Cirque Dreams Holidaze Returns to the Fox Theatre

Cirque Dreams Holidaze is "the perfect way to come in from the cold,
forget the holiday stresses and find the magic of the season"
proclaims The Oakland Press. 

Image the spectacle that 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 performers can provide and you can image seeing Cirque Dreams Holidaze as it returns to the Fox Theatre December 22-27. Ann Arbor Mom blog readers also get the opportunity to WIN (4) free tickets to see the show. Read on for more details!

Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the 2015 holiday season when it returns to the Fox Theatre, after sold out performances in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014. The show will transform the stage into a wonderland of fantasy and disbelief  for seven glorious holiday performances.  Tickets (starting at $29) are on sale now and can be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com, The Fox Theatre and at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000.

Performance Schedule: 
December 22 - 7:30 p.m.
December 23 - 7:30 p.m.
December 24 - 3:00 p.m.
December 26 - 3:00 p.m. &  8:00 p.m.
December 27 - 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Many of these acts have been featured on America’s Got Talent and similar TV shows in other countries making Cirque Dreams Holidaze the greatest variety show on the planet! Witness snowmen, penguins, angels, reindeer, toy soldiers, gingerbread men, ornaments and of course Santa; with soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats, elaborate production numbers, imaginative costumes, illusions and more. The show also celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with singers, original music and seasonal favorites all performed in a winter wonderland of amazement.

To win (4) tickets to see Cirque Dreams Holidaze on Tuesday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m., please describe to Ann Arbor Mom blog readers our favorite Christmas Ornament. One lucky winner will be drawn randomly from all entries submitted by midnight, December 5.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Coming to Performance Network

Rescheduled from December, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is coming to the Performance Network (120 E. Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104) May 30-31. This delightful family theatrical production explores the delicious chain reaction set in motion when a little boy offers a cookie to a visiting mouse. Performances are May 30 and ­31 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased online at www.pntheatre.org or by calling the box office at 734-­663-­0681.

 Want a chance to win (2) free tickets to the Saturday, May 30th at 2:00 p.m.? Thanks to performance Network, the Ann Arbor Mom blog has the opportunity to give one family free admission to the program. Just comment below on what part of the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is your child's favorite part. A random winner from all entries posted by midnight April 8. Tickets will then be held in will-call at the theater for the winner.

Win Free Tickets to Sea Life Michigan

Today I was invited to preview the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. at the Great Lakes Crossing mall. It was a big day too as it was the  arrival of several of the aquarium's sharks.

The event was a quiet one for local press, a few of my fellow bloggers, Sea Life's kid reporter and several of the Sea Life's young environmentalists. We did not get to visit the entire aquarium this wee, however my kids were thrilled to be able to attend, since they had an unexpected snow day!

The stingrays were quite happy to say "hello" at Sea Life Michigan!

I've been invited back for the media/blogger preview on January 22, so I'll have my full review at that time. However I wanted to take a moment to share some photos of today and give one lucky family a chance to win (4) free passes to Sea Life Michigan!

My kids loved seeing the many species of fish, the loved the blue tangs, the eel and the many sting rays swimming around. The sting rays even seemed happy to see us, as they swam to the edge of the aquarium waving! My daughter was especially impressed to see the puffer fish gliding past.

There were so many types of fish. We can't wait to walk through the tunnel below to see their world from another view! It was certainly beautiful, my iPhone just did not due their beauty justice!

Of course the main event of the day was the release of the sharks, specifically two varieties of sharks called a Bonnethead Shark and Blacknose Shark A third variety of shark, a Nurse Shark, was released into another enclosure elsewhere in the aquarium however we did not see that release. To see an exclusive sneak peek of the release of one of the Bonnet-head Sharks, be sure to visit the Ann Arbor Mom Facebook page.

It was a nice way to spend an unexpected day off school, that's for sure!

Now, I would like to know, what are you most looking forward to seeing when you visit Sea Life Michigan? Comment below before midnight on January 15 for a chance to win. One lucky winner, drawn at random, will win tickets to Sea Life Aquarium after they open January 29.

The family 4-pack includes: 4 tickets (for one visit), 4 behind the scenes tour tickets, 1 souvenir guidebook and 2 gifts from the retail store.

I'd also like to point out that tickets right now are discounted. The pre-opening price saves up to 25%! Tickets are just $17.50 with free entry for children under age 3. There are also options for a year long annual pass for individuals and families. Field trip and group pricing is also available. To buy tickets or to learn more about Sea Life Michigan be sure to visit their website. The grand opening is set for January 29!

Setting the fish free into the aquarium at Sea Life Michigan.

We are looking forward to exploring more of the aquarium and sharing the experience with another Ann Arbor Family, so be sure to enter soon. Good luck, I know you and your family will enjoy the experience! Don't forget, be sure I can reach you if you win so please provide your name in the comments.

The kids thought it was cool to be interviewed by
several television reporters - I think my daughter has
a new passion too. She now wants to add TV personality
to her list of future jobs. She looks a natural holding the mic.

Win Tickets to Pinkalicious the Musical

Pinkalicious The Musical will turn the City Theatre
positively Pink November 21-23.

Based on the popular children’s book, Pinkalicious The Musical will be in Detroit at the City Theatre on Friday, November 21 through Sunday, November 23. Tickets ($22 general admission and $15 opening night) are on sale now and may be purchased online at OlympiaEntertainment.com, and at all Ticketmaster locations.

In Pinkalicious The Musical, Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe - a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. The one hour musical, promises to be pinktastic fun for everyone.

Want a chance to win tickets to see Pinkalicious The Musical, comment below on your favorite remedy for Pinkititis. A random winner will be chosen from all entries posted by midnight on November 8.

Pinkalicious The Musical  at the City Theatre
Friday, November 21 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 22 - 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 23 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Win Tickets to See Hello Dolly at the Fox Theatre

Want to win (4) tickets to the Tony Awards-Winning show Hello Dolly! when it comes to the Fox Theatre next week? Here's your chance. Olympia Entertainment has given me a family (4) pack to pass along to one lucky reader. Just comment below on why you need the night out. All entries received by Sunday, October 13 will be entered for a random drawing.

One Ann Arbor Mom fan will get the chance win tickets to see
Hello Dolly! coming to Detroit October 18-19

Hello, Dolly! starring Sally Struthers, is set to arrive at the Fox Theatre for two performances October 18-19. Tickets ($30, $45, $55 and $70) are on sale now and can be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and at Ticketmaster.com.

Two-time Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers stars as the strong-willed matchmaker Dolly, who travels to Yonkers, New York, to find a match for the ornery "well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder. With an irresistible story and an unforgettable score including the title song, “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” “It Only Takes a Moment,” and the show-stopping “Before the Parade Passes By,” Hello, Dolly! has been charming audiences around the world for 50 years. The show would make an exceptional night out for you and your spouse, or perhaps families can introduce their older children and teens to the joy of musical theatre!

Remember, just comment below on why you need to win this contest for a chance to win tickets. Tickets are good for the show Friday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m.

Ann Arbor Mom Blog Contests

To make it easier for Ann Arbor families to see all of the available contests, give-aways and freebies running on the blog, I wanted to create a single page that hosts the current contests running with a brief description of each event. The page will be updated as new give-aways are released.

Happy kids win prizes at the Ann Arbor Mom blog!

Coming Soon...

Win tickets to see 100 Years of Broadway at the Fox Theatre - November 3, 8:00 p.m. 

Win tickets to see Dinosaur Train Live - November 22, 8:00 p.m.
Win tickets to see the Brian Setzer Orchestra at the Fox Theatre - November 23, 8:00 p.m.
Win tickets to see Sesame Street Live at the Fox Theatre - January 23-February 17.


October 2013


Win tickets to see Hello Dolly at the Fox Theatre - October 18, 7:00 p.m. Enter by midnight October 13.

Win tickets to see the Little Engine The Could Earns Her Whistle at The Michigan Theater October 13, 1:30 p.m. (Pre-K-2nd Grade) Enter by midnight October 10. Special discounts for all families. 

Win tickets to see Skate America at the Joe Lewis Arena October 18, 7:30 p.m. (All ages / Ann Arbor families) Enter by October 11, 5:00 p.m. 



Expired...

September 2013

Win tickets to see the Wiggles September 22. (Preschool ages families) Enter by September 13.  

The Addams Family at the Fox Theatre: Win Tickets!

Win tickets to see The Addams Family in Detroit with The Ann Arbor Mom!

Patrick D. Kennedy (Pugsley), Pippa Pearthree (Grandma), Sara Gettelfinger (Morticia), Douglas Sills (Gomez), Tom Corbeil (Lurch), Cortney Wolfson (Wednesday) and Blake Hammond (Uncle Fester) in THE ADDAMS FAMILY.
Photo by Jeremy Daniel

Take dad to see the national tour of the new musical THE ADDAMS FAMILY to celebrate Father's Day. The new musical, based on the bizarre family of characters created by Charles Addams, will make its Detroit premiere Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 at the Fox Theatre. Ticket prices range from $30-70 and are on sale now at OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy and at Ticketmaster.com.

The Addams Family musical features an original spooky story (a father’s worst nightmare really) where Wednesday Addams falls in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met! Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before - keep Wednesday's secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents.

Want to win tickets to see the show?  In the comments below tell me how your dad (or husband) is like Gomez Addams. A winning entry will be randomly drawn from all entries received by June 7 for a free Family 4 Pack of Tickets to The Addams Family in Detroit on June 14 at 8:0 p.m.


Does dad like to Tango (dance works)? Does he have a fondness for creepy things? Does he have odd children? Does one of his closest family members have freakishly long hair? You get my drift, just tell me how dad is like Gomez Addams and you may win the FREE tickets!

For more information, visit www.theaddamsfamilymusicaltour.com. Detroit performances are Friday, June 14 ( 8:00 p.m.) and  Saturday, June 15 (2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.).

Teen Model Search at zoey + joey Salon

Ann Arbor Teens - Now is your chance to compete in a teen model search.
Simply upload your photos to zoey + joey studio's Facebook Page before June 30!

Hey Ann Arbor teens, have you ever thought about competing in a model search? Well, local zoey + joey studio (3260 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor) is hosting a teen model search now through the end of June! Winners will be featured in the zoey + joey ad campaign, highlighting their new teen salon. Teens ages 11-18 can upload their photo to the zoey + joey studio Facebook Page or email the photo to the studio at marketing@zoeyjoeystudio.com. Winners will be chosen by zoey + joey staff based on how photogenic entrants are and notified by July 3rd.

All winners will receive a year’s worth of haircuts at the salon (up to five in one year), a spot in the back-to-school print campaign and a professional digital portrait* taken by Nick Azzaro. Hanging in the salon sounds like it will be fun too, as the salon will offer a private teen area with private seating, complimentary drinks and PlayStation 3 video games separate from younger clientele.

Make sure to upload your best photos, and good luck!


*Photos for the advertisement remain the property of zoey + joey and can be used for future promotions. 

Thomas The Train Ticket Winner

Thank you to all who entered the contest to win tickets to A Day Out With Thomas at Greenfield Village. There was an amazing turn out in entries between the blog and the Ann Arbor Mom Facebook Page.

From a random drawing of all entries, Betsy Finn Thomas won. Her favorite characters? Why James, Toby, and Salty of course!

Congratulations Betsy Finn Thomas - You have won free tickets
to spend A Day Out With Thomas at Greenfield Village!

Recycle Ann Arbor Earth Day Video Contest

Is your teen passionate about recycling? Recycle Ann Arbor, is asking teens in grades 6-8 to enter the 2012 Earth Day Video Contest. Students are encouraged to create a video on “Why I Recycle.”
The first-prize winner will receive a $500 U.S. savings bond, and a free recycling workshop for their class. Four honorable mention awards will also be given, each honorable mention winner will receive a $50 gift certificate for Nicola’s Books. Videos should be no longer than three minutes, and should be received by March 30.

$25 Applebees Gift Card Winner

Congratulations Maria Dugan who posted on the Ann Arbor Mom Facebook Wall that she likes Asian Shrimp and Broccoli at Applebee's. Maria's name was randomly drawn from all entries to win a $25 Applbee's Gift Card.

There are several more chances to win prizes on the Ann Arbor Mom this season, so make sure to get all of your names in for some of the fun prizes.

Model Mom Contest at Briarwood Mall

Would you like to win your favorite "Model Mom" great gifts and prizes? Briarwood Mall can help you out!As part of the National Mom's Night Out celebration, May 5, Briarwood Mall will be awarding one mom admission to the Dior National Tour Master Class (valued at $100) and a $100 gift certificate for Dior products.

All moms are tireless and deserving of recognition - they tend to be the glue in any family, threads of the community, they do the most work, and get little least sleep. Moms have an enormous capacity for love and compassion, and Briarwood wants to give moms a night out that they deserve. To enter your "Model Mom", someone who stands out in the community and the eyes of so many, please enter a 350 word essay on your Model Mom on the Briarwood Mall Facebook Page - who manages to deal with the added pressures, take on the added challenges, that betters the home, the schools and/or the community as a whole. Posts must be submitted in the comment section of the Model Mom post. 

Of course the contest wouldn't work unless contributors encouraged friends and family to "Like" your posting as the submission with the most "Likes" wins.  If there is a tie, the Briarwood Mall Facebook fans will get to chose.

The deadline for essays is noon April 29th - Submit early to make sure you rally your friends behind you.

Your Holiday Photo Could Win a $25 Gift Card From Metro Parent

I just saw this posting to win a $25 Amazon gift card from Metro Parent magazine, and the best thing is, as parents we ALL have something to enter - A holiday photo!

Enter your "Holiday traditions" photo at the Metro Parent website before Wednesday, November 23 for a chance to win and to be included in the December MetroParent.com gallery of photos! From lighting the menorah, to decorating the tree or donating your time to a cause, this time of year is filled with all sorts of precious customs and family traditions. Many of which have been captured on film.

Enjoy!

2nd Chance to Win A National Geographic Kids 2010 Almanac

Thanks to all the readers who posted a comment on the Ann Arbor Mom Blog on our first National Geographic Kids 2010 Almanac give-away in late December, Gary H. of Ann Arbor won. What is really great though, is that I have been given the opportunity to give away yet ANOTHER free almanac. I'm hoping by now Gary would have received his almanac and can chime in on what a great publication it is, the photos are fantastic and the articles are engaging for children and adults alike! My children really do enjoy flipping through the pages to look...

So how can you win your own National Geographic Kids 2010 Almanac? It's simple, you'll need to visit the National Geographic Store and browse the kids area - After visiting the site, post a comment to my blog on either your favorite product or a product review if you HAVE any of the items on the site!

Several years ago, my son received the Fly and Discover Talking Globe. It's a great toy because it is a pretty basic starter globe that has several games a child can play, even my son who was three when he received it, enjoyed playing with the globe (In fact he STILL plays with it!). Flying by a joystick, kids "fly" around the world learning fun facts - He can choose Tricky Travels for a guided journey or select Creature Feature to find animals on every continent. He loves the music and sound effects of the sputtering flying airplane!!!

Hurry and respond by Valentine's Day - A winner will be chosen from all comments posted.

Free Contest: Kids Win Money For College

NEWS BREAK:

Beginning January 18, Michigan children in grades K-6 can enter The Michigan Education Savings "Dream Out Loud Challenge". The contest allows students to write, draw or create a video that portrays the way that they will change the world after college - Your student could win $2500 toward their college tuition and $1000 for their school! To make it easier for children of all ages, prizes will be awarded to the winning entry in each grade category: Grades K–2, Grades 3–4, Grades 5–6.

Submissions must be postmarked or entered online by March 15, 2010. This contest is FREE to enter but could pay off big! For complete details on the MESP Dream Out Loud Challenge, visit the contest website.

Milk Mustache Tour 2009 - Trivia Answer

Thanks to all who answered the trivia question correctly, winners have been notified and will receive their "Got Milk? goody bags shortly!

Q: How many fewer calories can you expect to consume at lunch if you drink a glass of fat free milk at breakfast time?

A: The answer can be found at www.whymilk.com!

ANSWER: Now there's a new reason for the weight-conscious to drink fat free milk at breakfast time, suggests a new study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers in Australia found that drinking fat free milk in the morning helped increase satiety, or a feeling of fullness, and led to decreased calorie intake at the next meal, as compared with a fruit drink. The milk drinkers ate about 50 fewer calories (or nearly 9% less food) at lunch.

Click here to read the entire research article at Why Milk.

Photo by Amanda Burns at the Milk Mustache Tour 2009