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The Glow at Monmouth Park Racetrack, NJ

October 15, 2016 by Samantha Leave a Comment

If holiday lights are your bag of tea, or if October is your favorite time of year, you will love The Glow. The Glow at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, NJ is fun for everyone. This walk through seasonal event is a Halloween lovers dream, with over 5,000 carved pumpkins ranging from pirates, to rock stars, to movie stars, and even dinosaurs and Pokemon carved into them.

pumpkin carving

There is a carving that is destined to be your favorite. Your visit starts with a warm Fall beverage and a meeting with a real pumpkin artist as he creates a work of art. Then there is a small tour through some Halloween themed exhibits, with various Jack o Lantern, pumpkin, and Halloween facts on display and indoor pumpkin decor.

halloween events

Then comes the main event, a walk through outdoor light up event where you can go scene by scene through the time of the dinosaurs, an extreme skate park, and more. There are even local NJ spots like Asbury Park to visit in gourd form. Check out government officials commemorated in pumpkin, as well as those running for president. Best thing about those? They rot quickly, LOL.

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Some of our favorites of the night were definitely the 15 foot tall T Rex, the pirate ship along with pirates and loot all made out of pumpkins and carved with intricate detail, and the Pokemon collection. Some displays are animated, but all of them have ambiance and accompanying sounds to complete the experience. Once you are done walking through the display there is a chance to walk through a pumpkin patch and get a pumpkin to bring home and start your own display. There is also a little stand where you can buy snacks and drinks- a candy apple and some cider really are a must.

pokemon pumpkin

The Glow is a great way to spend a nice evening it’s a fun, family friendly Halloween event, just be sure the weather is co-operating. The Glow is on display throughout the month of October Friday and Saturday from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm and from 6:30 to 9:30 Sunday.

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Filed Under: family Tagged With: events, family, NJ

Win Tickets- Curious George at the Liberty Science Center #LSCCuriousity

September 22, 2016 by Samantha 7 Comments

liberty science center

The Liberty Science Center in nearby Jersey City, NJ has a ton to do for kids and families. They also constantly rotate exhibits and events so no one ever gets tired of doing anything. The latest event is Curious George: Let’s Get Curious, which opened this weekend.

“Letting curiosity and inquiry be their guides, children explore familiar buildings and locales from the “Curious George” books and television series on PBS Kids in Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! The exhibit presents key concepts in science, math, and engineering, which are woven throughout the exhibit. Activities invite children to learn like Curious George does—through direct experience and problem solving!

You can also meet Curious George in person at the Science Center. George will visit October 1, November 11, November 25, December 28, and December 29. Come take photos with him and give a big, friendly hug. Curious George can’t wait to meet your family!”

liberty science center

You can also get plenty of Curious George souvenirs in the gift shop.

All the fun an excitement was a wonderful way to get kids and adults to learn science and mechanics in a hands on way, while having tons of fun- the true Liberty Science Center fashion. The kids also loved meeting Curious George himself. The exhibit will run until Jan. 8, 2017.

hands on learning

There is also the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit that older kids, parents- and really anyone will enjoy. It does cost more, so as a premium exhibition, it is available with the Premium Pass or a Combination Ticket.

“Bodies Revealed* presents real human figures and organs that reveal the wonder and beauty of the human form. The exhibition shows detailed views of human anatomy, from whole body displays to individual skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, and circulatory systems. Unlike models that idealize the body through the eyes of an artist, this exhibition shows the body and its systems as they really exist, including natural variation.

The figures, skeletons, and organs in Bodies Revealed came from individuals who donated their bodies to accredited medical universities in the People’s Republic of China for the purpose of study and education. All donated bodies were examined by an anatomist and a biological anthropologist to confirm that they died of natural causes. A separate gallery respectfully displays the stages of human development in the womb. All of the embryos and fetuses died of natural causes before birth. (Viewers enter the gallery through clearly marked doors.)”

Don’t forget to sign up for fun experiments! Staff is on hand if you or the kids need help. (And yes, the kids took turns, LOL)

There are also IMAX and Real 3D movies playing. These are also for an extra fee, but worth the price. We saw “Beautiful Planet” in the IMAX theater, which was not only visually stunning, but also gave the audience insights as to the changes our planet is going through and why. Hopefully, it also encourages people to make better choices to help the planet as well.

All this and more can be found at the Liberty Science Center, where science comes alive on a regular basis. Make sure you check out the ever changing schedule of IMAX movies (where where the gigantic IMAX screen makes the smallest of critters and the liveliest of robots come to life)- it’s very cool to see a movie in a giant dome.

If you would like to win a 4 pack of tickets, please just leave your name and email in the comments below. Ends Oct. 20, 2016. Thanks!

Filed Under: education, entertainment, family, giveaway, review Tagged With: childrens museums, fun, NJ, science

Tilt Studio Family Entertainment Center

September 19, 2016 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Tilt Studio Family Entertainment Center hosts a variety of games and attractions that appeal to people of all ages. The fun center features a unique combination of food, fun and ‘freshments in a safe, clean and welcoming environment.

Guests will enjoy FUN AT FULL BLAST at Tilt Studio with a dynamic roster of more than 100 classic and modern interactive video and redemption prize games for all skill levels.

Whether you are looking to host a meeting, team building event, group gathering, non-profit FUNdraiser, or awesome birthday party, Tilt Studio can accommodate groups of all sizes.
Buy One Attraction, Get One Attraction FREE! – Buy one attraction at regular price, get one attraction FREE! Attractions include: Black Light Mini Golf, Mini-Bowling, Laser Frenzy, Ballocity Fun Zone, Dino Venture, Twirlin’ Taxi Ride, and Gemstone Mining.
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=12675&dealid=2645

Filed Under: entertainment, kids Tagged With: NJ

Day of Drones at Liberty Science Center

March 17, 2016 by Samantha 7 Comments

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The drones are here!

And if you showed up at Liberty Science Center on March 6th, you too could have seen how a drone perceives our world. From big dips to zipping flips, drones are making a big splash in modern culture. What better place to learn and play with them then Liberty Science Center?

On March 6, Liberty Science Center (LSC) and the New York City Drone Film Festival (NYCDFF) hosted the “Day of Drones,” a high-flying celebration of drones, their pilots, and the award-winning films made from the drones’ unique perspective. Participants will enjoy all things drone including screenings of the films and interactive activities at LSC.

As the day started there were lots of exhibits to check out and many drone activities to partake in.

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Some of the most exciting activities were:

Drone Theater which showcased some of the nominated films for the 2016 NYCDFF these films included Cirque du Soleil’s Sparked, National Geographic’s Lava Chaser, Corridor Digital’s The Smallest Empire, Jordan Rubin’s The Drone, and the NBC News coverage of the Nepal Earthquake.

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Drone Flights highlights some the mots talented builders and operators combating each other all day long.

The Drone Runway features expert pilots showing off their custom built drones and taking questions and answers from the crowd.

Drone Vision takes guests through he loops and zips in the sky giving them a first person view of what a drone sees. At the time we saw it it wasn’t functioning as we had hoped it would but at least the line moved quickly.

“Day of Drones” activities are free with membership or paid admission. NYCDFF film screenings are available with the purchase of a combination ticket. For more information, please visit www.lsc.org/day-of-drones or call 201.253.1310.

Day of Drones is only one of the most recent events at Liberty Science Center as they run events all year long so be sure to keep an eye out for some of your favorite featured events. One tip we do have for anyone going- go early. Crowds start to file in as the day progresses, and parking can be an “exciting” event as well. Get there early so you don’t have to wait for the fun to start.

Filed Under: technology Tagged With: Museum, NJ

A Bronx Tale at PaperMill Playhouse

March 4, 2016 by Samantha 6 Comments

My son and I recently saw the show “A Bronx Tale” at PaperMill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ. For those of you who don’t know anything about the story, it’s based on the real life of Chazz Palminteri, who then wrote a play about it as well as preformed a one man show. There is, of course, also a movie with the esteemed Robert De Niro, which did very well. Now preformed with a full cast, music, dancing- the works- A Bronx Tale is a fun musical theater production that you should see before it closes it’s doors.

“Based on the real life story by Chazz Palminteri‚ A Bronx Tale: The Musical is set against the backdrop of racial strife and organized crime in the 1960s. It is the story of an Italian-American teenager finding his path in life as he must choose between the father who raised him and a mob-boss father figure who fascinates him.”

My son and I enjoyed the show. I had explained the premise to him beforehand, and since he understands what the civil rights movement was, and how things “used to be in the olden days” as he puts it, he was prepared. I don’t know that all children of all ages would be able to see the show- there is cursing and some violence (gunshots, people are beaten up, there is a car explosion off stage, etc), but it’s not vulgar- you would need to be the judge of what your child is mature enough to handle. It is in no way a show I found to be explicit or over the top- but your child would need at least a basic understanding of the times, and you would need to be OK with them hearing bad language now and again. (It’s not “Jersey Boys” bad language- just now and again.) You are exposing your child to both history and theater, which is a good thing- just make sure they are mature enough for it at the time.

Picture via PaperMill Playhouse

The show is about a young Italian boy from the Bronx, Calogero (who grows into a man) who is torn between the father he loves and the gangster he admires. His father is a hardworking, honest, middle class man who adores his family, while the racketeer is fun, wealthy, exciting- and takes the young Calogero (“C”) under his wing. As he gets older, he falls in love with a black girl from his school, which of course brings about problems for both of them and their friends.

The show hopes to make it to Broadway, and it would be great if it does. The cast is wonderful, the themes of loyalty, family, and a classic “coming of age” story will resonate with most people. Will “C” change with the times, or be stuck in the past? Whose footsteps will he follow in- his father’s, or his mentor’s? Will he find his way in such turbulent times?

A Bronx Tale: The Musical will be performed at Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale now starting at $32. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Groups of 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. College students may order $20 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance.

Next up is West Side Story- one of my all time favorites. Check out all PaperMill has to offer, including children’s shows, shows for special needs families, and more by visiting www.PaperMill.org.

Filed Under: review, theater Tagged With: live show, NJ, theater

Liberty Science Center Science Sabers and Star Wars (And WIN Tickets)

March 1, 2016 by Samantha 8 Comments

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The Liberty Science Center in nearby Jersey City, NJ is the host of a plethora of fun on a regular basis. They also constantly rotate exhibits and events for extra fun and excitement. One such event was called Science, Sabers and Star Wars. The event centered on the science in in the Sci-fi phenomena that is Star Wars. Visitors were able to go through Jedi training with a real drone, practice taking down the Death Star Star, use little more then simple machines and their minds to lift objects twice their size, and build their own light saber. There were also Pop-Up Science demonstrations involving holograms, plasma blades, and droids.

All the fun an excitement was a wonderful way to get kids and adults to learn science and mechanics with hands on activities in true Liberty Science Center fashion. With a special Star Wars themed Tesla Coil Show and appearances by tons of Star Wars fans in costume as well as the 501st Stormtrooper Legion, Mandalorian Mercs, and the Empire Saber Guild. There was even a special appearance by a certain fan favorite droid as well. All this and more made for an exciting weekend and a great way to spend the day as not only fans of Star Wars came together but also fans of science in general.

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For the little explorers and still open now until May 15th, is a special Sid the Science Kid exhibit called Sid the Science Kid: The Super-Duper Exhibit! where kids can catapult Sid’s toys into his toy box using a lever, test inertia on a skateboard, make patterns with cookies, learn the properties of matter, and experiment with friction and different surfaces.

All this and more can be found at the Liberty Science Center, where science comes alive on a regular basis. Just to name a few of the upcoming events, there is a Day of the Drones on March 6, 2016, Science Camp over the summer, and an ever changing schedule of IMAX movies where where the gigantic IMAX screen makes the smallest of critters and the liveliest of robots come to life.

If you would like to win a 4 pack of tickets, please just leave your name and email in the comments below. Thanks!

Filed Under: giveaway, review Tagged With: NJ

Big Apple Circus Returns New Jersey with The Grand Tour

February 8, 2016 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Big Apple Circus returns to Bridgewater, New Jersey for the company’s 38th season with the New Jersey Premiere of The GrandTour! Tickets start at $25, and the show runs from February 12 – March 13, 2016 under the Big Top at TD Bank Ballpark, 1 Patriots Park (GPS: 860 East Main Street) Bridgewater, NJ. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.bigapplecircus.org.

The Grand Tour transports audiences to the Roaring 1920s, the advent of the modern travel era, when the most adventuresome began touring the world in ships, planes, trains, and automobiles. With every seat less than 50 feet from the stage, audiences will be awed by the world-class entertainers as they perform breathtaking acts from the four corners of the globe. Clowns, jugglers, acrobats, and aerialists from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America appear with ponies, puppies and more; the troupe sets off on a whirlwind adventure, accompanied by the live, seven-piece Big Apple Circus Band at each performance.

“The Grand Tour is a first-class jaunt.” – The New York Times

“A class act … Sophisticated and beautiful.” – The Village Voice

“Language can’t do justice to the visual and kinetic thrills of the Big Apple Circus. Just go!”

– Time Out New York

“Polished and fun.” – Daily News

“The Finest Up-Close Circus in America.” – Variety

“America’s Best Circus for Children.” – Parents Magazine

Four-time Big Apple Circus ringmaster John Kennedy Kane returns to introduce a variety of stunning performers: clowns Joel Jeske and Brent McBeth; third-generation circus animal trainer Jenny Vidbel with her pony and dog acts; aerialist Sergey Akimov; international juggling sensation AlexanderKoblikov; ninth-generation circus performer Chiara Anastasini with hula hoops; the Dominguez Brothers defying the law of gravity with their thrill-filled act featuring the Wheel of Wonder; Chinese hand balancers The Energy Trio; the African acrobatic troupe Zuma Zuma; and the Dosov Troupe soaring on the teeterboard.

The Grand Tour, conceived and created by Joel Jeske, is directed by Mark Lonergan (artistic director of Parallel Exit, the three-time Drama Desk Award-nominated physical theater company) with choreographer and associate director Antoinette DiPietropolo. Musical direction by Rob Slowik, with clown material created and directed by Joel Jeske. Set and lighting design by Maruti Evans, costume design by Oana Botez, and props design by Katie Fleming.

The company will present two special performances:

Big Apple Circus Embraces Autism will take place on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 11am. Big Apple Circus has joined with world-renowned Autism Spectrum Disorders experts to adapt The Grand Tour for families with members on the spectrum and create a joyful experience for all. The adapted show includes the same world-class artistry as the full performance with a shorter running time, adjusted lights and sound, a calming center, pictorial social narratives, and specially trained staff and volunteers to assure a memorable event for everyone! All tickets to this special performance, a 75-minute abbreviated show, are half price ($12.50-$37.50).

The Grand Tour Family Fun Dayperformance will take place on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 4:30pm. Join Big Apple Circus for Family Fun Daywith interactive entertainment by our Clown Doctors, a full performance of The Grand Tour, followed by dessert in the Ring with the performers. Plus free popcorn for all and free goody bags for the kids! Tickets start at $30. All proceeds support Big Apple Circus Clown Care®in New Jersey.

As a nonprofit performing arts institution, the Big Apple Circus is committed not only to thrilling audiences in the ring, but also to bringing the joy and wonder of circus into the community. Big Apple Circus creates direct, shared connections inside its one-ring Big Top AND in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools, in its New York City home and in cities across America.

“These performers, many from circus dynasties, preserve an important tradition, reinforced by the nonprofit Big Apple Circus’s commendable community-service activities, notably the
Clown Care program, which entertains hospitalized children. This company … doesn’t only have awe-inspiring acrobatic skills; it has a lot of heart, too.”

– The New York Times, 2014 Critics’ Pick

Big Apple Circus Clown Care® brings the joy of classical circus to hospitalized children at 15 leading pediatric facilities across the United States. Performers collaborate with doctors and staff to design a program to fit the needs of each hospital. Members of the Clown Care team bring the healing power of humor to children with acute and chronic illnesses, visiting nearly 225,000 young patients every year.

Big Apple Circus offers a specially adapted performance of the show, Circus of the Senses, for children and adults with vision or hearing impairments and/or other disabilities. American Sign Language interpreters are positioned in spotlights throughout the tent, and wireless audio headsets transmit a live audio play-by-play description of the action in the ring. Braille or large-print descriptive programs are available for audience members. A “touch session” after the show offers a unique opportunity for pre-selected groups of visually impaired children to go into the ring to meet the artists and literally feel a clown nose, a juggler’s clubs, or the silky coat of a performing dog. Big Apple Circus Embraces Autism provides performances with modified lighting and sound as well as a staffed calming center, to meet the needs of children on the autism spectrum. Inclusion is a core value at Big Apple Circus, which is dedicated to delivering the finest circus entertainment to everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive ability, or economic circumstance.

Circus for All! distributes free and subsidized tickets to schools and nonprofit organizations serving low-income children and families, enabling many of them to experience the excitement and wonder of the circus for the very first time.

Circus After School teaches kids life skills such as teamwork, responsible risk-taking, and perseverance, through a structured program of learning and performing circus arts.

About Big Apple Circus

(Will Maitland Weiss, Executive Director; Guillaume Dufresnoy, Artistic Director)

Conceived and founded by Paul Binder and Michael Christensen to be a leading presenter of live family entertainment and a nonprofit performing arts institution, our nation-wide performances and community programs have made our 38-year history far-reaching and full. It all began in 1974, when American entertainers Binder and Christensen became juggling partners and took to the street corners of Europe. Their comedic juggling act was a hit, and they soon found themselves on the stage of the prestigious Nouveau Cirque de Paris. They returned home to America in 1976 with a vision: to entertain and improve the lives of millions of American children and families. One year later, they found a site for the first tent-raising in Battery Park, New York, and went on to create the award-winning, nonprofit Big Apple Circus. For more information, visit www.bigapplecircus.org.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: circus, NJ

NEWARK MONSTER JAM® TICKETS NOW ON SALE

January 15, 2016 by Samantha 1 Comment

Feld Motor Sports® announced today that tickets for Monster Jam^®, the world’s premier Monster Jam truck series, are now on sale for Prudential Center – marking its first appearance in Newark. This four-wheeled extravaganza features heart-pounding racing and unbelievable freestyle driving that is affordably priced for the whole family seats starting at $10 for kids. Tickets are available at www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or at the Prudential Center Box Office.

Monster Jam will be performing on:

Saturday, January 23, 2016:

2:00 PM

7:30 PM

Sunday, January 24, 2016

2:00 PM

The event will feature some of the most exciting Monster Jam trucks in the circuit, including Grave Digger^®, Carolina Crusher, Higher Education, Black Stallion, Instigator, Backdraft, Bad News and Saigon Shaker.

The Party in the Pits on Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24 from 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM gives fans the opportunity to get autographs, view the massive Monster Jam trucks up close and meet the drivers.

Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, Monster Jam trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, Monster Jam trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster Jam trucks can fly up to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.

Monster Jam, sanctioned by the United States Hot Rod Association^®, is the most popular monster truck tour, performing to over 4 million fans annually at the most prestigious arenas and stadiums throughout the world. Monster Jam^® shows consist of three main fan-favorite elements – the pit party, racing and freestyle. The pit party gives all fans a chance to meet the stars of Monster Jam up-close while taking pictures and getting autographs.

For more information on Monster Jam, please log onto www.MonsterJam.com. To follow Monster Jam on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram log on to www.facebook.com/MonsterJam and www.twitter.com/MonsterJam and www.instagram.com/MonsterJamLive. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/MonsterJamLive.