STOMP makes its triumphant return to Kansas City at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on April 5 – 7.  This will mark the first time that STOMP has appeared at the Kauffman.  The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. The show will also include all the favorite routines including everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.  The show retains all of its humor and audience participation in a fun-filled performance sure to please all ages.

Take a glimpse here:

STOMP wants to end hunger in Kansas City! STOMP  will make a special appearance to “Play the Harvesters Food Bank” on April 5 at 1 p.m.  Four cast members will perform an impromptu sneak peek performance using the found items at Harvesters as their musical instruments.  They will also show Sluggerrr from the Kansas City Royals a couple smooth STOMP  moves.

STOMP will offer a $5 discount to anyone who purchases tickets with a special code; and for every ticket purchased with that code, Theater League and STOMP will donate $5 to Harvesters.

STOMP Out Hunger with Arvest Bank, Mix 93.3 and the Kansas City Royals.

Save $5 on tickets to STOMP for the Saturday, Apr. 6 at 9 p.m. or Sunday, Apr. 7 at 6:30 p.m. show by clicking here
Use the code: BROOMS

Tickets to STOMP, starting at $26, are on sale now at theaterleague.com, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Box Office and calling 816.994.722

Performance Dates:
Friday, April 5 at 8:00 pm

Saturday, April 6 at 5:00 & 9:00 pm

Sunday, April 7 at 1 & 6:30 pm

Ticket Giveaway:
This show is HOT! How about winning a family four-pack of tickets? You can win four tickets to the opening show on Friday, April 5 at 8 pm.

1. Leave a comment on our Macaroni Kid JoCo blog for one entry.
2. Get a second entry by entering the contest on our Facebook page. (Note: You must approve the Woobox contest app). Get multiple more entries every by sharing the Facebook link. Every time someone enters from your link, you get another 2 bonus entries!

Rules: You must be 18+ to enter this giveaway and a subscriber of the Macaroni Kid JoCo weekly e-news. If you enter without subscribing, your email address will automatically be added to our mailing list.  No purchase necessary. Winner will be chosen by random on April 3, 2013 at 8 pm and notified by email. See full rules here.

Cirque du Soleil‘s critically-acclaimed production Quidam will be performing in Kansas City from December 26-30, 2012 at the Sprint Center for eight performances only. We have 4 tickets to opening night for one lucky reader!

Tickets are now available at www.cirquedusoleil.com/quidam or by calling 866-553-2457. Our sponsor has graciously given us a family four-pack of tickets to giveaway to one lucky Macaroni Kid JoCo reader. What a fantastic Christmas present! Keep reading to see how to enter.

Quidam had its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top in April 1996. Since that time, the production has toured on five continents and been experienced by millions of people. In December 2010, Quidamembarked on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas throughout North America. The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, musicians, singers and characters.

Young Zoé is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her. Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world—the world of Quidam—where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.

Show Schedule (December 26-30, 2012):

• Wednesday, December 26 at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, December 27 at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, December 28 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, December 29 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, December 30 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Ticket Information:

• Adults: From $35 to $75
• Children (12 & under): From $28 to $61
• Military, Seniors & Students: From $31.50 to $63

A limited number of Premium tickets are also available for all performances.

For show and ticket information, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/quidam.

Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Visit Cirque du Soleil on Twitter www.twitter.com/cirque (@cirque)

Visit Quidam on Facebook : www.facebook.com/Quidam

TICKET GIVEAWAY!
Here is your chance to win a family four-pack of tickets to the opening show on Wednesday, December 26th at 7:30 pm.
1. You must work or play in Johnson County, KS and be a Macaroni Kid JoCo subscriber.  Not a subscriber? No problem, just click here to sign up.
2. The contest is on Facebook. Please like our page and enter the contest here.
3. The more you share, the more chances you have to win!
Good Luck!

Get tangled up in Disney’s 50 animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn and enter the worlds of your other favorite Disney princesses –Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and of course, the one who started it all, Snow White.  Ahoy, Mateys!  Set sail with Peter Pan, the always-sassy Tinker Bell and the cantankerous Captain Hook and his pirate pals on an adventure beyond Never Land!  Trek the wilds of Africa with Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and Timon as they discover the true meaning of the ‘Circle of Life.’  Tick-Tock!  Tick-Tock!  Don’t be late to a very important date with Alice and the Mad Hatter as they march with the Queen of Hearts’ Army of Cards.  Relive magical moments in this ultimate Disney animation celebration coming to Kansas City!

Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove visits Kansas City from March 21 to March 25 for nine performances at Sprint Center.

Wednesday, March 21 7:00 pm

Thursday, March 22 7:00 pm

Friday, March 23 10:30 am & 7 pm

Saturday, March 24 1 :00 pm, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Sunday, March 25 1:00 pm & 5 pm

Tickets for Disney on Ice presents Treasure Trove start at $13 and are available at the Sprint Center Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, or charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000. Opening tickets are family-friendly at $10. To learn more about Disney on Ice, visit the website, Facebook and YouTube.

We are thrilled to give TWO lucky Macaroni Kid readers a family four-pack of tickets to opening night, Wednesday March 21 at 7 p.m.  There are two entry requirements below and many options for submitting extra entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PBR: Professional Bull Riders – Save $10 per ticket!

Saturday, March 31 at 8 PM

Sunday, April 1 at 2 PM

Offer Expires:  Monday, March 26 or while supplies last.

Full Price: Discount

$101.00           $91.00

$51.00             $41.00

$36.00             $26.00

$21.00             $11.00

To purchase discount tickets click here. Special Offer Code: gailsscoop

Notes to consider:

*          The only additional charge is a $1.25/ticket TicketFast charge. Purchased tickets are delivered via e-mail to print at work/home.

*          Ages 2 & over require a ticket for this event.

If you encounter any problems ordering please feel free to contact Kerri Troyer via phone at 816.949.7175.

Additional Offer:

QT 4-Pack: $103 (plus a $8 handling fee)

4 tickets ($36 full price), 4 QT sandwiches and a $10 QT gift card (while supplies last)

Call Kerri at 816.949.7175 to take advantage of the additional offer.

Disney On Ice: Treasure Trove – Save $4 per ticket!

Thursday, March 22 7 PM

Friday, March 23 7 PM

Saturday, March 24 7 PM

Sunday, March 25 1 PM & 5 PM

Offer Expires: Wednesday, March 14 or while supplies last.

Full Price: Discount

$20.25 $16.25 Lower level

$17.25 $13.25 Lower level (Section 120-122/101-103 Row 24 & higher)

To purchase discount tickets click here. Special Offer Code: gailsscoop

Notes to consider:

* The only additional charge is a $1.25/ticket TicketFast charge. Purchased tickets are delivered via e-mail to print at work/home.

* Ages 2 & over require a ticket for this event.

* Additional performance dates/times are available. Call Kerri to order if interested in pricing on additional dates/times.

If you encounter any problems ordering please feel free to contact Kerri Troyer via phone at 816.949.7175.

Sign up as a new subscriber to win!

If you are a parent, grandparent or caregiver of kids, especially those 0-12, you need to know about Macaroni Kid for Johnson County!  This locally owned company is part of the national Macaroni Kid media brand with over 350 e-publications nationwide.  The concept is simple.  We provide a hyper-local e-publication of everything to do with kids in and around your neighborhood.   Every inexpensive and free child activity and family event in Johnson County, KS is listed for no charge.  Theater, music, arts and other cultural and live events which require advanced ticket purchase are also listed.

You can subscribe on line or in person by visiting one of our many community friends.  We would love for you to visit and support these local businesses! We will reward one lucky new subscriber who visits one of these locations to sign up with a $125 gift card to her/his favorite grocery store.

Monkey Bizness – “Where kids monkey around.” Offering open play, birthday parties, and special events. Located inside the Great Mall of the Great Plains,20080 W. 151st St, Olathe, KS 66061.

Debbie Howard’s Gym – “We want to teach the kids how to believe in themselves.” Offering gymnastics classes, open gyms, birthday and sports parties, and gym rentals. Located at 655 North Somerset Terrace, Olathe, KS 66062.

Stephanie’s Wonderland – “Every little girl should have a tutu or pettiskirt and be a princess for a day.” Find their amazing products at 115 N. Parker St, Olathe, KS 66061 (Wed-Sat), online, and also inside Mommy Shop (see below).

Mommy Shop – “Get the basics, stay unique.” 60+ vendors in one location offering unique items for maternity, gifts, infant, and children. Catering to moms with free gift wrapping, a play area for the little ones, and frequent in-store events.  Located at 14870 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66223.

Little Monkey Bizness – “Where little kids monkey around.” Offering open play, birthday parties and special events for crawling babies on up and a separate dining area with a full menu of snacks and beverages. Located at 12219 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, KS 66216

Ceramics & Coffee House @ Paint, Glaze & Fire – Offering drop in ceramic painting, glass fusion, birthday parties, girls night out, special events, paint/story time, camps and a full service coffee bar and free Wi-Fi. Located at 12683 Metcalf Ave, at the south end of Metcalf 127 Shopping Center, Overland Park, KS 66213.

If you have a Johnson County, KS business and are interested in hosting our subscription box, please contact Gail at info@gailsscoop.com

It’s time for Monster Jam at the Sprint Center.

Get $5 off per ticket while supplies last!

Friday, February 10                7:30 PM

Saturday, February 11          2 PM & 7:30 PM

Sunday, February 12             2 PM

Discount: Save $5 per ticket!

Offer Expires:  Monday, February 6 or while supplies last.

Full Price: Discount

$26.00             $21.00       Lover Level/end zone seating

$16.00             $11.00       Upper Level

To purchase discount tickets click here. Special Offer Code: gailsscoop

Notes to consider:

*          No TicketMaster fees will be added to the order. The only additional charge is a $1.25/ticket TicketFast charge. Purchased tickets are delivered via e-mail to print at work or home.

*          Ages 2 and over require a ticket for this event. If you encounter any problems ordering contact Kerri Troyer at 816.949.7175.

The Harlem Globetrotters will be performing at the Sprint Center in Kansas City on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 2 PM & 7 PM

Discount: Save $5-$7 per ticket!

Offer Expires:  Monday, January 30 or while supplies last.

Full Price: Discount

$19.00             $15.00       ($5 Discount)

$26.00             $19.00       ($7 Discount)

$30.00             $23.00       ($7 Discount)

$35.00             $28.00       ($7 Discount)

To purchase discount tickets click here. Special Offer Code: gailsscoop

Notes to consider:

*          No TicketMaster fees will be added to the order. The only additional charge is a $1.25/ticket TicketFast charge. Purchased tickets are delivered via e-mail to print at work or home.

*          Ages 2 and over require a ticket for this event. If you encounter any problems ordering contact Kerri Troyer at 816.949.7175.

WWE RAW SUPERSHOW – Save $10 per ticket!

Monday, January 30, 2012 7:15 PM

Offer Expires:  Thursday, January 26 at 1PM or while supplies last.

See all your RAW and SMACKDOWN Superstars for one night only!

Full Price: Special Offer

$26.00                 $16.00

$36.00               $26.00

To purchase tickets click here. Special Offer Code: gailsscoop

Notes to consider:

*          No TicketMaster fees will be added to the order. The only additional charge is a $1.25/ticket TicketFast charge. Purchased tickets are delivered via e-mail to print at work or home.

*          All fans require a ticket for this event. If you encounter any problems ordering contact Kerri Troyer at 816.949.7175

By Joanie Whitman

As this festive time of year approaches, it is important to consider new safety concerns that may arise. Although holiday decorations and a trimmed tree may be part of your holiday traditions, they can pose a risk to young children. By taking a few precautionary measures you will be able to rest easy knowing your child will be enjoying this holiday season and creating specials memories along the way.

• Securely attach breakable ornaments high on the tree out of the reach of children while only using paper or large plastic ornaments on lower portion of tree
• Candles should be kept out of the reach of children at all times
• Since poinsettias are not poisonous choose them over mistletoe (mistletoe berries are)
• Pass on the table cloth and runners. Young children pull on them sending hot food and tableware flying
• Unstable Christmas trees pose tip-over risk. Securely position your tree in stand and attach to the wall using durable twine and cord cleats for extra safety.
• Wait till Christmas Eve to put presents under the tree. Torn wrapping paper and ribbons can pose a choking hazard
• Keep small objects, such as hard candy or nuts in candy dishes, where younger children can’t get them.
• When visiting family survey the house for safety concerns. Look for open stairs, uncovered outlets, unlocked medications and household cleaners within reach.

Physical harm such as choking on decorations or playing with the outlet where Christmas lights are plugged in are not the only concerns. Surprisingly, toxic chemicals like lead in PVC trees and lights also play a big role in creating an unsafe environment too.

Choosing a Safe Christmas Tree:
Most artificial trees are made from PVC plastic.  Not only is PVC loaded with toxic chemicals, its production also results in emission of dioxin and ethylene dichloride.  And to top it off, lead is often used as a stabilizer in PVC to make artificial trees more resistant to light and weathering.  Lead has been linked to kidney, liver, neurological and reproductive system damage.  Some Christmas trees are even required to carry warning labels because they shed lead-laden dust, exposing children to the toxic chemical.  Many artificial trees are also treated with flame retardants.  But that’s necessary for our safety, right?  Well not always – even the treated trees can still catch fire.
Real trees make the perfect substitute for a PVC tree.  Worried about allergies?  Go with fir and spruce varieties which do not contain irritating resins.  Fresh trees are a natural, renewable, reusable, recyclable source, and just think – you’re supporting US farmers and local businesses when you buy live Christmas trees.

If you’d still prefer to go with an artificial Christmas tree, be sure to choose one made from polyethylene (often labeled with “PE”) that hasn’t been treated with flame retardants.  If you find a PE tree you like and it has been treated, confirm with the manufacturer if the flame retardants non-halogenated, as they are considered much less toxic.

Locating Lead-safe Christmas Lights:
Toxic chemicals are also found in Christmas lights.  Most are made from PVC and lead is specifically chosen as the main stabilizer in the PVC casing used on the electrical wiring because of its flame retardant nature.  There are other substitutes like zinc and boron, but they are more expensive and not readily available.

The Ecology Center tested 68 Christmas light sets and found that 54% of the products contained more than 300 parts per million of lead in PVC encased cords and light-bulb sockets – a level higher than the CPSC’s standard for lead in children’s products.

Lead-safe lights can be found on rare occasions here in the U.S. and will be certified as RoHS compliant which monitors the levels of toxic chemicals allowed in electrical products.  Most RoHS compliant lights are also LED which is great, but more expensive. We found many options at Environmental Lights (look for their commercial strings that begin with the letter “C” or choose from their retail strings, icicle lights and nets).

Lead doesn’t like to stay bound in the PVC cord casing, so it sloughs off and ends up on hands and in little mouths. So if you’re unable to invest in RoHS lights this year, just be careful to keep Christmas lights out of reach of your little ones and use gloves while decorating your tree – especially if you’re pregnant. Also keeping dust around the tree cleaned up and off of presents will go a long way in protecting your family.

Have a safe and enjoyable Holiday Season!