Disclosure: We’ve partnered to host a giveaway in exchange for media passes to review the show. Opinions expressed are 100% our own. Cirque Dreams Holidaze is headed to the historic Kings Theater in Brooklyn just in time for the holidays. From November 29th through December 2nd theater goers can catch 6 incredible performances of the show which has been hailed by the New York Daily News as “A delicious confection of charm, sparkle and talent by the sleigh load.” Set in a multi-million-dollar wonderland of season’s dreamings and holiday pageantry, audiences around the country will celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with never before seen performances, over 300 costumes, 20 of the world’s best acts, the finest singers, original music and seasonal favorites.
Before we can even think about digging into my hubby's or mama's mouthwatering, food-coma inducing holiday meal for lunch {LOL, yes I said lunch because it's rare that we actually start eating later than noon and by dinnertime some of us may be on our third helping} there is one activity that is an absolute must and that's watching the magical Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year marks the 91st year and there's always new floats, balloons, and appearances to get excited about. Since the hubby isn't a fan of crowds and he prepares the holiday feast, he gets a pass on attending, so I'm left debating whether or not the boys and I will see it all up close or from the comfort of our pj's at home this time around.
Tis' the season for creating new traditions with the entire family at Six Flags Great Adventures. For the first time ever the theme park debuted it's annual Holiday in the Park, this year - which runs through January 3rd, 2016. We couldn't wait for our day trip in the Mazda 6 to see the millions of glittering lights, dazzling entertaining holiday shows and our favorite Looney Tunes characters to get in the holiday spirit. It was pretty cool to see that this summer destination was transformed into a winter wonderland and I'm sure has been an enjoyable way to spend time with friends and family with the unseasonable warm weather we've been having lately. What better way to spend 70 degree temperatures in December right? During this visit, since we'd been to Six Flags twice already this year we decided to visit as an escape from the hustle and bustle and just leisurely checked out a few of the 10 new themed areas and enjoyed tasty, seasonal goodies.
Signature Holiday in the Park attractions (included with all season passes and active memberships) include:
·Holiday Magic: A Celebration of the Season ─ Spectacular light show on a 52-foot-tall tree in the heart of the park that dazzles nightly every 30 minutes through eye-popping effects and classic holiday music.
·Jack Frost’s Magical Christmas ─ Jack Frost’s evil plot to steal Christmas is reversed by the warmth and magic of the holiday season in this live stage show filled with acrobatics, illusions and surprise guests.
·Gingerbread Junction ─ Features peppermint swirl-wrapped trees, dancing lights around the carousel pavilion, the Gumdrop Hop dance party and a giant gingerbread man towering above.
·Joy to the World ─ Tranquil pathway of lit trees, luminaries and stained glass showcasing religious holidays from around the world.
·North Pole ─ Guests are welcomed into the warmth of Santa’s home for a meet-and-greet and holiday photos by Kodak, plus kids can write letters to Santa, meet a reindeer and build a stuffed toy.
·Poinsettia Peak ─ Skull Mountain roller coaster has been transformed into a mountain of dazzling red lights with a crimson beauty, the Poinsettia Princess, greeting guests nearby.
·Treetop Summit ─ Parachute Tower transforms into one of the world’s tallest light trees.
·Polar Point ─ Stunning, ice-blue trees twinkle with the illusion of falling snow up above, while the towering, larger-than-life Snow Queen meets guests below.
·Storytime with Mrs. Claus ─ Kids can hear one of Santa’s favorite stories in Whimsical Wonderland.
·Holiday Memories ─ Green, red and gold brighten this section filled with special photo opportunities like Mistletoe Moments, Wishing Tree and With Love giant greeting card, while nearby the Jingle Jammers sing holiday tunes by the fire pits as guests toast s’mores.
·Stewie the Snowman ─ Guests can pass through a jolly, three-story inflatable in Snowman City.
There's nothing like the smell of sweet and savory tastes of the holiday season filling the air that can be found throughout the park. The holiday menu will bring a smile to your face and ill have your tummy rejoice over the Spiked egg nog, holiday-flavored coffee and hot chocolate, peppermint and mocha fudge, holiday beers, festive funnel cakes with peppermint eggnog and caramel pecan bacon toppings, specialty holiday platters of sliced turkey, smoked turkey leg and chicken platters with cranberry sauce, chili bowls, harvest salads and flatbreads and hot soups that are available in various restaurants. My mouth is watering all over again just thinking about it.
Holiday in the Park also features nearly 30 thrilling rides such as SkyScreamer, Carousel, Big Wheel and Tea Cups. Children can enjoy 11 pint-sized thrills in Whimsical Wonderland. Coaster fans can challenge world-class rides like Nitro, BATMAN™: The Ride, THE GREEN LANTERN and SUPERMAN – Ultimate Flight, THE DARK KNIGHT Coaster and Poinsettia Peak. All rides and entertainment are weather permitting. Frontier Adventures including Safari Off Road Adventure, Bugs Bunny National Park and Plaza del Carnaval will not operate during the festival.
Check out our Video to get a peak at all the fun we had and for more information about Holiday in the Park is available at www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
Most weekends if you find that we've stayed home & walk passed our apartment door you'd hear music streaming down the halls and if you glanced inside you'd see my boys singing and dancing along while they giggle & whip and nae-nae. Dance parties are one of our fave ways to pass the time when hanging in doors. Our ten year old CJ studies ballet 3 days a week but also loves all the current dance trends you find going viral in dubsmash videos these days and on popular shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. At 5 years old Tristan has an inner B-boy in him and loves to spin and slide across the floor with the swag of a professional street dancer. Fostering a love for the arts is something we've always found to be essential while raising our boys here in NYC, with an array of performances to engage and excite kids of all ages.
On November 20 and 21 “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” returns to the United Palace (4140 Broadway at 175th Street, NY, NY) to kick off a 12-city tour, including Miami, Atlanta, St. Paul, Charleston, Charlotte, and Moscow, Russia.
The show features the music from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”, 11 dancers, DJ Boo, an electric violinist, and digital scenery that complements the adapted storyline, which locates the action to New Year’s Eve in a contemporary Washington Heights community in New York City. The adaptation is respectful of the traditional narrative with references to beloved touchstones like the Mouse King and growing tree.
The production inserts the vocabulary of hip hop movement to what has traditionally been a classical ballet, broadening the audience for the art form. The variety of styles represented (breaking, popping, locking, etc.) serve as a history lesson of hip hop dance.
“What better way to bring people together during the holidays than to combine different popular art forms to reach as wide an audience as possible, then dip this classic story in a contemporary setting that celebrates community,” said Mike Fitelson, executive director of the United Palace of Cultural Arts who adapted the story and is supplying the imagery for the scenery. “This production is the perfect symbol of how we are combining old and new to reinvent the United Palace. It has become a new holiday tradition here.”
To highlight the union of past and present the special guest for the November 20 show is the “King of Rap” Kurtis Blow who charted the first rap gold record with “The Breaks” in 1980. (His other hits include “Basketball,” “Christmas Rappin’,” and “If I Ruled the World.”)
“I’m always excited about any undertaking that expands the culture of hip hop,” said Blow. “I feel blessed after 45 years to still be able to contribute.”
“We were faithful to the music and let it drive the storytelling,” said director/choreographer Jennifer Weber of Decadeance theatre. “The juxtaposition of the hip hop dance and classical music allows you to see the beauty of both in fresh ways, finding new rhythms in the music to accentuate. Since Tchaikovsky's score doesn't have a predictable beat, there is always a sense of surprise in the movement.”
Last year “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” was an experiment - how would audiences respond to hip hop dance being performed to Tchaikovsky's famous score? But after 5,000 audience members attended two shows at the United Palace in Washington Heights and two sold out shows at New Jersey Performing Arts Center it was clear that the metropolitan area had another hit holiday show on its hands.
Time Out New York called it “a classic rebooted.” CBS News said it “turns Tchaikovsky on his head in the coolest possible way.” And Elle magazine summed it up as “A truly one-of-a-kind experience, filled with high-powered choreography and a very modern storyline.”
The November 21 matinee show is a benefit for youth arts programs at the United Palace of Cultural Arts (UPCA), the nonprofit that co-created the show with Decadance theatre Company last year.
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center is producing the 2015-2016 show. The United Palace of Cultural Arts is the original producing theatre.
Where: United Palace, 4140 Broadway at 175th Street, New York, NY
Friday, November 20, 8:00pm, with special guest Kurtis Blow, the “King of Rap.”
Saturday, November 21, matinee performance at 2:00pm
There's still time to get some holiday shopping done and if department stores aren't your thing then Bust Magazine's Craftacular may have just the gift you were looking for.Celebrate the holiday's and spend some quality time with your family by checking out revamped versions of the Nutcracker at FIAF and Peter and the Wolf at the Guggenheim, or by making dreidels at the Hanukkah festival at the 92 street Y. After a long work week or chasing the kids around the house I'm sure you could use some grown-up down time. I've listed a few date night events that include cooking a traditional Mexican holiday meal at a popular NYC restaurant, sampling a cocktail from Dylan's Candy Bar made with Pop-rocks while enjoying the Holiday Train Show and bar crawling while dressed up like Santa.
*Remember to "LIKE" the Dellah's Jubilations Facebook page (look to the right of this post) for updates on NYC events throughout the week and for other blog posts.
Key to Events: {E} for everyone {D} for a date {K} for the kiddies {C} for the Chicas {F} for the Fellas {P} for the pets
Friday Dec. 9th & Saturday Dec. 10th ~ Winterfest @ Central Park Zoo~
(10am-6:30pm) {E}Click herefor ticket prices
Our animal friends over at the Central Park Zoo want in on the festivities too. After school or work {take advantage of the extended hour}enjoy watching the animals open their holiday treats. Warm up with some hot chocolate or soup from the Dancing Crane Cafe while walking under twinkling lights. Everyone will enjoy the crafts, theater performances and 4D experiences.
Location: Central Park Zoo
For more event information: centralparkzoo.com
Friday Dec. 9th - Sunday Dec. 11th ~ The New York Theater Ballet's The Nutcracker ~
(Fri 9:30am, 11:30am/ Sat. 7 Sun. 11am, 1pm and 3:30pm) {K/3-10}$25-$35, Kids under 12 $20
Head over to see this holiday production of Tchaikovsky's classic, choreographed by Keith Michael. Aimed at the kiddies, this hour long show is perfect for keeping their attention while they are mesmerized by the set design and wonderful costumes. Location: FIAF, Florence Gould Hall at 55 East 59th street.
For more event information: nytb.org
Friday Dec. 9th ~ 3rd Annual Pajama Drop Off Party ~
(9am-5pm) {E}FREE/ donations accepted.
There's no better feeling then giving back, especially around the holidays. Bring your kids over to the Scholastic store in Soho to donate a pair of brand new pajamas to kids in need. With every donation 40% will be taken off of purchases made within the store and you will receive a free Clifford "Read Everyday Poster" on the 9th. The kids will enjoy story time and snacks as well as knowing they did something good for somebody else. Location: The Scholastic Store 557 Broadway between Prince and Spring st.
For more event information: Scholasticstore.com
Friday Dec. 9th ~ The XMAS Pop Sing-Along ~
(10:00pm) {C} {F} {D}$8
At this not to be missed event grab some spiked Eggnog and your friends and family to belt out your favorite Christmas tunes sung by some of your favorite Pop performers. Sing Along to David Bowie, Bing Crosby, NSYNC, Mariah Carey, Adam Sandler, and memorable songs from TV and films like The Charlie Brown Christmas Special and The Night Before Christmas and more. Afterwards follow Santa as he leads you merry carolers to neighboring restaurants and bars to spread some holiday cheer. Location: Union Hall in Park Slope Brooklyn on the corner of 5th avenue at 702 Union street.
For more event information: unionhallny.com
Saturday Dec. 10th & Sunday Dec. 11th ~America's Parade: 85 years of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ~
The floats, marching bands and gigantic balloons may have cleared the streets and Santa has made his way back to the North Pole but that doesn't mean we have to forget about the parade just yet. Enjoy your memories of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and connect your children to history as you march through photos, posters, snow globes and models of Parade balloons. This installation captures the fun and excitement of the world's most famous parade while providing a glimpse into its rich history. Watch a "newsreel" of Parade history and view original artwork from Melissa Sweet’s book Balloons Over Broadway, the story of Tony Sarg, “the puppeteer of Macy’s Parade. Location: The Tisch building 212 west 83rd street For more event information: cmom.org
Saturday Dec. 10th & Sunday Dec. 11th ~ BUST magazine Craftacular and Food Fair ~
(Sat. 11am - 8pm/ Sun. 11am - 7pm) {E}$3 admission/ merchandise for purchase
In it's 7th year, come out and celebrate at this craft fair this holiday season and shop for gifts with 2 weeks to spare before Christmas or for any other special occasion. The first 300 early shoppers on both days will receive goodie bags stuffed to the rim but even if you get there a bit later you are sure to find something while perusing through the booths of 200 vendors. There will also be DIY classes where you can make your loved ones friendship bracelets, terrariums, bath bombs and more. Classes either come with a small materials fee or are gratis. Location: 82 Mercer street between Broome and Spring St.
For more event information: bust.com
Peter and the Wolf @ The Guggenheim ~
(2:30pm and 4pm) {E}$30 members $35 non members. Buy tickets here
Narrated by Isaac Mizrahi, enjoy this visually entertaining performance of Sergei Prokofiev's classic tale. Music will be played by the Julliard Ensemble while balloon sculptures created by artist Jason Hackenwerth delight the audience. Take a peek at this video courtesy of Guggenheim's Works and Process's to see what to expect.
Location: The Guggenheim museum , 1071 5th Avenue (enter at 88th st. and 5th Avenue)
For more event information: guggenheim.org
Saturday Dec. 10th ~ NYC SANTACON ~
(10am) {C} {F} {D}FREE
Whether you've been naughty or nice this year be creative and get dressed up for SantaCon. During this festive bar crawl participants should bring at least two non-perishable items and patronize the bars that have chosen to donate a portion of their SantaCon proceeds to Toys for Tots. Location: TBA on the SantaCon site on Friday the 9th
For more event information: nycsantacon.com
Saturday Dec. 10th ~ Dos Caminos Cooking Class: Holiday Entertaining ~
(11:30am - 2:30pm) {C} {F} {D}$65 plus tax and gratuity The Mexican holiday celebration known as “Las Posadas” begins on the eve of December 16th and continues every night through Nochebuena on December 25th. The nine-day celebration concludes with a midnight feast, at which friends, families and neighbors gather until the wee hours of the morning. Learn how to recreate a traditional Nochebuena dinner (consisting of eggnog flan, Mexican hot chocolate,turkey in chilmole and more) with Corporate Executive Chef Ivy Stark. Chef Stark will demonstrate holiday recipes from her new cookbook, Dos Caminos’ Mexican Street Food: 120 Authentic Recipes to Make at Home and sign copies to take home! The three-hour class includes recipes, lunch, cocktails, and a copy of a Dos Caminos cookbook. Location: 373 Park Avenue South For more event information and reservation info: brguesthospitality.com
Saturday Dec. 10th ~ A Family Affair: Holiday Celebration ~
(1pm-4pm) {E}FREE
Bring in the holidays through arts and crafts activities, food and a tour of the current exhibits including Muntadas: Information >> Space >> Control, which looks at the relationship between public and private space, how information is conveyed, the media and how the public's opinion is shaped. Location: The Bronx Museum at 1040 Grand Concourse at 165th street
For more event information: bronxmuseum.org
Saturday Dec. 10th ~ Bar Car Nights at The New York Botanical Gardens ~
(7pm-9pm ) {C} {F} {D} Non members $30 members $20 must be 21+ The Holiday Train show isn't just for the kiddies, this evening event would make for the perfect date night.While exploring the wonderful exhibit sip on a complimentary cocktail. All three nights will feature the Dylan's Railway Explosion, a twist on their Pop Rocks Explosion cocktail.Other beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. Location: 2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx, NY For more event information: nybg.org
Sunday Dec. 11th ~ Hanukkah Festival at 92 street Y~
(10:30am) {E}FREE for kids under 1, $10/adult and $15/child
Families will enjoy making their own dreidels, cookies, candles and their own Menorahs to celebrate Hanukkah. Listen to performances by Shababa Mamas, Miracle Makers and music in Hebrew and English. Location: Lexington Ave at 92nd st.
For more event information: 92y.org
Sunday Dec. 11th ~ The NYC Fire Museum's Annual Santa Rescue ~
(11:30am){E}ADULTS $8 Kids $1. buy tickets here
Watch the brave members of the FDNY rescue Santa from dangerous heights so that Jolly Saint Nick can spend time with his biggest fans. Once Santa is out of harms way and safe inside, enjoy taking photos with him until 2:30pm and bring your wish list to share with him. Continue with the festivities while listening to carols being performed and snack on hot dogs and hot chocolate available for purchase.. Location: The NYC Fire Museum at 279 Spring street between Varick St. and Hudson St.
for more event information: nycfiremuseum.org
If you are just visiting for the weekend or you are an everyday New Yorker, whatever you decide to do just enjoy the moment and Revel in all that is *NYC* XOXO, Dellah
Dellah's Jubilation always intends to give proper attribution; if a credit was foreseen it was purely accidental and credit will be given where it's due. Any image without attribution unless noted otherwise is the property of Dellah’s Jubilation. If you’d like to use this image please contact me for consent. Dellah's Jubilation is only suggesting events that are thought to be fun and interesting based on opinion. Dellah's Jubilation is not responsible for cancelled events or any other event changes (time, location etc.) due to mother nature or those running the event. Please double check all links to event for updates and changes. Dellahs Jubilation is not affiliated with any of the magazines mentioned within posts. I just like to share my love for zines! Most importantly hit the streets, live in the moment and have fun!
