Over The Top Mommy

Celebrate National Donut Day at Dunkin’ Donuts on June 2 with Free Donuts

I received promotional items in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Calling all Donut Devotees! Come celebrate National Donut Day on Friday, June 2 at Dunkin’ Donuts!  dd-logoDonut devotees can rejoice on this one-of-a-kind food holiday at Dunkin’ Donuts with a free classic donut of their choice (while supplies last) with the purchase of any beverage. The offer is good all day on June 2 at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide.dunkin-donuts-drive-thruNational Donut Day was originally established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to honor women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. The holiday is traditionally celebrated on the first Friday of June. Dunkin’ Donuts has been serving guests signature donuts for 67 years. As the #1 retailer of donuts in America, the company sells 2.8 billion donuts and MUNCHKINS® donut hole treats annually worldwide.dunkin-donuts-donutAlong with Dunkin’ Donuts’ popular classic donuts, guests can try two new donut varieties featuring fun and colorful new sprinkle toppings. The Vanilla Cake Batter Donut features vanilla-flavored cake batter filling, frosted with chocolate icing and topped with confetti sprinkles, while the Dunkin’ Donuts Sprinkles Donut is frosted with white icing and topped with pink and orange sprinkles shaped like the brand’s iconic “DD” logo. Both are available through summer at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide.DD-grad-gift-cardWhile you’re at Dunkin’ Donuts, don’t forget to grab some DD gift cards to send “Best Wishes” to all of the Grads in your life. After all of their hard work, graduates need to be treated to something delicious. You can also send a DD gift card via text message or email, too!

About Dunkin’ Donuts
Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ Donuts has earned a No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for 11 years running. The company has more than 12,200 restaurants in 45 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ Donuts is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit http://www.DunkinDonuts.com.

Some images and logos are property of Dunkin’ Donuts. 

3 Things To Teach Children About Memorial Day

In honor of Memorial Day, the school I teach at had a very important assembly to honor members of our military and teach the students about the true meaning of Memorial Day. Many of my own students come from homes that might not be knowledgeable about this topic and teach them the most important parts about this day and the reasons behind it.teach-children-to-observe-memorial-day-not-to-observe-itFor my 1st graders. it was easier for me to break it down and teach them 3 main things about Memorial Day that I felt were most important for them to know.

First of all, teach children that we OBSERVE Memorial Day and NOT celebrate it. Too often, the focus becomes on the “celebration” part of a holiday (and day off of school). It’s important to explain to children that it’s OK to enjoy an extra day off of school, such as Memorial Day, but it is not the kind of”holiday” to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day” or to throw a “Memorial Day Party”.

Second, teach children that it’s OK to acknowledge soldiers and veterans and to thank them for what they’ve done. I taught my students to say, “Thank you for your service” to anyone in their family, their neighborhood, or even out in their community. I also explained that it’s acceptable to acknowledge Memorial day to families who have lost someone in the line of duty because they want to honor the memory of their loved one.

Finally, I discussed what it means to “take a moment of silence” on Memorial Day. Traditionally it’s observed at 3:00 p.m. your local time, but after discussing with my students, I told them that they could observe their “moment of silence” any time during the day if they weren’t able to do so right at 3:00 p.m.home-of-the-free-because-of-the-braveMemorial Day is such an important topic to talk to children about, both at school and at home. Above all, because of the sacrifice our soldiers and their families make, America is the “Home of the Free, because of the Brave!”

 

Family Guide to Knott’s Soak City Water Park

We were invited as guests of Knott’s Soak City to attend a media event in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% my own. 

How is it that I go to Knott’s Berry Farm quite often and had never been to Knott’s Soak City until last weekend? I don’t know how it is that I’d never been there but I had so much fun that I’m already planning our family’s next visit to Knott’s Soak City!knotts-soak-city-facadeIf you aren’t familiar with Knott’s Soak City, it’s Orange County’s largest family water park, located adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm Park, in the heart of Buena Park. The park just finished going through an extensive 2-acre expansion and renovation, which included the addition of 7 new slides and 2 slide towers, Shore Break and The Wedge.  Along with the renovation came an upgrade to the landscaping of the park, which now looks like somewhat of a tropical oasis. More cabanas, available for rental) have also been added to the park, as well as additional shady areas and expanded seating.  knotts-soak-city-tropical-oasisGrand Re-Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
We were so honored to be present for the grand re-opening event, where guests in attendance heard from Knott’s General Manager John Storbeck, who was joined by Buena Park Mayor, Beth Swift. Snoopy was also on hand for the grand occasion and ribbon cutting to welcome the new area to the park.knotts-soak-city-ribbon-cutting

Below is a rendering of the two new areas in Knott’s Soak City. You can see both The Wedge and the set of slides at Shore Break. (artwork is property of Knott’s.)knotts-soak-city-renderingImmediately following the ribbon cutting, we headed directly over to try out the first of the new rides: The Wedge. This thrilling ride takes families with up to 6 riders, on an open-raft ride as they descend down navigating hair-raising twists, turns, and unexpected dips.knotts-soak-city-first-rideMy girls rode in the inaugural raft of The Wedge that morning and absolutely loved it! They loved it so much that they immediately went back on, dragging me on with them. I loved it too!ready-to-ride-the-wedgeNext, we hit up Shore Break, which is the other new group of slides that were part of the expansion. Shore Break includes 6 new slides. First, there are 4 slides that will take single riders on an adrenaline-filled water adventure as thrill-seekers board one of four Aqua Launch chambers to await the chamber’s floor dropping from beneath their feet sending them on a high speed free fall down a 60-foot tall slide and through a series of exhilarating drops and daring loops. Also part of Shore Break are two dueling tube slides which will have riders zipping through adventurous drops and turns as they soak up the warm summer sun.knotts-soak-city-longboards-grill

Menu Expansion at Longboard’s Grill
After going through a menu expansion and remodel, Longboard’s Grill opened this season boasting a newly redesigned sleek restaurant layout and a menu which features delicious items such as hand-breaded chicken tenders, fish & chips and assorted wraps. The menu also includes classic favorites such as grilled burgers and hot dogs. I appreciate that Longboard’s Grill also offer options like meatless hot dogs and vegetarian pizza for guests, upon request. Just outside of the eatery, by the restaurant’s entrance, there’s a new, shaded seating area that’s been added, allowing guests to take a break from the sun while they eat.knots-soak-city-longboards-grill-chicken-tendersIn addition to the newest areas at Soak City, we also had tons of fun relaxing on the Lazy River, playing in Tidal Wave Bay wave pool, and hanging out at Beach House, waiting for the big red bucket to dump on us!knotts-soak-city-lazy-riverknotts-soak-city-beach-houseknotts-soak-city-beachhouseIf you have small children, you’ll want to be sure to visit the Gremmie Lagoon area too.knotts-soak-city-gremmie-lagoonWith all of the new things to check out at Knott’s Soak City, in addition to this summer’s Ghost Town Alive! At Knott’s Park, there’s never been a better time to grab a Knott’s Gold Pass! A Gold Pass includes unlimited 2017 admission to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark. Gold Season Passes can be purchased online starting at $117.00 or 6 easy payments of $19.50. Applicable taxes and fees apply. Please note: the Season Pass payment plan is only available online at knotts.com

knotts-soak-city-sungearThe sun is always shining in Southern California, so what are you waiting for? Grab your swimsuit, sunscreen, and sunglasses, and plan your day at Knott’s Soak City Water park soon! For more information about Knott’s Soak City and to begin planning your visit there, go here.knotts-soak-city-logo

 Logos and artwork are property of Knott’s.

{Giveaway} Circus Vargas Unveils Original New Production- SteamCirque!

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Circus Vargas embarks on a brand new epic adventure under the big top: SteamCirque! The all-new, original production is set to debut in Orange County June 1-5 at MainPlace in Santa Ana before moving on to Great Park in Irvine June 8-18, 2017 and it looks like it’s going to be an amazing show to experience with your entire family! (see below for a chance to win tickets)circus-vargus-steamcirque-1The Show: 
Goggles, gears, and gadgets set the stage for Circus Vargas’ 2017’s retro-futuristic production, Steam Cirque! Join them on a journey of fantastic proportions where children of all ages will marvel at the wacky and wonderful cast of characters that come alive in this exciting steampunk, science- fiction fantasy inspired circus odyssey!circus-vargas-steamcirque-2

The Storyline:
An eccentric group of adventure seekers stumble upon a traveling circus in an imaginary Victorian city, far, far-away. SteamCirque’s peculiar protagonist, part magician-
part inventor, attempts to industrialize the circus by incorporating his steam powered mechanical contraptions into the ordinary, typical circus rigging, filling the big top with new, imaginative acrobatic apparatus for the artists to perform their acts. It becomes a test of wills, the steampunkers versus the circus folk, who will win? Audiences will have to come and see to find out!!

“SteamCirque is inspired by adventure, colored by imagination and brought to life by the amazing cast of Circus Vargas!” – Rolanda Kaiser

Here’s a peek at the show from Circus Vargas’ YouTube channel: 

Creative Inspiration:
Husband and wife team Nelson and Katya Quiroga’s inspiration for this year’s production
came to them over a casual dinner with friends. While reminiscing of traveling, their many
adventures and how fast time has passed, Nelson remarked suddenly that he’d felt as if
he’d been “Around the World in 80 days!” referring to a novel from French author Jules
Verne’s collection, Voyages Extraordinaire. That comment and the subsequent
conversation that followed morphed into hours of story-telling. “It’s been quite the
journey, says Katya. Sometimes we don’t even believe it ourselves.”
SteamCirque is inspired by adventure, colored by imagination and brought to life by
the amazing cast of Circus Vargas!circus-vargas-steamcirque-3As you can see, children of all ages will marvel at the wacky and wonderful cast of characters that come alive in this exciting steampunk, science- fiction fantasy inspired circus odyssey!circus-vargas-steamcirque-4Circus Vargas will be returning to Orange County to perform at 2 different locations. First at MainPlace in Santa Ana and then moving onto Great Park in Irvine. The schedule for the shows will be as follows:

MainPlace in Santa Ana

  • Thursday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, June 2 at 4:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 3 at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 4 at 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
  • Monday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Great Park in Irvine

  • Thursday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, June 9 at 4;00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 10 at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 11 at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
  • Monday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 13 There are no showtimes on this day.
  • Wednesday, June 14 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, June 16 at 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 17 at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 18 at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Ticket Information:
General admission tickets begin at just $12 for children and $22 for adults and can be purchased by visiting http://www.circusvargas.com, calingl 877-GOTFUN-1 (877-468-3861) or visiting the box office at each location.

Please plan to arrive 45 minutes early for an entertaining, interactive pre-show celebration, where kids can create their own magic under the big top, learning circus skills such as juggling, balancing and more! Meet and mingle with the entire cast after each performance.
Capture the fun by posing for pics or selfies with your favorite cast members, all part of an
unforgettable Circus Vargas experience!

giveaway

I’m also hosting a giveaway. Actually, you’ll see TWO giveaways below. Circus Vargas will provide TWO family 4-packs of tickets to your choice of shows. I’m giving away ONE family 4-pack for the Santa Ana location of the show (at Main Place Mall) and ONE family 4-pack for the Irvine location of the show (at Great Park). Enter below on the Rafflecopter for the one you’d like to win. (or enter both). Good luck and thank you for entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For updates, discounts and behind the scenes video, connect with Circus Vargas on Facebook.

Images and video clip are property of Circus Vargas. Tickets for giveaways are provided by Circus Vargas. 

New Despicable Me 3 Trailer and Poster

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. 

The new trailer for Despicable Me 3 debuted today, just in time for a National Brothers Day! I think it’s hilarious that Gru is a twin! Who would’ve thought? Are you “Team Gru” or “Team Dru”?despicable-me-3-poster Our family is beyond excited for the release of this film, which will be in theaters June 30! Despicable Me 3 shows us that “it’s good to be bad”! despicable-me-3-gru-and-druIllumination, who brought audiences Despicable Me and the biggest animated hits of 2013 and 2015, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, continues the adventures of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions in Despicable Me 3.

Watch this all-new trailer:

Joining Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig in Despicable Me 3 is Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award winner Trey Parker, co-creator of Comedy Central’s global phenomenon South Park and the Broadway smash The Book of Mormon. Parker voices the role of villain Balthazar Bratt, a former child star who’s grown up to become obsessed with the character he played in the ‘80s, and proves to be Gru’s most formidable nemesis to date.despicable-me-3-minionsThe film is directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, co-directed by Eric Guillon and written by Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio, the animated film is produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and executive produced by Chris Renaud.

See Despicable Me 3 in theaters June 30, 2017

Images and trailer are property of Illumination. 

{Giveaway} Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes: Tickets Now on Sale

This is not a sponsored post. Images are property of Feld Entertainment. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Calling all Marvel fans! Super hero action, thrills and drama will soar, smash and will burst into arenas across the country starting this summer, with the debut of the all-new action-packed adventure Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes. The iconic Marvel Super Heroes Spider-Man and The Avengers are joined by the Guardians of the Galaxy, including Star-Lord, Gamora, Groot, Rocket and Drax, in a legendary battle to defend the universe from evil.MUL2 Age of Heroes Cast Teaser Photo Final - LOW RES
The newest production from Feld Entertainment, the world’s leading producer of live touring family entertainment, will make it’s world premiere in Los Angeles at STAPLES Center on July 7, 2017. Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes will be playing throughout Los Angeles from July 7–23, 2017 at STAPLES Center/Los Angeles, Citizens Business Bank Arena/Ontario and Honda Center/Anaheim and you won/t want to miss out!

“The show that brings the grandeur of Marvel to life. Age of Heroes creates an experience that immerses families in non-stop action, creating movie-style thrills and jaw-dropping stunts that showcase the powers of your favorite Super Heroes right before your eyes. -Juliette Feld, producer of Marvel Universe LIVE!marvel-2

Called on by Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy join Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes on a momentous crusade against the scheming Nebula who teams up with the conniving and loathsome villains Loki and Green Goblin. The incredible superhuman forces of Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther, Hulk and Black Widow will unite in clashes that pit student against mentor, sister against sister and brother against brother.marvel-spidermanImmersive video projection and cutting-edge special effects will captivate and transport audiences across the universe from the fantastical Savage Land to New York City and beyond. Spider-Man and Wasp’s dynamic aerial stunts along with Captain America’s daring motorcycle skills will be on display in the ultimate race against time to save mankind.marvel-thorThe following is the schedule of performances for Southern California:

Los Angeles performances will be Friday, July 7 – Sunday, July 9

  • Friday, July 7 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, July 8 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, July 9 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

STAPLES Center is located at 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015. Tickets start at $25 each and are available for purchase online at AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or in-person at the venue Box Office.
*Ticket prices subject to change; tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.

Ontario performances will be Thursday, July 13 – Sunday, July 16

  • Thursday, July 13 7:00 PM
  • Friday, July 14 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 15 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, July 16 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM

Citizens Business Bank Arena is located at 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764. Tickets start at $25 each and are available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in-person at the venue Box Office.
*Ticket prices subject to change; tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.

Anaheim performances will be Thursday, July 20 – Sunday, July 23

  • Thursday, July 20 7:00 PM
  • Friday, July 21 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 22 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, July 23 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM

Honda Center is located at 2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806. Tickets start at $25 each and are now available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in-person at the venue Box Office.
*Ticket prices subject to change; tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.giveaway-enter-to-win

I’m also hosting a giveaway for one of my lucky readers to win a family 4-pack of tickets to opening night of Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes. Winner will have their choice of the opening night at either the Los Angeles, Ontario, or Anaheim location. Enter below on the Rafflecopter. Good luck everyone! Thanks for reading!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Take Your Birthday Party to Blink, Inc. For a Fun Photo Shoot

I was invited as a guest of Blink, Inc. for a photo session in order to write this post. All opinions are 100% my own. 

As a party planning mom, I get excited when my daughter’s birthday rolls around each year because it’s another opportunity to plan a special party for her. It’s become a bit more challenging though as she’s gotten older. Gone are the days of having a big house party with characters or a bounce house. blink-inc-cardsblink-inc-birthday-buttonThis year my daughter just wanted a “Girls Day Out” at the mall with her friends. I think they’re at the age where they want to be out and be seen. She requested lunch and shopping and “just hanging out”. I thought of something super fun to add to her day….I booked a BFF birthday photo session for the girls at Blink, Inc,! (She absolutely loved it when we visited last year.) She was ecstatic when I told her about the addition to our plans for the day!blink-inc-posesBlink, Inc. is a photo studio staffed with professional photographers that are ready to photograph you the moment you walk in. It was so easy to make this fit in with our party schedule, you just go online to their site and choose a time and date at the location that works best for you, and book an appointment to go into their studio.
blink-inc-birthday-hatsBlink, Inc.studio is already set up with an all-white, blank backdrop, giving you images that look and feel like a professional, editorial fashion shoot. The lighting is set up to make everyone look their best! (They even flashed out MY wrinkles!)blink-inc-usThe photographers at the studio are experienced and will work with you ,not only to make it a fun experience but also to assure you get the images you envisioned in your head. Our photographer talked with us a little bit before we started and we showed her some of the props we brought for the shoot and gave her ideas of what I was looking for.blink-inc-confettiYou’ll want to come into the studio with an idea of what you’re going to do because shoots go by very quickly. We brought tiny party hats with us, a “Birthday Girl” button, and some confetti, to use as props in some of the pictures. Our photographer, got a lot of cute shots though, most without props. I love that the girls were just dressed as their regular, everyday tween selves because their littler personalities really showed in the photos.blink-inc-circle

blink-inc-friendsblink-inc-laughing-with-youSessions at Blink, Inc  can be scheduled for 10, 20, 30 minutes, or even longer, and start at just $25 for a 10 minute session. You’re able to see your photos as they’re shot, because Blink, Inc. offers a real-time delivery system. Pricing for images begins at $10/image with the option to purchase the entire shoot at a great “Buy All” price. Your images are delivered  almost immediately to your computer or mobile device so you can view, download to share online and even print at home.blink-inc-jumpWalk-ins are welcome but reservations are always encouraged at Blink, Inc.. To learn more  about the different types of sessions you can shoot at Blink, Inc. or to reserve your own in-studio appointment, please visit http://www.blinkinc.com.

A very special thank you to our favorite Blink, Inc. photographer at the Fashion Island location, Morgan! 

TRADE Food Hall Now Open in Irvine (It’s a Foodie’s Paradise)

I was invited to a media tasting at TRADE. All opinions are 100% my own. 

If you haven’t heard the exciting news in the food world, TRADE food hall is now open in Irvine! This eclectic collection of eateries, including a bar, is a foodie’s paradise. It features a gorgeous vertical garden, crisp decor, and an open-air patio. Food halls seem to be the “modern food courts” nowadays! The OC food scene has been defined by creative, experience-driven food halls like TRADE.trade-sign-irvineWe had the opportunity to visit TRADE on a media preview night before it was open to the public and it was such a treat to sample food and drinks from each of the places.

Here are the eateries you’ll find at TRADE:

    • Butterleaf: The new vegetarian. Serving up the Signature Butterleaf Burger (sweet potato, kale, melted onions, kimchi sauce)avocado-bombs
    • Two Birds: Cluckin’ good chicken. Serving up Bird In The Bush (Salad, salt and vinegar slaw, tomato, pickle, romaine lettuce, pickled onion, and cucumber)two-birds
    • Dos Chinos: Latin Asian grub. Serving up Chorizo Fried Rice (chorizo, Chinese sausage, chimichurri, pineapple)
    • Megadon: Latin, Asian, and Mexican fare. Created by Hop Pham of Dos Chinos.
    • Gyro King: Mediterranean fare. Serving up the Gyro (served with gyro meat, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)gyro-king
    • Pig Pen Delicacy: Pork-haven eatery. Serving up the Candied Bacon Egg & Cheese Sandwich (candied bacon, soft scrambled eggs, cheddar, banana ketchup)pig-pen-delicacy-totspig-pen-delicacy-fries
    • Portside Fish Co.: Fresh seafood. Serving up the Fresh Calamari Bowl and Fresh Fish Taco
    • Sweet COMBforts: Home of the Waffle Pop. Serving up Fruity Pebbles n Cereal Belgium Liege wafflesweet-combforts-bam-bammore-sweet-combforts

Center Hub Bar  is also located inside TRADE, which is going to be your new favorite bar. Serving up The Stubborn Mule (Hangar One Vodka, Muddled Cucumbers and Mint Leaves, Lime Juice, Blueberry Syrup, Ginger Beer)

Just outside of the food hall, there are 3 more dining spots to check out: Oo’Toro Sushi, Hiro Nori Ramen (opening soon), and KRISP Fresh Living.

TRADE is a must-try for foodies everywhere! Be sure to stop by soon to check out this cool collection of food personalities! I know we’re already planning our next trip there!trade-outside

TRADE is located at

2222 Michelson Dr.

Irvine, CA 92612.

Sheryl Crow “Be Myself” 2017 Tour Dates

Multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter, and musician Sheryl Crow released a new album, entitled Be Myself, on April 21st via Warner Bros. Records. Be Myself, her ninth studio album.Sheryl-Crow-Be-Myself-cover

A video for “Halfway There” has been created utilizing cut-out animation style which presents the songs lyrical questions through a whimsical Monty Python-esque satirical imagery. Watch the video here:

Crow celebrated the announcement of her new album by playing to an absolutely packed house at a rare, surprise club show at West Hollywood’s intimate Troubadour last night where the lucky crowd was treated to a handful of new tracks from Be Myself, along with several fan favorites.

For this album, Crow worked again with producer, musician, and songwriter Jeff Trott, a long-time collaborator throughout her career. Trott co-wrote many of Crow’s classic hits including “If It Makes You Happy” and “My Favorite Mistake.” Crow says her main goal was “to investigate what made my early songs strike people as being authentic and original. So for the first time in my life, I made it a point to sit down and really listen to my old records. I’d drive my kids to school and play the old stuff as I came back home. That helped me remember what it felt like when I was just beginning as an artist. But it wasn’t about repeating myself. It was about revisiting where I came from and seeing where that would take me now.”

 

The track-listing for Be Myself is as follows:

1.“Alone In The Dark”
2. “Halfway There”
3. “Long Way Back”
4. “Be Myself”
5. “Roller Skate”
6. “Love Will Save The Day”
7. “Strangers Again”
8. “Rest Of Me”
9. “Heartbeat Away”
10. “Grow Up”
11. “Woo Woo”

Sheryl Crow also announced her upcoming tour dates for early summer.will tour this spring and summer in support of Be Myself. The following dates have been confirmed:

  • June 8 – Greek Theatre/Los Angeles, CA
  • June 10 – The Mountain Winery/Saratoga, CA
  • June 11 – The Mountain Winery/Saratoga, CA
  • June 21 – Wolf Trap – Filene Center/Vienna, VA
  • June 24 – North Carolina Museum of Art/Raleigh, NC
  • June 25 – Chastain Park Amphitheater/Atlanta, GA
  • June 28 – Beacon Theatre/New York, NY
  • June 29 – Rochester Internat’l Jazz Fest/Rochester, NY
  • July 14 – Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater/Chautauqua, NY

For the latest news about Sheryl Crow and ticket information, go here.

This is not a sponsored post. Images and video are property of Warner Bros. Records. All opinions are 100% my own.