Can buy any number of tickets, not just in 4 packs.

You can also still enter to try to win tickets here on A Busy Mom of Two.

No compensation was received for this post. I received four tickets to show as a Feld Family Blogger. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Disney On Ice presents Rockin' Ever After - coming to Cleveland!

Disney on Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After is coming to the Q January 11-21, 2013!!

I know that the Little Princess in my life is excited when the Disney Princesses come to town as part of the Disney on Ice show. There is just something so exciting about seeing so many of our favorite princesses out on the ice together. We always like to make an outing of it and head to lunch/dinner before or after the show. Last year, we even ran into a fan dressed as Rapunzel at lunch and had our pictures taken with her.

Rockin’ Ever After is the ultimate rock star princess experience! This action-packed new skating spectacular features world-class skaters and hair-raising moments from the hit animated films Brave, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid. The show features classic and new Disney princesses – Merida, Belle, Ariel and Rapunzel – who rock out with show stopping performances. The show also features contemporary “rock star” music to keep the audience rockin’ and rollin’ throughout the entire show. Rockin’ Ever After is the newest Disney On Ice production and has never traveled to Cleveland, Ohio before.

Show dates/times:
Friday, January 11th – 7:00 PM
Saturday, January 12th – 11:00 AM
Saturday, January 12th – 3:00 PM
Saturday, January 12th – 7:00 PM
Sunday, January 13th – 1:00 PM
Sunday, January 13th – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, January 16th – 7:00 PM
Thursday, January 17th – 7:00 PM
Friday, January 18th – 7:00 PM
Saturday, January 19th – 11:00 AM
Saturday, January 19th – 3:00 PM
Saturday, January 19th – 7:00 PM
Sunday, January 20th – 1:00 PM
Sunday, January 20th – 5:00 PM
Monday, January 21st – 1:00 PM
Monday, January 21st – 5:00 PM

Special Discount Offer:
Buy 4 tickets, get 4 FREE hot dogs and 4 FREE sodas using code: FAMILY the Quicken Loans Arena Box Office, theQarena.com or by phone at 888.894.9424.
Not valid on Saturdays @3PM or Sundays @1PM. Can buy any number of tickets, not just in 4 packs.

You can purchase your tickets here.

Giveaway!
One lucky A Busy Mom of Two reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets to Rockin' Ever After at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Choice of:
Friday, January 11th – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, January 16th – 7:00 PM
Thursday, January 17th – 7:00 PM
Monday, January 21st – 1:00 PM
Monday, January 21st – 5:00 PM
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will remain open through January 8th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received four tickets to show as a Feld Family Blogger. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Akron Civic Presents: Yo Gabba Gabba

I shared with you last week that Yo Gabba Gabba is coming to Akron Civic Theater and I shared yesterday about how I think tickets to live events can be a great holiday gift. Now, here is your chance to win a family four-pack of tickets to check out Yo Gabba Gabba on January 22nd at 6:30 pm.

YO GABBA GABBA - Get the Sillies Out!
Tickets on sale 12/3/12
Show Times: January 22, 2013 3:30 and 6:30 PM
Akron Civic Theatre

"Is your family ready to GET THE SILLIES OUT? Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! is going back on the road in 2013 with a new show, "Get the Sillies Out!" featuring the one and only DJ Lance Rock, plus Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, and Plex, and of course, hip hop legend Biz Markie.

Winner of Billboard's Creative Content Award, Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! has performed in front of countless fans across the U.S. and Canada over the past three years, and the new show "Get the Sillies Out!" is sure to be one you won't want to miss. They have taken the fan favorites from the past two tours and combined them with some all-new music and other surprises that we can't tell you about- yet!

Buy tickets or Gabba Party Packages (including a meet & greet with the characters) right away and give your kids an experience they won't soon forget. Plus, you'll have just as much fun as they will!

For more information, visit http://www.yogabbagabbalive.com."

What Others Are Saying:

"The show was awesome!!! My husband and I had a blast... oh yeah, our daughter did too (haha)! We danced the entire show... FUN FUN FUN!"
-Chanel

"This is hands down the best children's show I have ever been to. The songs were great, the crowd interaction was great. The fact that Biz was there too and they had a real band (great band) come out for the Super Music Friends show was incredible. I will definitely go again when they are back in town."
-Sadie

"I had sooo much fun!!! Can't wait til next year!"
-Lucy

"We LOVED every minute of it!!!"
-James

"The look on my daughters face when she saw everyone come out was priceless!! Can't wait for the next show!"
-Rachel

"The best show ever!"
-Brent

You can head over to Ticketmaster.com and purchase tickets. Ticket prices range from $25 - $45 for the show or $125 for the Gabba Party Packages (including a meet & greet with the characters).

Giveaway!
Courtesy of the Akron Civic Theater, I have the opportunity to giveaway a Family Four-Pack of tickets to see Yo Gabba Gabba - Get the Sillies Out on January 22 at 6:30 pm at the Akron Civic Theater. What a great holiday surprise this could be for your kids!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will remain open through December 17th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winner will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received the tickets for the show, courtesy of Akron Civic Theater. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Akron Civic Presents - Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold

Sisters Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold
December 15, 2012 at 7:30pm

Akron Civic Theatre
182 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308-1358

By Maripat Donovan with Jane Morris & Marc Silvia

"It's "CSI: Bethlehem" in this holiday mystery extravaganza, from the author of Late Nite Catchism, as Sister takes on the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the ages - whatever happened to the Magi's gold? ("We know that Mary used the frankincense and myrrh as a sort of potpourri - they were in a barn after all.") Retelling the story of the nativity, as only Sister can, this hilarious holiday production is bound to become a yearly classic. Employing her own scientific tools, assisted by a local choir as well as a gaggle of audience members, Sister creates a living nativity unlike any you've ever seen. With gifts galore and bundles of laughs, Sister's Christmas Catechism is sure to become the newest addition to your holiday traditions."



You can purchase tickets online through Ticketmaster.com. There are two levels of tickets available for the event - $27.50 or $37.50. There is a special offer available on Ticketmaster for Me+3. When you purchase groups of four tickets, you can get them for $20.63 or $28.13 each (plus fees).

Giveaway!
Courtesy of Akron Civic Theater, you have the chance to win 4 Tickets to Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold in Akron, Ohio at the Akron Civic Theatre.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through December 11th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winner will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received the tickets for the show, courtesy of Akron Civic Theater. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Holiday Gift Guide - Tickets for Live Entertainment

There is nothing quite the same as seeing live entertainment. Whether that entertainment is a Broadway show, a ballet, or a live sporting event, being at the show/game in person is just better than watching it at home.

I think it all started when my husband and I were dating. He is a huge baseball fan, more specifically, a huge New York Yankees fan. He also is one to buy himself whatever he wants, two minutes after he knows he wants it - which makes it really hard to come up with gift ideas. You hear an idea that you think you can tuck away for later and then the next day, he is telling you about what he bought. (okay, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but not far from the truth.) Since he is such a big fan of baseball, I started giving him the gift of baseball. Each year, I would choose a new city to travel to to see the New York Yankees play baseball. Many teams don't release their individual game tickets for sale early enough to have the tickets on hand, but I would find the game and then print out a certificate that told him what games we would be going to.

One more than one occasion, he has also purchased tickets for me. The tickets that he has purchased for me are typically to go see a live performance. When I was pregnant with my son, he bought me tickets to see Annie live on stage in Pittsburgh. One of the best things about the gift, it was truly a gift for him to take me to see Annie - it is certainly not a show that he would have chosen for himself.

But tickets to games or shows, does not need to be limited to adults. I love taking my kids to see shows. Many theaters offer family packages and/or $10 tickets to shows. The tickets at that price are limited, but they give you the opportunity to share the experience without breaking the bank. We are fortunate, that in addition to regular shows, that we have been able to take in shows geared towards children. We have seen groups like Imagination Movers in concert, a local Children's Ballet group perform Fancy Nancy and Madeline ballets, storybook shows such as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Wrinkle in Time by a Professional Theater Company for young audiences and families, and shows like Disney on Ice and Phineas & Ferb Live. Each of these experiences can be used to teach children about the arts and to see familiar things transformed into live performances.

The holidays can be a great time to give someone the gift of show tickets (and sporting event tickets). Many theaters, having thought of this too, will send out their annual performance information just in time for the holidays.