The Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular is definitely a fall event worth checking out. It’s even worth the drive if you are visiting from out of town. I’m sharing some tips to help you make the most out of your first visit.
15 Tips for Attending Art Prize for the First Time
Art Prize is one of my favorite annual events that takes place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For 19 days each fall, Art Prize draws artists from around the world, working in any type of medium, to compete in an independently organized international art competition. When you visit Art Prize, you are faced with lots of incredible art to view in every direction. I’m sharing tips to help you get the most out of your first Art Prize experience.
The exhibit that all Sneakerheads will want to see
You could say that my son is well on his way to becoming a Sneakerhead. He loves looking at shoes online and they are his number 1 request for birthdays and gifts. He also saves up his money to purchase additional shoes too. Good thing we’ve taught him the art of discount shopping.
During a trip to Toledo, I knew that he would love The Rise of Sneaker Culture at the Toledo Museum of Art. It was the perfect storm. I love art. He loves shoes. This exhibit displays shoes AS art for the WIN!
The exhibit takes you back to sneaker origins from the mid-1800 to current styles of today.
The Rise of Sneaker Culture features approximately 160 shoes that tell the fascinating story of how a casual fashion staple became the footwear of millions around the world. The exhibition draws from the collections of the Bata Shoe Museum, the Northampton Museums and Art Gallery; the archives of Adidas, Converse, Nike and PUMA; and private collectors such as Dee Wells of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder and legendary hip-hop group Run–DMC.
Shoes on display include an 1860s spiked running shoe, an original 1917 Converse All Star/Non Skid, a pair of 1936 track shoes like the ones Jesse Owens wore at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, the original Air Force 1, and an early Adidas Superstar, as well as contemporary sneaker collaborations with prominent figures such as Damien Hirst, Jeremy Scott, Jeff Staple, Kanye West and many others.
From its historical origins in the recreational pastimes of the elite and the increasing importance of physical fitness to its role today at the vanguard of athletic performance and urban style, the sneaker has been a pivotal component of dress for more than 150 years. The shoe’s ever-evolving design and cultural impact offers insights into the world in which we live, work and play.
When my husband and I were first married, I had him get rid of his old pair of Jordans. He’s regretted that decision every since and reminds me of it all the time. Now the only way he can see them is on display.
This exhibit really takes you through a journey of fashion and art.
Early sneaker designs
Fashion over the years
Creative concepts
My boys loved the interactive element at the end of the exhibit. We spent over an hour in that area.
We played a variation of Chutes and Ladders called Grafitti and Ladders that used tiny sneakers as the place markers and sneaker themed Dominios.
Kids and adults can dream up their own shoe designs by bringing color to the blank sneaker templates.
Exhibit guests can also take a shoe selfie on different flooring samples that can be added to the wall.
Shaping Sound at the Aronoff Center for the Arts
Do you love to watch dance?
You can see the creative skills by amazing choreographers this Sunday at the Cincinnati Aronoff. I’m excited to see all of this great talent in one performance.
BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS is pleased to announce that North America’s hottest new dance show — SHAPING SOUND — will perform one night only at Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center, Sunday, November 8 at 4:00 PM.
Experience the exhilarating collaboration of North America’s newest dance visionaries as they mash-up music genres and dance styles in an explosive dance theater experience perfect for all ages.
The dance company SHAPING SOUND was established in Los Angeles in 2012 with a focus on contemporary dance and choreographic artistry. Created by the 2015 Emmy Award winner for ‘Outstanding Choreography’ ©- TRAVIS WALL, along with NICK LAZZARINI, TEDDY FORANCE and KYLE ROBINSON, the company is an evocative collaboration by diverse artists who describe themselves as ‘visual musicians,’ i.e. their dance gives shape and form to sound. The four dancers broke into public awareness in a big way with the debut of the reality television series “All The Right Moves” on the Oxygen channel. The popular series followed these lifelong friends and roommates in their quest to launch their own dance company – the company that is now the enormously successful SHAPING SOUND.
SHAPING SOUND’s movement style provides its audience access to, and a greater understanding of contemporary dance through a unique fusion of jazz, modern and hip-hop choreography. With a dynamic mix of energy, emotion and athleticism, the ensemble brings tremendous musicality of movement to each performance. Lauded by the commercial dance world and immensely popular with audiences of all ages, the company members have been showcased on all of America’s popular primetime dance, awards, entertainment and music shows including: “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Dancing With The Stars,” “Glee,” “American Idol,” “The Voice” and “The 2013 Prime Time Emmy Awards” to name a few. They have toured internationally with an impressive array of the world’s top recording artists, and with award-winning dance companies.
Respected by both critics of dance and by the entertainment industry in general, SHAPING SOUND has quickly built an important critical resume and an impressively large fan base. BroadwayWorld.com described the show as: “Electrifying and stunning … Aficionados of contemporary dance should do everything in their power to attend SHAPING SOUND.” And The Advocate said: “Once in a generation there is a group of artists who changes the trajectory of a genre.” After a Dallas-area performance, Theatre Jones stated: “The choreography creates a visual effect that is mesmerizing.”
The principal dancers are joined by Chantel Aguirre, Channing Cooke, Rory Freeman, Daniel Gaymon, Jaimie Goodwin, Kate Harpootlian, Justine Lutz, , Briana Morrison, Chelsea Thedinga, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ All-Star Kathryn McCormick, and the 2014 Winner of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Ricky Ubeda.
The combined resumes of the founding members show an impressive foray into the top echelon of the American entertainment industry:
TRAVIS WALL was the runner-up for the Fox reality show “So You Think You Can Dance” and is currently a resident choreographer and judge for this highly-rated national dance competition show. He is the 2015 Emmy-Award winner for ‘Outstanding Choreography’ and a four time Emmy© nominee, for his work on “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars,” along with fellow cast mates, Teddy Forance and Nick Lazzarini. He assisted with the choreography of the “The 82nd Academy Awards,” and with Drake for “The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards” and has worked with Florence and the Machine, Chelsea Handler, Eminem, and Rihanna. Travis also choreographed the contemporary numbers for the feature film, Step Up Revolution. Currently, he teaches on tour with NUVO Dance Convention.
NICK LAZZARINI is the season one winner of the Fox reality show “So You Think You Can Dance” and he has been featured in countless publications, including twice as the cover story of Dance Sprit Magazine. He recently performed on “The 2013 Emmy Awards” and has danced with music sensations such as Adele, on “Dancing With the Stars,” Kelly Clarkson at this year’s “American Music Awards” and with Florence and the Machine at “The MTV Video Music Awards”. Currently he teaches on tour for JUMP Dance Convention.
TEDDY FORANCE is a fourth generation dancer with his family’s dance studio, the Hackworth School of Performing Arts in Massachusetts. He turned professional by the age of 17 travelling throughout Greece as a dancer for the international pop star Anna Vissi. He has partnered with many esteemed choreographers including Mia Michaels – where he assisted the “Celine Dion Taking Chances” tour and performed as a lead dancer in Cirque du Soleil’s Delirium. He is well-known for his work in seasons two and three of the Fox television reality show “So You Think You Can Dance” for which he received an honorary Emmy© Award nomination. He is a featured performer on “Dancing with the Stars” and works as a choreographer for Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald. He has performed with an array of award-winning artists including Lady Gaga performing on “American Idol,” Usher at “The American Music Awards,” Florence and the Machine at “The MTV Video Music Awards” and choreographed for Kelly Clarkson on “The American Music Awards”. He recently performed on “The 2013 Emmy Awards”. Currently, he teaches internationally for JUMP Dance Convention.
KYLE ROBINSON began dancing when he was eleven years old and quickly mastered all movements and forms of the art. By the age of eighteen, he was awarded the ‘Gold Award in Modern Dance’ from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA). It was during this time that he met legendary dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov who has served as Kyle’s mentor since. He trained at the Julliard School, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Throughout college he worked as a freelance dancer with Aszure & Artists and the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company. He played ‘Diesel’ in the recent, highly reviewed first national tour of West Side Story. Kyle recently performed on “The 2013 Emmy Awards,” “X Factor” and this past season in “Glee”.
SHAPING SOUND is produced by BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS, LLC, Executive Producer Gil Stroming and Producer Nikole Vallins, and is considered one of the world’s preeminent dance entertainment companies today. In addition to touring theatrical productions, they produce dance conventions in 75 cities throughout the year which encompass dance workshops, dance competitions, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 250,000 dancers annually, BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS is largely responsible for the transformation of dance entertainment.
Shaping Sound will be at the Aronoff Center for the Arts
Sunday November 8 at 4pm
$ 73.25
$ 58.25
$ 48.25
$ 38.25
Tickets are on sale now at CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.
For more information visit www.SHAPINGSOUNDCO.COM
Disclosure: I received tickets for review and giveaway purposes. All opinions are my own.
9 Reasons to Visit The World’s Largest Display of LEGO® Artwork
The first time that I saw the LEGO artwork sculpture “Yellow” by Nathan Sawaya was at Art Prize a few years ago in Grand Rapids, Michigan and I’ve been a fan ever since.
So what makes the Art of the Brick Exhibit unique?
Beer, Wine and Food Festival to Benefit Pediatric Cancer Research
Last year I attended the Beer, Wine and Food Festival for the 1st time. It was a great event for a great cause, benefitting The Cure Starts Now Foundation that focuses on pediatric brain cancer.
Creativity on Display – LEGO® Americana Roadshow
Our family went to see an incredible display of our Nation’s landmarks at the LEGO® Americana Roadshow at the Kenwood Towne Center in Cincinnati.
We LOVE to admire the creativity on display by LEGO Master builders. We’ve enjoyed LEGO Kidsfest and LEGOland in Orlando in the past and always welcome any new opportunity to see a display.
If you look really closely, you will see the a mini statue of Abraham Lincoln inside in the image above.
Here are a few tips for when you visit the display.
1. Grab a map to locate all of the displays
2. Take a few moments to observe all of the detail
I love all the playfulness in the “Brickscapes.” My boys enjoyed finding a variety of characters in the display.
3. Read the stats
4. Enjoy the play area
5. Show off your creativity in the display case
The LEGO® Americana Roadshow: Building Across America is a travelling display of large scale LEGO models replicating some of our nation’s most well known landmarks.
Models include: US Capitol Building, The White House, Supreme Court, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall, Old North Church
Mall Locations:
- Kenwood Town Center, Cincinnati, OH: July 3-19
- Riverchase Galleria, Hoover, AL: August 20 – September 7
- Northpoint Mall, Alpharetta, GA: September 17 – October 4
- Christiana Mall, Newark, DE: October 15 – November 1
*dates subject to change
You can find out more from the LEGO® website.
Kentucky Brick Expo
Do you enjoy checking out creations made with LEGO bricks?
The OKILUG (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana LEGO User’s Group) is back again with their Kentucky Brick Expo.
You might remember some of their creations from the BRICKmas Expo at Newport on the Levee around the holidays.
My boys have enjoyed the Kentucky Brick Expo over the past few years.
Kids can get photo opps with helmets made from LEGO bricks, search from a list of items located in several themed scenes on display, create their own LEGO designs in the play area and can shop for items to complete their collection. Members of the OKILUG are always happy to share about their designs and the work that went into their display.
The detail on display is INCREDIBLE!!!!
Make sure that you take the time to observe all of the design details that were put in place for the enjoyment of the attendees. We typically look at the displays and then go make around again for a deeper look the 2nd time around when we arrive. 
I’ve been given Family Four Pack of tickets to giveaway to the Kentucky Brick Expo. a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can find out more information about the Kentucky Brick Expo from the OKI LUG website.
Disclosure: I was given tickets for review and giveaway purposes. All opinions are my own.
CANstruction – Creativity for a Cause
I love when art and creativity have the opportunity to pair for a cause. I just discovered CANstruction a few years ago and it’s now an event that I look forward to each year. The CANstruction displays are a blend of purpose and art.
5 Reasons to Bring your Boys to the Ballet
I recently took my boys to their first full ballet performance to see Peter Pan by the Cincinnati Ballet. I didn’t give them a lot of notice of our upcoming adventure in case they decided to give a lot of resistance to the idea. My kids are pretty used to trying different experiences all the time so they were not too shocked when I told them our evening plans.
Peter Pan was probably the perfect 1st performance for them because there was flying, lots of actions scenes and humor. My younger son was a little confused in beginning and asked why no one was speaking. It helped that they already had a general idea of the storyline too.