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Events, activities and products from Rhode Island, South Eastern Massachusetts and Eastern Connecticut.

La Salette Shrine a Southern New England Holiday Tradition

No matter what your religion might be, if you live in Southern New England, especially Massachusetts or Rhode Island, you have most likely made the trek to La Salette Shrine.  It has become a holiday tradition for many of us… and is certainly reflected in the massive traffic jam it creates in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

La Salette Shrine Christmas lights

The reflecting pond at La Salette Shrine.

My daughter was particularly fond of the ducks, in the reflection pond, while my friends were more entertained by the sign that said “Don’t feed the duck.”, since there were several.

Peace Dove Tree at Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette.

Peace Dove Tree at Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette.

lights at La Salette

More lights at La Salette. If you can't tell from the pic, they are candles with holly at base.

I wish I had gotten more shots to share with you especially of the impressive hillside display.  Many were walking up and down these beautifully lighted hills in prayer.  My daughter liked the Christmas Donkey, but her highlight of the night was riding the carousel.  I held onto her waist during her ride and the sheer joy on her little face was priceless.    The lights all around made the ride even more exciting I’m sure.

The Christmas Festival of Lights at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette is free to the public, and is located in Attleboro, Massachusetts.   The display is open 5-9 pm daily through January 1st.

Imagination Movers Providence, RI (PPAC) Live Show: Ticket Discount and Giveaway

imagination moversImagination Movers Providence live shows- PPACThe Imagination Movers are coming to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC),  on May 5th for two shows only.  If you don’t know already, the Imagination Movers is a popular New Orleans based rock band with family friendly music, that kids love.

Below is information about a special ticket discount for the Imagination Movers live shows.  The folks at PPAC have also kindly provided a family 4-pack of ticket giveaway for this Rhode Island (RI ) appearance!

Imagination Movers Ticket Discount

Imagination Movers at PPAC Thursday, May 5 at 4P &7P

Take Advantage of This Special Discount Now!

Receive 25%* off selected Orchestra seating and First Dress Circle or receive 50%* off Second Dress Circle seats!

Simply use the code MOVERS2 when ordering tickets online at ppacri.org, by phone at (401) 421-ARTS (2787) or in-person at the PPAC Box Office in downtown Providence. PPAC Box Office Hours are Monday – Friday, 10A–5P; Saturday 10A–2P and through curtain time(s) on show days.

* Orchestra seating restricted to rear orchestra and side orchestra. No adjustments on prior purchases; tickets subject to availability; ticket pricing subject to change; discount does not include standard purchasing fees; other restrictions may apply.

Imagination Movers Ticket Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets to see the 4pm Imagination Movers show, in Providence.

These are for the Thursday May 5th show at 4pm, there will be no substitutions. For obvious reasons the giveaway is only open to residents of Rhode Island and surrounding Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Mandatory Entry >> Just leave the city and state you live in, in a comment below.

Want some more entries?  Do as many or as few of these entry options, as you like, just make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 24 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be selected. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties. Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for fulfillment, nor for missing or damaged prizes. Contest ends April 29, 2010 at 11:59 pm ET.  Open to RI, MA & CT residents , age 18+.

Disclosure: Tickets provided for winner courtesy of PPAC.

Confirmed winner Julie

Madagascar Live! Review: Providence, Rhode Island Shows

madagascar-live

My family had the pleasure of attending last night’s opening show of Madagascar Live at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC).  When we first arrived I was bit concerned that my daughter would not focus on the show too well, since we had balcony seats, but once the Madagascar performers came out, they captured her attention very well.   My husband, a Rhode Island resident his entire life, had never been to this theater before (how he managed that I do not understand),  so the interior of the lovely old theater itself was quite the attraction for him.

Madagascar Live review

Madagascar Live! Review

The Madagascar Live! cast did a fantastic job.  My husband was particularly impressed with the performance of Rob Marnell as Alex the Lion, but the entire cast expressed themselves wonderfully through their bulky costumes.  The character of Melman the Giraffe  (David Perlman) was played on stilts, an impressive feat in my book.

I was actually happy with all the components of the show.  It managed to keep our attention well, in balcony seats, with a storyline we had seen several times before. I am almost as easily distracted as my 3 year old, so that is an impressive feat.  The director, Gip Hoppe, really kept things moving.  The sets for Madagascar Live! were fun and colorful, as expected.  Frequent change outs helped keep the pace going, oh so important when half your audience is under the age of 10.  The costumes were inventive and good renditions of the characters from the original film.

We found the songs & choreography enjoyable, and although the show seemed to have greatest appeal to the 2-6 year old crowd, there were a few tame grown-up jokes thrown in for the adults in the audience.  My little girl is autistic, so getting verbal responses of of her is often difficult.  After the show, my husband asked her if she had a good time.   She said “Yeah”, with  a little skip.  That is like getting a 5 star rating.

Tickets are still available for this weekends showings of Madagascar Live, at PPAC

Disclosure: Media tickets provided for purpose of review.

Win a Family 4 Pack of Tickets to Madagascar Live! Providence, RI Show (PPAC)

madagascar live ticket giveaway

Madagascar Live! Ticket Giveaway, for the Providence, RI PPAC show.  Win a Family 4 Pack of tickets, for Opening Night.

Madagascar Live! is coming to PPAC (Providence Performing Arts Center) April 8 – 10 There will be 7 Performances!

All of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends from MADAGASCAR are out of the zoo and onto the stage in MADAGASCAR LIVE – a WILD Musical Adventure based on the blockbuster DreamWorks film.

Tickets for this performance can be purchased online at www.ppacri.org, by phone at (401) 421-ARTS(2787) or in-person at the PPAC Box Office located in Downtown Providence. Box Office Hours are Monday – Friday, 10A–5P; Saturday 10A–2P and through curtain time(s) on show days. Any child twelve months and older needs a ticket.

Madagascar Live! Ticket Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win a family 4 pack of tickets to see Madagascar Live!, courtesy of PPAC.

These are for the Friday April 8th show at 7pm, there will be no substitutions. For obvious reasons the giveaway is only open to residents of Rhode Island and surrounding Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Mandatory Entry >> Just leave the city and state you live in, in a comment below.

Want some more entries? 

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 24 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be selected. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties. Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for fulfillment, nor for missing or damaged prizes. Contest ends April 6, 2010 at noon.  Open to RI, MA & CT residents , age 18+.

Disclosure: Tickets provided for myself and winner courtesy of PPAC.

Confirmed winner Jessica

>> See my Madagascar Live! Review <<

Madagascar Live! coming to Providence – Discount Tickets One Day Only! & Contest Info.

Madagascar live ppac

Contest has closed.  Check out my Madagascar Live review

Madagascar Live! is coming to Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) from April 8-10.  This promises to be an exciting show for the whole family, so I wanted to fill you in on a special one day only discount ticket sale for the Madagascar Live! show in Providence.

The One Day Sale is coming up this Monday, March 21st at 10 am, so don’t miss this opportunity to see the Providence showing of Madagascar Live! at a significant discount.  Here is some more information about the promotion:

SPECIAL ONE DAY SALE ON MONDAY, MARCH 21 AT 10A!

PURCHASE $15 TICKETS OR A FAMILY 4 PACK FOR ONLY $40!

Simply use the code MADLIVE when ordering tickets online at ppacri.org, by phone at (401) 421-ARTS (2787) or in-person at the PPAC Box Office in downtown Providence. PPAC Box Office Hours are Monday – Friday, 10A–5P; Saturday 10A–2P and through curtain time(s) on show days.

All of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends from MADAGASCAR are out of the zoo and onto the stage in MADAGASCAR LIVE – a WILD Musical Adventure based on the blockbuster DreamWorks film.

*Offer valid for Saturday and Sunday performances ONLY. $15 tickets restricted to Orchestra center (row BB and back), Orchestra left & right (row S & back) and First Dress Circle.  Family four pack can ONLY be purchased by phone or in-person. Restricted to Second Dress Circle. No adjustments on prior purchases; tickets subject to availability; ticket pricing subject to change; includes standard purchasing fees;  inclusive or restoration fee; other restrictions may apply.

madagascar live!

There is also a great contest going on right now.  It is a Subway Poster Contest, which has an excellent grand prize.  Not only will the artists poster be displayed during the Providence Madagascar Live! shows, but they will win a 4 pack of tickets, dinner and the chance to meet the characters.  More info here:

MADAGASCAR LIVE! SUBWAY ART CONTEST!

Your artwork can decorate a New York City subway!  On stage, that is.  The Madagascar characters are heading out of New York and their first trip is on the subway.  Create a poster for the train.  A beautiful design, an advertisement, a funny sign.  Be creative.

The winning poster will go on the subway train on the set of Madagascar Live! during the entire engagement in your city! The winner will also receive a family 4 pack of tickets, a gift certificate to McFadden’s Restaurant and have their photo taken with a few characters on stage next to their famous piece of art!

Please post your entry to our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/provpacri or email it to mpacific@ppacri.org by Monday, April 4th.

Win Tickets to “RISE”: One Day Only Figure Skating Movie Event (RI/SE Mass.)

rise skating movie event Swansea MA

RISE the Movie

Commissioned by U.S. Figure Skating, the film RISE will celebrate American figure skating while commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team that perished in a plane crash on its way to the World Championships in Prague. Produced and directed by 16-time Emmy Award winners Lookalike Productions, RISE will document the sports’ growth in popularity over the years and feature various luminaries of American figure skating. Proceeds from RISE will be used to further the mission of U.S. Figure Skating’s Memorial Fund, which was established on Feb. 23, 1961, as a living legacy of those who lost their lives. The film is scheduled to premiere February 17, 2011 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the tragedy.

rise movie event

RISE the Event

Watch the Event Trailer

Live from the red carpet in New York City, the U.S. Figure Skating event you’ve been waiting for is coming to more than 500 movie theatres nationwide!

RISE

A One Night Only Event on February 17th, 2011 hosted by Matt Lauer, co-host of NBC’s TODAY. Also lending their talents to the evening will be CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson and  U.S. champion and Olympic medalist Peter Carruthers.

A celebration of American figure skating featuring figure skating legends Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, Michelle Kwan and 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek among others.

An unprecedented gathering of figure skating icons. Never seen  figure skating performances uniquely choreographed by Randy Gardner, including a piece by 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek, the world premiere of RISE, and more….

Limited seats available for this one night event – tickets on sale now!

RISE Ticket Giveaway (Swansea, MA)

Tickets are for the Swansea, MA viewing.  So giveaway is only open to Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

I have two 4 packs of tickets to giveaway, and this will be a quickie giveaway since the show is Thursday night.

Enter Here (random draw will be from contact form entries so I can mail these immediately)

Form removed since giveaway is closed & I was being spammed through the form.

Winners will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will be notified via email that they have won.  Tickets will be sent out promptly at close of giveaway. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties.  Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for fulfillment, nor for missing or damaged prizes.  Contest ends February 15, 2010 at 3 pm ET.  Open to RI & MA residents , age 18+.

Haunted House: Coventry, Rhode Island (Part 2)

Here is Part 2 of the big  Halloween display, in Coventry, RI.  While the last post was all from the haunted house part, this is the back part of the haunted house, along with outdoors & spooky out buildings.

Don’t let the Peanuts gang fool you, there is some gruesome stuff here.

RI halloween display peanuts gang

Dare you have your fortune read?

halloween display witches ri

The little darlings in the ghouls nursery are glad to eat you.

halloween display monster nursey

Now for a walk through the graveyard.

haunted graveyard halloween display ri

We come upon, what appears to be an old abandoned church.

haunted church

We get closer and begin to see something is very wrong here.

Rhode island halloween display church

We realize we have stumbled upon a truly hellish scene.  Better leave before they notice us.

devil baby being bornHalloween display

Yikes to get out we need to go through the Covered Bridge of Horrors.

haunted covered bridge

Only to be greeted by a killer clown.

killer clown

… and his cohorts.

evil clowns

Will you escape?

Check out the other posts about the display:

Halloween Doesn’t Scare her at All

Haunted House: Coventry, RI (Part 1)

Haunted House: Creepy Halloween Display (Part 1)

I love Halloween displays.  This display was done by my parents last year, in Coventry, RI.  Make sure to check out Part 2 as well, there is a cool building they built especially for the Halloween display.

Check out the ghoulish shop keeper.

halloween shop keeper

M checking out the gruesome selection.

gruesome wares

Apparently dogs are allowed at this haunted halloween store.

Check out the alien autopsy.

alien autopsy

The executioner welcomes you.

the executioner

execution room halloween display

The electric chair.

haunted house electric chair

The pendulum of death.

halloween display pendulum of death

M stealing the devils dead rat.  She is so defiant…lol

M defies the halloween devil

The display will not be up this year.

More posts about the display:

Haunted House: Coventry, RI (Part 2)

Halloween Doesn’t Scare her at All

Halloween Doesn’t Scare Her at All

While editing pics from visiting my parent’s Halloween display  (they really go all out), a saw a running theme among the pics.  My daughter’s innocent total lack of fear, when it came to things that I would expect to frighten her.  Her response…fascination. She had no fear at all.   Even the big devil in the haunted house section didn’t phase her one bit.  Last year it made her scream.

Here she abuses the the midget killer clown.  After tweaking his nose several times, she went after his tongue.

abusing the scary clown

What is a 3 year old to do when faced with this?

halloween rat

Well, pick it up and carry it around with you of course!

carrying rat at haunted house

I took a ton of pictures last night, and will be doing a couple more posts today of the Haunted house and outdoor display.  My parent’s have been doing the display for about 5 years now, and my cousins who live a short walk from there do a huge display, as well.

More about the display:

Haunted House: Coventry, RI (Part 1)

Haunted House: Coventry, RI (Part 2)