This is the third year for this festival, and I still haven’t been! There are a couple of bands I would love to see and they alone would be worth the cost of admission in my book!

The biggest names in entertainment will take the stage every weekend with the headlining act starting at 7 p.m. on Gwazi Field. Artists kicking off the festival include:

• Saturday, March 4: Daughtry
• Sunday, March 5: Andy Grammer
• Saturday, March 11: Goo Goo Dolls
• Sunday, March 12: Kool & The Gang
• Saturday, March 18: Young the Giant
• Sunday, March 19: Jason Isbell & John Hiatt Trio
• Saturday, March 25: Craig Wayne Boyd & Adam Wakefield
• Sunday, March 26: El Gran Combo
• Saturday, April 1: DNCE
• Sunday, April 2: Walk Off the Earth
• Saturday, April 8: Hunter Hayes
• Sunday, April 9: Daya & Matt Nathanson
• Saturday, April 15: The Band Perry
• Sunday, April 16: Newsboys
• Saturday, April 22: Gilberto Santa Rosa
• Sunday, April 23: Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Saturday, April 29: Bachata Heightz, Justin Quiles, Milly Quezada
• Sunday, April 30: Tribute Bands performing the best of Jimmy Buffet, Queen, Bon Jovi & Prince

BEST VALUES FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS:

For a limited time, buy a Busch Gardens Fun Card and get an Adventure Island Fun Card FREE!

For those that want even more VIP offerings, the Annual Pass offers unlimited admission all year, free parking, no blockout dates and special benefits totaling more than $300. With EZpay, Annual Passes start at just $14 per month for one park, and $16 per month for both Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island.

Be the first to know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following the park’s blog at BuschGardensTampaBlog.com, or stay connected and join the conversation using #corksandcoasters on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Food and beverage is not included with park admission and is available for an extra fee. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.

The post 2017 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food and Wine Festival appeared first on The Mom Maven.

I’ve talked to several youth pastors, teens and young adults about the venue change and we’ve come up with a list of pros and cons with this change:

Pros:

• More of a festival feel
• Indoor and outdoor venues
• Seating at venues
• More affordable pricing

Cons:

• No Magic Kingdom attractions
• Less of an outreach event. Unsaved friends will come for a trip to Magic Kingdom but not to a Christian concert.
• No Dole Whip
• There is just something special about worshiping Jesus in front of the castle.

One youth pastor told me they won’t attend Night of Joy if it isn’t in a theme park. The kids like the mix of rides and concerts. Personally, I understand that a lot of people don’t like change and I too like attending in the theme park because you can catch a few rides with shorter than normal wait times! To help quench your need for rides Disney is offering  ticket options that include admission to 1 theme park and Night of Joy at a discounted rate.

2016 Night of Joy Ticket Prices

• A single-night, concert only ticket for Friday, Sept. 9 – $39 plus tax (in advance); $45 the day of the show (if available).
• A single-night concert and one-day Disney theme park ticket (valid for one of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks) for Saturday, Sept. 10 – $99 plus tax (in advance); $114 plus tax the day of the show (if available).*
• A two-night concert ticket (which includes Friday and Saturday nights’ concerts and one-day Disney theme park ticket (valid for one of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks) – $119 plus tax (in advance).*
• Group tickets are also available for groups of 10 or more.

* The one-day Disney theme park ticket is only valid for Saturday, Sept 10.

2016 Night of Joy Artists

Friday, September 9, 2016 – “Praise & Worship” Night

Champion Stadium

• Casting Crowns
• Chris Tomlin
• Francesca Battistelli

HP Fieldhouse

• MercyMe
• Matthew West
• Crowder

Jostens Center

• Stars Go Dim
• Zealand Worship

Saturday, September 10, 2016 – “Rock and Pop” Night

Champion Stadium

• Newsboys
• for King & Country
• Young & Free

HP Field House

• Switchfoot
• Red
• Thousand Foot Krutch

Jostens Center

• Tim Timmons
• Veridia

Please note: Artists and schedule are subject to change without notice.

photo courtesy of Disney

In addition to the concerts there will also be other activities lending to more of a music festival feel.

• Expo with a variety of vendors
• Tasty food and beverage options—including Food Trucks
• Talent Spotlight Competition
• Youth Leader Lounge with food and non-alcoholic beverages
• Family Activity Zone
• Premium reserved seating upgrade option with commemorative lanyard and pin

To plan your trip to Night of Joy to get started.

What are your thoughts about the location change? I can’t wait to see how things work out, I’ll be there and I hope you are too!

The post Night of Joy 2016 Tickets on Sale Now appeared first on The Mom Maven.

About God’s Not Dead

Present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words “God Is Dead” on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future. Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that “God Is Dead,” he must prove God’s existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the course of the semester, and engage Radisson in a head-to-head debate in front of the class. If Josh fails to convince his classmates of God’s existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he believes. Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn’t it just be easier just to write “God Is Dead” and put the whole incident behind him? God’s Not Dead weaves together multiple stories of faith, doubt and disbelief, culminating in a dramatic call to action. The film will educate, entertain, and inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations and life-changing decisions.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

In a nutshell…GO SEE THIS MOVIE. Yes, I am a Christian. No, I can’t defend my faith as well as the character of Josh does in this movie, even though I should. I do know that if for no other reason than for you to make your own decision on the question is God dead or is He alive, you should go to the movie. I do know that on campuses across this country, students are being coerced and threatened into denying their faith for the sake of their education-if you don’t believe me, watch the movie credits and see all of the legal cases cited surrounding this topic.

God’s Not Dead has a great cast, script and soundtrack and I am excited that it is slated to open in theaters across the country on March 21, 2014. You can check out the God’s Not Dead website for a list of theaters where it will be showing. Also on the website they have downloads like computer wallpapers, Facebook covers and avatars as well as posters and other items for getting the word out in your local community.

Make sure you like the Facebook page and follow God’s Not Dead on Twitter so that you don’t miss any of their announcements but most of all, go see the movie and let your social media friends know all about it.

The post Movie Review-God’s Not Dead appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Tickets on Sale Now for One of the Hottest Christian Music Festivals in the Nation, Featuring Performances by Skillet, Relient K, Jars of Clay and More

Universal Orlando Resort’s Rock The Universe returns this September 10 and 11 with one of the most exciting celebrations of Christian music in the nation. Fourteen soul-stirring rock acts will take the stage for a weekend filled with incredible music, inspirational stories from celebrity speakers, and the opportunity to enjoy the most thrilling theme park attractions at Universal Studios Florida.

This year’s Rock The Universe lineup features the spiritual sounds of Christian rock’s hottest acts, such as five-time Grammy award-winning group Jars of Clay; hit band Relient K – featuring popular songs like “Forgiven” and “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been;” Skillet – whose unique symphonic rock sound inspires fans everywhere; and Needtobreathe – whose music has been featured in hit movies and television shows like “The Hills,” “Employee of the Month” and “P.S. I Love You.”

ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2010 LINEUP

Friday, September 10: Skillet, Relient K, Newsboys, Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down, Kutless, and Chuck Tocco

Saturday, September 11: tobyMac, Jars of Clay, Jeremy Camp, Grits, Needtobreathe, Fireflight,  and Jeff Chandler

Rock The Universe guests will also experience the pulse-pounding thrills and revolutionary attractions that can only be found at Universal Studios Florida. Guests can plummet down a virtual 1,000-foot waterfall in Shrek 4-D, speed through darkness in the world’s first psychological thrill ride in Revenge of The Mummy or rock out at 65 mph on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – a radically-innovative roller coaster that combines hit music, first-ever maneuvers and highly-sophisticated audio and video for a one-of-a-kind ride experience.

There are a variety of ways to experience all the excitement of Rock The Universe 2010. The best value is the “Rock Your Weekend” ticket, which will be sold only in advance and includes admission to both nights of Christian rock concerts, access to the Sunday Morning Worship services and three-day tickets to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure – featuring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the most spectacularly-themed entertainment experience ever created that was inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters. This offer is only available until Sept. 3 and will not be sold at the gate.

ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2010 OFFERS:

“Rock Your Weekend” Ticket

• Must Be Purchased On or Before Sept. 3: $89. 95 for groups, $99.95 for individuals
• Three days’ admission to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure to use throughout the event
• Admission to both nights of Rock the Universe 2010
• Access to Sunday Morning Worship services

Rock The Universe 2010 Two-Night Ticket

• Advance Pricing: $69.95 for groups, $84.95 for individuals Day-of: $79.95 for groups, $84.95 for individuals
• Admission to Rock The Universe 2010 on both Friday, September 10 and Saturday, September 11

Rock The Universe 2010 One-Night Ticket

• Advance Pricing: $44.95 for groups, $49.95 for individuals Day-of: $57.95 for both
• Admission to Rock The Universe 2010 on either Friday, September 10 or Saturday, September 11

For more information about Rock The Universe 2010 – including the return of the Sunday Morning Worship services and the “Rock Your Weekend” Getaway package – or to purchase tickets, visit www.rocktheuniverse.com or call 1-888-RTU-INFO (1-888-788-4636).

The post Rock the Universe 2010 appeared first on The Mom Maven.