A few years ago, dh and a bunch of us went to see Blue Man Group in Boston. Much like the ads promised, we had a fantastic time: it was ninety minutes of interactive performance art that was a visual and aural overdose of amazing. Fast forward to this summer, when Blogger Bash offered attendees the opportunity to see Blue Man Group on the first day of the conference. Naturally, I jumped at the chance.

It was brilliant.

Only a couple of the bits I saw years ago were still there, specifically the “paint drumming” and grand finale (both of which have been featured in TV ads for years), but most of the show was stuff I’d never seen–and it was thought-provoking and relentlessly creative.

Better still, after the show ended, we were told that the Blue Man Group folks were gifting each of us with a family four-pack of tickets to give away! What’s really incredible is that the winner doesn’t even have to go to New York City to take advantage of this offer. The tickets can be redeemed for shows at any Blue Man Group domestic location–Boston, New York, Orlando, Chicago, or Las Vegas–or any tour stop on their National Tour. Tickets fulfillment runs from September 8, 2015 – June 8, 2016, with some restrictions (basically ordering more than two weeks in advance and avoiding holiday blackout periods).

What. A. Show.

If you’re new to the Blue Man Group, you may wonder: Is Blue Man Group appropriate for kids? I’d say generally yes–with only limited reservations. There’s a strong use of color and motion, and the Blue Men’s mute performance makes it easier for kids who can’t follow heavy exposition. However, kiddos (or adults) who react strongly to strobe lights might fall prey to sensory overload at times. And the show can be LOUD, but that’s where earplugs come in handy. (They even have earplugs available, if you need them.) The “Bring the Kids” page on the Blue Man Group website has some great info and tips if you’re thinking about bringing the younglings along. Also note that there are a couple of Blue Man Group “Autism Speaks” performances yet to run in 2015; these are specifically designed to be friendlier to autistic people of all ages.

So, do you HAVE to bring the kids? Well, that’s entirely up to you. 😉

Entering the giveaway is easy and all the fine print is listed below. Best of luck! For more information about Blue Man Group, check out their website at http://blu.mn/bloggingblue.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



CONTEST RULES AND FINE PRINT

General rules: follow the rules and everybody gets along nicely. You earn entries based on your participation via the Rafflecopter widget, and this giveaway runs from 12:00am ET on Monday, August 10, 2015 until 12:00am ET on Monday, August 24, 2015. Only valid entries received during that timeframe will be considered legitimate. Anyone who commits fraud or tries to screw with the system, game the system, or otherwise not play nicely will be removed from consideration. Check “Wheaton’s 1st Law” if you want to understand where I’m coming from, folks. The winner will be notified by email within 1 week of selection. This blog is sponsoring this giveaway, which was kindly donated by the folks at Blue Man Group. I did not receive anything from Blue Man Group in exchange for hosting this giveaway; all bloggers who attended the Blue Man Group performance that was part of Blogger Bash 15 were offered the opportunity to host this giveaway. I only get the satisfaction of knowing someone else gets to have a good time at a show.

And now, for the official Contest Rules from the Blue Man Group folks:

PRIZE RESTRICTIONS
THE FULFILLMENT PERIOD BEGINS SEPTEMBER 8, 2015, FOR SELECT PERFORMANCES ONLY, AND TICKETS MUST BE REDEEMED BY JUNE 8, 2016. ALL REQUESTS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND MUST BE SUBMITTED A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) WEEKS IN ADVANCE. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR BLUE MAN GROUP PERFORMANCES TO SELL OUT, SO ADVANCE PLANNING IS REQUIRED. THE BEST SEATS AVAILABLE ARE LIKELY TO BE SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY SHOWS. HOLIDAY BLACKOUT PERIODS VARY BY CITY, AND THE CERTIFICATE IS NOT VALID DURING THOSE BLACKOUT PERIODS. THE CERTIFICATE DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR CHOICE. CERTIFICATE HAS NO CASH VALUE AND IS NON-TRANSFERABLE. VALID FOR THE BLUE MAN GROUP SHOW ONLY WITH SEATING LOCATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOX OFFICE. NOT VALID FOR VIP UPGRADES, THEME PARK, CLUB, OR SPECIAL EVENT ADMISSION. PARKING IS NOT INCLUDED. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES ONCE TICKETS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. ALL REDEMPTIONS ARE FINAL. NO SUBSTITUTIONS, CASH EQUIVALENTS OR TRANSFERS ARE PERMITTED. NOT FOR RESALE. CERTIFICATE IS NOT VALID AFTER EXPIRATION DATE OF JUNE 8, 2016. BLUE MAN GROUP IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING LOST OR STOLEN TICKETS AND/OR VOUCHERS.

ELIGIBILITY
EMPLOYEES OF BLUE MAN PRODUCTIONS, LLC, SPONSORS, AND ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES’ EMPLOYEES AND EACH OF THEIR HOUSEHOLDS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO ENTER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY.

GENERAL CONDITIONS
ALL ENTRANTS RELEASE SPONSORS, BLUE MAN PRODUCTIONS, LLC, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE FOUNDERS, PARENT COMPANIES, AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES AND THE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS OF THE FOREGOING ENTITIES, AND ALL OTHERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXECUTION OF THIS CONTEST (ALL AFOREMENTIONED PARTIES, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FROM INJURY, LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND. SPONSORS AND BLUE MAN GROUP RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL, MODIFY, OR TERMINATE THIS CONTEST OR ANY OF THE PRIZES AT ANY TIME, INCLUDING AFTER WINNERS ARE CHOSEN. ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY ENTRANTS TO SPONSOR OR ITS AFFILIATES WILL BE SUBJECT TO SPONSOR’S PRIVACY POLICY , EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW AND BLUE MAN GROUP’S PRIVACY POLICY LOCATED AT HTTP://WWW.BLUEMAN.COM/PRIVACY-POLICY, ENTRY AND/OR WINNER’S ACCEPTANCE OF A PRIZE OF ANY KIND CONSTITUTES PERMISSION FOR THE SPONSOR AND BLUE MAN GROUP TO USE WINNER’S NAME, ADDRESS (CITY AND STATE), PHOTO, LIKENESS, BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION, STATEMENT AND VOICE FOR ADVERTISING/PUBLICITY PURPOSES WORLDWIDE AND IN ALL FORMS OF MEDIA IN PERPETUITY, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE TO OR COMPENSATION IN CONNECTION WITH SAID CONTEST OR THE PRIZE AWARDED. ALL ENTRANTS EXPRESSLY RELEASE THE SPONSOR, BLUE MAN GROUP, AND THEIR AFFILIATES, PARENT, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, LICENSEES, DESIGNEES, AND ASSIGNS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS WHICH THEY HAVE OR MAY HAVE FOR INVASION OF PRIVACY, DEFAMATION, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF ANY SUCH USE.

MISCELLANEOUS
BLUE MAN PRODUCTIONS, LLC, IS NOT THE SPONSOR OF THE CONTEST AND IS SOLELY PROVIDING THE PRIZE. THIS BLOG IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR. ENTRANTS AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE PRIZE RESTRICTIONS, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND SPONSOR RULES. BLUE MAN GROUP AND ALL RELATED INDICIA ©2015 BLUE MAN GROUP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.