As lazy summer days give way to school supply runs, it’s high time to check off every item on your summer bucket list. Take a whirl on Navy Pier’s Ferris wheel (those views though!), hit up the museums you’ve neglected, spend a summer day at the zoo and run away to join the circus. Wait. . . What?! Midnight Circus in the Parks kicks off its tour in parks across the city Sept. 11. Read on to hear how this community circus is asking you to join them in giving back to the parks we all love. . . and all you have to do is show up!
Big Top Pop-Up in Your Local Park
"Midnight Circus takes place in an intimate one-of-a-kind little big top that sets up right in the very heart of each Chicago neighborhood we play. . . the local park!" shares co-founder Jeff Jenkins. "The cast is a wildly eclectic and award-winning group of artists that put together a show that is so jam-packed, exciting and unique that it is the only American circus to ever play the world-renowned Montreal Circus Festival." Indeed this circus offers a little bit of everything, from trapeze thrills to tightrope high jinx. The troupe includes ultra-talented acrobats, aerialists, eccentrics and one super smart (and sweet!) rescued dog.
A Family Circus
Jenkins and his wife, Julie founded the circus in 2007 after a work trip to Europe, where they fell in love with the small circuses that performed in the parks and piazzas of France and Italy. They wanted to create an intimate show that would bring families and communities together for an evening of carefree fun. Their two kids, Max and Samantha, have literally grown up onstage, alongside their parents, and it's a joy to see this family working and laughing together each and every show.
Circus Fun at Your Feet
Midnight Circus constructs its "Little Big Top" tent the day before the show, beginning an exciting setup for the neighborhood kids to watch. Under the colorful big top, bleachers accommodate about 500 people, and there's no such thing as a bad seat. The littlest circus-goers are welcome to sit in the grass at the foot of the bleachers, so bring a blanket and be ready to have the show at your feet.
Building Community. . . One Circus at a Time
Attracting over 15,000 people every year, from the far south side to the north, the circus has raised over $1 million dollars for Chicago parks. "From day one the idea was to bring families and communities together for a world-class circus experience right in their local park and raise money to rebuild the playground," Jeff explains.
Not only are they raising funds, they truly are building communities and creating positive memories for kids who would not otherwise have access to this type of entertainment. Kids from neighborhoods that lack the amenities some of us take for granted: bowling alleys, movie theaters, playspaces, or even safe places for kids to just be kids. Click here to watch a video on Englewood's collective excitement and gratitude when Midnight Circus appeared in their park.
As parents, artists, community activists and life-long Chicagoans, the Jenkins duo believes that access to great public parks and public schools are the foundation upon which a great city is built. That, in short, is why they do what they do.
Run Away with the Midnight Circus
For its 2021 run, Midnight Circus will perform 45-minute shows in 5 Chicago parks from Sep. 11-Oct. 9. Tickets are available at midnightcircus.net and admission is free.
2021 Schedule
September 11: Foster Park
September 18: McKinley Park
September 25: Lake Shore Park
September 28 & 29: Ridge Park
October 2 & 3: Humboldt Park
October 9: Welles Park
Beyond the Circus Tent
It's not just about the circus life for Jeff, who also spends a lot of time in the south and west sides of Chicago engaged in civic work. He, along with his rescued pit bulls, June Bug and Rosie Rae, in collaboration with the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago visit Chicago Park District camps all summer long in an effort to educate and entertain. Click here to watch an inspiring video highlighting Jeff's work to end the cycle of dogfighting in the most vulnerable neighborhoods.
Jeff wholeheartedly believes the intrigues of the circus and people's natural inclination to be drawn to dogs are both great conduits to reach young people. And the work he does with both fulfills his goal of reaching people in communities that are often overlooked.
Bette Midler isn’t just an actress, she’s an author, too. The renowned performer is getting ready to drop a brand new children’s book––and she’s reading the audio version!
The Tale of the Mandarin Duck goes on sale Feb. 16 and features an afterword by photographer Michiko Kakutani. Midler was inspired to write the modern fable based on inspiration from a mandarin duck that appeared in Central Park in 2018, and it celebrates the connections people make with each other.
Midler is a conservationist, founder of the New York Restoration Project and participates in Two-Thirds for the Birds, a project that helps revive bird populations. She shares that “Reading the book out loud was a challenge for me, because I’m used to being loud in big spaces, and this is a relatively intimate story. I didn’t want to scare the kids by yelling at them. At the same time, it’s a New York Story, and New York is LOUD….!”
You can shop the new book on Amazon starting Feb. 16 for $18.99.
An intimate romantic dinner out while the kids are with a sitter may not be in the cards for you this year, but one thing that the pandemic can’t take away from Valentine’s Day: all the sweet candy. This year Americans are buying up candy like they did toilet paper, and estimates from CandyStore.com say spending on candy this year could potentially top $2 billion. But what exactly are Americans buying to satisfy that sweet tooth? Read on to find out the most popular Valentine’s Day candy by state and what candy trends to expect this year.
Curious what the top candy is by state? From M&M’s to heart-shaped boxes of chocolates check out 10 states below and then hop over to CandyStore.com for the full list or click the interactive map below:
Alabama: Candy necklaces
Alaska: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Arizona: M&M’s
Arkansas: Conversation hearts
California: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Colorado: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Connecticut: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Delaware: Hershey kisses
Florida: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Georgia: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Source: CandyStore.com. Trends to look out for, according to CandyStore.com
• Conversation heart candy will make a comeback in 2021
• M&M’s ranked #1 in both Oregon and North Dakota. This year expect this chocolatey favorite to spike in popularity.
• Cupid Corn’s popularity may be fading away but only time will tell.
Some interesting Valentine’s Day candy facts, from Candystore.com:
• 47% of people said they will buy themselves a box of chocolates this year.
• 58 million pounds of chocolate are bought during Valentine’s Day week.
• The peak selling period for conversation hearts is only 6 weeks long. Wow!
• It takes manufacturers 11 months to produce enough for those 6 weeks.
• Vodka infused with candy remained popular with conversation hearts last year.
• Children receive 39 percent of all Valentine’s Day candy and gifts.
Dealing with COVID-19 is hard for adults. So how do you help your child understand why they can’t celebrate their birthday this year with 20 friends from school? Thankfully, you can make sure your child feels special on their birthday this year during COVID while keeping your family safe and healthy with these COVID safe kids birthday party ideas.
Here Are 10 Tips:
1. Drive-by parade. This one has been popular since last spring when COVID restrictions were first put into place. Round up your child’s school and neighborhood friends – and their parents – and have them drive by your home at a specified time. Signs, honking, and yelling well wishes are encouraged! “Guests” can throw gifts or candy out of car windows. Decorate your home, too, for an extra festive atmosphere.
2. Stage a kids’ field day. If your area is low risk, set up an obstacle course or activity stations in your front yard – think 3-legged races, yard games, or trivia challenges. Adults should observe from a safe distance, and kids should wear masks.
3. Keep it small. Often, what children remember most is how their birthday made them feel. Kids don’t need theatrics to enjoy a party. Why not have an intimate family-only party at home with your child’s favorite meal and dessert? Check out my guide for planning a beautiful kid’s birthday party at home.
4. Host a Zoom party. Dial-in friends and family to celebrate big birthday moments remotely. Grandma and Grandpa can still sing “Happy Birthday” and watch your little one blow out their candles and open presents. You can even play tabletop games like trivia remotely.
5. Get outdoors. There are so many ways to celebrate a birthday outdoors, where you don’t have to worry about crowding and can even skip the masks if you’re a safe distance from others. Hiking, camping, and neighborhood scavenger hunts are all exciting birthday activities for kids.
6. Use snail mail. Encourage friends and family to mail presents this year —and go all-out decorating packages. One of my 10-year-old’s absolute favorite things to do is open mail addressed to her. What child wouldn’t be excited to see a dozen colorfully-wrapped packages with their name on them at the front door?
7. “Card Your Yard.” This is not a new idea, but it has taken off since last spring. Companies around the country offer this yard decoration service, where parents or friends can order cardboard letters on stakes with festive messages for the birthday boy/girl. The company will deliver the letters and set up the message for you and remove it at the end of the day. On a budget? DIY it!
8. Have a child’s-choice day. Think of this as a “yes” day (within reason). Let your child choose the snacks, the cake, their outfit, and how they want to spend the day. You may be surprised at what your child chooses, and at how much you enjoy the things that bring a smile to their face.
9. Hire virtual entertainment. Many of the companies that offer character entertainment—clown comedy, magic shows, a visit from a princess—have moved their services to virtual platforms. Send in the Clowns offers this service from its Los Angeles home base, but there are similar companies in every state.
10. Throw a kid’s Netflix party. The Netflix app now has a Netflix Party feature, which synchronizes video playback and allows group chatting during the show. Ask your fellow parents to download the app and assist children with setup. Treat it like a slumber party, complete with cozy throws and pillows, fuzzy PJs, and theater-style snacks.
You may find that your child’s birthday this year is all the more memorable for them because you managed to make it fun when so many things were different!
I am a blogger, event planner and freelance copy editor, but most of all, I am a mother and a household manager. My family lives in vibrant Fort Collins, Colorado. I am Mom to twin girls and full-time Bonus Mom to one 10-year-old daughter. I love to be creative and inspire others.
Taylor Swift is bringing an “intimate” concert film for her latest album, “Folklore,” exclusively to Disney+ just in time for Thanksgiving. Swift along with Aaron Dessner (The National), Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) created an album that crossed genres, a musical journey that allows us to cry and laugh, and during these trying times, makes us feel like we’re not quite so alone. They recorded folklore thousands of miles apart from each other and had never been in the same room together until they filmed the folklore: the long pond studio sessions special.
folklore: the long pond studio sessions was filmed in upstate New York in Sept. 2020 and will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Wed., Nov. 25, at 12:01 a.m. PT. Taylor, accompanied by co-producers Dessner and Antonoff along with a guest appearance by Vernon, performs each song in order of her critically adored, five star album, “folklore” and for the very first time, reveals the stories and secrets behind all 17 songs.
folklore: the long pond studio sessions was directed by Swift and filmed on 6 x Lumix S1H mirrorless cameras with Leica lenses embedded in the studio, along with a one Alexa LF with an Angenieux 24-290 on a Furio robotic camera with 30+ feet of curved track.
Thanksgiving this year may be missing Great Aunt Sue’s famous pumpkin pie and Uncle Joe’s flag football game, but some things will never change: a day to reflect and be grateful for everything we do have. Connect with your loved ones and give thanks—even if it is at a distance or virtually—with a Thanksgiving gathering. Evite has dozens of festive Thanksgiving invites perfect for your virtual party or intimate gathering. Whether you’re throwing a Friendsgiving or a traditional feast with all the Grandma-approved fixins’, Evite has an invitation perfect for the occasion. Scroll through for 10 of our favorites to get you in the spirit of the season.
Shortly after an emergency C-section, I was informed that my newborn son had Down Syndrome.
His diagnosis affected me in many ways. I was shocked. I felt devastated. I was terrified. I felt betrayed by my body, dirty and damaged for not nurturing a healthy child. Feelings of inadequacy, of not being enough, surfaced. For eight months, I gave my body to my child. I did everything right and…it went so wrong. I was ashamed.
And Michael. My heart broke for my husband. He had always wanted a big family, but having one child with Down Syndrome significantly increases the likelihood of birthing another child with Down Syndrome. I felt like the dream of a large family was shattered, and it was completely my fault. Of course, he never thought this. I kept apologizing, saying over and over, “I’m so sorry.” Convinced I was a failure, I sank into my pain, retreating from family and friends.
A few days after he was born, we were given a list of the things Josh would never be able to do and things he would never become. The doctors explained how hard life would be for me and my family. As I listened to them talk about Josh’s limitations, I worried about my own. How would I care for a baby with a disability? What if he’s dependent on me forever? Will he have the capacity to understand or feel? Will he ever be able to speak? The doctors encouraged us to hope for the best but expect the worst. Hearing what my husband and I heard from the doctors in the days after Josh was born could have broken us down and torn us apart.
At that moment, we had a choice. We could have given into the fear of what raising a child with Down Syndrome would be like. We could have chosen to believe the doctors and, in turn, assigned those limitations to Josh. Instead, I chose to be attuned to the beauty and potential of what he could become and, subsequently, who I would become. I chose to not let others’ expectations of Josh’s limits inform the way I thought or parented. In that moment, I chose Josh. I chose me.
It was a process, and I still had fears. I feared the future. I was terrified of raising a child with a lifetime diagnosis that I knew nothing about. I was even afraid of the judgments of others. Despite my lingering fears, I became more vulnerable, open, and fiercely inquisitive about the future. I learned to be an advocate for Josh, and because of that, I learned to advocate for myself, powerfully. I chose to embrace the happy reality of Josh, to enjoy the beauty of his soul and all he could offer the world. He is a person with a path and filled with ability—just like all children.
Despite the dire prognostications of doctors, we decided not to accept other people’s limitations in the form of well-meaning advice, and I became pregnant again. Though fears still arose during my daughter Miriam’s pregnancy, we welcomed a healthy baby girl into the world twelve months later. The dream of a large family was still possible. Because I was so committed to raising Josh without limitations, I taught all three of my children (Abigail, my fourth hadn’t come along yet) to refrain from labeling anyone. When my oldest, David, and daughter Miriam started to notice differences in Josh, and his differing ability to do things, I explained that everyone is different.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Josh is great at basketball; he’s even better than some children older than he is. While he is an ace on the basketball court, he’s not quite as masterful in other areas that may even seem quite simple. It was years before any of my children learned the words Down Syndrome because I didn’t want it to change the way they interacted. I didn’t want that label limiting Josh’s potential. That choice allowed Josh to interact with his siblings and other children in a natural, organic manner. That inclusivity nurtured his potential and pushed him beyond the inherent physical challenges of Down Syndrome.
Because of Josh, I learned to love with a vulnerability I never knew existed in me. My marriage evolved into something stronger, more tender, more intimate. I grew less fearful, stronger, and learned to welcome change, even when it showed up in ways that made me uncomfortable. I learned to focus on ability instead of labeling anything a disability.
As for Josh? We could have chosen to believe what the doctors told us, and expected less from him. Instead, we chose to be attuned to the beauty and potential of who he could become. Today, Josh doesn’t look in the mirror and see limitations. He isn’t defined by a diagnosis. He is strong, self-motivated, healthy, and happy. Josh sees me and my oldest, David, working out all the time. Like us, he loves to exercise. Josh is remarkably fit, coordinated, and plans to become a personal trainer. Josh is a living example of never accepting anyone else’s opinion or beliefs about your inherent potential.
I may have learned about Josh’s potential limitations on the day he was born, but I have a lifetime to discover his gifts.
Monica Berg is an international speaker, spiritual thought leader, and the author of Rethink Love and Fear Is Not an Option. She also serves as Chief Communications Officer for Kabbalah Centre International. She lives in New York with her husband Michael and their children David, Joshua, Miriam, and Abigail.
Earlier this month Spotify and Higher Ground productions announced a multi-series multi-year partnership. On Wed., Jul. 29 the inaugural Michelle Obama Podcast will debut with a special guest. In the series premiere episode, President Barack Obama will join Michelle Obama for an intimate conversation about community, the love that powers our relationships, and their life after the White House.
In subsequent episodes, The Michelle Obama Podcast guests also include: Marian and Craig Robinson, Conan O’Brien, Valerie Jarrett, Michele Norris, and Dr. Sharon Malone MD.
The Michelle Obama Podcast will focus on the relationships that shape us, from siblings and close friends, to partners, parents, and mentors, to our relationship with ourselves and our health. Joining the First Lady this season will be an array of special guests to discuss a variety of topics including:
Episode 1: Community with Barack Obama
Episode 2: Self in the time of Covid with Michele Norris
Episode 3: Women’s Health with Dr. Sharon Malone
Episode 4: Siblings with Craig Robinson
Episode 5: Girlfriends with Dr. Sharon Malone, Kelly Dibble, and Denielle Pemberton-Heard
Episode 6: Marriage with Conan O’Brien
Episode 7: Mentorship with Valerie Jarrett
Episode 8: Mentees with Chynna Clayton, Yene Damtew, and Kristin Jones
Episode 9: Kids with Mrs. Robinson and Craig
The Michelle Obama Podcast is the first release from the ongoing partnership between Spotify and Higher Ground Productions. Like all podcasts on Spotify, it will be available for to the nearly 300 million Free and Premium users around the world.
You can subscribe to The Michelle Obama Podcasthere.
Don’t miss your shot! Disney+ has just given us a new exclusive look at Hamilton, the film of the original Broadway production.
During the 2020 ESPY’s airing on ESPN and ESPN2, Disney+ debuted the trailer for Hamilton which will premiere on the streaming service on Jul. 3.
The filmed version offers some of the best elements f live theater, film and streaming to bring this unforgettable performance to homes around the world. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater. This musical has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.
Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, the film transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and direction by Thomas Kail, “Hamilton” is inspired by the book “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow and produced by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller, with Sander Jacobs and Jill Furman serving as executive producers. Filming was produced by RadicalMedia. The 11-time-Tony Award-, GRAMMY Award-, Olivier Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical stars: Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Jonathan Groff as King George; Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton; and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton.
If you are looking for an over the top cake, Sam’s Club is known for their fun designs and tiered cakes. With graduations going virtual this year, the warehouse club is launching new, smaller cakes. These are the perfect size for those at-home celebrations!
These tasty, personalized cakes cost less than $10. The 10” cake is just $8.98. Each cake can be personalized with your graduate’s school colors, your own heartfelt message or even their photo!
These custom cakes are available in various sizes ranging from a 10” single layer cake and mini two-tier cakes ($11.98), to 15 count cupcakes ($8.98.) Choose whatever works best for your intimate celebration.
Three-tier cakes are also an option for bigger parties or if you just can’t get enough cake!
Pricing varies based on cake size and décor, and because they’re specially made, these adorable desserts are only available for order from your local club bakery.