Alice in Wonderland at @AtlBotanical

Tumble down that magical rabbit hole when Alice of Serenbe Playhouse’s upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland appears at the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Storybook Time on Wednesday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. Bring the kids and enjoy a performance and photos with Alice and the cast on the Great Lawn! Storybook Time is Wednesdays from 10:30 - 11 a.m. through October. Kids, accompanied by parents, experience a fantasy escape with stories about bees, butterflies, frogs and flowers. Free with Garden admission.

The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment. The Garden is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. (10 p.m. Thursdays) April - October and from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. November - March.

The Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave NE and admission is $18.95 adults, $12.95 children 3-12, and free to children under 3 and Garden members. For more information call 404.876.5859 or visit atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

Okay, Okay. I Caved and Joined Instagram. #WW

Memorial Day @CallawayGardens!

It’s time celebrate the arrival of Summer at Callaway Gardens’ Memorial Day Weekend Festival, May 25-28, 2012. Catch a few rays, kick up a little sand, enjoy a variety of music and watch world champions compete at the 53rd Annual Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament®.

As is tradition at Callaway Gardens, Memorial Day Weekend is full of championship waterskiing and wakeboarding on Robin Lake, as well as the brand new sport of wakeskating. Watch dozens of the world’s finest water sports athletes representing more than 14 countries compete for more than $110,000 in cash and prizes in the Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament. Competition events include tricks, slalom, jump, wakeboard and wakeskating. The Junior Masterselimination rounds and finals will be Friday, May 25, at 8 a.m. The Masters elimination rounds will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. Sunday will start with Opening Ceremonies at 10 a.m. and finals at 11 a.m. with participants competing for the coveted title of Masters Champion.

Special tournament activities on Robin Lake Beach will include water sports exhibitors, concessions and other festivities for spectators to enjoy throughout the event.

Growing the festivities for Memorial Day Weekend in 2012, Callaway Gardens has planned tons of fun following the competition each day as well as impressive car show, live music, an array of food vendors and the Callaway Gardens Farmers Market, an opportunity to purchase locally grown produce and products. A special exhibition by the U. S. Army Silver Wings Night Pyrotechnic Sky Diving Team performing Robin Lake on Sunday.

Memorial Day Weekend opens Robin Lake Beach for the Summer – with lots of exciting activities for 2012, including Light Striker Laser Tag*, Blaster Boats* and Aqua Island*, an expansive floating playground. Robin Lake Beach also will continue to offer its traditional activities of swimming, shuffleboard, table tennis, miniature golf and sneak peak performances of the Summer shows by The FSU Flying High Circus.

Inside the Gardens, guests can add some adrenaline to their day on Callaway Gardens’ newest year-round attraction, TreeTop Adventure*, which features 24 aerial challenges and zip lines. Reservations are suggested. Guests also can enjoy the many attractions unique to Callaway Gardens including the Birds of Prey show featuring free-flight hawks, owls and falcons; butterflies flying about in the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center; beautiful horticultural displays in the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center; and a bounty of growing vegetables and flowers in Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden. The 10-mile Discovery Bicycle Trailtakes guests on a leisurely ride by all of these great attractions. A tennis match, round of golf, or time spent fishing by boat are enjoyable ways to begin or end a great day at Callaway.

Admission to this special event Memorial Day Weekend is $25/adult and $12.50/child (age 6 to 12). Children 5 and younger are admitted for free. Admission can be upgraded to Pavilion Passes on a limited, first-come basis. Callaway Gardens Annual Passholders receive half-price admission. For this special holiday event, military personnel receive free admission for themselves and up to five guests in the same vehicle with presentation of active or retired military identification.

Make this experience a weekend getaway. Stay for the weekend and enjoy the new TreeTop Adventure and Callaway Gardens’ array of facilities, attractions and special events on a special Memorial Day Weekend overnight package.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

Make this Memorial Day Weekend one to remember for a lifetime!

Xperimental Puppetry Theater Comes to @CtrPuppetryArts!

What happens when artists of all disciplines join forces to create bold, original experiments in puppetry for adult audiences? XPT! Guaranteed to inspire, surprise, amuse, and provoke.

Photo by Stephanie Richardson

May 17-20, 2012 at Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts, Artists of all disciplines join forces to create bold, original performances in Xperimental Puppetry Theater (XPT). Puppetry patrons will view ten short performances and films that cover a variety of topics including the myth of Medusa, an inside look at a lion taming act and a budding young romance behind the scenes of a popular children’s science program. Through XPT, the Center for Puppetry Arts is able to provide the opportunity for theater newcomers and professionals to showcase their talents by inviting them to write, direct, construct and perform experimental works for the puppet stage. Recommended for ages 18 and older, XPT proves that puppets are not just for kids. A beer and wine cash bar will be available before the show and during intermission.


May 17-20, 2012
Thursday – Saturday: 8pm
Sunday: 5pm

Talkback with the artists following every performance!

Center for Puppetry Arts

1404 Spring Street NW

Atlanta, GA 30309

For more information, please call 404-873-3391 or visit www.puppet.org.

What I Want for Mother's Day

This year, Mother's Day is a little different for me. Its the first after losing a baby. Its the first where I am looking forward to staying home all day and cooking out. Its the first I will celebrate as a single mother.

I was doing some thinking last night about what I really wanted for Mother's Day. What I would go buy myself if I had an unlimited amount of money. Chocolate? Don't care for it. Jewerly? Don't wear it. A card? They can't write. Finally I realized what I really wanted. The answer was simple.

I want my boys to know love.

Unconditional Love.


The kind of love that knows no bounds. That never judges or calls names. The kind that can see the good in the bad and the best of the worst. The kind that accepts them for what they are and changes as they change. The kind that grows with them. The kind that never deserts them.

I want them to live their lives knowing that their mama loves them so deeply within her soul that it aches when they are away. I want them to know that their mama, even if she gets frustrated, loves every single second of every single day she spends with them. I wouldn't trade a single second.

I want them to know that no matter what happens or what trials we go through, I will never leave them. Even if we aren't together. We are going to make it out on the other side bigger, brighter, and stronger than ever before. They are my strength and will. They make me strive to be the best person, the best woman, the best mama, I can be. They are with me everywhere they go and I am with them. I always will be.

So, while every one else is excited to spend time with their families going to a nice restaurant or having their husband take over for the day and (hopefully!) shower them with gifts, I will be enjoying my little boys to the absolute fullest. We are going to snuggle and play and run and giggle until we just can't anymore. Then we will rest. We will snuggle and just enjoy some books or even a nice nap. Then we will do it again.


Every. single. day.

I wouldn't trade a single second of any day with my boys for anything in this world. Not a single thing. Mother's Day is no exception. The physical things that you can get as gifts are great reminders of your child's love that you can carry with you but the love that I carry in my heart for them is priceless. I love these boys and they love me. Best. Gift. Ever.

A Disney's "Brave" Mother's Day Wish

I am so excited about this movie! This clip made me cry. All too familiar I suppose. The gentle mother with the wild tom boy daughter. Heh..

Join @AtlDiaperRelief for the Celebrity Diaper Drive!

Atlanta Diaper Relief and Tameka Raymond's Lost Ones Foundation have joined forces for a Diaper Drive Summer Jam at Kangazoom Alpharetta to collect diapers for babies in need!

The two charitable organizations have partnered to bring awareness to the diaper need in Metro Atlanta. Thousands of babies sit in soiled diapers because their parents can't afford to buy more. Atlanta Diaper Relief gives diapers out for FREE to needy families. It's a prolific problem and now the organizations have partnered to collect more diapers and bring awareness to this great cause.

Join us on Sunday June 3rd from 1 to 4 p.m at Kangazoom, a beautiful indoor play facility that features four party rooms, inflatable jumps, arcade games, a clothing boutique, a snack/gift corner, parents lounge, computer corner, and more assorted fun for children ages two to twelve.

For entry parents must bring a box of diapers to donate to Atlanta Diaper Relief so kids can play!

Meet and greet Tameka Raymond, Founder of Lost Ones Foundation and owner of Kangazoom and Kia Morgan Smith, Founder of Atlanta Diaper Relief.

This will be a fun-filled event with food, a kiddie DJ, lots of fun and a chance to learn more about how to help babies in need. Also hosted by BabyShopaholic.com and LipGlossandBinky.com.

Please RSVP at http://kangazoomdiaperdrive.eventbrite.com and we look forward to seeing you at the Summer Jam! Contact Martina at Kangazoom for more info: 770-772-0552

Farmers Market at @CallawayGardens now open!

On May 4th, the Callaway Gardens Farmers Market officially opened for 2012 featuring a variety of vendors! The Farmers Market features a variety of local and regional vendors selling fruits and vegetables, including those grown right here in Callaway Gardens’ own Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden; meats and dairy products; baked goods; soaps, sauces and other specialty items; and flowers and plants. Additionally, demonstrations and children’s activities ensure a fun and interactive learning environment for all ages.

The Farmers Market is committed to supporting the development of local agricultural economy and healthy stewardship of area land. All products are produced within a 150-mile radius of Callaway’s home in Pine Mountain, Georgia. It offers an opportunity for farmers and artisans to sell their goods directly to consumers; assists businesses who sell locally grown food and garden-related products; and provides a unique shopping experience and gathering place for guests at Callaway Gardens. 

So be sure to join in on this years season and stock up on some fresh, local goodies to stock your shelves! Every Friday, beginning at 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. through October 5, 2012, at the gorgeous Robin Lake Beach in Pine Mountain Join Callaway gardens.

Admission begins at 4 p.m. is only $5 for all guests ages 6 and older, (NOW FREE!!) normally $18 per adult and $9 per child, and includes access to all of Callaway Gardens (unless other fees apply). The Special Event fees of $25 per adult and $12.50 per child apply on May 25, August 31 and October 5. Children 5 and younger are admitted for free on all dates.

Callaway Gardens’ Annual Passholders and military (active and retired) with proper identification receive free admission for themselves and up to five guests in the same vehicle on general admission days and half-price on Special Event days.

The Gardens’ attractions are open until 6 p.m. and the Gardens remain open until 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Both close at 5 p.m. after Labor Day.



For additional information, visit www.callawaygardens.com or call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292

SuperMoons

2011

2012

SuperWhy! Live is coming soon to a town near you!

From Storybrook Village to Atlanta!  Preschoolers have “the power” to experience Super WHY as never before when Super WHY Live: You’ve Got the Power!, the first-ever live show based on the top-rated PBS KIDS TV series from Out of the Blue Enterprises, flies onto stages across the country starting this summer!  Produced by S2BN Entertainment (Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, Yo Gabba Gabba Live!, Rock of Ages: The Musical) and featuring music from Jack Antonoff of the hit band “fun.,” Super WHY Live kicks off in Monroe, Louisiana, and will visit nine cities throughout July, “setting the stage” for additional stops from coast-to-coast this fall.  Tickets will be available beginning Friday, May 4.  Fans can visit www.superwhylive.com for more information and to purchase tickets and VIP “Meet & Greet” packages.

“Super WHY Live adds a whole new exhilarating dimension to Super WHY and its power to entertain and inspire young children,” said Samantha Freeman Alpert, Co-Creator and Executive Producer of the series and Co-Founder of Out of the Blue Enterprises.  “We’re so excited to extend the beloved series from the screen to the stage with this full-scale live production for families to enjoy together.”

Super WHY Live vibrantly brings to life Super Why, Alpha Pig, Wonder Red, Princess Presto and their puppy pal Woofster, who each take children on larger-than-life, imagination-stimulating adventures.  With help from the audience, the characters embark on magical, out-of-this-world journeys to explore what they’ve always wanted to be – from a ship’s captain to a rock star and more!  While singing, dancing and interacting with the characters on stage along the way, pint-sized fans (and parents, alike!) discover who really has the power to make dreams come true!

Showcasing cutting-edge technology, visual effects and aerial stunts, Super WHY Live is a sensory spectacular that will dazzle and delight audiences of all ages.  The new production features a team of top talent, including a Tony Award-winning scenic designer and an Emmy and Tony Award-nominated lighting designer, who create a mesmerizing setting for the show.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to take fans on this high-flying ride and invite them into the world of Super WHY in a completely unique way,” said Michael Cohl, CEO, S2BN Entertainment.  “For many children, Super WHY Live will be one of their earliest live entertainment experiences and we’ve created a truly unforgettable show for the entire family.”  

Following are the stops on the first leg of the 2012 Super WHY Live: You’ve Got the Power! tour.  Additional cities, tour dates and venues to be announced soon.

Date	City	Venue
Wednesday, July 18	Monroe, LA	Monroe Civic Center – Jack Howard Theater
Friday, July 20	Birmingham, AL	BJCC Concert Hall
Saturday, July 21	Knoxville, TN	The Tennessee Theatre
Sunday, July 22	Memphis, TN	The Orpheum Theatre
Tuesday, July 24	Raleigh, NC	Memorial Auditorium
Wednesday, July 25	N. Charleston, SC	North Charleston Performing Arts Center
Friday, July 27	Atlanta, GA	Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Saturday, July 28	Tampa, FL	Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, July 29	Miami Beach, FL	The Fillmore

Fans can visit www.superwhylive.com to sign up to receive the latest tour news and announcements and follow @superwhylive on Twitter. 

About Super WHY

Reading is power and Super WHY is the only preschool property created to help kids learn the fundamentals of reading through interactive storybook adventures.  Produced by Out of the Blue Enterprises in conjunction with DHX Media, the series has a groundbreaking multimedia aesthetic – with a winning combination of two- and three-dimensional animation formats, relatable and engaging characters and immersive environments.  The program represents a novel approach to preschool educational television, featuring a team of superhero characters with literacy-based powers, who jump into books to find answers to everyday preschool challenges. 

About Out of the Blue Enterprises

Out of the Blue Enterprises is dedicated to developing a groundbreaking portfolio of individually-targeted children’s entertainment properties under the direction of a proven management team led by Co-Founders Angela C. Santomero, M.A. developmental Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Creator of the preschool entertainment phenomenon, Blue’s Clues, and Samantha Freeman Alpert, MBA from Harvard Business School and former Nickelodeon entertainment executive with extensive children’s marketing experience.  The company creates breakthrough, interactive and curriculum-based entertainment concepts that span a variety of viable platforms, including television, video, publishing and consumer products.  In doing so, Out of the Blue stimulates the minds of kids and families, involves them in fresh and original ways and elevates their educational entertainment experiences to a whole new level.

About S2BN

S2BN Entertainment is a diversified international family show and event entertainment company specializing in the acquisition, development and production of high caliber touring exhibitions, unique live music tours and events, theatrical performances, and consumer and multimedia product offerings.  The company’s experienced management team executes activities across all types of global venues – from stadiums to theaters.  S2BN Entertainment has a long history of promoting a diverse range of incredibly successful shows on a global scale.  Led by Michael Cohl, the team at S2BN has been responsible for producing and overseeing tours with many of the most renowned artists in the world, including the Rolling Stones and Barbra Streisand; blockbuster Broadway musicals; and award-winning family shows for children of all ages.

Vault of the Secret Formula at World of Coca-Cola

For over 125 years, they've been putting their secret formula into each bottle of Coca-Cola®. Now they are inviting you to feel closer than ever before to Coca-Cola’s most closely guarded trade secret and learn about the intrigue behind the secret formula in our new Vault of the Secret Formula experience at the World of Coca-Cola.

In this new and immersive experience, you will learn about the story of the secret formula and how it is more than a list of ingredients – it represents 125 years of history, special moments, memories and the timeless appeal associated with Coca-Cola.

You will be able to learn and have fun with many interactive experiences that showcase the origins, mystery and magic surrounding the story of the secret formula. You may try to match the perfectly balanced taste of Coca-Cola with a virtual Taste Maker or experience a fun zone of myths and legends. You can have a hand in protecting the secret in a full-body interactive game that takes you to many of the locations where the secret formula has been kept. You can even deepen your knowledge of the secrets behind the secret in our new mobile storytelling experience by using your smartphone.

You can even deepen your knowledge around the secrets behind the secret in our new mobile storytelling experience by using your smartphone. Look for QR codes located throughout this experience. Scanning the QR codes with a QR code reader will give you access to new content within the experience and exciting multimedia features.

To learn more about the history of The Coca-Cola Company, click here.

Want to win a family four pack of tickets to check out the exhibit for yourself? Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: The World of Coca-Cola provided these tickets and those I will use to visit the attraction. As always, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own. To learn more about the World of Coca-Cola, visit www.worldofcoca-cola.com.