The Bluebird Patch

Leapin' lizards, you are going to like it here! Broadway in Atlanta 2016-17 season is proving to be one extremely successful. With  Broadway-caliber, live performances for fabulous prices, rollicking musicals, family-friendly productions and classic plays, you can always count on them for great live theatre.  We had a blast last night during the media night of Annie The Musical. This heartwarming musical brought smiles, laughter and happy tears to the audience. ‬Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie. The plot of the play begins in the depths of the 1930's with Annie, a fiery spunky young red-headed orphan girl who must live in a miserable orphanage run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. Her seemingly hopeless situation change s dramatically when she is selected to spend a short time at the residence of the wealthy munitions industrialist, Oliver Warbucks.   Annie The Musical, was uplifting, c...

Every year we always take the kids to visit the Atlanta Fair so it's fair to say we have some useful tips and tidbits for your next visit. Tip #1: Always, check the weather and follow Atlanta Fair on Twitter. In the case of bad weather, the fair can close abruptly. Also, if you are unfamiliar with the weather in Atlanta it can be 70 degrees by 4 pm and 40 degrees by 9 pm so dress comfortable, but take in consideration it will get breezy and cold at night depending on the day. Tip #2: Fairs starts to get super crowded as soon as the sun starts setting down. If you have small children (or impatient teens that dislike having to wait) the best time to visit is at 1 pm. 

Candice McLellan (left) plays Siri and Jasmine Ellis plays Luna in the world premiere comedy Sweep at Aurora Theatre. (Photo by Chris Bartelski.)  Post-modern comedy to showcase the exploits of two “multiverse” hit women in imaginative tale LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Atlanta audiences are invited to step into a splintered world of strange imaginings as Aurora Theatre presents the world premiere of the femme fantasy story SWEEP , February 10 –March 5, 2017 ! The magical quest, written by rising Latina playwright Georgina Escobar, follows two sisters’ attempt at resetting history’s imperfections by hunting both biblical and modern-day targets through a set of alternate realities called the “multiverse.” Imaginative and adventure-filled, this zany, time-traveling escapade is a can’t-miss production for the New Year! “ One of the most riveting facets of SWEEP is the exploration of the idea that history can be re-written to create different outcomes today,” ...

Fair-goers are invited to experience new rides, delicious treats, entertainment and more!   Come one, come all! Preparing for its annual return, the Atlanta Fair will open its gates Friday, February 24 – Sunday, April 2 or fun-seekers of all ages! Area residents in search of thrilling adventure, lively entertainment and fresh funnel cakes are encouraged to join the festivities, perfect for families and friends! As a special kick-off bonus, guests may purchase advance fair entrance fees only 50 cents until noon Friday, February 24 !

Community invited to celebrate American Heart Month with interactive activities for all ages In honor of American Heart Month, Town Center at Cobb will host the WellStar Day of Dance 2017 on Saturday, February 11 from 1-4 p.m. During this FREE day of heart healthy activities, guests are invited to kick health into high gear with dancing, wellness demonstrations, and other family-friendly festivities. Heart health screenings and interactive “Ask the Expert” information booths will also be available for shoppers to learn more about taking action and living a balanced lifestyle.  

HAVE A HISTORIC SUMMER!  Sign up for a writing or history camp We know it seems a long way until summer, but you know better than most that now is the time for parents to be planning the perfect summer camp experiences for their children. The Atlanta History Center, have been busily planning fun, engaging, smart Summer History Camps and Summer Writing Camps, both kicking off the week of June 5. 

ATLANTA (February 2, 2017)—The Atlanta Braves today announced a multi-year relationship with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to bring exciting baseball-themed activities to SunTrust Park for the Braves’ youngest fans. SunTrust Park will feature “Hope and Will’s Sandlot,” a large, kid-friendly area hosted by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta that will have the first-ever zip line and climbing tower inside a professional sporting venue. Visitors will be able to use the new Braves app to reserve a timeslot to access both of these attractions. There also will be a batting cage and a variety of other interactive games in addition to kid-friendly food and merchandise. The Braves and Children’s will be bringing back a longtime tradition, and crowd-pleasing favorite for Braves families - kids running the bases after Sunday games. “ Braves games have always been a fantastic family outing and SunTrust Park will feature an even larger space for baseball-themed, kids’ acti...

Haunted houses, escape games with live zombies, haunted forests and more!  Autumn has always been my favorite season and with Halloween just around the corner, it adds lots of excitement into it. As we transition into the holiday season, we realize how much fun it can be to do things working up to these events. Halloween isn’t all about the free candy, it is about the experience you get from it as well. I think what I like the most about Halloween is the opportunity to have a fun night out with friends, have a good scare and laugh so hard until it hurts. I love going to Pumpkin Patches and I'm a total chicken when it comes to haunted houses, but this is the year, I decided to embrace my fears and go for it. So I made a list of the best and spookiest haunted h ouses, escape games, and cabins you can try this Halloween. I already have my eye on one that I can't wait to do this weekend! Name of attraction: Netherworld Haunted House What to expect : Nethe...

Frankenstein and Friends Empower Young Teens to Take a Stand against Bullying ATLANTA : The nationally-acclaimed seasonal attraction, NETHERWORLD Haunted House, has partnered for the fourth year with the “Don’t Be A Monster” anti-bullying campaign. The campaign begins at Atlanta area schools inviting students to enjoy engaging presentations from monsters and staff members of NETHERWORLD, while they discuss how to take a stand against bullying.

Bert’s Big Adventure, a nonprofit organization that provides a magical, all-expenses-paid, five-day journey to Walt Disney World® for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families, is now accepting applications and nominations for children to join the magic on their 2017 trip!  In order to qualify, children must be between the ages of 5 and 12, be diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness, and have never been to Walt Disney World®.

Video shows the impact of how adults talk with children The Atlanta Speech School, one of the nation’s most comprehensive centers for language and literacy, is calling for a change in the ecosystems of schools to encourage brain development and literacy. As part of this call to action, it has launched a compelling new video titled “Every opportunity,” which demonstrates how changes in adult behavior, both inside and outside of the classroom, can enhance a child's approach and her ability to learn. “Everyone a child meets throughout the day can make a difference – all the difference,” said Comer Yates, Executive Director of the Atlanta Speech School. “Every time a child is ignored, or yelled at or silenced, a teacher takes away what is possible. As the video exemplifies, each of these moments can be missed opportunities to empower a child and develop their vocabulary.”

Tickets on sale September 18 This holiday season, for the first time in Atlanta, one of America’s favorite Christmas movies comes to life on stage in a hilarious, large scale Broadway musical, at the Fox Theatre from November 29 – December 4 as part of the 2016/2017 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta season. A Christmas Story, The Musical  chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (“You’ll shoot your eye out kid!”).  An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Chock-full of delightful songs and splashy production numbers, A Christmas Story, The Musical, has proudly taken its place as a perennial holiday classic for the whole family. Tickets go...

Feature exhibit encouraging children to explore and express emotions closes September 5 School is back in session, which means feelings are front and center for the start of a new year! While kids adjust to the hustle and bustle of fresh beginnings, now is the perfect time for families to head to Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s exploratory exhibition XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness before it closes on Monday, September 5!  Offering an introspective look at the power of emotion and its impact, children will explore these feelings through 14 different engaging experiences including a response wall, story puzzle, empathy blocks, a reflection table, art making stations and more! Each of these brightly colored spaces is designed to help children understand, appreciate and express how they feel in an interactive, hands-on environment!

Renowned Latino Chefs Julio Delgado, Hector Santiago, Carlos Casals and Pablo Colon partner on heritage dinner to benefit Ser Familia Atlanta, Ga. (May 31, 2016)  – Join downtown Atlanta’s newest dining destination  JP Atlanta  and Executive Chef Julio Delgado for a  Puerto   Rican  heritage celebration as he joins forces with Atlanta’s top Latino chefs for an unforgettable evening filled with festive music, food and drinks. On Sunday, June 12 th , Chef Delgado will team up with chefs Hector Santiago of El Super Pan, Carlos Casals of Cherokee Country Club and Pablo Colon of Ritz Carlton Atlanta to treat guests to a global dining experience with a  Puerto   Rican -inspired four course menu and wine pairings. A portion of proceeds will benefit  Ser Familia , a local charity that strengthens, revitalizes and equips the local Latino community.

Center for Puppetry Arts creates swashbuckling fun for all ages!  Argh, matey! Flap your flippers, and get ready to make a splash!  The Little Pirate Mermaid sails into the Center for Puppetry Arts, June 7 – July 17! Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s whale of a tale, audiences are invited to take the plunge and see this exciting marionette adventure featuring a bountiful ocean of puppets, unique characters, original music, stunning stage effects and bubbly action! This pirate adventure is recommended for sailors ages 4 and up!

Children With Life Threatening Illnesses and Their Families Offered Much Needed Escape ATLANTA, GA – To help celebrate their 10-year partnership with CampSunshine at Sebago Lake , Tropical Smoothie Café announced the launch of “ Share The Sunshine ” campaign to identify and send deserving families to the upstate-Maine camp that offers a fun experience to children with life-threatening illnesses. Camp Sunshine is the only program in the nation offered year-round with the distinction of having been designed to serve the entire family in a retreat model. The program includes on-site medical and psychosocial support. “ Typically, it takes about $2,500 to cover the costs of sending a family to Camp Sunshine,” said Jennie Hong, Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Strategy for Tropical Smoothie Café. “We’ve been supporting Camp Sunshine through nearly $4 million in donations over the past 10 years… but we wanted to do more. That’s why we’re asking everyone to please...

‪ Grammy® Award Winner for “Best Musical Theater Album” of 2015 The national touring production of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical   opened Tuesday  at  The Fox Theatre. Before she was Carole King, superstar—she was Carole King, teenage songwriter.  Her music would become the soundtrack to a generation. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. BEAUTIFUL tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than BE...

Producers Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing announce that the Tony & Grammy Award-winning Broadway hit Beautiful—The Carole King Musical , about the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter, will premiere at the Fox Theatre for a limited engagement from May 24-29 as part of the 2015/2016 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta Series. Tickets start at $33.50 and are available at by visiting www.FoxTheatre.org/beautiful, calling 1-855-285-8499 or visiting the Fox Theatre Box Office (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308). Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit www.BeautifulOnBroadway.com or www.BroadwayInAtlanta.com . Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will play at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre May 24-29. The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 p.m. Friday 8 p.m. ...

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Six Flags Over Georgia has become one of the best year-round amusement park in the south. With the addition of Hurricane Harbor, a multi-million dollar water park inside Six Flags Over Georgia and the recent addition of Bugs Bunny BoomTown, a new re-themed kids area that features seven new attractions, including an interactive water ride, twisting swings, flying ships, a junior Ferris wheel, a climbing playground, a truck-driving adventure, and an up-and-down drop tower, Six Flags Over Georgia is now one solid attraction that you don't want to miss. These new additions to the park offer hours of fun with rides the entire family can enjoy together. We recently visited the park as as they unveiled the new area and met 7-year-old Symeon from Make A Wish Georgia, he was named Honorary Park President For a Day. Symeon was presented with the Key to Six Flags, while acting as Honorary Park President. He helped open Bugs Bunny Boomtown, shadowed Six Flags Atlanta Propertie...