89.3 The Current and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota present "Rock The Cradle"

“Rock the Cradle” Returns March 2^nd at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Children’s Theatre Company Campus

What: 89.3 The Current  and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota present Rock the Cradle on Sunday, March 2— a free day of fun for kids and their grown-ups, held at two of the state’s premier arts and culture institutions. Now in its ninth year, the event has grown to host more than 10,000 people annually.

Throughout the day, families and social groups from all over the Twin Cities come together to enjoy music, art, books and their community in an inspiring setting. Rock the Cradle is aimed at kids up to age 8 and their grown-ups. It is the perfect event for kids and adults to let loose and experience music and the arts.

Attendees will find many fun activities, including DJ Story Time, a Kids’ Disco, music classes presented by MacPhail Center for Music; live music from Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Okee Dokee Brothers, Gustafer Yellowgold and The Ericksons, along with tons more!

New to the event this year: The Northern Star Council, Boy Scouts of America invites you to join them for knot tying, creating a rope bridge and more.

Rock the Cradle offers a host of interactive activities from Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Kinderberry Hill Child Development Centers, UCare, Play From Scratch, Pizza Luce, Playatta and lots more!

Register for the event and get important updates about Rock the Cradle by visiting thecurrent.org. By registering, you can enter your child for a chance to be “Kid DJ for a Day” with host, Barb Abney!  Registration not required, but encouraged.

When: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2

Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts and The Children’s Theatre Company campus, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis

Parking: Event parking is available in several parking lots in the immediate vicinity of MIA/CTC as well as the ramp next to the CTC for a fee of $8/day. Free parking and shuttle service available from the Wells Fargo headquarters parking lot on 28th Street and 4th Avenue. Shuttles will leave the lot at 15 minute intervals beginning at 10:30 a.m. Free street parking is also available.

Tickets: Admission is free and open to the public. Reserve your spot and plan your day.

New Year’s Eve bash in Nickelodeon Universe

Circus themed New Year’s Eve bash in Nickelodeon Universe at

Mall of America^®

WHAT:  The ball will drop at Mall of America^® with a Moonlight Circus New Year’s Eve bash in Nickelodeon Universe® on Tuesday, Dec. 31. 

Party goers will enjoy classic circus treats like peanuts and cotton candy while watching live performances by the Twin Cities Circus Juventas, the largest youth performing arts Circus in the country.

Additional entertainment under the big top will include the Universe of Light show, tightrope walkers, balloon sculptors, a bearded lady and more.

A Ringmaster will lead guests in a family New Year’s countdown complete with a ball drop at 10 p.m. The evening will commence with a midnight countdown and ball drop.         

For more information on the New Year’s Eve event, click here.

WHEN:  Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013
             6 p.m. – Midnight

WHERE:  Mall of America – Nickelodeon Universe

Barbie The Dreamhouse Experience coming soon to Mall of America

Barbie™ The Dreamhouse Experience™ coming soon to Mall of America^®

Fans of All Ages Are Invited to Step into Barbie^® Doll’s World

Barbie™ The Dreamhouse Experience™ is coming to Mall of America^®. The larger-than-life interactive Barbie™ Dreamhouse^™ experience is set to open its doors in early spring 2014 as part of a new 65,000-square-foot EMS Entertainment Center located on level 3 in the Southeast corner of the Mall that will feature three spaces for rotating exhibits. 

The 30,000 square-foot Barbie^™ Dreamhouse^™ interactive experience will consist of a life-sized house, complete with her iconic pink elevators and endless closet displaying outfits from some of her 130+ inspirational careers.   Designed with more than 20 pounds of glitter and 100 gallons of her signature pink paint, the Barbie^™ Dreamhouse^™ showcases 350 Barbie^® collector dolls on display as well as Barbie^® doll’s best friends, family and pets in unexpected ways with animation, photography and interactive games.  

Additionally, fans can purchase Barbie^® dolls and items onsite at the Barbie^™ Dreamhouse^™ boutique including the exclusive Barbie^®Dreamhouse^® Doll only available at the Dreamhouse Experience™. 

Barbie^™ The Dreamhouse Experience^™ was inspired by the house in the popular web series, "Barbie^™ Life in the Dreamhouse." It was designed, developed and built by EMS Entertainment, a global leader in the live exhibition community.

“Together with Mattel, we created an unforgettable experience for Barbie fans around the world,” says Christoph Rahofer, president and CEO of EMS Entertainment. “Barbie The Dreamhouse Experience gives fans the opportunity to engage with Barbie world like never before while spending time with their families and friends.”

Beginning November 25, an exclusive holiday package will be available at Mall of America that will include two tickets to the Barbie^™ Dreamhouse^™Experience and an exclusive Barbie^® Dreamhouse^® doll for $72.99. General admission tickets for this one-of-a-kind experience will be available at Mall of America beginning December 2 for $23.99.