Beginning Friday, February 24, Universal Orlando’s Blue Man Group show will be a little different. Known for its high energy music, comedy, lighting technology and art, the Blue Man Group’s new show promises all that and more. After a few weeks of the show being shut down, the new stage, additional LED screens and revamped show are ready to engage an audience once again.

The new show will encourage the audience to join the Blue Men as they explore the world’s obsession with cutting-edge technology. Three “Gi-Pads” (tablets that stand about 8 feet tall) are used to display tweets, blog posts and data. Will their funny display of our fascination of interacting with these new gadgets be insightful? Other apps on the Gi-Pads will highlight cats on sweepers, singing alpacas (small llama-like mammals) and other ‘curious matter.’

If you really liked the old Blue Man Group show, do not worry. About 50 percent of the new show has new content and 50 percent “classic” routines, says Blue Man co-founder Phil Stanton. Many fan favorites are still included in the show. Probably the most significant removal from the new production is the paper-frenzy finale. Where an extremely wide curtain of paper would be pulled over the spectators, intertwining and connecting them into one space – a new ending is in place. Giant helium filled lighted balls will float out among the spectators for folks to interact with.

If you are a big fan of the Blue Man Group, check out their Facebook page. The Blue Man Group Insiders will be holding a Fan Meet on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the Sharp Aquos Theatre at Universal Orlando Resort. Attendees will be able to get a group discount of 20 percent off seats (around $63 per person with the discount). You will be able to watch their sound check at 4:30 p.m. and meet the performers out of makeup. After the sound check there will be a special “Fan Meet Dinner” at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., then special access to the brand new “Bluephoria” Lounge before and after the show, including an opportunity to meet with the Blue Men.

Regular show ticket prices start at $69.00 Adult and $29.00 Child. The best value of course is when the show tickets are included with a park pass. Many options are available for combination packages. Gift certificates are also available by calling 407-BLUE-MAN or visiting the Blue Man Group Orlando Box Office. All tickets can be purchased online. For more information, go to www.universalorlando.com/blueman.

Photo by Randy Barber/staff photographer Hometown News

Fat Tuesday offers celebrations all over Central Florida and can be a fun time to get out with friends on a week night. Many vacationers and locals will flock to the normal venues of Universal, SeaWorld, Downtown Orlando and Disney, but this Tuesday, I’ll be in the quaint town of New Smyrna Beach (NSB) for their Mardi Gras parade and street celebration.

It’s not the big fanfare you expect from the ‘big boys’ in the region, but a small-town parade is often what many vacationers would treasure should they happen to stumble upon it. NSB’s parade is all of about 7 blocks long down beach side’s Flagler Avenue. The parade which starts at 7:00 p.m. will consist of a string of residents on floats, golf carts, antique cars, Segways, motorcycles and on foot; throwing out candy, beads and showing off some crazy outfits. Since Mardi Gras also happens to fall during Race Week, the famous Budweiser Clydesdale Horses will be making an appearance in this years’ parade.

The fact that many don’t think of New Smyrna Beach to celebrate Mardi Gras is exactly why you’ll be glad you did. It’s not overly crowded, it’s fun, it’s real, it’s inexpensive, small-town America. People are friendly and downright neighborly. There many wonderful restaurants to dine at before the parade, plenty of bars to party at after the parade, and hotels and B&B’s to stay at overnight.  Just come early and expect to walk a few blocks due to the lack of parking.

Spend this Tuesday in NSB and be sure to catch some beads and a piece of small town charm. Wednesday will be here soon enough and you can go back to the crowds, standing in line and fighting the traffic.

With Fat Tuesday on February 21st, Mardi Gras events at Universal Studios are in full swing this weekend and continue on select nights through April 14. You can “catch the beads, catch the music, catch the spirit” without going to New Orleans! It’s a party the entire family will enjoy.

Each Saturday, and other select nights, you can catch beads by the handful as the spectacular parade winds its way through the park with dazzling floats, colorful costumes, towering stilt walkers, entertaining street performers and dancers. This year’s parade theme is “Blue Planet” so you can expect the many different parts of the world to be depicted through music, people and float decorations.

The Parade Schedule is:

• February 11, 18, 19, 25 – 7:30PM
• March 3, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 – 7:30PM
• March 31 – 8:30PM
• April 7, 14 – 8:30PM

Some big names in music will be performing live at the Universal Music Plaza stage. This weekend features Kelly Clarkson and Boyz II Men. There is also live music in the French Quarter section of the theme park, as well as authentic Cajun cuisine. I can hear the Zydeco music and taste the Jambalaya already!

Concerts include:

• The B-52’s, Saturday, February 11 – 8:30 PM
• Kelly Clarkson, Saturday, Feb. 18 – 8:30 PM
• Boyz II Men, Sunday, Feb. 19 – 8:30 PM
• Diana Ross, Saturday, Feb. 25 – 8:30 PM
• Goo Goo Dolls, Saturday, March 3 – 8:30 PM
• Big Time Rush, Saturday, March 10 – 8:30 PM
• J Cole, Friday, March 16 – 8:30 PM
• Sugar Ray, Saturday, March 17 – 8:30 PM
• Hot Chelle Rae, Friday, March 23 – 8:30 PM
• B.o.B., Saturday, March 24 – 8:30 PM
• Plain White T’s, Friday, March 30 – 8:30 PM
• Prince Royce, Saturday, March 31 – 9:30 PM
• Cyndi Lauper, Saturday, April 7 – 9:30 PM
• KC & The Sunshine Band, Saturday, April 14 – 9:30 PM

After you’ve caught all the beads and listened to some great live music, continue the party at Universal CityWalk on Mardi Gras event nights. Your Universal Studios theme park ticket or Annual Pass gets you FREE admission to seven unique clubs and bars (provided you’re at least 21 years of age). CityWalk is open every night until 2:00 am.

Mardi Gras is included with your Universal Studios admission or annual pass. They have on-site hotel deals as well as Florida resident tickets and specials. Check their website for more information www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.

When you’re not at Universal Studios enjoying Mardi Gras, Capone’s Dinner & Show would like to invite you to the most enjoyable dinner theatre in Central Florida. Read our reviews and comments. Our live stage production is enjoyed by all ages and will have you dancing and singing and having a great time before you enter the theater. Tickets are half price when you purchase them online. Save a night for Capone’s Dinner & Show. It’s a blast!

Watching a few sitcoms on television, a prevalent theme re-occurred dealing with Valentine’s Day. One Sweetheart would expect something more than was planned; one Sweetheart hadn’t planned at all; or the plans made by one of the Sweethearts failed miserably. Here is some advice to keep this scenario from happening this evening with YOUR Sweetheart…

There are a few tickets still available for tonight’s Capone’s Valentine’s VIP Experience. The late show option has been SOLD OUT. There are, however, still tickets available for the early show (5:00pm) with or without the overnight hotel room. Either way, it will seem as if you’ve planned this for weeks! Purchase the tickets online, pick up your date and show up for the show! Or, purchase the tickets, check in at the hotel, call a cab and arrive at the show ready to enjoy the unlimited drinks included in your show ticket. You won’t need to worry about a designated driver on the way back to the hotel, for an evening away. Tickets for the early show only are $79.99 per couple. Tickets for the early show and hotel are only $124.99.

The Capone’s Valentine’s VIP Experience includes:

• 2 Tickets for the EARLY Dinner and Show
• VIP Seating offering our best seats in the house
• Priority Seating – We seat Valentine’s Day VIP experience guests first (provided you are on time)
• 2 Beverages of your choice in Al’s Secret Hideaway Bar served in Capone’s souvenir glasses for you to take home

The overnight Package ALSO includes:

• Overnight Accommodations for two people at the Quality Inn including:
  • Free deluxe continental breakfast
  • Free weekday newspaper
  • Large pool
  • Cable Television w/ Showtime & more
  • Hair salon (additional fee for services)
  • Free high-speed internet access
  • Free local calls
  • Free coffee
  • Free transportation to Walt Disney World Resort (scheduled times)
• Call ahead transportation services from the Quality Inn are available for an additional $12.00 through

If you still need to make last minute Valentine’s plans, just go to AlCapones.com and order one of the Valentine’s VIP Packages and relax. You’re going to have a great time. Your special someone is really going to enjoy the show, and you’ll come away smelling like…well, a dozen roses! Please take note: the roses are YOUR responsibility…Al don’t want nothin’ to do wit’ dat.

Happy V-day everyone!

It’s almost “Race Week” here in Central Florida. NASCAR fans and racing enthusiasts will pour into our airports, hotels, highways, theme parks and restaurants. If you are visiting our area and want to try something new, you need to check out the “Exotic Driving Experience.” This new addition at Disney World allows guests to drive their dream car.

The new Exotic Driving Experience offers some of the world’s finest automobiles, including a Ferrari 458 Italia ($389), Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 ($339), Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 ($299), Audi R8 ($269) and the Porsche 997 S ($199). If you’d like to save a little money and have a professional do the driving, you can ride-along for $99. Some of these cars cost more than my house!

The new exotics course track is specifically designed for drivers to safely experience the cars’ powerful acceleration, speed and handling. The one-mile layout includes an interior road course-style section designed specifically for Exotic Driving Experience featuring a series of quick, challenging right and left-hand turns, known as “switch backs.” The course also covers  the tri-oval’s backstretch and turn two where you can really experience the speed and handling of your dream car. Guests are able to take six laps around the course.

Guests must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license to participate in the driving experience and they must be at least 14 years old to participate in the ride-along. There’s a $35 Driver Release Fee plus photos and videos of each guest’s experience available for purchase. Petty Holdings is the owner and operator of both the new Exotic Driving Experience and the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which is also available at the Speedway. However, the Exotic Driving Experience is only available at Walt Disney World. For more information, visit exoticdriving.com.

Capone’s Dinner & Show would like to welcome all race fans. When you have a free evening during your stay in Central Florida, we hope you will save a night for our dinner show. It is the best value of all the dinner shows in the Central Florida area. Purchase your tickets online and save 50%. Our show tickets include parking, all-you-can-eat buffet, unlimited drinks, dessert and more. We even offer a source for transportation services in case you’re done doing all the driving!