Showing posts with label Blue Man Group. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blue Man Group. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

{#WordlessWednesday} Recap of @BloggerBashNYC Blogging Conference #BBNYC #sweetsuite15 in Photos!

@BloggerBashNYC Blogging Conference #BBNYC #sweetsuite15

We have already established I will never be able to go totally Wordless. I try. I really do.

For most of you in the blogger loop this year a very tricky blog conference overlap occured in New York City - two top notch blogging conferences - BlogHer and Blogger Bash both went on pretty much at the same time.

No bueno!

I'm a New York City born and raised girl and I knew that with the venues for both conferences being far from close this was going to be tricky for me. And it was. Decisions were made, and some goings on at both conferences were missed. It's a FANTASTIC problem to have and I am not complaining. I am humbled to have been invited to attend both conferences at no cost to me. (Long time readers know that I am on a very strict budget for a variety of reasons!)

I am not even going to go down the - 'which conference was better road' - at this point in my blogging career I have learned that being asked to pick a favorite conference is like being asked to pick a favorite child (if you have children of course, which you all know I do NOT!) - they all have different strengths and weaknesses.

So what's a butterfly to do?

'Conference hop' of course!

I am a total introvert you all know that. I think my event recaps are popular because I take photos of literally everything I see at events, except myself if at all possible. I have an aversion to 'step and repeats' and my attitude about them is pretty much 'who needs to see another photo of someone in front of a branded backsplash? Tres Dull right?'

I have always had a soft spot for one very specific type of photo, MASCOT photos, I live for them, I am obsessed with them, and they are pretty much the only photos where I am super relaxed and happy and laid back about being photographed.

Now I will say this - PR/BRANDS - please pay attention to this: Do NOT force me to take a photo at your booth with the threat of you not talking to me at all if I don't. I HATE that, all bloggers hate that and even if we would have taken that photo, we will walk away if you directly tell us the only way to get your attention is to be forced into taking a photo. Tres TACKY. and that is not the way to start what should be a 'partnership'.

Here is the rundown of the mascot heaven that was Sweet Suite at Blogger Bash:


Above: The fantasy land fun was established the moment I walked into Sweet Suite!

Above: Pretty in pink!


Above: These friendly smiles set the tone for the fun that was waiting for us inside!


Above: I am big fan of looking both up AND down, I found another shareable sticker on the floor!


Above: Aren't these floral arrangements by Teleflora super pretty?


Above: This is called the Perfect Drink and I NEED one of these in my life right now. I truly wish THIS had been in our box of awesomeness, as a Lifestyle Blogger based in the city that never sleeps mastering the perfect cocktail is an absolute MUST. I will be reaching out to them to see if we can partner and do something fun for you guys (and for me too, tee hee, and wink wink!)

Above: Isn't this SuperGirl Costume awesome? The theme of girls being a super hero too was definitely strong at Blogger Bash and I was all about it!

Above: Like I said unleashing your girl power and super hero power was a running theme, what's NOT to love? Follow the hashtag #IAmElemental on social media to learn more!

Above: And while she is not a 'super hero' Strawberry Shortcake was a big part of my childhood and I was totally stoked to see her at Blogger Bash. You can also follow her hashtag, #StrawberryShortcake

Above: An instagram moment with TWO hashtags no less! Both #StrawberryShortcake and #BerryBestBits

Above: I got to attend the CareBears Breakfast, well more like watch it, although I arrived early there were NO seats and because I did not have a seat I didn't get a gift bag so I was super bummed! Some bad blogger behavior happening with people taking multiple bags or putting pocketbooks on seats and not moving them. When I arrived the bear was on break so it took awhile to nab these shots!

Above: Seriously can anyone really resist the 'cuddly-ness' that is a Care Bear?

Above: Finally! I got my shot with the bear!

Above: A blogging pal took one with her phone and my DSLR just in case, I was NOT missing this moment. If I wasn't getting a gift bag I was getting a photo! (BTW, the 'lei of mini care bears' is a total photo prop, we were not allowed to keep them, le sigh!)

Above: I had to nab a shot with Peppa Pig!

Above: Snoopy was at Blogger Bash last year and I was super happy to see Snoopy again this year, my Godmother even had a poodle named Snoopy! I was so excited I forgot to take off my glasses, you guys know I rarely take photos with my glasses on! Sunglasses yes, 'seeing' glasses NO. LOL

Above: After the Care Bears Breakfast, Blogger Bash attendees were wisked off in buses to a private 'Blue Man Group' experience. Yes I have already seen the show and covered it here on Ascending Butterfly, so it says A LOT that I signed up to do this because I wanted to see it again!

Above: Unfortunately this is the second time my photo WITH a Blue Man didn't come out, next time I am just going to have the person use my cellphone instead of the DSLR but I did nab a shot with fellow bloggers showing off our supercool blue VIP bracelets! And this is my only Blogger Bash 'step and repeat' shot!

MY TAKE:

The exact skinny on my pros and cons? Glad you asked:

PROS

✔ Blogger Bash is totally FUN
✔ Mascots Heaven
✔ Toys - but not just the sheer quantity of them, the fact that the swag is not a bag of goodness, but an entire BOX OF AWESOMENESS that is mailed to you - hello, no back breaking lugging stuff around from place to place or knocking into everyone as you walk around the venue. TOTAL PLUS!

CONS:

This is a con for all conferences, this trend toward "VIP" ticketing is a HUGE Pet Peeve of mine. I wish Blogger Bash would drop this and not follow the herd on this trend. But at the end of the day conferences are a businesses and organizers will do what benefits the bottom line. I get it, I just don't like it.

Overall impression: As a Lifestyle Blogger who does NOT have children, I gravitate more toward the nostalgic toys that bring me back to my own childhood. As I don't have kids I don't have anyone to be a 'product tester' so the ton of toy pitches that follow this conference aren't a real win/win for me in that regard so seeing a bit more variety in brands this year was definitely a plus. I posted some of the standout toys when I un-boxed the swag BOX of awesomeness on instagram, so be sure you are following me there too, time has forced me to do more micro-blogging at events and that's the best way to see the conference unfold in real time or see products that I am sent or pitched that may not get a full feature on these pages due to time constraints.

If you are a parent/mom blogger this is DEFINITELY the conference for YOU, it will have you covered for pretty much any child age range you focus on. As a lifestyle blogger I would love to see a bit more variety next year (I do get it's a 'night of play' - but I miss some of last year's stuff like the covergirl suite (I mean free lipsticks/lippies you know I love wearing a signature red lip everyday, I run out of REDS super fast! LOL), the hijinx of the angry birds after party, and I'm all about last year's wine brand)

Did YOU attend Blogger Bash? If so, what did you think of it? What is your personal favorite of all the blogging conferences you have attended? If you haven't attended one yet, which one is on your wishlist?

As always no formal linky here, bloggers feel free to leave a comment with the link to your Wordless Wednesday Photo this week and we will be sure to pay you a visit! (NO Giveway links please, WW only!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is a NON -compensated post, no monetary compensation has been received and this is an event recap (a gift box was received). All my opinions are 100% MY OWN. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Motivation Monday: Find out why I'm urging you to get BLUE! @bluemangroup is headed YOUR way! #BlueManGroup #theatre #review

Blue Man Group Logo


Yes, I know it sounds super odd that I'm urging you to get Blue on Motivation Monday! You ask, 'but butterfly isn't today the day you share some fun graphic or motivational quote to put some pep in our step for the new week?'.

Have no fear butterflies, I'm still going to put the fun in your Monday! Last week I had the chance to check out Blue Man Group's show in New York City. And at first when I got the invitation I thought, I remember them! I applied for a job as their Social Media Manager many moons ago, and never heard back, so NO WAY! But thankfully my love of the theatre out-weighed my sour grapes for never hearing back from them...

But I digress...don't I always? I'd like to think that's why you all love me so, but it's probably more for my amazing ability to empower everyone I meet in some way! :-)

OK, truth be told another reason I never immediatlely jumped on the bandwagon to see the show is because they don't talk. I'd seen television 'talk show' interviews where they didn't talk, which kinda weirded me out! And while that works so well for one half of Penn and Teller, I wasn't sure sitting around watching people that don't talk at all would be any fun.

And because I'm a big girl, I will be the first to admit I was so wrong in that pre-conceived notion! Not only was there NOT a dull moment, I left the show smiling and feeling super up-lifted. It was exactly what I needed at the right time. Lately I hadn't been feeling like my normally happy self and couldn't put my finger exactly on why. The show helped me realize I needed a little more time living, some time away from electronic devices/work and just a moment to cut loose and immerse myself in fun and absolute frivolity!

The show is active, inter-active and in all ways AMAZE-BALLS (and you know I try not to use that word often!). I didn't think another show this year could come close to being as uplifting as Kinky Boots (if you missed my coverage of it, you can check it out HERE).

Blue Man Group Playbill for Astor Theatre Performance in New York City
Blue Man Group Playbill + Ticket for Astor Theatre Performance in New York City!

You can catch Blue Man Group in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, and you can catch their upcoming US Tour Dates Below:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Houston, TX - June 4-9

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Honolulu, HI - June 18 - July 23

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Atlantic City, NJ - August 22-30 (You all know Atlantic City is MY Happy Place, I may just have to catch the show again this summer!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Durham, NC - September 6-8

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tulsa, OK - September 10 - 15

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lawrence, KS - September 16-17

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Bloomington, IN - September 21 - 22

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lincoln, NE - September 27 - 29

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Clinton Township, MI - October 15 - 16

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Hershey, PA - November 22 - 24

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Baltimore, MD - January 10 - 12, 2014 (all the above dates are 2013 by the way)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Corpus Christi, TX - February 15 -16, 2014

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Des Moines, IA - February 18 - 23, 2014

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Sacramento, CA - March 11 -16, 2014

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Charlotte, NC - April 15 - 20, 2014

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Miami, FL - May 13 - 18, 2014

Blue Man Group Photo by Darbe Rotach
Blue Men Photo by Darbe Rotach


Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Like' Blue Man Group on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get Tumblr with it

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Become Pinterest besties with Blue Man Group

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can also check out their latest updates on instagram

Blue Man Group Paint Drumming Photo by Ken Howard
Paint Drumming Photo by Ken Howard


My Take:

I loved the show! I do have some warnings to the wise though, it's a messy show, so all those in the lower level will find a plastic bag on your seats, please put them on! Don't say I didn't warn you! I was upstairs in the Mezzanine, and don't think that being up there will save you, while you won't need the plastic bags up there, the show will definitely still be very interactive from up there, no spoilers, just a friendly warning to the wise! The seats are a bit narrow/small in the Astor Theatre in New York City so be prepared to not only get really close to your neighbor, but if someone with super long legs is behind you will feel them if they are squirmy and move around a lot. I can tell you the show is fun and since it's part of every show, if you are bringing your children be prepared for the 'Shake Your Euphimism' portion of the show where every word/words for the 'behind' is literally put on display!

This show is a definite don't miss, and a total 'TICKET' in my rating system. (I tell it like it is, it's either ticket or skip it with me.).


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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post. Press/Media Access to the show was granted to us for Editorial Consideration, this did not influence our review and all opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.