Holiday Fun at the Tampa Theater

I cannot believe it's November. It was just July and people were whining that it was too hot, and those who lived in the North-east were promising that they wouldn't complain about the heat, because of the crazy winter last season. In just a blink, it will be Christmas.

We usually head home (to NY) for Thanksgiving, although, this year, we are not going. We were thinking about heading up around Christmas/New Years, but I don't know if that's going to work, either. I am excited that I'll get to go Black Friday shopping with my girlfriends this year, though!!

I may try to do something fun with the kids, like take them to the Tampa Theater for one of their Classic Holiday shows. Not only do you get to enjoy one of your favorite movies, guests get to enjoy singing along to Christmas carols with the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater organ, and even a visit from Santa before the show!! My kids would have so much fun with that!!!

If you're in the Tampa area, be sure to check out these showtimes and visit www.TampaTheater.org for more details!!

MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (1947)

3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29

 

Macy's executive Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara) hires a kindly old man (Edmund Gwenn) to play Santa in the department store’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but he claims to be the real Kris Kringle. His incredible claims convince both Doris’ daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) and a young lawyer (John Payne), who decides to defend Kringle in court when he is institutionalized as insane. 

1h 36m/Not Rated/Family Drama

 

Before the film, Santa himself will be in the lobby for family photos starting at 2 p.m., and he’ll share a special story from the stage immediately before the film at 3 p.m.

 

HOLIDAY INN (1942)

3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

 

Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire play successful song-and-dance men Jim Hardy and Ted Hanover. They are best friends, but they have a tendency to fall for the same women. When dancer Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale) leaves Jim for Ted, Jim leaves Broadway to pursue his dream of running a little hotel that only opens on national holidays. He hires Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds) to perform there, and before long, the old friends are competing again, this time for the lovely Linda’s affections. 

1h 40m /Not Rated/Musical Comedy

 

 

WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954)

3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13

 

Army buddies Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) team up to become a top song-and-dance act after the war. Davis plays matchmaker and introduces Wallace to a pair of beautiful sisters, Betty and Judy (Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen), who also have a musical act. When Betty and Judy travel to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, Wallace and Davis follow, only to find their former commander, General Waverly (Dean Jagger), is the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-ups ensue as the performers try to help the General. 

2h /Not Rated/Musical Comedy

 

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) - Eight Show Times!

7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18

3 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 - 20

7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 - 23

 

This year, it’s a wonderful week!  George Bailey (James Stewart) has spent his entire life giving back to the people of Bedford Falls. But when George's Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) loses a bank deposit from the family’s modest building and loan company on Christmas Eve, the rich and heartless Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) threatens to destroy the company. Thinking his wife (Donna Reed) and their family would be better off with him dead, George contemplates suicide, but his faith is restored when an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) shows him what life would have been like if he had never existed.  

2h 10m/ Not Rated/Comedy-Drama

 

 

HOME ALONE (1990) Celebrating Its 25th Anniversary!

3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27

 

When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O'Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.

1hr 43m/ Rated PG/Comedy-Family

 

 

Tickets for the Family Favorites classic movie series are $10 for adults and $8 for children and Tampa Theatre Members at the Box Office or online at www.TampaTheatre.org ($2 convenience fee applies).

 

The series is presented with media support by WEDU and Creative Loafing.

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Evolution of Drag- A Musical

Last Saturday, I was invited to step out of the box and attend a show at the Palace Show Theater in Spring Hill, Florida with a friend and her mother in law. This was a show like no other, not only because of the theme, or actors and actresses involved, but because I am a self-proclaimed music lover.

My first job was at Record Town at our local mall, and I prized myself on the fact that I could "Name That Tune" within the first few notes 99% of the time, from almost every generation of music. I was not the typical kid in High School, some called me "goth" and there was no where to get fishnet stockings from, so I had to hop on a train and take it to Avenue A in The City, until the very first Hot Topic opened in our mall. I wasn't a complete freak, as I didn't pierce anything except my ears, until I was over age, and I listened to everything from the 20's to the 90's.. and I loved it. I preferred big hair bands of the 80's and grunge and electronica of the late 80's and early 90's. I jammed out to hard rock, and spent my entire paycheck on concerts, concert tees, and black lipstick.

Looking at me, 15 years later, one would never suspect that that was the 'label' I wore back then, but it was what it was. It was an awesome, exciting, awful, and enlightening time in my life, and made me into the person I am today.

So, here I sat, in a theater filled with people of all ages, giggling, singing along, and hooting and hollering at the show before us like nothing we'd ever seen before. The audience ranged from young to old; one patron was even celebrating their 80th birthday!

The Evolution of Drag took us on a musical journey from the roaring 20's through the new millennium, demonstrating classic favorites through the decades, in a show that had us all giving a standing ovation at the close of this comical, inspiring, and insanely enjoyable evening out.

Brilliantly organized to bullet, illustrate, and poke fun at the history of  U.S. pop culture, this performance was so much fun.  

As a person who overly criticizes cover bands and cover performers, I can genuinely tell you that our group was blown away by how spot on the lipsynching, dancing, and acting was. Did I mention we had a blast?! A lot of the more mature crowd mentioned that they weren't familiar with the artists after 'Cyndi Lauper' made her dash across the stage as Evolution of Drag brought the audience into the new millennium with special guests 'Katy Perry' and 'Lady Gaga'. However, the interactions with the audience kept everyone on their seats, clapping, tapping, and whistling! My only complaint was due to the sequins on a lot of the costumes, I was unable to get pictures that truly showed how fabulous the costumes were.

While The Evolution of Drag has already made its way through the Spring Hill/Hudson area, have no worries, because you'll be able to catch it at The Parliament House in late July/early August. Follow their Facebook page for more details and show times.
 

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Disney On Ice Discount Code and Shows This Fall and Winter!

This fall and winter, Disney On Ice has put together a variety of shows destined to dazzle and delight audiences of all ages. Whether you're looking to please the inner princess of your daughter or to celebrate Mickey and Minnie for all of their worth, Disney On Ice shows captivate and entertain children young and old!

Disney On Ice presents Celebrations! It's one colossal party on ice, with all your favorite Disney friends! Enjoy a winter wonderland with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains, a Very Merry Unbirthday Party, a Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses and more in a magical medley of holidays, celebrations and festivals from around the globe. Come join the party when this spectacular ice show visits your hometown!

Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy: Rev up for non-stop fun with four of your favorite Disney stories at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy. Thrill to high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney/Pixar's CARS race across the ice. Dive into The Little Mermaid's enchanting undersea kingdom and experience the 'Circle of Life' with The Lion King. Then enter the mystical world of Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies as they reveal the magic that lies within! From wheels to waves, Pride Lands to pixie dust, your family's favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy with dazzling skating, special effects and beloved characters certain to create a lifetime of memories.

Special Bonus! Come see a Disney princess and a dazzling display of gorgeous gowns at the Disney Princess Pre-Show starting one hour before show time! Complimentary to all ticket holders.

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic: Join the celebration as 65 of Disney's unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic! You'll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and all the Disney Princesses. Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you'll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!

Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics: Dreams really do come true! Disney On Ice is proud to bring you a dazzling tale of hope, heart, heroism and hilarity as Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics. This stunning spectacle is an awe-inspiring and fun-filled journey to the magical lands of Disney's classic fairy tales. Travel to a kingdom under the sea, an enchanted palace in France, an Arabian castle and more! Enter the fantasy worlds of your favorite Disney princesses – Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and Snow White – as they bring magic to your city in this royal skating extravaganza.

Mom Central has teamed up with Disney On Ice to bring you an excellent discount opportunity!

Mom Central is excited to extend the following special family offers; look for the box marked "MC Promotion" when purchasing tickets:

• *Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code "MOM" at select ticketing channels. Offer good on all weekday performances, which includes all weekday evening and Friday matinee performances; minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each.
• *Offer #2: All weekend performance tickets will be $4 off the original price
• Offer #3: Get the best Front Row and VIP seats available – We have reserved seats in the Front Row and VIP sections just for you! No discounts available on these seats. Use the code MOM.

*Not valid on Front Row or VIP seats or combinable with other offers including opening night offers. Other fees may apply.

The above offers are good in the following cities:

• St. Louis: September 3-6, 2009
• Chicago: September 8-13, 2009
• Sunrise: September 17-20, 2009
• Dayton/Cincinnati: September 17-27, 2009
• Miami: September 23-27, 2009
• Auburn Hills: September 30 – October 4, 2009
• Charlotte: October 8-11, 2009
• Philadelphia: October 14-18, 2009
• Atlanta: October 14-18, 2009
• Oakland/San Jose: October 14-25, 2009
• Fairfax: October 21-25, 2009
• Sacramento: October 28 – November 1, 2009
• Baltimore: October 28 – November 1, 2009
• Uniondale: November 10-15, 2009
• Houston: November 11-15, 2009
• NYC: November 17-22, 2009
• East Rutherford: November 24-29, 2009
• Denver/Broomfield: December 3-13, 2009 *available for purchase on 9/12/09
• St. Paul: December 9-13, 2009
• Los Angeles: December 17-20, 2009
• Toronto: December 18-27, 2009
• Anaheim: December 22-27, 2009
• Philadelphia: December 23 – January 3, 2010 *available for purchase on 10/12/09
• Boston: December 26-29, 2009 *available for purchase on 9/3/09
• Ontario: December 30 – January 3, 2010
• Cleveland: January 8 -18, 2009 *available for presale on 10/2/09

To learn more about Disney On Ice shows touring the country this year and to find shows in your area, visit the Disney On Ice website. And don't forget to use the special discount code when purchasing tickets online!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Feld Entertainment. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

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