Baby Loves Disco: Dancing with the kids for a good cause

Question: What do you have when you take some of the hippest nightclubs in the United States and transform them into an afternoon dance venue to raise awareness and funds for children suffering from cancer? You have Baby Loves Disco Lemonade Tour 2010.

Already celebrating for several weeks across the country in 50 different locations including nightclubs, shopping malls, schools and children’s hospitals, Baby Loves Disco, the club-scene for little ones and their families, offers an afternoon of dancing and fun with real live DJs spinning a mix of music from the '70s and '80s; all to raise awareness and money for the non-profit organization devoted to finding a cure for pediatric cancer, Alex's Lemonade Stand.

From a modest beginning at a Philadelphia Nightclub five years ago, Baby Loves Disco has blossomed into an internationally recognized entertainment phenomenon for children ages six months to seven years who are accompanied by their parents, grandparents or caregivers.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand honors the young life and lasting legacy of Alexandra "Alex" Scott, a remarkable child who not only waged her own battle with cancer but helped countless other children before her death, through the contributions from her own lemonade stand, which sparked a fund-raising movement with adults and children across the country.

This year’s Lemonade Tour, sponsored by H. & M., a trendy international fashion retailer, has the remainder of the tour setting up the Baby Loves Disco dance scene at Le Poisson Rouge on three different dates in New York City, as well as a stop in Philadelphia; St. Louis, Missouri; Franklin and Memphis, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Chicago, Illinois; Tucson, Arizona; San Francisco, Hollywood, San Diego and Costa Mesa, California; Atlanta, Georgia and Miami, Florida.

Cost for the Baby Loves Disco fundraiser is $10 per “walking adult or child” (crawlers get in free) or a special $60 rate for a family of four.

For further information, visit the ticketing page link or view the video from PHOTUS31’s YouTube Channel.

It’s a proven fact that children learn best from those who care about them the most. It’s time to make a difference, and you and your family can, for the Baby Loves Disco Lemonade Tour 2010.

You’ll have a great time bonding, celebrating the preciousness of a child’s life along with giving to an exceptionally worthwhile cause.

You and your children can make a difference.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week's movies with ratings and trailers

It’s time to make weekend family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, August 27, 2010.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).

If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

Opening September 1, 2010- American: The Bill Hicks Story- Documentary- NOT RATED

Opening September 1, 2010- The American- Action/Adventure- R- because of “violence, sexually content and nudity.”

Opened August 27, 2010- Avatar:Special Edition 3D –SciFi/Fantasy, Action Adventure- PG-13 - because of “intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking.” NOTE: This edition is in limited release.

Opened August 27, 2010- Centurion – Action/Adventure, Drama, War-R-because of “sequences of strong bloody violence, grisly images and language.” NOTE: Limited release not available in all markets.

Opened August 27, 2010 – The Last Exorcism – PG-13- Action/Adventure, Horror- because of “disturbing violent content and terror, some sexual references and thematic material.”

Opening September 1, 2010- My Dog Tulip –Drama, Animation- NOT RATED

Opening September 1, 2010- My Suicide-Drama- NOT RATED – NOTE: May be in limited release.

Opening September 1, 2010- Paul McCartney Really is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison-Documentary- NOT RATED

Opened August 27, 2010 – Takers – Action/Adventure, Drama- PG-13- “intense sequences of violence and action, a sexual situation/partial nudity and some language.”

Opening August 31, 2010- Wo Ai Ni Mommy–Documentary- NOT RATED

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, August 20, 2010, which included: The Genesis Code; Lottery Ticket; Mao’s Last Dancer; Nanny McPhee Returns; Piranha 3D; The Switch, The Tillman Story and What If… please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of August 13, 2010, which included: Animal Kingdom; Eat Pray Love; The Expendables; A Film Unfinished; Lebanon; Matching Jack; Peepli; Scott Pilgrim vs. the World; Tales From Earthsea and Vampires Suck, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of August 6, 2010, which included: The Disappearance of Alice Creed; Flipped; Middle Men; The Other Guys and Step Up 3D, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of July 30, 2010, which included: Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore; Dinner for Schmucks; The Dry Land; The Extra Man; Get Low; Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel; Twelve; Hook Ya Crook; The Sicilian Girl and for all films that opened June 11 to July 23, 2010 please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened prior to June 11, 2010, please see archived issues of this report at my Arts & Entertainment homepage at the National Edition of Examiner.com.

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) NC-17 NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED – As determined by the Rating Board/Motion Picture Association of America.

Amherst Ballet performs at Eric Carle Museum

This weekend, New England children will be treated to an artistically interpreted ballet presentation of the classic children’s story, HANSEL AND GRETEL, performed by dancers of the Amherst Ballet in The Auditorium of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, Massachusetts.

The ballet, based upon the original Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale, as illustrated by Lizbeth Zwerger, who is considered one of today’s foremost childrens’ picture book illustrators, coincides with a special exhibit of Zwerger’s works at the Museum, An Exquisite Vision: The Art of Lisbeth Zwerger.

The display of Zwerger’s beautifully rendered watercolor illustrations opened June 29 and runs until Sunday, September 26, 2010.

Zwerger’s work has been honored with one of the most prestigious awards in children’s books - the Hans Christian Andersen medal, which is considered the equivalent of a Nobel Prize for children’s literature.

The HANSEL AND GRETEL ballet is an original production that was commissioned by the Museum, and features the choreography of Amherst’s Ballet Director, Catherine Fair. The ballet’s sets and costumes were inspired by Zwerger’s works.

Music for HANSEL AND GRETEL will draw upon such classic composers as Camille Saint-Saens, Richard Wagner, Rimsky Korsakov and Engelbert Humperdinck, and will be performed by 24 dancers ages seven to 17.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is located at 125 West Bay Road, Amherst, Massachusetts 01002.

The performances of HANSEL AND GRETEL are free with Museum admission and begin at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m, on Saturday, August 28, and 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 29, 2010.

For further information about this event and other programs at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, telephone (413) 658-1100 or visit them online by following this link.

The video below features some of the young dancers from the Amherst Ballet, performing the Nutcracker, Dance of the Mirlitons with the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra on December 9, 2009.

Entertaining excursions: Touring factories that make cool stuff

CC-"Jelly Belly Beans"photo by Brandon Dilbeck -SA


Children have an innate sense of curiosity for the world around them and can spend hours uncovering and discovering the new and unusual.

Sometimes, the most common things in our everyday life can spark that curiosity and turn it into an entertaining adventure as well as a learning experience – such are factory tours.

There are hundreds of companies nationwide that open their doors to the public each year, sharing the what, who, when, where and how their products are made.

Some tours are guided and some are not.

Some charge entrance fees and others simply offer tours to build goodwill within communities.

Many also offer free samples and sell products because of the nature of their tour, but anyway you approach it, taking a factory tour makes for an unusual and fun outing for children.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver or teacher, let your imagination run wild when determining what type of facility would be interesting to visit: bakeries; candle makers; a farm; musical instrument makers, and then match it up with your geographic location.

The following are some suggested tours, which are basically free of charge, family-friendly, and might just spark you and your child’s interest.

In California – The Jelly Belly Company tour – see candy being made.

In Colorado – The United States Mint tour (also in Pennsylvania) see money being made (no samples offered here, of course) and follow the prompts if you need a free download of Adobe Flash in order to see the slide show.

In Illinois- John Deere Pavilion – see and learn about big equipment used in agricultural farming. Note this is not a factory tour but interesting nonetheless.

In Massachusetts - Cape Cod Potato Chips- tour the factory ONLINE and see how these delicious chips are made.

In Pennsylvania – Harley Davidson tour – learn all about motorcycles.

In Texas - Mrs. Baird’s Bakery tours – there are several Texas locations where you’ll see bread being made. (Children must be at least six-years old and accompanied by an adult, 18 or older; video cameras are not allowed; special clothing required along with advanced booking.)

In Vermont, Maryland and Pennsylvania locations - Simon Pearce – where you can see glass being made.

In Washington State – The Microsoft Visitor’s Center – where you’ll learn all about computers and try out new products.

For further information on tours that are offered in your area, the Factory Tours USA web site is an ideal starting point. The site offers information that is gleaned from many sources, mostly from other readers who enjoy touring factories and then sharing their information.

You can search the site by geographic location or by manufacturing area of interest.

Factory Tours USA makes every effort to continually provide updated links. However, if a link is not available it’s a good idea to check the featured company’s website to verify the finer aspects of certain tours such as cost; handicap accessibility; certain dress code requirements; hours and days of tour availability and any age restrictions.

The video below from the Gibson Guitar Company, gives you an idea of what types of things you’ll see on their paid admission Memphis Factory tour.


HAPPY TOURING!

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week's movies with ratings and trailers

It’s time to make weekend family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, August 20, 2010.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).

If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

Opening August 25, 2010- The Genesis Code – PG - because of “thematic elements and some rude innuendo.”

Opened August 20, 2010- Lottery Ticket – PG-13-because of “sexual content, language including a drug reference, some violence and brief underage drinking.”

Opened August 20, 2010 – Mao's Last Dancer – PG- because of “a brief violent image, some sensuality, language and incidental smoking.” NOTE: This is a limited theater release.

Opened August 20, 2010 – Nanny McPhee Returns – PG- “rude humor, some language and mild thematic elements.”

Opened August 20, 2010- Piranha 3D – R - because of “sequences of strong bloody horror violence and gore, graphic nudity, sexual content, language and some drug use .”

Opened August 20, 2010- The Switch – PG-13 - because of “mature thematic content, sexual material including dialogue, some nudity, drug use and language.”

Opened August 20, 2010- The Tillman Story – R - because of “language.”

Opened August 20, 2010- What If… – PG- - because of “some mild thematic elements.”

For information on films that opened the week of August 13, 2010, which included: Animal Kingdom; Eat Pray Love; The Expendables; A Film Unfinished; Lebanon; Matching Jack; Peepli; Scott Pilgrim vs. the World; Tales From Earthsea and Vampires Suck, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of August 6, 2010, which included: The Disappearance of Alice Creed; Flipped; Middle Men; The Other Guys and Step Up 3D, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of July 30, 2010, which included: Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore; Dinner for Schmucks; The Dry Land; The Extra Man; Get Low; Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel; Twelve; Hook Ya Crook; The Sicilian Girl and for all films that opened June 11 to July 23, 2010 please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened prior to June 11, 2010, please see archived issues of this report at my Arts & Entertainment homepage at the National Edition of Examiner.com.

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) NC-17 NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED – As determined by the Rating Board/Motion Picture Association of America.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week's movies with ratings and trailers

The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases that began opening nationwide Friday, August 13 to Thursday, August 19, 2010.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).

If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

Opened August 13, 2010- Animal Kingdom– R-because of “violence, drug content and pervasive language.”

Opened August 13, 2010 – Eat Pray Love– PG-13- because of “brief strong language, some sexual references and male rear nudity.”

Opened August 13, 2010 – The Expendables – R- “strong action and bloody violence throughout, and for some language.”

Opening August 18, 2010- A Film Unfinished – R - because of “disturbing images of Holocaust atrocities including graphic nudity .”

Opened August 6, 2010- Lebanon– R - because of “disturbing bloody violence, language including sexual references, and some nudity.” NOTE: This is a limited release to New York and Los Angeles markets at this time.

Opening August 19, 2010- Matching Jack-NOT RATED

Opened August 13, 2010- Peepli- NOT RATED

Opened August 13, 2010- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World – PG-13 - because of “stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references.”

Opened August 13, 2010- Tales from Earthsea – PG-13 - because of “some violent images.”

Opening August 18, 2010- Vampires Suck – PG-13 - because of “crude sexual content, comic violence, language and teen partying”

For information on films that opened the week of August 6, 2010, which included: The Disappearance of Alice Creed; Flipped; Middle Men; The Other Guys and Step Up 3D, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of July 30, 2010 which included: Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore; Dinner for Schmucks; The Dry Land; The Extra Man; Get Low; Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel; Twelve; Hook Ya Crook; The Sicilian Girl and for all films that opened June 11 to July 23, 2010 please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened prior to June 11, 2010, please see archived issues of this report at my Arts & Entertainment homepage at the National Edition of Examiner.com.

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) NC-17 NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED – As determined by the Rating Board/Motion Picture Association of America.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies with ratings and trailers

It’s time to make weekend family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, August 6, 2010.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).

If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

Opened August 6, 2010- The Disappearance of Alice Creed– R-because of “violent content, pervasive language and some sexuality/nudity.”

Opened August 6, 2010 – Flipped – PG- because of “language and some thematic material.”

Opened August 6, 2010 – Middle Men – R- “strong sexual content, nudity, language, drug use and violence.”

Opened August 6, 2010- The Other Guys– PG-13 - because of “crude and sexual content, language, violence, and some drug material.”

Opened August 6, 2010- Step Up 3D – PG-13 - because of “brief strong language.”

For information on films that opened the week of July 30, 2010 which included: Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore; Dinner for Schmucks; The Dry Land; The Extra Man; Get Low; Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel; Twelve; Hook Ya Crook; The Sicilian Girl and for all films that opened June 11 to July 23, 2010 please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened prior to June 11, 2010, please see archived issues of this report at my Arts & Entertainment homepage at the National Edition of Examiner.com.

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) NC-17 NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED – As determined by the Rating Board/Motion Picture Association of America.

A peek at Walt Disney Pictures TANGLED

On Wednesday, November 24, 2010, just in time for the launch of the Thanksgiving Holiday, Walt Disney Pictures releases TANGLED, their 50th full-length animated feature, and this one formatted in crowd pleasing Disney Digital 3D™.

Billed by the studio as being filled with “heart, humor and hair—lots of hair,” TANGLED, directed by Byron Howard and Nathan Greno places a new face and spin on the treasured childhood fairytale “Rapunzel.”

Howard and Greno are reunited from their previous successful outing for Disney’s BOLT, which was nominated for two Golden Globes®.

TANGLED will also rejoin the musical talents of eight-time Oscar®-winning composer/songwriter Alan Menken (THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, POCAHONTAS and ENCHANTED) with lyricist Glenn Slater, who received the 2008 Tony® and Grammy® nominee for his work on MERMAID.

The film’s main characters, “Rapunzel” and bandit “Flynn Rider,” will be brought to life by the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi.

TANGLED’s rating is yet to be determined, but the studio has released a series of concept drawings and production stills, which are available at my Examiner.com page here.

There is also a TANGLED trailer for your viewing enjoyment. Please follow this link to your private screening area.