If you love hidden gems, you definitely need to check out the Swing House!
On the outside, the house blends in with the other residences in the neighborhood.
On the inside, the house is anything but ordinary.
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Arts & Entertainment
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.
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5 Fun Things to Do in Middletown
Middletown, Ohio may not be on your radar of places to visit, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover several gems to add to your list there.
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Witness the Impossible with The Illusionists – Live from Broadway
THE ILLUSIONISTS – LIVE FROM BROADWAY™ provides non stop entertainment and continual moments of “how did they do that?!!!” Seriously, you are watching it live, get up close camera angles, and still can’t comprehend how they do it….
Cinderella: After Ever After at the Ensemble Theatre
If you are looking for a lighthearted play with familiar characters with a twist, Cinderella:After Ever After is for you!…
Relive Your Childhood at The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music is one of my all time favorite musicals. I’ve watched the movie version countless times over the years. I know the words to all of the songs and it’s also a musical that my mom and I enjoyed watching together. It’s one of those musicals that never gets old to me.
So how did the Broadway musical compare to my childhood memories of the movie version?
If the movie version of the musical is your point of reference, you will still recognize almost all of the songs and the overall plot of the play. Some of the songs are in a different order in the Broadway musical version but I honestly didn’t care because I enjoyed it so much. My kids would have found the stage version similar to The Sound of Music Live that successfully aired on NBC in 2013.
The cast did such an incredible job that I was taken back to all of those great memories of the musical from my childhood. The children cast in the musical were delightful and still brought their own personalities to their roles. Melody Betts will give you goosebumps in a good way when she sings in her role as The Mother Abbess. Kerstin Anderson had some big shoes to fill in the role of Maria, but she gave a flawless performance with lots of life and energy that you expect from her beloved character. Ben Davis was the perfect blend of stern and soft in the role Captain Georg vonTrapp with incredible vocals.
I originally invited my oldest friend to join me because I had memories of watching it together with her as kids. She is literally my oldest friend, because our moms were neighbors and pregnant with us during the same time, so we grew up together. When she shared that she couldn’t attend the play, I offered to take her mom who LOVED the play even more than she did. Her mom even took the “Sound of Music” tour in Europe. Watching the Sound of Music with my friend’s mom was almost as good as watching it with my own mom. She was so excited and moved by the play. It was wonderful to share that experience with her.
The Sound of Music is one of those musicals that is beloved by multiple generations. I would highly recommend this play for audiences young or old. This Broadway musical is the perfect opportunity to reminisce and relive your childhood or create a new memory with the next generation with someone you love.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC will play the Reminisce Center September 27 – October 9, 2016
The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the Von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with such songs as “My FavoriteThings,” “Do-Re Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song.
Tuesday – Thursday at 7:30PM
Friday at 8:00PM
Saturday at 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sunday at 1:00PM and 6:30PM.
Tickets for THE SOUND OF MUSIC start at $30.
They are available at the Aronoff Center Box Office downtown at 650 Walnut Street, online at CincinnatiArts.org orby phone at 513.621.ARTS.
For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInCincinnati.com.
Photo credit for all images: Matthew Murphy
You can find out more about the Sound of Music on Tour from their website.
Disclosure: I attended media night. All opinions are my own.
5 Reasons to Watch a Concert at Horseshoe Casino
I’ve been invited to watch a few concerts at Horseshoe Casino and I think that it’s a great outdoor venue to see a show. Why? I’m glad that you asked…
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IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS on Broadway
Is watching White Christmas part of your holiday tradition each year?
IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS on Broadway is a great way to kick off the holiday season whether it’s your favorite holiday movie or your first time discovering the story.
The classic holiday movie White Christmas comes to the stage at last! This brand new musical shines with classic Berlin hits like “Blue Skies,” “How Deep is the Ocean?” and, of course, the unforgettable title song. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas tells the story of two buddies putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and finding their perfect mates in the process. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas promises a merry and bright theatrical experience for the whole family!
I was vaguely familiar with the plot my husband had never seen the movie before but we both loved the Broadway play! The music reminded us of our grandparents and the dance numbers were AMAZING! I seriously want to take up tap dancing after observing those incredible tap skills.
The New York Times exclaims “this cozy trip down memory lane should be put on your wish list.” And, the New York Daily News hailed IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS as “a holiday card come to life.”
I have to agree with the New York Times. This play brings back Christmas nostalgia from years past and puts a smile to your face.
IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS will play the Aronoff Center from
November 24 – December 6, 2015
Thanksgiving Week 11/24 – 29 Schedule
Tuesday 7:30PM
Wednesday 7:30PM
Thursday Thanksgiving Day, no performance
Friday 1:00PM and 8:00PM
Week of 11/30 – 12/6
Tuesday 7:30PM
Wednesday 7:30PM
Thursday 7:30PM
Friday 8:00PM
Saturday 2:00PM and 8:00PM Saturday 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sunday 1:00PM and 6:30 PM Sunday 1:00PM and 6:30PM
Tickets for IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS start at $29.
They are available at the Aronoff Center Box Office downtown at 650 Walnut Street, online at CincinnatiArts.org or by phone at 513.621.ARTS.
For groups of 10 or more, contact the group sales department at 513.369.4363. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInCincinnati.com.
For more information on IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS, visit www.whitechristmathemusical.com.
Motown the Musical on Broadway
Motown the Musical is a show that connects to you on so many levels. I’m still replaying the songs in my head the day after ….and that’s a good thing! The music features top hits from some of the most beloved Motown artists of all time that will keep a smile on your face from beginning to end.
Here is a little more about the show.
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, StevieWonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so many more. Featuring more than 40 classic hits such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,”MOTOWN THE MUSICAL tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat.
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is produced by Tony Award® winning producer Kevin McCollum (Rent, In the Heights, Avenue Q), who was recently named Distinguished VisitingProfessor at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of music, where he is an alumnus. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is also produced by Chairman and CEO of SONYMusic Entertainment Doug Morris and Motown founder Berry Gordy.
A few years ago, my family visited the Hitsville U.S.A. Motown Museum in Detroit, Michigan. It was incredible to walk into the building that birthed a musical movement that is still cherished by multiple generations today. We stood in rooms that legendary artists recorded their smash hits in. After watching Motown the Musical, I want to revisit Hitsville U.S.A. even more because I have an even greater appreciation for what unfolded there.
I don’t think that I can even pin point a favorite character because the whole cast was extraordinary! Marvin Gaye played by Jarran Mus, Smokey Robinson played by Jesse Nager, Josh Tower played Berry Gordy and Ashley Tamar Davis, who played Diana Ross, each brought so much to the show with their amazing vocals and spot on portrayals of their characters.
You will absolutely fall in love with actor Leon Outlaw Jr., who plays a younger version of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. His singing and dancing will put a big smile on your face.
The sweet dance moves and the flair in the group numbers will also bring you so much joy.
The storyline of Motown the Musical really helps you appreciate the history, the adversity and dedication that Berry Gordy and the artists he helped develop, sacrificed to bring Motown to life.
This show is an absolute MUST for anyone who loves music from the Motown era!
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will play the Aronoff Center from September 8 – 20
Tuesday –Thursday at 7:30PM
Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 2:00PM and 8:00PM
and Sunday at 1:00PM and 6:30PM.
Tickets for MOTOWN THE MUSICAL start at $29.
They are available at the Aronoff Center Box Office downtown at 650 Walnut Street, online at CincinnatiArts.org or by phone at 513.621.ARTS.
*For groups of 10 or more, contact the group sales department at 513.369.4363. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.
**All Motown Musical images photographed by Joan Marcus, 2014
For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInCincinnati.com.For more information, visit www.MotownTheMusical.com.
Disclosure: I received tickets for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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.