Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus Xtreme

 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Circus XTREME is coming to EAGLE BANK ARENA from APRIL 6 – 17, 2016.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus XTREME, features artists who redefine the word extreme in everything they do, magnifying traditional elements of the circus and combining them with never-before-seen spectacles, original fast-paced performances and incredibly hilarious moments. Audiences will be dazzled and astounded by the beautiful Bengal tigers, double-humped dromedaries ridden by brave Mongolian women and, for the last time, the most popular members of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey family: the magnificent Asian elephants.

 

Circus XTREME will come to life at two arenas in the Washington, D.C. area. The show will be at Verizon Center from March 31-April 3, and the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Va., from April 6-17. Circus XTREME will also perform at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Md., from March 16-27.

 

The ultimate family entertainment experience features high-wire wizards, spectacular strongmen, BMX trick riders, trampoline daredevils, inconceivable contortionists, a high-flying human cannonball, a bungee aerial skydiving display and an international assembly of more than 100 world-renowned artists.

 

The party starts an hour before the show with the All Access Pre-show, which is free with your ticket purchase. You and your family can meet performers and get up close to the menagerie of animals. Try on custom costumes,  learn circus skills from the famous Ringling Bros. Clown Alley and even have the opportunity to win a one-of-a-kind masterpiece created by one of our very own Ringling Bros. painting pachyderms. Ticketholders can also purchase an upgrade and go backstage with a VIP Behind the Scenes Tour of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.

The show is also the last opportunity for local residents to see the treasured Asian elephants before they are moved to their permanent home at the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation^® in Florida in May 2016. The elephants’ move to Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation will allow the company to focus on its Asian elephant conservation program and the pediatric cancer research partnership with Dr. Joshua Schiffman of Primary Children’s Hospital and The Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah.

You can only experience extreme thrills, exotic animals and extraordinary performers at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus XTREME, get your tickets for the thrilling entertainment experience today! 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. SHOW

The Verizon Center | March 31 – April 3, 2016

                                       

Performance Schedule:

·       Thursday, March 31 | 7:30 pm

·       Friday, April 1 | 10:30 am, 7:30 pm

·       Saturday, April 2 | 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm

·       Sunday, April 3 | 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm

 

 

FAIRFAX, VA SHOW

EagleBank Arena | April 6 – April 17, 2016

 

Performance Schedule:

·       Wednesday, April 6 | 7:00 pm

·       Thursday, April 7 | 7:00 pm

·       Friday, April 8 | 7:30 pm

·       Saturday, April 9 | 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm

·       Sunday, April 10 | 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm

·       Thursday, April 14 | 7:00 pm

·       Friday, April 15 | 10:30 am, 7:30 pm

·       Saturday, April 16 | 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm

·       Sunday, April 17 | 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm

 

Ticket Information:

 

All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, via www.ticketmaster.com, and the Verizon Center or EagleBank Arena box office. For group rates and information, contact 202-661-5061. For more information, visit Ringling.com.

Prices: $75 Front Row, $55 VIP, $35.00 (Verizon Center only), $30.00, $20.00 & $15.00. Prices subject to market demand and may change. Service charges and additional fees may apply.

Use your SmarTrip Card to save $8 on tickets. Visit the box office and show your SmarTrip card at the venue box office.

Offer expires April 10, 2016. Savings coupon valid for up to six (6) tickets. Prices subject to market demand and may change. Discount applies to originally priced $30.00, $20.00 & $15.00 only. No double discounts. Offer subject to ticket availability. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Service charges, facility and handling fees may apply. Applies to all performances except Opening Night at each venue.

For the national tour schedule and to find out more about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus XTREME, visit Ringling.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube — @RinglingBros.  

HGTV Santa HQ at Tysons Corner Center

Here's the reality of visiting Santa at the mall. Are you ready? It's not really mind-blowing, but it's the most important thing to know:

You're going to wait in line. 

Yup.  That's right.  And, if your kids are anything like, most kids, they could easily move from the "nice list" to the "naughty list" in the time it takes to go from the entry elf to the big guy in red. 

The nicest part of Santa HQ, for me, is that they understand this reality.  Instead of winding your way through endless miles of rope partitions, you get to wind your way through various rooms with different entertainment features.  

This is my 7 year old, and her response is the one you want to worry about.  We've always been very honest about our views on Santa, which you can feel however you want about, but she likes him anyway. 

So, here's Santa HQ:

When you first enter, you get to check to make sure that you're not wasting your time.  I mean, who'd want to get all the way to Santa only to find out they were actually on the naughty list? 

Here's the Naughty or Nice O'Meter.  Children step up, enter their name, and then stand on the footprints to get a reading on how naughty or nice they are.  Spoiler alert, I'm pretty sure everyone is nice ;) Here's Savannah's reading:

I have to say, I think that's pretty accurate.  She's a good kid :) 

Next, you pass through a brief outdoor section lined with Christmas trees.  This is a good time to take pictures of your children pretending to be reindeer.  

Excellent.  Next, we're onto the HGTV living room, where you can create and email yourself an Elf video, sit on the sofa and relax, and enjoy the overall holiday ambiance. 

You can watch our Elfie video here. 

Next you enter a control room, which has some really cool interactive features that a crew member will help you see using special tablets.  My kids were a little too old to want to play  much with the control panel, but they did enjoy the fact that they thought it was making "TARDIS sounds" and were joking about Santa being an incarnation of the Doctor.  

#MyKidsAreALittleNerdy

Finally, you get to Santa.  I can't show you a picture from that because cell phones are verboten, but the santa is quite good.  Our pictures were par for the course for a mall kiosk picture, and because we were there on a day with a school full of radio winners I just got the first image, not to pick.  We actually have some cute images on our online file and I might order one of them :) 

You can visit Santa's Headquarters in the Fashion Court at Tysons Corner Center near Nordstrom.  Santa HQ will be available November 14-December 24, 2015. For operating hours and more details, please click here. 

Mon Ami Santa Pictures 2015

Want to have something a little different this year? Not interested in standing in line at the mall? Parlez-Vous Photography is offering "Mon Ami, Santa" sessions on November 22nd and 25th in Springfield, VA.  For more information, or to register, visit parlezvous.org/santa

Mon Ami, Santa {my friend, Santa} is a *15-minute interactive visit with your old friend St. Nick. Children are greeted by name, and spend their time with Santa talking about things that make them excited - things that make them genuinely laugh! Santa will guide children into jolly situations, without them ever knowing it. With a little help from you, we will make this time with Santa personalized and special for your family. (Parents are even welcome to send a gift early for Santa to deliver specially for your child).

Santa will be visiting from the North Pole for two special days!
Sunday November 22 (10am-1pm)
Saturday Nov 28 (10am-1pm)
at The Historic Sydenstricker School House
8511 Hooes Road
Springfield, VA 22153

$150 for a 15-minute personalized visit with Santa. Includes:
one-on-one interactions with Santa photographed by Parlez-Vous Photography
Print package including 1-8x10, 1-5x7, 1-4x6, 4 wallets (all of one image)
Online gallery for image review and additional purchases
Complimentary Christmas card design with purchase of cards.

Review: Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic

We went out to the Patriot Eagle Bank Center Arena last night to check out Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic Presented by Stonyfield YoKids.

We had so much fun :)

The show features several of your favorite Disney stories, and, amazingly, after all that time you've probably spent watching Nemo on repeat with your toddler, they can tell the stories in 4-5 minutes! It's incredible :)

You'll see:
Mickey and Minnie (also Donald and Goofy)
Pinocchio
Princesses and Princes! (Snow White, Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Anna and Elsa, Belle, Rapunzel)
Nemo (complete with a Giant Turtle!)
Mulan
Aladdin and the Genie
Frozen
The Lion King
And more :)

As a former skater, I really appreciate the level of difficulty these skaters are performing, although I always have to chuckle that the kids don't seem to be impressed by anything less than a backflip as far as actual skating goes.  They do however LOSE THEIR MINDS when their favorite characters come out.  I really appreciate that Disney does a great job of packing in the princesses for those who like them (me) and also fitting in a number of "not girly" characters for those who prefer their hero/ines with a little less frill (my daughter).

Standouts for me were Mulan, the Blue Fairy, and the pairs skaters who played Simba and Nala.  Everyone is so incredibly talented, though, so it's hard to pick a favorite! The show does have special effects that include some firework/pyrotechnic elements, so be prepared for that if you have a little one who is sensitive.

Also, EVERYBODY is going to sing along at the top of their lungs, especially to "Let it Go", so you may as well just join right on in and enjoy it.

Eagle Bank Arena does have lots of dining options priced as you would except a venue of this type to be, including Chick Fil A, Piasano's Pizza, and some in-house brands offering burgers, chicken tenders, pretzels, etc.  There are MANY opportunities to purchase merchandise, as well, including snow cone commemorative cups, hats on top of cotton candy, glow items, shirts, and more.  There are also a few stands offering pictures with characters for an additional fee, if you are so inclined.

The show runs 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission.  I took two 7 year olds who both seemed enthralled the entire time, although certainly happy for that bathroom break.  We did see a few families with very young toddlers who couldn't make it the whole way, although I think that was more a function of it being past their bed time than anything else.  If you're planning to take a very young child, I'd opt for the matinee times on Saturday or Sunday, rather than the evening shows the other nights.

We hope that you enjoy 100 Years of Magic as much as we did! 

100 Years of Magic plays Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax through Sunday, October 25th with tickets starting at just $20!

Disclosure: I was provided with tickets to perform my review, however my reviews are always my fair, honest opinion about my experience. 

Disney on Ice 2015 and a Giveaway!

Guess what time of year it is!!

Guess!

Did you say fall? No, silly rabbit! 

It's Disney Time!!

Although, I mean, I'm not going to lie, I would also accept "Pumpkin Spice Latte Time".  That's equally valid.

Disney shows are always so well done, and we love the artistry and, as people who skate, we really appreciate the athleticism of the performers, at every Disney show!

Disney on Ice Presents 100 Years of Magic Presented by YoKids will be at the Patriot Center from October 21-25th.  I have heard a rumor that some people are now calling it "Eagle Bank Arena".....but, I am not yet at the point where I can do that.  I called "Jiffy Lube Live" Nissan Pavilion forever, change takes time...

So, anyway the Patriot/Eagle/America/Freedom/RedWhiteBlue Arena/Center (of Doom 3000) at George Mason University is a great venue for us in PWC because it's super close and easy to get to.  Leave time for parking, but unlike going into DC, you won't need to set aside $40 and hand your keys over to a stranger! Use code MOM2015 and get $6 off your tickets!

And the show? Well, it goes without saying that will be amazing.

Here's the description:
Grab your Mickey ears and get ready for the ultimate Disney experience at Disney On Icecelebrates 100 Years of Magic Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt! Be charmed by a cast of over 50, with Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse, sweetheart Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Disney Princesses including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Snow White and Tiana. Relive the magic of Disney’s Frozen with Anna, Elsa and the hilarious Olaf as they discover that true love is the greatest magic of all. Sing-along to over 30 unforgettable songs including “Let It Go,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” and “Hakuna Matata.” Exciting moments from Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Disney’s The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and more will leave the whole family with memories to last a lifetime. Show off your moves at the Disney Magic of Healthy Living dance-along pre-show inspired by the Disney Healthy Living commitment as the celebration of the century skates into your hometown!

Wanna go? I know you do.  Enter using the Rafflecopter below to win a family 4 pack of tickets to the opening night (that's a Wednesday, so make sure you're free!) show! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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By entering, you agree to our giveaway rules. Disclaimer: I am a Feld Family Ambassador. I receive free tickets for my own family for sharing this information. All opinions are my own. The Walt Disney Company is neither a sponsor nor endorser of this sweepstakes.

Review: Peter Pan 360 @Tysons Corner

Note: My sweet, sweet friend Heidi agreed to go check out Peter Pan 360 for me while I was on vacation.  (There has to be some kind of an upside to being my friend! Free tickets are it!) She and her daughter checked out the experience at Tysons Corner, and shared their thoughts below!

Honored to be asked to attend and review Peter Pan 360 for PWCMoms, I actually had no idea what it was. Somehow I had missed all the facebook and tv commercials. So I zipped to the website to figure out what “360” meant:

“Escape to Neverland in a whole new way with this spectacular, innovative live stage production of PETER PAN that combines intimate theater-in-the-round and overhead surround CGI projection; with actors in dazzling flying sequences forty feet in the air and whimsical puppets that bring J.M. Barrie’s classic tale to fantastical life, creating a truly unique environmental theatrical experience!”

The videos and descriptions were enthralling. I was excited and full of anticipation about a special evening out with my daughter. (I thought my 11-year-old might be a little old to fully enjoy and appreciate this experience.)

When I told my 8-year-old daughter we were going to see the play “Peter Pan” she started reminiscing about the various other Peter Pan experiences we have had: seeing the musical at a university theater, watching three different movies, as well as seeing “Jake and the Neverland Pirates” live at Disney World when she was four. I explained this would be different from all of those experiences, but I didn’t give her any details. (I just hoped I was right!!)

Good news….I was right! It was fabulous. Take your favorite aspects of various theater experiences (part Imax, part circus, part theater, part puppetry) put them together under a modern big top, and you will enjoy the story of Peter Pan with lots of laughter and gasps of amazement. We didn’t stop smiling the entire time.

The temporary theater is under a tent near Tysons Mall in McLean. You have to park at the mall’s free garage (there are plenty of signs to direct you) and walk a long city block to the theater. (Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. I was over-dressed.) There are plenty of photo ops before you enter the theater and around the lobby, including a backdrop for a “photo booth” to capture a fun instagram photo (#nevergrowup). Sit in your seats early for the pre-show entertainment…very talented musicians singing pirate song classics.

The theater-in-the-round was a lot smaller than I expected, but that is part of what makes this a more unique experience. I had the impression there are no bad seats: we sat about half-way up and it was perfect. You get to actually see the actors’ facial expressions! The stage is raised and much of the action is in the air, so even if an adult is sitting in front of your child, her view will not be blocked. The overhead projection appears to be perfectly viewable from any seat as well.

I loved hearing the belly laughs from my daughter, especially when Tinkerbell threw fabulous temper tantrums face down on the stage. I enjoyed watching my daughter gasp when the actors flew through London. And I was impressed with the gymnastic and acrobatic choreography that added to an already fabulous, classic story.

My 8-year-old’s review: “My favorite part was everything! It was also really funny because Michael, the little boy, hit Captain Hook in the head with the Teddy Bear. I liked the scenery and how they flew. I felt like I was in there with them. Tinkerbell was really funny. She was my favorite character because she had tantrums when Peter Pan said they had to go save Wendy.”

It was a great production and I highly recommend it to your family!

Just the facts:

Recommended for ages 5 and up, although younger children will enjoy it, too. Older children may not fully enjoy the whimsy of this experience.

Pros: Even if you have seen Peter Pan “umpteen” times, this will be a unique experience, small theater, engaging actors, visually entertaining, photo op with a couple of actors after the show

Cons: Hard to understand the British accents, loud noises and lights may be uncomfortable for children with sensory sensitivities

(Note: The crocodile “Tick -Tock” got very close to the audience, growled loudly, and made a few little ones cry. Capt. Hook slices Tiger Lily’s neck to kill her, not graphic, though. But (yay!) she was one of the first out for applause.)

The show is in DC for four weeks with an all new cast (from the previous run). It lasts approx. 87 minutes with a 20 minute intermission. Tickets start at $30.  There is a concession stand and merchandise shop at typical theater prices ($20 t-shirt, $15 foam sward, $5 soft pretzel, $7 popcorn.)

http://www.peterpan360.com/

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Disclaimer: PwcMoms was provided with free tickets to this event, but all opinions are our own.  You can tell because Heidi is entirely too nice to lie.  She'd tell you. 

Ringling Brothers Presents "Legends"

The Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Patriot Center was great fun.  The show was entitled "Legends," and was filled with legendary circus acts.  No one was shot out of a cannon, but other than that, they hit all the major circus milestones.  

It's been many years since I'd been to the Patriot Center.  It's a great venue -- large enough to have a real "big show" feel, but small enough to feel like all the seats have a good view and you don't have to walk miles to get to around. 

I was pleased to hear recently that Ringing Bros. will be retiring elephants from all of their shows in 2016.  (I live in a house divided in that regard -- my husband disagrees and thinks that elephants are an important part of the circus.)  But even when the elephants are no longer in the show, there are many other animal acts.  We counted a full ten different species that performed, including the traditional big cats (lions and tigers), dogs (big and small), and horses.  And there were some non-traditional ones like goats and llamas...  and one surprise that I won't ruin here.

The human acts included motorcycles, acrobats, clowns, trapeze artists, and a spectacular Ringmaster complete with flamboyant sparkling tail coat and top hat (changed often, of course).  Both my husband and I were very pleased to see that they had a live band.  Lots of electronics included, but live trumpet, trombone, saxophone, keyboard, and drums, at the least.  The human acts are always my favorite, and I found myself saying, along with my boys, things like "Wow!" and "No way!" 

The show was LOUD.  If you're sensitive to loud noises (or bright lights, for that matter), be prepared.  

Our boys are 8 and 10, and both thoroughly enjoyed the show.  There was, as my 10 year old put it after the show, "a little cheese" in some of the acts, but overall they had a great time.  At one point during the show that same 10 year old said, "This might really be The Greatest Show on Earth!"  High praise, indeed.

Want to go? You can catch the show:

The Patriot Center April 8 – April 19, 2015

Show times:
· Wednesday, April 8 @ 7:00 pm
· Thursday, April 9 @ 7:00 pm
· Friday, April 10 @ 7:30 pm
· Saturday, April 11 @ 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm
· Sunday, April 12 @ 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm
· Thursday, April 16 @ 7:00 pm
· Friday, April 17 @ 10:30 am, 7:30 pm
· Saturday, April 18 @ 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm
· Sunday, April 19 @ 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.  

Giveaway: Ringling Brothers Presents "Legends"

Behold the living legends! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® brings the unbelievable to Children Of All Ages in an all-new show - - Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS. Experience unimaginable family fun, as amazing performers from around the globe perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder to summon the mythical and mysterious creatures of the past: a Unicorn, a Pegasus and a Woolly Mammoth! Join us for an unforgettable family night of legendary proportions! Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS!

Purchase your tickets at the Patriot Center Box Office, or through Ticketmaster starting as low as $26!! Ringling recently announced they will be retiring their elephants in 2017, so this is one of your last chances to see them, if that's something you'd like to do. Don't forget that included with your ticket is access to the free-with-ticket preshow that starts 1 hour before showtime right on the circus floor! 

The Patriot Center April 8 – April 19, 2015

Show times:
· Wednesday, April 8 @ 7:00 pm
· Thursday, April 9 @ 7:00 pm
· Friday, April 10 @ 7:30 pm
· Saturday, April 11 @ 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm
· Sunday, April 12 @ 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm
· Thursday, April 16 @ 7:00 pm
· Friday, April 17 @ 10:30 am, 7:30 pm
· Saturday, April 18 @ 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm
· Sunday, April 19 @ 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm

Or you can always win a set of tickets here! Enter below to win a family 4 pack of tickets to the WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8th SHOWTIME! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.  Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.   
All giveaways are governed by our giveaway rules, which you agree to by entering.