[ Entertainment Review ] OVO - Cirque Du Soleil : Delightfully Mesmerizing

Juggling human insects, anyone? / Photo courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil

As we entered the arena, right there in the middle of the stage, a huge, no, gigantic, egg sits silently. It does nothing, yet its stillness commands an imposing presence. An air of control that immediately captures your attention and gnaws at your curiosity. Then I saw insects...and my skin crawled. 

[ Contributor Review ] Cirque Du Soleil Corteo: Engaging, Mysterious, Fun

Editors Note: We received a media invite to preview the show in Charlotte NC. Our Contributor Dale shares his personal experience of the entertainment. Check his story below. 

Imagine, if you will, you’re laying in bed. You feel the tug of slumber pulling at you and you begin to fall into the Sandman’s warm embrace. Your dream begins with you lying in bed with a stream of people, your friends and family, walking towards you wailing and sobbing. One by one they approach you, touching your hand, kissing your forehead, and whispering tearful farewells.

It’s then you realize you’re dead. But you’re dreaming. Right?

And that’s how Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo begins...

[ Contributor Review ] Solo: A Rollicking Star Wars Story

Editors Note: Solo officially opened on Friday, May 25. We received a media invite to preview the movie. Our Contributor Dale covered the movie. Check out his straight-to-the-point take on Solo.

If you are an uber-Star Wars fan, have seen all the movies a gazillion times, and own one or more sets of Star Wars pajamas or bedsheets (who am I to judge), then this review will not sway you one way or the other. Stop. Go buy your tickets, if you haven’t already. Enjoy the movie, because you will enjoy the movie. Repeat. Let’s face it. You’ve already planned to see this movie more than once anyway. Right? Good. Now get out of here!

For the rest of us, let’s begin.

Contributor Review: Disney's The BFG is Big on Gloriumptious Fun

Editors Note: The BFG officially opens on Friday, July 1st. We received a media invite to preview the movie. Our Contributor Nigel covered the movie. Check out his hilarious take on BFG.

Be prepared to get Gobblefunked
Disney's latest adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic, The BFG, have big, funny surprises in store for you in a very GobbleFunk kind of way!

BFG which stands for Big Friendly Giant, is peppered with dialogues full of Roald Dahl's own language called Gobblefunk throughout this wonderful story that is told with amazing visuals and music woven together by the great Steven Spielberg.

Contributor Review: Finding Dory Will Swim Straight To Your Heart And You'll Love Her Forever

Editors Note:  Finding Dory finally opened in theaters everywhere. We received a media invite by Disney to preview the movie and our contributor and movie buff Nigel had been assigned to cover it. See what he and his young sidekick have to say about the movie.

Dory's Secret is Finally Out
With high expectations, my daughter Sara and I sat anxiously inside the dimly-lit theater waiting to see what Finding Dory, the latest movie from Disney Pixar, and sequel to the 2003 hit Finding Nemo, had in store for us. Here's the truth without giving out spoilers: The movie did not disappoint at all! From the time it started with the now customary Pixar short right before the main attraction, to the scene after the credits had rolled to the very end, I can safely say that we, as with the audience present, based entirely on our reactions, totally loved it! - And here's why...

Sneak Peek on Disney's New Upcoming Movie: Moana

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ has another new feature film in their roster of new movies for the year, slated to open in November 23, 2016. The new movie “Moana”. It is about an adventurous teenager who, with help from demigod Maui, sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and save her people. Watch the official trailer below to catch a glimpse at how exciting this movie is and one worth looking forward to!


More on Moana:

#BeOurGuest and Take An Exclusive Sneak Peek at Disney's Upcoming Live Action Movie BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Hey guys! Here's an exciting news. The first sneak peek at Disney’s upcoming live-action re-telling of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is out!!! AND YOU get to see it here first.


I will admit I think I screamed my lungs out when I saw this teaser trailer for the live action version of Beauty and the Beast! I'm almost giddy like a little girl with excitement. It's one of my favorite fairytale stories of all time. And the actress portraying Belle? I love her to pieces! I can't wait to see the movie. March 17, 2017 can't come soon enough. Watch and see why!

Contributor Review: Alice Through the Looking Glass Fell Down The Rabbit Hole A Little Too Far

Editors Note: Alice Through The Looking Glass officially opens on Friday, May 27. We received a media invite to preview the movie and our contributor and movie buff Nigel had the opportunity to see it. See what he have to say about the movie.

High Expectations. Fair in Comparison.
Seeing Tim Burton's work on Alice in Wonderland as a director, one can easily see the difference in this sequel; Alice Through the Looking Glass, which this time he co-produced. Being aware of this carries certain expectations, one of which is that the vision transported from Tim's mind to the screen will be a visual feast for us mere mortals that can no longer believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast, and Alice Through The Looking Glass, does not disappoint in that regard.

Unfortunately, it seems that Burton set the bar so darn high with Alice in Wonderland, that even he, and Alice Through the Looking Glass director, James Bobin, have been unable to deliver the same impact with this second offering in the timeless works of Lewis Carroll.

Alice Through The Looking Glass: A Twisted Reality

Alice and Absolem inside the "parallel reality" after she crossed the "Magical looking glass" / Photo: Disney:

I have seen trailers of Alice Through the Looking Glass a few times and heard all the buzz, but nothing prepared me for how awesome it was to actually watch the entire movie on the big screen and on 3D - waaaayyy before it officially opens in theaters! Nothing also prepared me for the unexpected surprise that this movie is entirely a story all on its own and only inspired by the original story based on the book by Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass. However, this version will surely make you mad - mad with delight!

Disney World's New Disney Springs: An Exclusive look Behind the Wall

Disney Springs Welcome Pedestrian Causeway / Photo : Disney

Downtown Disney No more...
If you frequent Disneyworld or is from Orlando, you probably noticed or heard that Downtown Disney is no longer referred to as such. Rather, it is now aptly called, "Disney Springs". And it's not just the name that changed. Instead, there is a whole redesign and re-imagined shopping overhaul to the town center that will make you feel like you're walking through Florida's historical timeline while enjoying a top of the line shopping experience.

The World Behind The Wall
I was one of the privileged few - thanks to DisneySMMC (Disney Social Media Moms Conference) - to not only step inside the enclosure hiding the new Town Center and final expansion of the new Disney Springs shopping hub but also got a private tour to walk around the site and had a sneak peek on what's in store for the shoppers once it opens. All I'll say is that Shopaholics will surely have the time of their lives once this finally opens to the public!

Disney Pixar's Finding Dory: Her Forgotten Past Finally Revealed

We all know Nemo of course and when we think of this famous clown fish's movie, that Blue Tang, Dory, isn't that far away from our minds, is it? Wait...

Dory who? 
That's right. Dory in a nutshell. The Blue Tang with its relentless STML (Short Term Memory Loss) disability. Nemo's reliably unreliable forgetful friend. However, she possesses a big heart and big enough to make up for her usually erratic misgivings. A positive quality of hers that overcame her sometimes annoying flaw. Her wackiness is so cute and so impressionably adorable that Dory swam into our hearts in full speed and stayed there.

Savor The Taste Of The Carolinas At Carowinds Before The Flavor Goes Away

North Carolina is a melting pot of different culinary style and flavor. To Truly experience the unique taste of the Carolinas, one needs to partake in a culinary feast to sample each flavor from the different regions of the state.  Now you don't need to travel across the state just to achieve this. Carowinds gathered the flavors together and put them in one location so you don't have to go too far at their Taste of The Carolinas Food Festival.

Kung Fu Panda 3: A light-hearted Movie Infused with All the Feels

One thing about films, any films, is that they can be plagued by this uncanny phenomenon where subsequent sequels can and will pale in comparison to the original movie - sometimes miserably. But there are rare cases where some really great ones will dodge this formidable "curse" and come out victorious! Kung Fu Panda 3 managed to snag a spot in the ranks of the unbeatable list. And one, well-deserved.

Water You Doing 2016 Promises Exciting Transformations To Carowinds

Photo +Maricris G 

Thursday, I was one of those privileged to witness the meaning behind the hashtag #wateryoudoing2016 where Carowinds made a HUGE revelation showcasing the incredible changes coming to their theme park. Additions and expansions that made me giddy with excitement, as were most of those that were in attendance. And there's a good reason why, which you will agree with as soon as you see the line-up in the works.

Carowinds Big SEAcret is Out and Here's An Inside Look! (Video)

Yes! The big SEAcret is out and we're giving you an exclusive sneak peek inside Carowinds exciting additions to the park! Revealed on Thursday during their media event attended by yours truly, VIP's, News, Media and loyal fans, the changes coming to the theme park in 2016 will surely make the theme park your family's top destination next Summer. Take a look!


The transformation of Carowinds began in 2015 with the addition of Fury 325.

Carowinds Live Event: Daughtry in Concert + Special Discount Code For You

Summer is officially here which means Charlotte's premier Summer destination, Carowinds, have opened its gates for another year of awesome fun! And for the music lover and big fan of their live concert series, you're in luck! The multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated band Daughtry is performing at Paladium Amphitheater on Thursday, July 2 at 7 PM with rock band 21st Century Goliath opening for the show. This is a great start to your 4th of July celebration for sure! Then to top it all, grab the special discount code for some cool savings to make it more super-duper-extra-fun for you!

Carowinds To Add World's Tallest Giga Coaster and An Epic Makeover of the Park

Thursday, last week, we had a front row seat at Carowinds BIG, no make that ginormous, secret reveal and more! In the centerpiece of the theme park's 50 Million dollar investments for 2015 is the construction of the world's tallest and fastest Gigacoaster ride - Fury 325! As Carowinds Marketing Director John Taylor said, "If you thought Intimidator was big, think again!"

I agree. The video simulation during the announcement was indeed a good indication that this new coaster ride is one for the brave soul and not for the faint of heart. With speed reaching 95 miles per hour, drop zone of 325 feet high with tight twists and turns and several 111 foot tall camel back hills, even men will be screaming like terrified little girls!

For those who are terrified of Fury, the park has other offerings next season to cater to everyone else. A new water slide in Boomerang bay for the water-loving patrons, re-vamped menu at the new Harmony Hall, new Front entrance plaza, larger ticket and season pass processing area, new parking entrance and toll booth with added parking spaces, and an expanded live show entertainment. 

Photo courtesy of Carowinds

And this is just the beginning. There's more in 2016.

Britax Opened Its Doors To A New Location in SC

Jon Chamberlain, President of Britax cutting the ribbon to officially open the doors
to their new facility in SC. Next to Chamberlain, is South Carolina Director of External Affairs, 
Michael McInerney (right) and two other SC dignitaries.

And I was there to see it! Indeed, Britax found a new home just across the border. A hop away from NC, their former home. Their new facility looked very impressive and their presence in SC will certainly mean jobs and definitely a needed lift to South Carolina's economy. I'm sure Charlotte felt a loss when they left its boundary but Britax needed more room to grow and South Carolina have the space they needed.

The Queen City Mom Prom A Night One Never Forgets

Pretty little, not necessarily black dresses, and fancy long gowns are not just the sight you will see at the 2nd Annual Queen City Mom Prom. Rather you would see fabulously-clad and made-up Moms stylishly strutting in their equally fabulous high heels ready to party and have a grand time. It's definitely not your typical highschool Prom. Not even close. These women come together, not just to party but ideally to support, recognize and fight! Yes fight. Fight that which is pediatric cancer. And in the forefront of this event is, Toyota.