When I wrote my review "3 Reasons You'll Enjoy Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms", I highlighted that Clara (Mackenzie Foy) was multi-dimensional as a female character. One of the things I liked was her interest in gadgets. Clara was a techie!



Being a bit of a female techie myself, I love that this video clip "Science, Mechanics, and a Bit of Luck" actually showed her "thinking" how to figure out a solution to an "issue". In this case a mouse trap. HA!



While I'm sharing this clip because today is Kid Inventors' Day (Annually on January 17, Benjamin Franklin's birthday, to acknowledge past & present accomplishments of kid inventors!), I'm also sharing to get you excited to learn more about Clara, when Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms releases on Digital, Movies Anywhere, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD Jan. 29, 2019.



Disney's dazzling adventure "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms"- inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann's classic tale and the beloved ballet "The Nutcracker"- carried audiences along with 14-year-old Clara (Mackenzie Foy) to a magical, mysterious world with breathtaking performances by Misty Copeland plus sweets, snowflakes, soldiers, scurrying mice... and no shortage of surprises.

Bonus features include a discussion with American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland about her role as the enchanting Ballerina Princess, her personal history with “The “Nutcracker” ballet, and her inspirational and historic rise within the world of dance.

Extras take viewers on the set of “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” to meet both new and reimagined characters, and discover how the Land of Sweets, Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and mysterious Fourth Realm were created to such dazzling effect. Deleted scenes provide a look at magical moments that didn’t make the final version of the movie


SYNOPSIS

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms | On Digital & Blu-ray Jan 29


In “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” Clara travels along a golden thread, presented at Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual party, eagerly searching for a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a music box that holds a priceless gift.

When she enters a mysterious parallel world, Clara encounters a Nutcracker soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and three Realm regents, including the Sugar Plum Fairy (Keira Knightley). Ultimately, she must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve the key and return harmony to the unstable world.


BLU-RAY and DVD FEATURES

BLU-RAY:

• On Pointe: A Conversation with Misty Copeland - Copeland shares the thrill of portraying one of her favorite characters in a whole new way. 
• Unwrapping “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” - Dive into the production design, sets, costumes and more that helped transform a beloved ballet into an adventurous movie.

Deleted Scenes –

• The Stahlbaums Arrive- As the Stahlbaums enter the Christmas Eve ball, the butler attempts to announce them to the assembled guests. 
• Follow Your Ribbon- Drosselmeyer encourages a reluctant Clara to go find her gift. 
• Deleted Scene: Clara Asks About Her Mother- Sugar Plum gives Clara a tour of her mother’s bedroom. 
• Left, Left, Left, Left, Left- Wandering lost in the forest, palace guards Cavalier and Harlequin quarrel about which way to go. 
• Out with the Old- Sugar Plum makes sweeping changes to the palace decor.

Music Videos -

• “Fall on Me” Performed by Andrea Bocelli Featuring Matteo Bocelli- Experience superstar tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli performing their first duet together in this uplifting song. 
• “The Nutcracker Suite” Performed by Lang Lang- Get swept up in a series of images from the movie, set to Tchaikovsky’s music and featuring world-renowned pianist Lang Lang.

ON DIGITAL:

• Unwrapped: The Visual Effects of “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” - View a reel that explores the layers of effects in sequences of the film.

To learn more visit - www.movies.disney.com/the-nutcracker-and-the-four-realms

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DisneysNutcracker
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheNutcracker
Instagram: www.instagram.com/disneysnutcracker

When I wrote my review " 3 Reasons You'll Enjoy Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms", I highlighted that Clara (M...

In honor of its 30th anniversary, two-time Academy Award®-winner “The Little Mermaid,” a musical tale of mermaid princess Ariel — along with Sebastian and Flounder, and the love-to-hate sea witch Ursula — will make a splash for the first time Digitally in HD, 4K Ultra HD and Movies Anywhere on Feb. 12, and then on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray™ on Feb. 26.



Never-before-seen bonus features bring legendary composer Alan Menken and some of Disney’s most recognizable leading ladies together around a piano to reminisce, sing and celebrate “The Little Mermaid.” The latest installment of “Stories from Walt’s Office” compares Walt and Ariel’s love of collecting treasures.

Viewers will also receive an inside look at the “The Little Mermaid” cast in their original recording sessions, explore hidden treasures and fun facts from the film, and enjoy a special performance of “Part of Your World” by a cappella singing sensation DCapella.


SYNOPSIS

The Little Mermaid Signature Collection | On Digital Feb 12 & Blu-ray Feb 26



The Signature Edition of “The Little Mermaid” showcases its award-winning musical score and iconic songs such as “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World” with a sing-along mode allowing you to accompany this beloved cast of characters on their journey.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale about a beautiful mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human, “The Little Mermaid” was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements (“Aladdin”).

Features the voice talents of Jodi Benson (“Toy Story 2,” “Toy Story 3”) as Ariel, Pat Carroll (“Laverne & Shirley”) as Ursula, Samuel E. Wright (Broadway’s “The Lion King”) as Sebastian, Christopher Daniel Barnes (“The Brady Bunch Movie”) as Eric, Kenneth Mars (“Young Frankenstein”) as Triton, Buddy Hackett (“The Music Man”) as Scuttle, Jason Marin (“Back to the Future”) as Flounder and René Auberjonois (“The Patriot”) as Chef Louis.


ALL-NEW BONUS FEATURES: * (Bonus features may vary by retailer)

BLU-RAY & DIGITAL

• Sing-Along Mode – Sing along to the movie in this sing-along version of the film. 
• Alan Menken & the Leading Ladies Song – From the voice of a mermaid to the tunes of a muse, the music of Alan Menken has scored the soundtrack for some of Disney’s most iconic leading ladies. Join Alan, Jodi Benson (Ariel), Paige O’Hara (Belle), Judy Kuhn (Pocahontas Singing Voice), Lillias White (Calliope) and Donna Murphy (Mother Gothel) as we celebrate the music of their films in honor of the one that started it all … “The Little Mermaid.” In this discussion, the ladies will share their memories of musically creating their characters with Alan, discuss what it means to be part of the Disney Princess/leading lady legacy and create new memories as they sing with Alan around a baby grand piano. 
• “What I Want From You…Is YOUR VOICE” – Enter the recording studio and get an inside look at the cast of “The Little Mermaid” in their original recording sessions. 
• Stories From Walt’s Office – Gadgets & Gizmos – Like Ariel, Walt Disney was a collector of many different things from miniatures to early mechanical characters that inspired the invention of audio-animatronics. We take a look at some the collections that Walt kept in his office in the third episode of this series. 
• #TreasuresUntold – Join Ruby Rose Turner and Olivia Sanabia from the Disney Channel Original Series “Coop and Cami Ask the World” as they take a deep dive to explore some hidden treasures and fun facts about Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” 
• DCapella “Part of Your World” Music Video 
• Classic Bonus Features – revisit four exciting bonus features from previous releases including:

• Deleted Character: Harold The Merman
• Under The Scene: The Art Of Live Action Reference
• Howard’s Lecture
• Audio Commentary With Ron Clements, John Musker and Alan Menken

DIGITAL EXCLUSIVES

• “Part of Your World” - A 30-Year Retrospective – Songwriter Alan Menken and Jodi Benson, the acting and singing voice of Ariel, sing the epitome of Disney “I Want” songs “Part of Your World” and discuss its impact since it was first heard 30 years ago. 
• Classic Bonus Features – Over 3 additional hours of previously released classic bonus features including Deleted Scenes, Easter Eggs, Music Videos and more!

“The Little Mermaid” is the seventh title to join the Walt Disney Signature Collection. The film was originally released in theaters on Nov. 15, 1989 and is the 28th film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the first in what many described as a new Disney animation renaissance.

To learn more, visit - www.movies.disney.com/The-Little-Mermaid
Facebook - www.facebook.com/DisneyTheLittleMermaid

In honor of its 30th anniversary, two-time Academy Award®-winner “The Little Mermaid,” a musical tale of mermaid princess Ariel — along with...

Ring in the "Year of the Pig" this Lunar New Year with Mulan,  her faithful dragon, Mushu, the Three Little Pigs and others at the Disneyland Resort in Disney California Adventure Park.



From Friday, Jan. 25 to Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, during the 24 days of this multicultural celebration, guests will experience live entertainment and musical performances, including an enhanced "Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession," fun-filled arts and crafts, delicious cuisine and themed merchandise. Even the Three Little Pigs join in the fun with a rare appearance.

Lunar New Year, traditionally celebrated within Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, commemorates the moment when both the sun and the moon begin their journey for another year. Highlights of the Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure include:

• "Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession," a bright and bold parade hosted by Mulan and her faithful dragon, Mushu, that honors Lunar New Year and celebrates family and friendship. As a special treat for the Year of the Pig, the Three Little Pigs (Fiddler, Fifer and Practical) join the procession in their full holiday garb, along with Goofy in his "god of Good Fortune" attire and Chip 'n' Dale in their red vests.
  
  "Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession" is enhanced this year with a longer processional route, from Pixar Pier to Paradise Gardens Park, where guests will gather to watch the festivities. A troupe of Chinese performers bring additional dancers, martial artists and drummers to add extra excitement to the beautiful and colorful procession.

• Beloved characters Mulan, Mushu, Pluto, Mickey and Minnie donning their Lunar New Year attire and greeting guests at Paradise Gardens Park.

• Four Asian marketplaces offering delightful foods inspired by Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, all with a Disney twist. New this year is the Sip and Savor pass, available for any guest to purchase if they wish to get the best value as they taste their way through the festive Asian marketplaces.

• Longevity Noodle Co.
• Lucky 8 Lantern
• Prosperity Bao & Buns
• Red Dragon Spice Traders

• A special Lunar New Year menu at Paradise Garden Grill that offers items inspired by traditional Asian fare, plus a new Festival Food and Beverage Cart inside Paradise Gardens.

• Live, daily performances with authentic musicians.

• New this year, the Melody of China ensemble entertains guests with Chinese classical, folk and contemporary music, with a trio of artists that play the yangqin (Chinese dulcimer), pipa (Chinese lute) and Erhu (Chinese fiddle).
• Vietnamese artist Dat Nguyen plays traditional and original compositions on classical guitar, lute, flute and melodica at Paradise Garden Bandstand.

• An area for guests to try complimentary arts and crafts with local artisans, including Chinese calligraphy, paper lantern making and face painting.

• A Lucky Wishing Wall, where guests may add their own wishes for a wonderful future.

• Beautiful Lunar New Year décor, including ornamental lanterns and banners wishing guests a Happy Lunar New Year in English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

• New Lunar New Year merchandise inspired by different cultures of East Asia.

• Special items all the way from Shanghai Disney Resort, including traditional red envelopes for gift-giving, Minnie Mouse ear headbands, lantern glow wands and more.
• Commemorative items with Lunar New Year designs, including a limited-edition pin, adult hoody and tees.

In addition, the Disneyland Resort is offering special, limited-time ticket and hotel offers during the Lunar New Year celebration, making this an ideal time for guests to visit Disney California Adventure.

For more information, visit www.Disneyland.com

Fcebook - www.facebook.com/disneyland
Twitter - www.twitter.com/Disneyland
Instagram - www.instagram.com/disneyland

Ring in the "Year of the Pig" this Lunar New Year with Mulan,  her faithful dragon, Mushu, the Three Little Pigs and others at the...

Celebrate the holidays through December 31 at the Franklin Square Holiday Festival presented by CHASE featuring the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show presented by PECO. The Betsy Ross House and Franklin Square remain OPEN to the public as scheduled and are not affected by the federal government shutdown.


The Betsy Ross House is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Meet Betsy Ross as she works in her upholstery shop and ask her all about her exciting life and fascinating times. A special Kwanzaa celebration is planned 3-4 p.m on Friday, December 28 in the courtyard.

The House is also open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, December 31 for the popular, annual celebration of Betsy’s January 1, 1752 birth. Betsy’s Birthday Bash will feature Colonial chocolate making, visits with the birthday lady, herself, and, of course, cake from City Tavern.

During the Franklin Square Holiday Festival presented by CHASE, families can enjoy two alternating, free light shows set to holiday classics by the Philly POPS® presented every 30 minutes beginning at 4:30 p.m. daily. The final show is at 8 p.m. Sundays – Thursdays; 9 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays (8 p.m. on Christmas Eve).

Warm up with comfort foods and hot drinks at SquareBurger and Ben’s Sweets & Treats and enjoy an adult beverage at the Winter Beer Garden. Plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Square with the always fun 6 p.m. Square Drop and family dance party with the view of the Delaware River fireworks.

Franklin Square and the Betsy Ross House are operated by the non-profit Historic Philadelphia, Inc. HPI makes our nation’s history relevant and real through interpretation, interaction and education, strengthening Greater Philadelphia’s role as the destination to experience American history.

Admission to the Betsy Ross House is just $5 for adults; $4 for seniors/students/active military. Upgrade to an audio tour for just $2 more.

For more information about the Betsy Ross House or the holiday events, call (215) 629-4026 or visit www.historicphiladelphia.org

Facebook -
www.facebook.com/historicphilly
www.facebook.com/franklinsquarephiladelphia
www.facebook.com/betsyrosshouse

Twitter -

www.twitter.com/HistoricPhilly
www.twitter.com/FranklinSqr
www.twitter.com/BetsyRossHouse

Instagram -

www.instagram.com/historicphilly
www.instagram.com/franklinsquarephilly
www.instagram.com/thebetsyrosshouse

Celebrate the holidays through December 31 at the Franklin Square Holiday Festival presented by CHASE featuring the Electrical Spectacle Hol...

The Original Harlem Globetrotters are preparing for their action packed 2018-19 tour!



A star-studded roster will have fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages.


First The Harlem Globetrotters will return to Barclays Center on December 27 at 7:00PM at 7:00PM and then head to NYCB Live on 12/28 at 2pm and 7pm.

Save 25% off tickets using Discount Code: FUNFAM and take your family to enjoy a performance.


5 Reasons to See the Harlem Globetrotters Live



Barclays Center - Dec. 27 at 7PM
620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Ticket Link - http://ow.ly/brja30n6PLI
More Info - http://ow.ly/GYx630n6PKn

NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum - Dec. 28, 2018 at 2:00PM and 7:00PM
1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, NY 11553
Ticket Link - http://ow.ly/nbx130n6PM8
More Info - http://ow.ly/RHLP30n6PL8

To learn more about The Harlem Globetrotters, visit - www.harlemglobetrotters.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/HarlemGlobetrotters
Twitter - www.twitter.com/globies
Instagram - www.instagram.com/harlemglobetrotters

The Original Harlem Globetrotters are preparing for their action packed 2018-19 tour! A star-studded roster will have fans on the edge...

Three vibrant New York City-based artists will perform in Zankel Hall as part of "My City, My Song", an interactive Family Concert celebrating music from around the world on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Carnegie Hall.


The performance features Greek folk from Magda Giannikou, Malian traditional music from Yacouba Sissoko, and Indian classical music from Falu Shah. Free pre-concert activities are offered one hour prior to each performance, preparing parents and children to sing and dance along with the artists.

New York City public school students in grades K–2 have been learning about these same artists throughout the semester as part of the Musical Explorers program, which teaches basic music skills in the classroom as children study songs from different cultures, reflect on their own communities, and develop singing and listening skills.

This season, Musical Explorers will reach more than 5,000 students across New York City.

From Tuesday, January 15, 2019 to Friday, January 18, 2019 thousands of children will visit Carnegie Hall for high-energy culminating concerts with their classes.

Carnegie Hall is also partnering with the Savannah Music Festival in Savannah, Georgia; The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, California; Omaha Performing Arts in Omaha, Nebraska; and the Newman Center for the Performing Arts in Denver, Colorado to adapt the program for their own communities.

Additional students will take part through a new digital pilot program, with lesson plans, songs, and educational videos available for free online. Altogether, more than 20,000 students will participate in Musical Explorers across the United States during the 2018–2019 season.

To learn more about Carnegie Hall Family programs, visit - www.carnegiehall.org

Facebook - www.facebook.com/carnegiehall
Twitter- www.twitter.com/carnegiehall

Three vibrant New York City-based artists will perform in Zankel Hall as part of "My City, My Song", an interactive Family Concert...

For the last few years I've been exploring virtual reality (VR) technology. It's amazing the different ways you can use this technology from virtually gaming to traveling to another city to learning a new educational skill.


Note: I'm part of Lenovo Insider #LenovoIN program and will share news about their products. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.


Yet I've hesitated about buying a VR headset for home use, since some systems are either very heavy or requires additional smartphones, wires or operating systems. Then I learned about the Lenovo's Mirage Solo, a standalone Daydream VR Headset that doesn't require a separate PC or smartphone. Whaaaaaa.

While I liked the idea of a stand alone VR Headset, honestly the $400 price tag gave me pause.


It looks great, but that's a lot to spend without knowing how the Lenovo's Mirage Solo VR headset would perform. I needed to do more research and see the system in person.

So I reached out to my LenovoIN community and asked if they knew where I could find the Mirage Solo VR headset in store, cause seeing it online wasn't enough for me.


A few of them recommended B&H Photo-Video. Who knew?! So I reached out to B&H Photo-Video and was surprised to learn a few things.

• B&H Photo-Video is an authorized Lenovo dealer and carries Lenovo Tablets, Computers, Computer Accessories, Servers and more. They work closely with Lenovo to understand how the latest product perform and can be used for consumers and business.

• B&H Photo-Video has an area dedicated to Consumer VR with the latest devices and a floor expert who can help answer questions. The experts also get training so they can keep up with the latest technology.

• B&H Photo-Video has a "Tech Corner", which is really a whole area where you can go to get help setting up or learning how to use any of the products in store. More about this in another post.

Now that I knew B&H Photo-Video had the Lenovo's Mirage Solo VR headset in stock and I could go in-store for a demo, I was all set!


After arriving, I met with "Ben", the sections expert, who helped set me up for my demo. Ben was great! He explained how the Lenovo's Mirage Solo VR headset works different then other VR headsets and how to use the controller. He also answered any of the questions I had. And if you know me, you know I had LOTS of questions.

My main question was Why is the Lenovo's Mirage Solo a good fit for families? Ben highlighted how there's no wires attached or the need for a smartphone. You have all you need to get started.


Sounds good to me, I was ready to start. I tried out the Lenovo's Mirage Solo for a good amount of time to really get a feel for it. A few things I liked:

• It comfortable and not heavy. Even though it has the large viewer and head piece, it was lighter then other VR headsets I've tried out. Making any adjustments was simple and quick with quick-release buttons for visor adjustments, adjustable dials and size accommodations for nearly every face shape, visual aid and head proportion.

• You can move around more freely thanks to WorldSense, a motion-tracking technology on Google’s Daydream virtual reality platform. WorldSense lets you explore your virtual environments as if you’re truly there - leaning, dodging or ducking through space.

• The headset is truly immersive for VR engagement, with a 110-degree field of view — so you can see more of what’s around you. Which makes a difference when your in a VR world exploring. The VR experience themselves were crisp and smooth.

Additionally, Ben and I also talked about how to get a complementary VR experience, using the Lenovo Mirage Camera with Daydream. The Mirage Camera captures your own VR video in a broad 180 degrees, which you can then watch on the Lenovo Mirage Solo VR headset. I didn't demo that device but it's something to think about.

Lenovo Mirage Solo - Benefits of Standalone VR


After my demo, I was really impressed with the Lenovo's Mirage Solo features. While it is on the pricey side, it's a good long term investment. There's so many ways families can started to include VR into their lifestyles so they'll need a headset that's a good fit. Literally and figuratively.

To learn more about the Lenovo's Mirage Solo, visit - www.lenovo.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/lenovoUS
Twitter - www.twitter.com/lenovous
Instagram - www.instagram.com/lenovous

For the last few years I've been exploring virtual reality (VR) technology. It's amazing the different ways you can use this technol...