Get Ready to Turn Up: SeaWorld San Diego’s Summer Spectacular Concert Series Drops Star-Studded Line-Up.

SeaWorld San Diego’s Summer Spectacular: Hip-Hop Hits and Iconic Performances Await!

By Erin

Get ready to kick off your summer with the ultimate throwback vibes at SeaWorld San Diego’s 2025  Summer Spectacular Concert Series! Every Saturday night from June 21 to August 23, the park will transform into the ultimate party spot, featuring a legendary star-studded lineup of 90s and early 2000s hip-hop, R&B, and rap icons. From Soulja Boy to Bow Wow, Baby Bash to Waka Flocka Flame, and the Ying Yang Twins, this summer is about to get turnt up in the best way possible! With the addition of the highly anticipated I Love the 90’s Tour and The Turnt Up Tour, the stage will be lit with unforgettable hits from some of the biggest names in music history. Mark your calendars – this is one concert series you won’t want to miss!

During the Summer Spectacular Concert Series, enjoy an unforgettable night of music at SeaWorld’s Bayside Amphitheater, where the energy will be high and the atmosphere vibrant. With scenic views of the bay as the backdrop, it’s the perfect place to celebrate summer and the sounds that shaped a generation.

All concerts are included with park admission, with the option to upgrade the experience with premium reserved seating and a complimentary drink ticket. The best way to enjoy all seven concerts throughout the summer is by becoming a Pass Member and receiving unlimited park admission all summer long with no blockout dates.  

Musical performances include:

Saturday, June 21 | Baby Bash

Baby Bash, the Vallejo rapper behind the platinum hit “Suga Suga,” is known for his chart-topping tracks like “Baby, I’m Back” and “Cyclone.” With collaborations with stars like T-Pain, Akon and Pitbull, he continues to make waves with his signature catchy style.

Saturday, June 28 | Ying Yang Twins

 Ying Yang Twins at SeaWorld San Diego's Summer Spectacular Concert Series

The Ying Yang Twins, D-Roc and Kaine, rose to fame with hits like “Whistle While You Twurk” and “Salt Shaker.” Known for their platinum album Me & My Brother, they dominated the 2000s with songs like “Wait (The Whisper Song)” and “Halftime.” Today, they continue to tour worldwide, performing for sold-out crowds.

Saturday, July 12 | Soulja Boy & Bow Wow

Continue reading »

Step Into the Woods with Musical Theatre West’s Star-Studded Production, Opening March 28th!

Into the Woods- Coming to Musical Theatre West This March!

By Erin

Into the Woods at Musical Theatre West

Get ready to step into a world where fairy tales collide and enchantment awaits! This March, Musical Theatre West, (MTW) in Long Beach, CA, is bringing the beloved musical “Into the Woods” to life at Carpenter Performing Arts Center, inviting audiences to join a whimsical journey filled with unforgettable characters and a sprinkle of dark humor. Imagine a place where Little Red Riding Hood meets a hungry wolf, and Cinderella’s dreams intertwine with a baker and his wife. Whether you’re a seasoned theatergoer or a curious newbie, this production promises to be a delightful blend of magic, mischief, and music that will leave you singing along long after the curtain falls. Don’t miss your chance to wander into the woods, adventure awaits!

Running select nights starting March 28th-April 13th, 2025, this timeless tale brings together beloved fairy tale characters as they venture into the woods in pursuit of their deepest wishes—only to discover that ‘happily ever after’ comes with unexpected twists. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $20, and are available by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org.

Into the Woods is a mesmerizing musical that intertwines the adventures of iconic fairy tale characters on a journey of dreams, adventure, and consequence. As Cinderella flees the ball, Jack climbs to new heights, and Little Red embarks on a daring path, they cross paths with the Baker and his Wife, who are desperate to lift a curse. With Stephen Sondheim’s iconic score and a story filled with heart, humor, and surprises, this production is a must-see for audiences of all ages.

“This production is a shining example of the transformative power of storytelling and the timeless allure of classic fairy tales,” said Paul Garman, Executive Director of Musical Theatre West. “Audiences of all ages will be delighted to see beloved characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk brought to life in new and unexpected ways. This show is a poignant reminder that every wish carries weight, and we eagerly await sharing this enchanting journey with our audiences.”

MTW’s Into the Woods will feature a stellar cast, including Madison Claire Parks, who will play Cinderella. Parks makes a triumphant return to MTW after nearly 800 performances on Wicked’s National Tour, where she understudied the role of Glinda. Audiences will recognize her as she previously starred as Doralee in MTW’s 9 to 5, Portia in Something Rotten!, Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Cosette in Les Misérables, and Laurey in Oklahoma!

Amanda Angeles, who stars as Little Red, recently starred in MTW’s Education Outreach musicals, Ronna Llama’s Moving Day and Ready Player Three, which toured Long Beach schools to bring the magic of theatre to children. Having grown up attending MTW musicals on school field trips, she is thrilled to make her professional debut in her hometown with Into the Woods.

Also joining this powerhouse ensemble is Daebreon Poiema as the Witch, Cayman Ilika as the Baker’s Wife, and Derek Manson as the Baker. Richard Bermudez takes on the dual roles of Cinderella’s Prince and the Wolf, and Wayne Bryan makes his onstage MTW debut as the Narrator/Mysterious Man, after directing the record-breaking production of The Sound of Music in 2023.

Directed by Kari Hayter, with choreography by Christine Abraham and music direction by Anthony Zediker, this production promises to deliver all the wit, wonder, and wisdom of Sondheim’s classic masterpiece. With captivating storytelling, dazzling costumes, and unforgettable music, audiences will be reminded to be careful what they wish for.

Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org. Fees may apply. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office one hour prior to showtime, with a valid student ID. More information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.

FULL CAST:

Amanda Angeles: Little Red

Antwone Barnes: Rapunzel’s Prince

Richard Bermudez: Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf

Wayne Bryan: Narrator/Mysterious Man

Davide Costa: Jack

Camryn Hamm: Rapunzel

Cayman Ilika: Baker’s Wife

Derek Manson: Baker

Brian Kim McCormack: Steward

Marisa Moheno: Stepsister

Bree Murphy: Jack’s Mother

Christine Negherbon: Cinderella’s Mother/Granny

Madison Claire Parks: Cinderella

Daebreon Poiema: Witch

Aya Sheridan: Stepsister

Michael Washington: Cinderella’s Father

National Margarita Day Gets a Sugar Rush with the Cotton Candy Margarita & Fun Facts

Celebrate National Margarita Day With a Cotton Candy Margarita!

By Erin

Cotton Candy Margarita for National Margarita Day

National Margarita Day is on February 22nd, and we’re adding a little sweetness to the mix! 🍹✨ Meet the Cotton Candy Margarita — because who said margaritas can’t be as fun as they are delicious? A sugary swirl of nostalgia meets that classic tart lime kick, and just like that, we’ve turned a margarita into a sweet treat. Cotton candy in your drink? Yes, please! 🎉

So whether you’re celebrating solo or with your favorite crew, this one’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Cheers to mixing up the ordinary and embracing the extra — because it’s all about those colorful, sugary vibes. 🩵🍬

Cotton Candy Margarita

Yield: 1 8 oz glasses
Prep Time: 4 min
Total Time: 4 min
Ingredients:
1 oz Tequila
1 oz Triple Sec
1 oz Cake Vodka
½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
¼ cup of Pink Cotton Candy Ice
Garnish:
Lime wheels or wedges
Pink Cotton Candy
Sanding sugar
Simple syrup


Instructions:
Dip your glasses in the simple syrup and then the sanding sugar.
Set to the side.
Fill a cocktail shaker ½ way full with ice.
Add the tequila, triple sec, cake vodka, lime juice, and cotton candy.
Shake until chilled.
Fill the glasses with ice.
Pour your margarita mixture into the glass.
Top with more cotton candy and garnish.
Enjoy!!

DID YOU KNOW? FUN FACTS ABOUT THE MARGARITA!

Here are 10 fun facts to spice up your National Margarita Day celebration:

  1. The Margarita’s Origin is a Mystery🍹: There are multiple claims to the margarita’s creation, with theories ranging from a bartender in Mexico to a socialite in Texas. The truth is still up for debate!
  2. It’s the Most Popular Cocktail in the U.S. 🇺🇸: Over 185,000 margaritas are consumed every hour in the United States, making it the top-selling cocktail in the country!
  3. The Name ‘Margarita’ Means ‘Daisy’ 🌸: In Spanish, “Margarita” translates to “daisy,” and some believe the margarita is a variation of the classic “daisy” cocktail from the 1930s.
  4. Salt or No Salt? 🧂: It’s said that the salted rim was invented by mistake! A bartender accidentally salted the rim of a glass, and the customer loved it. The rest is history!
  5. Frozen Margaritas Were an Accident ❄️: The frozen margarita was invented in the 1970s by a Dallas bartender who wanted to create a unique drink using his ice-blending machine.
  6. Tequila’s Secret Ingredient 🪶: Tequila, the key ingredient in margaritas, is made from the blue agave plant, which is native to Mexico and takes 8-12 years to fully mature!
  7. There’s a Margarita Day for Dogs 🐾: Yes, even your furry friends can get in on the fun! “Pooch-rita” is a dog-friendly version of the margarita made with non-alcoholic ingredients.
  8. Margarita Madness 🍋: The classic margarita is typically made with three main ingredients: tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. But over 50 variations exist today, from strawberry to mango and beyond!
  9. Margarita’s Global Reach 🌍: While it’s widely loved in the U.S., margaritas are enjoyed worldwide — particularly in places like Japan, where they’ve been popularized with a unique twist using yuzu!
  10. Margarita Glasses Have a Story 🍸: The iconic “margarita glass” (the wide, shallow glass with a long stem) was designed in the 1940s by a Mexican artist to highlight the beauty and color of the cocktail.

So raise your glass and celebrate! 🥳