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Eli’s BBQ in Cincinnati

April 15, 2013 By Nedra McDaniel 3 Comments

My foodie friends in different circles have been sharing with me about Eli’s BBQ over the last few months. I had enough people rave about their food that I decided we needed to find out for ourselves.

Here is what I had heard.

-The bbq could rival Montgomery Inn

-The only advertising sign was a pig

-The jalepeno grits were amazing!

-This is where the cooks go to eat.

We decided to make a spontaneous visit after a trip to Sawyer Point. As we slowly approached our destination, our noses told us that we were in the right place.

We parked in the back and passed by the smoker on our way inside.

The inside is decorated with a vintage vibe.

There is a small space for eating indoors.

The menu is reasonably priced. Before you go make sure you have cash or a check. I did a little research with my smartphone to double check if we needed to swing by the ATM.

We visited on a beautiful day so we opted to eat outside. The pulled pork sandwich was AMAZING!!!! The sauce had a sweet vinegar taste and the pork was really tender.

My kids both got the ribs and were nice enough to give my husband and I a taste of them. They were more of a dry rub and had a great flavor.

Also, one of my favorite parts was the jalepeno cheddar grits. They had a great kick to them! I love spicy food and I’m not normally a big fan of grits. These grits made me a believer. Their mac and cheese was another great side that was really creamy and cheesy.

For drinks, we opted for Kentucky’s soft drink Ale 8. This is always a favorite of ours when we go camping.

Eli’s BBQ is located at 3313 Riverside Dr Cincinnati, OH 45226

You can find out more from their website.

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum

March 29, 2013 By Nedra McDaniel 4 Comments

We’ve been to a lot of games over the years but had never been to the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum as a family.

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Black Pearl Sings! at the Ensemble Theatre

March 14, 2013 By Nedra McDaniel Leave a Comment

I had the oppportunty to watch the performance Black Pearl Sings! at the Ensemble Theatre on opening night. I honestly didn’t know anything about the play before attending the show. I am now a fan after watching this powerful story of two woman whose lives cross paths in an unlikely way.

(Cincinnati, OH) An unlikely and controversial pair unites over their passion for music as Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati continues its 2012-2013 season with the regional premiere of Black Pearl Sings!. Written by Frank Higgins, the play tells the soulful story of a musicologist’s endeavor to preserve traditional spiritual songs and the cultural experiences of an African-American inmate seeking freedom. Inspired by the real-life story of folklorist John Lomax and musician Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter, Black Pearl Sings! plays March 13-31, 2013 and is directed by D. Lynn Meyers. LPK is Premiere Sponsor.

(displayed from left to right) Cast members: Alberta ‘Pearl’ Johnson: Torie Wiggins *Susannah Mullally: Annie Fitzpatrick

Set during the Great Depression, Susannah, an academic and song collector for the Library of Congress, travels the country, recording lost traditional songs. Hoping to find the one song that will bring her long-awaited recognition, she discovers Pearl Johnson in a Texas prison. With a silky, soulful voice and a wealth of African-American spiritual songs, Pearl seeks information along with a chance at freedom and at finding her lost daughter. The two women soon find themselves walking a delicate line between exposure and exploitation. Featuring beautiful a cappella renditions of African-American folk songs, this moving drama chronicles a powerful story about being a woman in a man’s world, being black in a white world, and fighting for one’s soul in a world where anyone can be a commodity.

I was amazed at the actors ability to really have you believing that they were the characters that they were portraying. The weight of the entire play was held on these two woman’s shoulders and they carried the weight with ease.

The theatre holds around 200 people which gives the audience a really intimate setting. I really enjoyed the story and insight into what the culture was like for the characters during that time period.

Black Pearl Sings!, by Frank Higgins, will be at the Ensemble Theatre from March 13-31, 2013

Times: Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm; Fri & Sat at 8:00 pm; Sat & Sun at 2:00 pm

Tickets: $38-$42

The Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is located at 1127 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Discounts

All discounts subject to seating and availability at time of purchase.

Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each showtime for half-price (discount does not apply to senior or children’s tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only.

AAA, ArtsWave Fun Card, Cincinnati Public Radio Perks Card, Military/Educator and ETA discounts available. Group discounts available for 10+. Complete details available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

**Images courtesy of the Ensemble Theatre

Disclosure: I recieved complimentary admission for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

I won’t grow up! ~ Peter Pan on Broadway

March 11, 2013 By Nedra McDaniel Leave a Comment

As a mom of only boys, there is a part of me that hopes they will never grow up. A Broadway performance of Peter Pan confirmed that it’s a lot more fun to try to hold onto the wonder and adventure of your childhood.

PETER PAN is a unique, family friendly attraction of spectacle and fantasy. The thrill of flying, timeless magical moments and a captivating hook will mesmerize young and old alike. The legend you thought you knew, is now the adventure you never dreamed possible…Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN!

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Why You Should See Million Dollar Quartet

February 20, 2013 By Nedra McDaniel Leave a Comment

My husband and I were blown away by the Broadway play Million Dollar Quartet. It went beyond my expectations and made me a HUGE fan! My husband’s grandparents were really into Johnny Cash and were even neighbors in Arkansas with him for a period of time.

All images are courtesy of Broadway across America with photo credit to Paul Natkin

I knew that my husband would appreciate the music, but I had no idea that I would walk away with a greater appreciation for these four amazing artists.

The international Tony® Award Winning musical, Million Dollar Quartet is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including; “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.

You can hear more about the show from some of the cast members.

Don’t miss out! You still have time to experience this amazing musical encounter.

I can honestly say that this play blew me away. It was above and beyond what I expected it to be and was so much fun to watch! I was partial to Elvis going into the show but the character of Jerry Lee Lewis really stole the show in my opinion. I really enjoyed how the play made you feel like you were getting unique insight into a piece of history.

The actors also play their own instruments and their showmanship is incredible!

This is a must see for anyone who grew up during that time period or any time period for that matter. I was familiar with most of the songs but for my parent’s generation, these songs are like replaying memories from their younger years.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will play the Aronoff Center from February 19 –March 3, 2013: Tuesday- Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 2:00PM and 8:00PM, and Sunday at 1:00PM and 6:30PM.

Tickets for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET begin at $28 and 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 or https://milliondollarquartetlive.com/.

Disclosure: I did receive complimentary tickets for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

2013 Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show

January 23, 2013 By Nedra McDaniel Leave a Comment

Last Saturday we experienced our first travel show in Cincinnati. Basically, we spent the afternoon dreaming up all sorts of vacation destinations and recreation that we want to try in the future.

The show features booths from a large variety of vacation destinations and recreation businesses along with an assortment of recreational transportation.

For kids there is a fun fishing show scheduled several times a day during the weekend of the show.

The kids and adults get information that is helpful to have a sucessful fishing experience.

The kids get an opportunity to look at the fish up close and also see how the fish approach live bait.

They can even touch the bait during the demo.

The instructor, Dan Armitage, gave practical tips that can apply for any age.

He did a great job helping kids understand how to catch fish and why these techniques work.

You defintiely want to check out the vendor booths with vacation destinations and activities. You kids will like it because the vendor booth area also gives kids the opportunity to take an occasional piece of candy, sample some food, view an animal or receive a giveaway item geared toward kids.

Former Bengal Ickey Woods was at a booth at the show signing autographs on memorabilia in exchange for donations for the Jovante Woods Foundation that he started in honor of his teenage son who died of a sudden asthma attack.

The kids were really excited to meet Icky Woods at the show. He was really personable and our kids are really into football so meeting a former star really got them excited.

If your kids still have energy to burn, they can challenge themselves on the climbing wall for a fee.

The show has something for all ages. My dad who is retired, enjoyed the hunting dog seminar and the fishing class. He said that the fishing class was really informative and helpful. He isn’t a hunter but found the dog seminar really enjoyable to watch. He also had a great time getting the opportunity to walk inside the Rv’s and onto the boats.

You can still check out the show on the following dates and times

· Thursday, January 24: 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

· Friday, January 25: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

· Saturday, January 26: 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

· Sunday, January 27: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

*Admission for adults is $11. Adults can save $3 on admission by purchasing tickets at Cincinnati-area Kroger stores.

Children (ages 13 and under) are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Wednesday, January 23, is “Buck Night,” when admission (children and adults) is $1.

Admission to the Travel, Sports & Boat Show® includes admission to the Cincinnati Golf Show® and Cincinnati Hunting & Fishing Show®.

You can learn more about the schedule of Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat show from their website.

Disclosure: I did receive complimentary tickets for giveaway and review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! Get the Sillies Out Tour! 4 Ticket Giveaway

December 28, 2012 By Nedra McDaniel 32 Comments

Yo Gabba Gabba is coming to a city near you very soon.

What’s Yo Gabba Gabba you ask?

“Yo Gabba Gabba! is an award-winning, live-action television series and live stage show whose unconventional formula has created a triple stacked fan base, making it one of the most popular entertainment properties among preschoolers, parents and indie music lovers alike. The television show, now in its fourth season, airs several times a day on Nick Jr.”

In other words Yo Gabba Gabba is a show that kids and adults LOVE.

“The sillies are crazy little creatures that live inside of us and need to be shaken out! DJ Lance Rock and everyone’s favorite cast of colorful characters are calling all fans to get ready to jump, shake and shimmy them out at the new live tour Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out!

“Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! is a state-of-the-art production and an interactive experience that offers audiences of all ages the opportunity to witness their favorite characters come to life when DJ Lance Rock and fans say the magic words, “Yo Gabba Gabba!”.

“Hip-hop legend Biz Markie will join the cast on stage for Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! with Biz’s Beat of the Day. The show will also feature Super Music Friends and Dancey Dance guest performances.”

“Yo Gabba Gabba! infuses retro-style and beat-driven music to teach simple life lessons. The series and the live show stars DJ Lance Rock (Lance Robertson) and a cast of colorful characters, including: Brobee, the little green one, Foofa, the pink flower bubble, Muno, the red Cyclops, Toodee, the blue cat-dragon and Plex, the yellow robot.”

*Yo Gabba Gabba has given me a 4 pack of tickets to giveaway for an upcoming show.

**Choose one of the following locations and tour dates

To enter -Pick a city and comment with the location of your choice

Thursday, January 10th-(Aronoff Center) Cincinnati, OH

Saturday, January 12th (Fox Theater) Detroit, MI

Sunday, January 13th (Louisville Palace) Louisville, KY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out!. The Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get The Sillies Out! will visit more than 50 cities across the U.S. in 2013. Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!

Check out the website and get your tickets for a fun family adventure.

For a complete list of tour dates, cities and show times, visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com

*Children under 1 do not require a ticket to sit on a parent’s lap.