Crystal By Cirque Du Soleil Debuts In Portland

By Meg Hodson

It's rare that I get a chance for a fun weeknight outing that doesn't conflict with sports practices or other kid activities. But it happened last night when I headed with my boys to the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon to witness and enjoy Cirque Du Soleil's newest production, Crystal.

Crystal by Cirque Du Soleil had it's opening night Wednesday, April 5, 2018 in Portland. It had been awhile since I had gotten the chance to see a Cirque Du Soleil performance (my last one was the Beatles Love in Las Vegas). Plus, I was bringing my two young sons and I knew they would love it. 

Crystal, as the name suggests, takes place on ice. Knowing the dynamic and daring acrobatics that usually take place at a Cirque Du Soleil show, I was definitely intrigued to see what Crystal had in store. 

The first thing that stood out and that I loved was the intricate, carefully planned light show on the ice. It created special effects and the performers integrated the displays into their ice skating movements. It was really cool and honestly, I couldn't pull my eyes away.

While I thought the show got off to a somewhat slow start in regards to feeling "Cirque-like", it definitely caught up when the hockey players took to the ice. Performing acrobatic moves on ramps, what felt like a skateboard show left me awestruck knowing this was on ice!

Intermission soon followed, with the most daring acrobatics taking place in the second half of the show. In quintessential Cirque Du Soleil form, performers came out with long poles and did a series of tricks and flying stunts on them. All the while, dynamic ice skaters circled them with entertaining moves. 

My favorite part of the show was the aerial performance to the song Halo. Absolutely mesmerizing! I'll have the video on YouTube just as soon as I can (the app is being glitchy and won't let me upload; sad face!).

Crystal by Cirque Du Soleil runs at the Moda Center in Portland through April 8th, 2018. You can read more and get tickets here.

Recap of Marvel Universe Live In Portland

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Marvel Universe Live. All opinions remain 100% my own.

My ears and eyes might still be recovering ever so slightly from the spectacle that was Marvel Universe Live at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon this weekend. From the swirling light show, blazing fire, firework-like special effects, and the roar of motorcycles, this show was definitely exciting. My husband joined me, as well as my children. My 7 year old son especially loved it. I also have a 10 year old son, and it seemed like he was maybe the only boy his age in attendance! So, I was unsure if this might not be something he would like. But rest assured, he enjoyed it thoroughly, too.

All of your favorite Avengers were in attendance: Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Captain America. A few special guests, such as Spiderman and Wolverine added to the show. Their goal was to stop Thor's brother, Loki, from his evil plan of combining three fractals to gain supreme power in the hopes of ruling the world. Did Loki succeed? Not at all. But it wasn't without a tough fight from your favorite Marvel characters. 

Taking on villains like Loki, Red Skull, and the Green Goblin, among others, was no small task. But your brave Marvel superheroes fought hard and succeeded! Whether they were chasing villains on motorcycles or trying to fight them on the Statue of Liberty, the live action was fun and entertaining, especially after intermission. That's when the show really started to pick up. My 7 year old couldn't sit still and was on the edge of his seat.

Tickets still remain for the final set of shows on Sunday, March 6th, at the Moda Center. For ticket information, click here.

Marvel Universe Live! Hits Portland

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Marvel Universe Live. All opinions remain 100% my own.

My household are longtime Marvel fans. Whether it's the Avengers of Spiderman, we are pushing on the level of superfandom when it comes to all things Marvel. We have Hulk hands, Thor hammers, Captain America shields, and more in our house. The list goes on. And I'll admit it....it's not just my kids who are fans. My husband and I love indulging as well.

So, when I found out that Marvel Universe Live! was coming to Portland,Oregon, I was super excited. It was hard to contain my excitement when I told my boys we would get to go! Marvel fans, assemble! Marvel Universe LIVE! is taking the live entertainment experience to a whole new groundbreaking level, with a mind-blowing stunt show unlike anything experienced before! Watch your favorite Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man and the Avengers (Iron Man, Black Widow, Hulk and more) plus menacing villains come to life in an action-packed arena extravaganza debuting in the Pacific Northwest for the first time ever playing March 3rd  – 6th at the Moda Center. You do not want to miss them their first time in Portland!

Between the anticipated motorcycles, pyrotechnics, and special effects, it is sure to be a show you do not want to miss. Tickets are very reasonable, starting at $15 for kids. Good news!

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Two Thumbs Up For Monster Jam!

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Monster Jam. All opinions remain 100% my own.

You know the commercial line.  The announcer's voice comes out of the TV - "THIS WEEKEND AT THE MODA CENTER...MONSTER JAM!!".  Pictures flash across the screen of Big Foot and Gravedigger jumping, crushing cars, and crashing.  Then the announcer finishes with "SEATS START AT $20...BUT YOU'LL ONLY NEED...THE EDGE!".  

As a kid, my husband wanted to go to these Monster Truck Shows and never did.  What boy wouldn't want to go see Monster Trucks?  Now for the 2nd year in a row, we attended Monster Jam at the Moda Center in Portland.  We had so much fun.  

We started the afternoon with the Pit Party on the floor of the arena.  They had the trucks on display and the drivers were out for pictures and autographs.  I recommend that if you go to the Pit Party, get there early.  An hour goes quickly and the lines can be long.  The longest line was for Gravedigger. We were able to get pictures with MaxD, Blue Thunder, Monster Energy Truck, and Scooby Doo (my husband liked the driver Bailey Shea, the boys liked the truck).  The drivers were great with all the fans - taking pictures, signing autographs.  

The format changed this year.  Each driver had a series of events in their trucks, then raced in UTVs, and raced in a series of ATVs.  After those races, the Big Trucks came back out for doughnuts, wheelies, and free style.  

  

These trucks are LOUD!  These trucks SMELL!  These trucks are FUN to watch.  I think NEA won the Wheelie competition when he stood his truck on its back-end.  They had to bring out the CAT to put it on all fours again.  Blue Thunder had a tough day in the Big Truck with some balance issues and he even rolled the rig over.  El Toro Loco was out when her back tire broke off.  In the doughnut competition, Bailey Shea in the Scooby Doo truck was robbed!  She had the best doughnut spin, but lost to Gravedigger.  

To close out the show was the freestyle portion.  Some high flying action.  Blue Thunder was a little flat.  Not to much action from him.  NEA put on a solid show as did Monster Energy.  In the end it came down to MaxD and GraveDigger.  MaxD was all over the arena....jumps, wheelies and more. In the end Gravedigger, the crowd favorite, pulled out the win in the freestyle and was the overall winner.  

This is a fun family event.  If you appreciate the singing of the national anthem, the athletes taking pictures and signing autographs, mud flying and trucks rolling over - this is for you!

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Valentine's Day and Monster Jam: Why Not?

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Monster Jam. All opinions remain 100% my own.

Monster Jam® roars into the 2016 season with a points-based series, showcasing the best lineup of

Monster Jam vehicles that deliver what fans want to see most…more trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action!  The East and West arena tours will test the versatility of the athletes as they go head-to-head in seven different competitions driving three different vehicles --- Monster Jam Trucks, Monster Jam Speedsters and Monster Jam ATVs (one of my favorite parts!). These athletes will battle for points in challenging racing and freestyle events that push themselves and their machines to the limit. The point leader from each tour will receive an automatic bid to the prestigious Monster Jam World Finals® held in Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium on March 17-19, 2016.

I gotta say, this was a great family friendly event that I attended last year with my family and we are looking forward to it again this year. 

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Monster Jam Set To Roll Back Into Portland!

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Monster Jam. All opinions remain 100% my own.

The widely popular Monster Jam® tour is heading back to Portland’s Moda Center on Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2016 for an explosive new competitive points-paying endurance showdown, featuring more of what the Monster Jam fans have been asking to see…#MoreMonsterJam!

I would say I was an unlikely attendee at last year's Portland stop of Monster Jam. But you know what? It was really cool! I would definitely consider it a family-friendly event....just be sure to pack some ear plugs.

The best part is the tickets are super reasonable. Kids get in for a discounted rate of just $10 (with the purchase of an adult ticket). You can also attend the Pit Party before the afternoon performances for just $10 as well. Events times are Saturday, February 13th at 2pm and 7pm as well as Sunday, February 14th at 2pm. Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster charge by phone by calling 800-745-3000 or in-person at the Rose Quarter Box Office.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!