Hi, everybody – it’s Sara, the phantom Working Mom Against Guilt. I don’t post nearly as much as I’d like to because, well, I’m either working or being a mom. Most of the time I’m doing both. One of the things I love about my job is the exciting and rewarding projects I get to work on, and sometimes those projects involve activities I want to share with my kids
So I hope you’ll forgive me if I promote a current project here. I’m letting you know about it because there’s a family-friendly local event coming up on Monday in Cincinnati that would be an awesome lunchtime/early afternoon activity for those who have a bit of time off with the children. It’s a party on Fountain Square to start the countdown to the World Choir Games, which will take place a year from now, in July 2012.
If you haven’t heard of the World Choir Games, you are definitely going to want to experience it–and that goes for anybody who lives within driving distance of Cincinnati. (Heck, you should even consider getting on a plane for this!) It’s the Olympics of choral music, and it brings together choirs from all over the globe for nearly two weeks of competitions, concerts and other events. This is huge! Not only can you experience some of the world’s best choral singing, you can expose yourself and your kids to a dizzying array of cultures. The city will be literally packed with visitors who are eager to make friends and share a common love of music.
To help get everybody excited, Cincinnati is hosting a Countdown to the Games party Monday, July 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It’s going to be a blast! Here’s what we’ve got going on:
- Drew Lachey is our emcee. That’s right, Drew Lachey from 98 Degrees and winner of the second season of “Dancing with the Stars.” You know you want to see him!
- We’ll have national performers, including gospel singer Byron Cage and Eleventh Hour, finalists in the NBC hit show “The Sing Off,” which is hosted by Drew’s bother Nick (perhaps you’ve heard of him?)
- We’ll be introducing Whirl, the official mascot of the 2012 games (that’s him on the left), along with a special friend. They’ll be available for photos!
- We’ll be doing a musical “Postcard to the World,” which will be broadcast on YouTube. This is your chance to dance, sing, wave flags and send a welcome to all of the singers who are getting ready to come here in 2012.
- The square will be packed with all sorts of international activities sponsored by Cincinnati cultural groups–everything from origami to bocce ball.
- You can pick up tee-shirts and other fun memorabilia, including limited edition pins that the kids can trade with World Choir Games attendees from around the world, just like they do at the Olympics
Are you excited yet? I know I am! If you live in the area, I hope you’ll join us on Monday. And mark your calendars for July 4-14, 2012–the World Choir Games are a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience some of the world’s best music right in your backyard. Want more information about the games? You can find it right here.