Scrabble - the original all-time favourite family game

Mattel's Scrabble SA

"Bring your own words into play" - ©Scrabble

                                                                                                         Sponsored

One of our all-time favourite games: Scrabble. We have many fond memories of playing Scrabble with family and friends. We got a Scrabble Original game from Mattel last week.There was nothing better than ending a year of school during a pandemic, than a relaxing game of Scrabble with a friend. The girls had so much fun, and even more so when they took a bit of liberty with "creative" words. 😉

Scrabble fun

The history of Scrabble is very interesting:

During America's Great Depression, in 1933, an out of work architect named Alfred Mosher Butts invented the game. The established game manufacturers were not interested in his invention. Only when Alfred Butts met James Brunot, a game-loving entrepreneur, it all came together. They refined the rules and design and came up with the name SCRABBLE - a word defined as 'to grasp, collect, or hold on to something'. The SCRABBLE Brand Crossword Game was trademarked in 1948, and the rest is history  pure board game fun!

                                                                                          - ©Scrabble

 

Kings of Mulberry Street movie - Going places

Aaqil Hoosen as Ticky Chetty, and Shaan Nathoo as Baboo Harold Singh in the lead roles

Kings of Mulberry Street is a local South African produced movie situated in the imaginary Sugarhill District in Kwazulu-Natal in the 1980s. It's the story of two young Indian boys who have to find a way to overcome their differences and unite. They are up against the bullying and corrupt Raja, who is threatening their families, and their community.

I have been walking around with the characters and the plot since I saw the preview last week. I can't wait to take the family at the end of June, and to go and pen down all the great quotes that are not available yet!

The official trailer is here: Kings of Mulberry Street

"When you want to be a hero, you must act like a hero!"

"Why do you need me? Every hero has a partner."

"Lesson 1: Don't think, just jump!" 

Raven in South Africa

#RavinInSA - Raven is in the house

Judging by the screams of all the excited fans last, Disney Raven's Home is a much loved series in most South African homes.  Raven-Symoné was at the SA premiere of Season 2 of Disney Channel’s Raven’s Home. The series, starring Raven-Symoné, premieres weekdays on Disney Channel (DStv Channel 303) from next week Monday, 8 October at 16:50. We got to see the first two episodes, and there's going to be a surprise for the fans. A welcome surprise... (That's all we are allowed to say for now.)

Disney on Ice - Dream Big this year

Disney on Ice at Ticketpro Dome

We were at the opening night of Disney on Ice at the Ticketpro Dome on Friday night. It was a great way to start the holidays. Families, young and old, big and small. All were there, and all had a great time.

The show is getting better and better each year. We are looking at highlights of Disney one after the other. All the Disney princesses and princes from the great stories are included, and although we thought we could not handle another Frozen, the whole Dome was singing with gusto "Let it Go" together on Friday night. Your kids will totally thank you for taking them.

Upbeat Annie JR at Peoples Theatre - WIN family tickets

Annie Jr - Peoples Theatre

Annie JR opened last week at Peoples Theatre in Braamfontein. We are Peoples Theatre groupies by now. The Show always ticks all the boxes. Great entertainment. Great cast. Great script. Great fun. Great for the whole family, from ages 2 to 100. Annie JR did not disappoint. The ever-fresh 1924 comic character story of an optimistic upbeat Annie JR has been done so many times, but the story never disappoints. Annie is such a breath of fresh air in her circumstances; so much so that you the children are cheering her from the sidelines all the way. Singing "Tomorrow" with gusto at the end of the musical.
SO. MUCH. FUN.

At the Peoples Theatre on a Friday night - Perfect!!

Annie an absolute delight - for the kids AND adults. We loved it!
Well done 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻@peoples_theatre #AnnieJr#PeoplesTheatre#TheatreForTheFamily#ThingsToDoWithKids#TheatreForKids pic.twitter.com/mH5cQY10sq

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) June 8, 2018

Theatre veteran Jill Gerard says Annie is a firm favourite. "Annie stands for innate decency, courage and optimism in the face of hard times, pessimism and despair. Shje is an inspiration all of us."

Peoples Theatre has made available two family tickets (4 each) to be won here.

Annie JR photo op

Festival of India at Montecasino - Great for families >Giveaway

 #FestivalofIndia - punjabi samoosas

This week has a public holiday coming up on Wednesday. The place to go is to the authentic Indian market at the Festival of India, open at Montecasino until 25 March.  This is a one-of-a-kind shopping experience with authentic Indian lifestyle, fashion, culture and cuisine. The performers and traditional foods, to authentic Indian clothing and genuine homeware, are one of the most vibrant festival offers that have something for the whole family.

The opening ceremony was on Saturday, and even rainy weather couldn't damp the colourful spirit. The festivities are inside a marquee tent which makes it perfect for any kind of weather.


There are two double tickets up for grabs. See below.

WIN tickets to Alice in Wonderland at the People's Theatre

Disney's Alice in Wonderland - People's Theatre

We love the People's Theatre. The excitement and introduction to theatre for children are unsurpassed. We are so glad that they are going down the rabbit hole this upcoming holidays! Crazy, mad and wonderful Alice in Wonderland is always great escapism for the whole family.

In March and April, travel down the rabbit hole and join Alice, one of literature’s most beloved heroines, on her madcap adventures. The ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit.  Her adventures become increasingly more strange as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar  is shrunk, stretched, scratched and stuffed into a teapot, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game!

Based on the Alice books by Lewis Carroll, the Peoples Theatre’s version of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland will bring all your favourite, wacky characters to life. And don’t forget the crazy ditties. Expect to hear all of them - from “In a World of My Own” to “I'm Late” to “The Unbirthday Song”.

Shrek JR The Musical

Shrek JR at the People's Theatre

By now we know that a People's Theatre Production is always worth going! It's the best way ever to introduce children to the theatre!

Still not sure what special family activity to do this holiday? Go see The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice!

#DisneyonIce

We saw a Disney on Ice two years back, but we are absolutely in awe of the most recent production of The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice! It's better, bigger and more entertaining (for the whole family!) than we remember the previous show we saw!

Little Miss all excited!

Maybe it was because it was the evening just before we left for our adventure to San Antonio. Maybe it was because of our seating. The previous time we had seats high up in the air. This time we were seated to the front and more level with the ice-skating rink. Maybe it is just because it IS BETTER and just so much more entertaining! Most probably! Dad, Little Miss and I had the greatest time on Friday night!

The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice

The extraordinary lineup of Disney stories that come to life in The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice! Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy on a walk down memory lane with Dory, Nemo and Marlin from Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory as well as Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen. There’s Rapunzel, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and your favourite Disney Princesses plus Buzz and Woody; Simba, Timon and Pumbaa; Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie. Make unforgettable memories as you explore The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice these July school holidays.

All the favourite Disney characters are here, and we love the most favourite snippets from our Disney shows!

Check out the elephant in Aladdin! @disneyonice #disneyonice #disneyonice2017 https://t.co/5p19Zl8TmD pic.twitter.com/QOatIJatcE

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) June 30, 2017

The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice was absolutely magical last night! #DisneyOnIce Highlights from all our fav Disney and culminating in #Frozen was the best! Even the parents enjoyed it! (Yes!) The production was much better than two years back! The production, the skill, the wardrobe, the characters and the skaters are top class!!

A post shared by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on Jul 1, 2017 at 2:42am PDT

If you are still not sure what to do with the kids, this is the show!

The show is still on until 9 July at Ticketpro Dome, before it moves to Durban and from there to Cape Town. It seems the tickets are flying fast on Computicket, and it is better to book sooner than later!


Facebook: Disney on Ice
Twitter:  Showtime Management
YouTube: Disney on Ice
Instagram: Disney on Ice


Disclaimer: We got tickets to the opening night, but I was not paid for this blog post.

WIN family tickets to Disney Cinderella Kids

Disney Cinderella Kids

The classic fairy tale being told at Peoples Theatre. 

"Poor Cinderella is endlessly mistreated by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, and denied a chance to go to the royal ball. With a little help from her mice friends – and a lot of help from her Fairy Godmother – Cinderella’s dreams come true. She goes to the ball, meets the Prince and falls in love!"

The recommendation is that Disney Cinderella Kids as a must-see for the holidays. It is such an enjoyable show for the whole family!

The Fairy Godmother with Cinderella and The Prince

Kaylan Sabbadin, a Trinity College and Tshwane University of Technology graduate (National Diploma in Musical Theatre), plays the title role. She comes from Port Elizabeth and has been trained in singing, dance and drama. Sabbadin hopes to finish her masters in drama.

The Prince is played by Thokozani Jiyane, a versatile performing artist who received his training at the Tshwane University of Technology in Musical Theatre where he featured in Legally Blonde and 9 to 5 The Musical. Most recently he was featured in Mr Popper’s Penguins as Admiral Drake, Delivery Man and Doc Hopper.

Cinderella is “terrorised” by her two stepsisters – Genevieve Olivier (theatre credits include George's Marvellous Medicine and Pippi Longstocking - The Musical) and Tanja Franszen (a student from the School of Creative Arts in Sydney, Australia, and who has theatre credits including Perdekoop and Hoedemoles).

The stepmother and Fairy Godmother are played by Alida Senekal, who portrays the character of Petro Bam in Afrikaans soapie Binnelanders. She has featured in The Legend of King Arthur, The Enchanted Forest, Othello, The Crucible, Animal Farm, Romeo & Juliet, The 3 Musketeers pantomime, Into the Woods and Pippie Langkous at National Children’s Theatre. Her voice can also currently be heard on the programme In Die Bed Met Bibi on VIA TV.

The actors portray their characters so well that it is most enjoyable to everybody watching, not only the children. I can recommend this as a great family outing for the holidays!

 WIN

Two sets of 4 tickets each is up for grabs on the blog! Date and time to be arranged with Buz Publicity!

The rules of the giveaway:

1. Mandatory: Leave a comment on the blog telling me why you would like to see this production with your family? Include your email in the comment to be able to get hold of you.

The following 4 steps will count as extra entries:
2. Visit Peoples Theatre on Facebook, and leave me a comment to tell my that you have done it.
3. Follow Peoples_Theatre on Twitter, and leave me a comment to tell me that you have done it.
4. Visit MomAgain@40 on Facebook, and leave me a comment to tell me that you have done it.
5. Follow @karentoittoit on Twitter, and leave me a comment to tell me that you have done it.

6. This competition will run from today and will end on Friday 16 June at 12 pm. The winner will be drawn via Random.org and will be announced here and on MomAgain@40 Facebook Page.
7. This competition is open to readers who will be able to get to the Peoples Theatre in Johannesburg using their own transport.
8. The prize is not transferable.
9. If you have won here in the past 3 months you will not be eligible to win this competition.

Enjoy the Show!

Congratulations to Aidan and Marcelle for winning a set of 4 tickets each!
The email is on the way.