Arts and Entertainment

Make Magical Disney Park Memories with MemoryMaker

May 27, 2016

Although it’s been several weeks since we went to Disney World for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, I still can’t get over the fun we had!

I find myself looking through our photos and reminiscing on the good times we had. Thanks to Disney’s PhotoPass service, my family and I were able to have unlimited photos taken by photographers throughout all of Disney Parks (and even on rides!). Plus, MemoryMaker ($149) allowed me to download all of our precious pics right to my phone through the super easy My Disney Experience app.

From popular attractions like Main Street at Magic Kingdom to character meet-and-greets at Epcot, Disney’s skilled photographers captured all of my family’s the priceless moments. Oh, and did I mention the quality of the photos? We’re talking super hi-res images that look top-notch professional. In addition, some of the photographers will add some digital “magic” to your images like balloons or some other fun element to make them even more special. It’s all so simple too—after the photographer snaps your winning shot(s), he/she will scan your MagicBand and your photos will be available on your phone for download usually within 20 minutes, but sometimes it may take longer to appear in your app.

Although the MemoryMaker was included as a perk for us DSMMC attendees, I would absolutely purchase it for future trips. It enhanced our trip tremendously and our photos will last a lifetime!

Take a look at some of my favorite memories (Ava is the center of attraction!):

Ava being taken up and away at Epcot.

As a BG, no trip to Disney World is complete without a photo with Princess Tiana!

You know, Ava just chatting it up with Alice from Alice and Wonderland!

Ava thought she had outgrown Doc McStuffins, but once she saw her, her tune definitely changed!

This was actually the last photo taken on our trip. Although Ava was super sad that it was our last day, she was happy to take this photo with her dad.

If you’ve visited Disney World, have you used MemoryMaker? If so, what were your thoughts?

*I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration where I received deep discounts, perks, etc. but all opinions are my own.

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | Leave a Comment

Disney Social Media Moms Celebration: 4 Surprising Things I Learned About My Family

May 23, 2016

There are trips and then there are EXPERIENCES OF A LIFETIME! Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the 7^th Annual Disney Social Media Moms Celebration (DSMMC) at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and it was an experience that I won’t soon forget.

First, being invited to the exclusive, invite-only conference was an honor in of itself. Created with us moms in mind, the 4-day celebration was more than I could’ve ever imagined. Plus, this conference welcomed my family as well! The sheer excitement of surprising my kids with this unexpected trip was literally keeping me up at night. The thrill of knowing how much their little faces would light up with the news that we were going to Disney World had me beaming with glee.

Just when I thought my excitement couldn’t get any more intense, we received the cutest Mickey Mouse-inspired luggage as a surprise gift from American Tourister, one of the conference’s sponsors. That unexpected pixie-dust drop-off completely elevated my anticipation. At that point, I could no longer keep our secret (I of course told my husband) to ourselves.

American Tourister Disney-inspired luggage available here, $99.

After spilling the beans to the kids, (whom by the way fell to the floor upon hearing the news), my packing and planning shifted into high gear. I bought all new dresses for Ava to wear for her anticipated character meet-and-greets. Then, I immediately downloaded the My Disney Experience app to learn all about what the resort and parks had to offer. To say I began immersing myself in all-things-Disney would be an understatement!

From the moment we received our MagicBands until our departure home on the Disney Express, our time at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration was out-of-this-world amazing and sprinkled with pixie dust throughout!

Filled with so many memories and an abundance of information, it’s hard to include everything into one write-up, so this will be my first recap in a series of posts.

Here are the four most unexpected things that I learned about my family while at DisneySMMC:

My daughter is a daredevil. While I’ve never been a huge fan of rollercoasters, my daughter, Ava, on the other hand is a true thrill-seeker. At only 6 years old, she was so excited to ride some of Disney Parks’ most popular attractions. In fact, she braved Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom and rode The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train rollercoaster THREE times at Magic Kingdom!

My son is character-shy. Prior to our trip, my two-year-old had been happily reciting all of the Disney characters he wanted to see: “Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Pluto!” But when we arrived, his tune changed. He was afraid of them—even Mickey! Even his big sister tried to encourage him to take photos with them, but to no avail. The goods news is that after seeing them over the course of our visit, he slowly began to warm up. During our Typhoon Lagoon outing, he actually waved to Donald!

I have a sappy side. It’s no secret that many moms turn into mush when their kids do something sweet. Well, when I saw the Huggies-produced Mother’s Day video, you’d need buckets to catch the tears that fell from my eyes. Watching my babies say, “Happy Mother’s Day,” on that big screen reduced me to a mound of mush. I’m not overly emotional, so the tears that streamed down my face were proof that I do have a sappy side!

My husband is my superhero. Well, this isn’t exactly a shock or surprise; I mean I did marry the guy! But the way he cares for our children and me is just mind-blowing. He’s so attentive to our needs and that was displayed 100 times over during our time at Disney. From schlepping our bags to going on rides with Ava, he is truly my Prince Charming.

As previously mentioned, I will be sharing more posts about my DSMMC adventure so be sure to check back for updates!

Have you ever attended the DSMMC? If not, have you ever visited Disney World? Please share!

*I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. All opinions are my own.

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Featured, Features, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | 1 Comment

Exclusive Interview: New ‘Rush Hour’ TV Series Star Justin Hires

March 2, 2016

It’s hard to believe that the original movie, “Rush Hour,” starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan hit theaters nearly 20 years ago! Admittedly, I loved the first film, but skipped the sequel and following installments.

Now, the runaway franchise is revving up a fresh new twist by bringing the story of Detective Carter and Detective Lee to the small screen.

I caught up with Justin Hines (Detective Carter), the star of the action-packed CBS-produced series to get the scoop on the new show and more!

Check out the Q&A below:

BGG: Who was the first person you called when you landed the lead role as Detective Carter on “Rush Hour?” Describe that moment.

Justin Hires: I believe it was either my mom or wife. They both sent me to voicemail. It’s always good to have people in your life to keep you humble.

BGG: What was the audition process like for the role?

JH: It was a super last minute audition. Originally, I couldn’t audition because I was attached to a pilot at another network, but CBS couldn’t find a “Detective Carter” they were completely satisfied with; so they had one final audition and allowed me to come in. Fortunately, I had a great audition and two call back auditions later- I booked the role!

BGG: I’m sure you were already a huge fan of the “Rush Hour” films, which one was your favorite?

JH: Rush Hour 2 is my favorite! That’s the one when they go to Hong Kong. Their characters were even more developed in that one, they were best friends by then, the comedy and action was in top form. I genuinely love all 3 of those films.

BGG: How will the TV series differ from the feature films? What can viewers expect?

JH: I think the TV series is a little younger and hipper than the movies. Chris Tucker was always hip, but you get a slightly younger vibe from us. Also, we try to make sure we’re bringing our own personalities to the characters- so we’re definitely not doing Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan impressions on the show.

Photo courtesy of CBS

BGG: Past or present, who gives you the greatest comedic inspiration?

JH: Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, and Chris Rock would have to be my top 3. After that, Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Marlon Wayans, and Bernie Mac. Can you tell I’m a comedy nerd?

BGG: I know that being a young black male in Hollywood can be tough, what keeps you motivated?

JH: I’m a strong believer in “nothing is impossible.” So, I keep going until I accomplish the things many thought couldn’t be done. Every little bit of success I achieve, motivates me to accomplish something more. Also, my rent and car payment motivates me everyday.

BGG: Once the series premieres, are you prepared for the catapulting fame that’s sure to come?

JH: I believe I am. I’ve been acting professionally for 10 years. This will not be an overnight success story, even if people think it is. I’ve been through a lot in Hollywood and fortunately those things will help keep me not only grounded, but prepared for this potentially great next faze of my career.

BGG: Are you a social media fan? If so, who are some of your favorite people to follow? Why?

JH: I’m kind of a social media fan. I started out doing YouTube videos when I first moved to LA, then stopped periodically to focus on my stand-up and acting. However, some of my close friends are big on social media- King Bach, Alphonso McAuely, and Page Kennedy (also one of my cast members on “Rush Hour”) all have really funny content online.

BGG: Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

JH: Having a fledging movie career. Also, producing other television shows. My goal is to create an urban “Judd Apatow” type camp for film and TV. I know several funny and talented actor/comedians who are stars and just need the right TV and film roles to showcase their talent. I would love to be the person to help initiate that. I’m a huge believer in reaching back to help others.

BGG: When you’re not filming, what do you like to do for fun?

JH: Do stand-up comedy, watch movies, and just spend time with my family. I’m a simple man.

Watch a sneak peek of the series below:

Be sure to tune in to “Rush Hour” when it premieres on CBS Thursday, March 31st at 10pm EST. Were you a fan of the “Rush Hour” franchise? Will you be watching the new TV series?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Interviews | 1 Comment

Review: ‘Race’ Chronicles Jesse Owens’ Rise to Olympic Champion

February 19, 2016

Oftentimes I feel like the word “legend” is tossed around carelessly. Sure, there are some pretty awesome people who’ve impacted the world, however; not all are worthy of being called a “legend.” But when it comes to describing Olympic champion Jesse Owens, l can’t think of a more fitting title.

After viewing a screening of the new biopic, “Race,” based on Owens’ life, I learned just how much he earned that lauded recognition. Through his sacrifices, he helped pave the way for generations of African-American athletes. As the first black person to win four Olympic gold medals, his accomplishments were outstanding and established an amazing precedent, which the movie skillfully shows.

Focus Features’ Jesse Owens’ biopic, “Race,” starring Stephan James hit theaters nationwide Friday, February 19th.

Set in the 1930s, the film follows Owens’ rise to track-and-field star during very tumultuous times for race relations domestically and abroad (the Holocaust). Thankfully, the movie didn’t waste time showing viewers his childhood. It focused solely on the portion of his life that was relevant to the story, which was a four-year span—from his college training days straight to the 1936 Olympics.

Stephan James who stars as Owens does a phenomenal job portraying the Alabama native. I thought it was smart to cast a relatively unknown actor to play Owens for the sake of having a blank slate to build Owens’ character free from familiarity. His performance is also praise-worthy because he embodied the nature and competitive edge of a true athlete.

Jason Sudeikis, who played Larry Snyder, Owens’ hard-nosed, yet devoted coach/mentor/friend, also does a superb job. Despite them coming from two very different backgrounds, the film cleverly reveals their similarities—purposefully exposing our similarities as human beings. The two have great onscreen chemistry, which makes watching their scenes together (the majority of the movie!) enjoyable.

The fact that Owens participated in the Olympics, which was held in Berlin amid Adolf Hitler’s vision of Ayran supremacy is mind-blowing. It shows his bravery, tenacity and ultimate love of racing.

In addition to the entertaining plot that was Owens’ sports career, I found the costumes used throughout the film to be complete standouts. I honestly wanted to run out and purchase each of the chic and polished outfits worn by his wife, Ruth, played by Canadian actress Shanice Banton. From prim blouses to handsome, yet feminine hats, the costume director captured the era beautifully—making the period piece feel authentic.

Overall, the film is good. However, I wished that it delved a bit deeper into Owens as a person. While it did include insight into his love life, it didn’t fully reveal his true personality. I do appreciate the fact his adult children and estate played an integral role in the making of the film, providing credibility to the project. Again, it’s a good film and aptly released during Black History Month. If you’re interested in seeing an inspiring, triumphant film about one of the most fantastic athletes that ever lived, run to a theater near you!

Check out the trailer below:

Do you plan on seeing ‘Race’ this weekend?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 1 Comment

Must-See: ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ Live On Stage

February 17, 2016

If you’re a fan of the hugely popular children’s book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” you’re in for a treat!

Now, you can watch the classic picture book come to life in a colorful live action theater production right here in New York City. Even if the book that introduced the joy of reading to a generation isn’t a fond childhood memory, it will be a cherished experience for the little one in your life.

Designed, illustrated and written by Eric Carle, the show is comprised of four exciting stories including, “The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse,” “Mister Seahorse,” “The Very Lonely Firefly” and of course, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Each of the puppet-centric acts was breathtakingly beautiful. Of course the grand finale of watching the cute caterpillar turn into a brilliant butterfly was a glorious sight. But for Ava, and me, the most gorgeous and imaginative story of them all was “The Very Lonely Firefly.” The flickers of the light emitting from the whimsical insects lit up the stage was our favorite by far.

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is showing at the 47th Street Theatre, click here for ticket information.

The show is simply magical and perfect for children of all ages. It’s currently at the 47th Street Theatre and running through March 27th.

What was your favorite childhood book?

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New Victory Theater’s “Handa’s Surprise” is a Hit for Kids!

February 15, 2016

We all know that holding the attention of little ones is no easy feat. But for the actresses in The New Victory Theater’s newest presentation, “Handa’s Surprise,” at The New 42nd Street Studios, that wasn’t a challenge!

Set in Kenya, the 30-minute interactive show tells the story of Handa (Krystle Hylton), who’s on a journey to deliver her best friend, Akeyo (Michal Keyamo), a basket filled with delicious fruits. But, before she’s able to bestow her tasty gifts, she encounters several animals (giraffe, zebra, monkey, parrot, etc.) along the way—each snatching her luscious fruits one-by-one.

“Handa’s Suprise” is showing at The New 42nd Street Studios, located 229 W. 42nd Street in New York City and runs through February 21st. Click here for ticket information. Photo Courtesy of The New Victory Theater.

Adapted from a book by Eileen Browne, some of the creatures throughout the performance are puppets, some are made of wood and a few are made from fabric—all are creatively and beautifully designed. Plus, all of the animals are funny and friendly so you don’t have to worry about your child becoming frightened.

The African sounds and rhythms, cheerful storytelling brilliant puppetry and stellar art direction make this show a must-see for children ages 6 months to 4 years. I took my 2-year-old son and he was in awe the entire time. It’s a great way to introduce theater to small children. If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate Black History Month, definitely check out this performance!

What’s your earliest memory of a theatrical performance? Mine was seeing “The Wiz” at the Chicago Theater when I was 5 years old!

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Touchdown: Beyoncé Wins Super Bowl Weekend!

February 8, 2016

Forget Super Bowl Sunday, this past weekend was all about Beyoncé!

From the surprise politically charged “Formation” video drop to the top-notch halftime performance to the announcement of a world tour (can’t link to the tour dates because her site crashed due to the influx of visits!) – Beyoncé pulled out all the stops to the shock and delight of diehard fans. After showing the world that she can use her music and platform to address social issues that affect BGs and guys in America, the multi-Grammy award-winning singer solidified her reign as Queen Bee.

Beyoncé outfitted in Black Panther-inspired garb, is standing at attention before taking the centerstage at Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, CA on February 7, 2016. Photo via Beyoncé’s Instagram

As a result, there’s no doubt that her already overcrowded Beyhive fan club is swarming with new applicants. Heck, I’m even considering signing up. But, to be honest I don’t have the time or true desire to become a devoted member, but like many – I do enjoy her music and respect her relentless work ethic. That’s why I’m hoping to snag a pair of tickets to one of her upcoming shows this spring. Considering I haven’t seen her perform since 2003, I’ll need to dust off my stinger and hope that the Beyhive welcomes me back with open wings!

In celebration of Beyoncé and all of her #BlackGirlMagic, take a scroll down memory lane and check out my top five Queen Bee videos of all time.

“Me, Myself and I” (2003) – This song reminds me of when I first moved to New York City and felt completely independent! It was just me, myself and I before my soon-to-be hubby joined me!

“Love On Top” (2011) – I used to sing this song to my daughter Ava when she was 2 and 3 years old. She loved this song and would ask me to play it over and over. At the time, it was the only popular song she knew (I don’t play mainstream music at home – my kids think Michael Jackson is the only artist that exists – LOL). She thought Beyoncé’s name was “Honey, Honey,” and probably still does!

“Best Thing I Never Had” (2011) – This song holds no sentimental value for me, but it’s just a great song that I enjoy singing along to!

“Heaven” (2013) – I’ve never lost a close friend, but we’ve all experienced the death of a loved one. This passionate tear-jerker is just so pure and relatable.

“Crazy In Love” (2003) – The song that started it all. Like “Me, Myself & I,” this upbeat tune also reminds me of my early days of being a magazine intern in Manhattan. Fond memories that I’ll cherish forever.

*Bonus*

“Formation” (2016) – Of course I couldn’t compile a list without including Beyoncé’s most socially-conscious video to date! Since I too “love my baby hair with baby hair and Afros,” this song had to make the cut!