Monday, December 16, 2013

Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes Review



This show was amazing!  I've always wanted to see the Rockettes perform live on stage.  They were everything I imagined and more in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.  I think my love of the Rockettes started with the 1982 movie Annie when she, Daddy Warbucks and Grace visited a show at Radio City.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular started off with the dancers in adorable reindeer costumes. I must say, all of the show's costumes were absolutely incredible.  Santa's reindeer danced to "Sleigh Ride" in this opening scene.

Santa introduced "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by lifting the curtain just high enough to see the Rockettes' famous legs.  The audience got quite a kick out of that move.  With the curtain up and out of the way, the Rockettes tapped out the twelve days of Christmas with a different dance movement to signify each day.


The Nutcracker scene was performed by dancing animals or rather dancers in full clown, teddy bear, ragdoll, and mice costumes.  It was unique.

"Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" was my favorite scene! The dancers were in complete synchronicity as they marched, turned and fell after a cannon's boom.  Their billowy hat feathers shook with every meticulous, straight-legged step. Such precision! 


 
In "New York at Christmas", the Rockettes boarded a life size double-decker tour bus, taking the audience on a guided tour through the streets of New York City, including Central Park and Time Square. The bus and background moved enabling the audience to feel as if we were actually in New York City sight seeing with the Rockettes.
 

I also very much enjoyed "The Living Nativity" scene.  It featured some of my favorite Christmas songs while telling the beautiful story of the first Christmas using pageantry, music and scripture.

"Let Christmas Shine" featured the Rockettes and the entire company with a touching message of hope and love for the Christmas season.  The Rockettes performed their signature kick line with head-high kicks.


I thoroughly enjoyed the Radio City Christmas Spectacular performance. It was a fantastic show suitable for the entire family.  Even my 12 year old son said he'd go see the show!

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes is performing at the Straz Center in Tampa, December 12-29.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Straz Center online.

Disclosure: I was given two tickets to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Photobucket

Monday, December 9, 2013

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus



The Greatest Show on Earth from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents a new show called Legends at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, January 1-5, 2014. I'm excited to see this new show with my family.


Fun Facts!
-  The name "The Greatest Show on Earth" was used by P.T. Barnum in 1872.

-  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey holds "Winter Quarters" each year in Florida.

-  Barnum purchased a large elephant named Jumbo in 1882, giving Americans a new word for "large in size".


Click HERE to purchase tickets online.  Save $4 on select performances using promo code MOM4.  Offer not valid on Front Row or Premium seats. Not valid day of show. Only valid for these performances: Thurs 7:30pm, Fri 7:30pm, Sat 11am, and Sun 5pm.

Visit the Facebook page or follow them on twitter, #RinglingTPA.

Disclaimer: I was given tickets to the show in exchange for promotion and review.  All opinions are my own.


Photobucket

Friday, December 6, 2013

Rolo Pretzel Turtles


I love turtles...of the chocolate, caramel and pecan kind.  This simple recipe recreates the flavor of the sweet, gooey candy turtles.

 
Rolo Pretzel Turtles

Rolo Pretzel Turtles

Rolo Pretzel Turtles


Rolo Pretzel Turtles


Ingredients:
  • 1 bag of Rolo candies
  • 1 bag of pretzels (I used the square type)
  • 1 bag of whole pecans
  • parchment paper

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.  Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet
  2. Lay pretzels on cookie sheet and place one Rolo on each pretzel
  3. Heat in oven for 3 minutes, then remove
  4. Gently press one pecan into each Rolo
  5. Let cool on the parchment paper



What's your favorite candy?

Photobucket

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Bourbon & Brew Fest Review



My husband, Mike, and I attended Tampa's Bourbon and Brew Fest on Saturday, November 23 at The Heights Waterfront.  My husband was excited for this event because he loves bourbon!  This was the same venue we visited for the Rum Fest in August but with a much better setup and layout.



The Bourbon and Brew Fest setup the stage at one end of the field, allowing for a much more open concept. The mechanical bull and corn hole were also around the corner from the stage. I gave the bull a whorl. Since the was my first time riding a bull, I told the operator to take it slow. I didn't want to be thrown from the machine and break a wrist, ankle or need stitches to the head.




We arrived at the fest around 4:00pm.  We watched a beautiful sunset over Tampa as we ate a delicious BBQ dinner.



I'm glad we got there early because once the sun set the crowd streamed in and the lines became long.  There were only two BBQ stands and one brats food stand.  Lines for food got very long, very quickly. They needed more food trucks like they had at the Rum Fest.

Our VIP tickets gave us entrance into the Armature Works building for unlimited bourbon tasting and cups of beer. Inside they featured Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Knob Creek and Laphroaig bars.  In addition they had Sweetwater Brewing Company beer.  Outside they offered Woodchuck Draft Cider (my favorite!), Sweetwater Brewing Company beer, and wine.  Mike thoroughly enjoyed sipping the various types of bourbon while I enjoyed the crisp, Woodchuck Cider!












We had a great time!  With all the bourbon tasting and free beer our VIP tickets gave us, we were ready to leave at 8:00pm so we missed the fireworks show.  Oh well, still a fun night!

What is your favorite type of bourbon?

Disclaimer: I was given tickets to the event in exchange for promotion and review.  All opinions are my own.
Photobucket