Friday, April 2, 2010

Branson's 3rd Annual "Springtastic Show Spree"

Branson, MO – (Monday, March 22, 2010) – Branson, Missouri’s Springtastic Show Spree is the week for show lovers to converge on this small Midwestern town, known as the “live music show capital of the world”. During this one extraordinary week visitors enjoy ten of the top shows in Branson, Missouri for just one hundred and twenty-five dollars.

Sponsored by The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers (The Branson Show League), the Springtastic Show Spree gives visitors the chance to sample a variety of Branson’s eclectic shows. “Shows, shows, and more shows, for just a fraction of their normal cost.” says popular ventriloquist Jim Barber of the Hamner Barber Variety Show and Theater. The 3rd annual Springtastic Show Spree begins April 12 and runs through April 18, 2010.

Springtastic Show Spree passes are for sale only on-line at the official website of The Branson Show League, ShowsInBranson.com, and are limited to purchase by individuals. Jim Stafford, famous comedian and nationally known recording star, believes this is “hands down the greatest show ticket value you will see all year in Branson.”

The Springtastic Show Spree pass allows fans to see ten of their favorite shows in Branson on a first come, first served basis during the week of April 12. Shows include productions such as Moe Bandy, Pierce Arrow, Hughes Brothers Show, Clay Cooper Country Music Express, Legends in Concert, Baldknobbers Jamboree, New Shanghai Circus, The Haygoods, Magnificent Variety Show, Grand Jubilee, Mike Walker & Friends, Brule’, Penny Gilley, Kirby VanBurch, Country Tonight featuring Marty Haggard, and many more. For a complete list visit ShowsInBranson.com and click on Springtastic Show Spree.

Much to the approval of the estimated eight plus million visitors who converge each year on this Ozark Mountain town of little more than 6,000 residents, Branson's stars can be spotted each morning, afternoon and well into the evening in almost every type of live theatrical performance imaginable. Pop, gospel, blues, rock 'n' roll, western, acrobats, magic, Cajun, swing, big band, Motown, and Broadway have become as important to Branson visitors as its country and comedy roots. “The ten shows visitors will see during the Springtastic Show Spree amount to less than 10% of the possible live shows you can currently enjoy in Branson,” “says Jason Hughes from the Hughes Brothers Show. “This special preview week will whet your appetite to come back again and again to enjoy the variety of ALL of the shows the town has to offer.” Dawn Easton owner of God and Country Theatre adds, “If you see your first ten shows during the Springtastic Show Spree, you’ll have to come back more than ten times just to see all the shows in Branson once.”

The limited amount of Springtastic Show passes are available only through April 8 or when the passes sell out, whichever comes first. “If you are a live show fan, a music lover of any sort, the Springtastic Show Spree is the ticket for you.” says the Buck Trent, 2-time CMA Instrumentalist of the Year and star of his own country music show. To find out more about the 3rd Annual Springtastic Show Spree in Branson, Missouri visit http://www.showsinbranson.com/.

About The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers
The League works to increase the success and well-being of the theatrical industry in the “Live Show Capital of the World”, Branson, Missouri. With over 100 live shows featuring music, comedy, magic, dancing, acrobats, theatrical plays, and more, the diversity and variety of choices of live shows make Branson a unique and fun-filled family vacation destination. The League strives to increase interest in Branson shows and show attendance, increase profitability for the Branson show community, and to promote communications between shows, as well as throughout the Branson community. In 2010, Branson is Celebrating 50 Years of Family Fun!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

"Eco-adventures" offered by Branson Company

From the Springfield NewsLeader, March 20, 2010

Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours at Wolfe Creek Preserve has added the Flying Prospector Canopy Tour to its line-up of authentic eco-adventures, the company said in a news release.

Tours open May 1 at the preserve, located on U.S. 65, just seven miles north of Branson. Call (417) 561-2500 to book a tour.

Designed for all ages, this one-and-a-half hour canopy tour has visitors soaring through the trees over multiple ziplines and skywalks on a breathtaking tour of the Ozark Mountains.

A “zipline” was a system of cables that are used for moving supplies in Costa Rica, but ziplines are now used recreationally allowing people a unique view of natural surroundings.
Read the rest of the story here:
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100320/BREAKING01/100320016/1007/NEWS01/

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours Announces New Flying Prospector Canopy Tour


Branson, MO – (Thursday, March 18, 2010) – Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours at Wolfe Creek Preserve has added the Flying Prospector Canopy Tour to its line-up of authentic eco-adventures. Designed for all ages, this one-and-a-half hour canopy tour has visitors soaring through the trees over multiple ziplines and skywalks on a breathtaking tour of the Ozark Mountains.

“Our Flying Prospector is a great introduction for visitors new to canopy tours. At an hour and a half, the Flying Prospector is a full-scale guided, canopy tour with many of the highlights of Wolfe Creek Preserve featured, providing guests with another exciting, memorable vacation experience for one of the best values in the industry,” says Emma Hamilton, general manager. “We have created a high-quality, low-impact adventure, which takes a shorter amount of time, allowing visitors to dip their toes into the world of eco-adventures and find out just how much fun this unique experience can be.”

As an added value, this tour offers a family pass. Families wanting to go on a canopy tour together can take advantage of the Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours special pricing for the Flying Prospector. “We’re pleased to offer a family-pass exclusively for the Flying Prospector. The pass is $199.99 for two adults and two children seventeen and under,” adds Hamilton.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

New Soaring Attraction Slated to Open in Spring

By Joshua Clark, Staff Writer for Branson Tri-Lakes News
Originally published Jan. 13, 2010


The 2010 spring season is set to get started with a new, unique attraction opening up just north of Branson.

Branson Zipline will take guests on what the company calls a Zipline Canopy tour, which combines the excitement of adventure travel with the benefits of eco-tourism.

“This is such a beautiful part of the country, and the ecology is great,” Branson Zipline General Manager Emma Hamilton said. “Experiencing the ecology and having fun, as well as being ‘green,’ are very important to us.”

Construction began at the site Nov. 30, and organizers are targeting a spring opening. It is located directly off U.S. 65, seven miles north of Branson.

“This has all come together in the past year, and we were so lucky to get great property at this great location,” Hamilton said. “We also hope to pull the wildlife element into the tour and give people a true experience of coming to the Ozarks.”

According to its Web site, bransonzipline.com, certified guides will point out the most interesting ecological, topographical and historical features of the Ozark Mountains. Guests will be attached to the zipline cable by a secure harness and trolley system and will find themselves gliding through the trees between observation platforms. Guests will also experience canopy walkways that are basically suspension bridges that lead between the trees.

“There will be nine different ziplines and multiple suspended bridges,” Hamilton said. “After the guests reach the top of the first tower, they can clip in and soar from tower to tower. It should be a great experience for all ages.”

Friday, December 4, 2009

Moe Bandy and a little "Moe" Christmas

Gary J. Groman for Branson Tourism Center, December 1st, 2009

The Moe Bandy show is simply great fun and entertainment with great singing, comedy and playing. Although the show has no specific Christmas segment, there are Christmas numbers seamlessly worked into a show filled with great music and comedy that results in one of the most enjoyable entertainment experiences in Branson.

The band is outstanding and composed of some of the best instrumentalists in Branson, Ricky Boen, fiddle and guitar; Mark Boyd, guitar; John Clark, steel guitar and fiddle; Mark Evans, bass guitar; Bruce Hoffman, fiddle and guitar; Nicko Ochoa, drums and Ed Synan, piano.

The show’s female vocalist is Kari Garrison who does a great job not only as a backup singer but on a number of solos. Her rendition of the Christmas song, “Let’s Make A Baby King” at the beginning of the second half of the show was wonderful and demonstrated the range and quality of her voice. Her duet with Moe of “I Can’t Feel Christmas Without You” was another highlight.


The comedy of Perry Edenburg as “Harley Worthit” will have you laughing from the pre-show to the end of the show. Most of his outfits are outrageous and as funny as his jokes and antics. He does a number of routines by himself and some with his “straight man,” Moe Bandy,” but it is all so funny. One thing for sure, just about the time you think you can’t laugh anymore, along comes another skit such as the one to the music of “Come A Little Bit Closer” and you find out you were wrong.

Moe Bandy sings, and plays straight man to Harley Worthit, but it is his marvelous ability to relate to his audience and the way he sings and presents his music in a way that seems to speak to the ordinary person that makes this show so special. Even the old standard “White Christmas” just seemed different in the context of this show.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Christmas with Yakov, "What A Christmas!"

Gary J. Groman for Branson Tourism Center, November 30th, 2009

“What a show!” It’s the celebration of Russian New Years and Christmas in one show as only Yakov can do it. The Yakov Smirnoff Christmas Show is a combination of his regular show with the addition of the celebration of the Russian New Year and Christmas. From its simple opening with Suzanne Wonderly singing the “Star Spangled Banner” and the celestial introduction of Yakov to its inspiring close, this show is a special Christmas gift of Yakov’s unique humor, great production, costuming, and dancing that is a wonderful Branson entertainment experience.

The majority of the first half of the show is composed of audience favorites from Yakov’s regular show. Yakov does a number of excellent and funny comedy routines that are built around themes and are introduced by full production numbers.

To paraphrase the words of Yakov himself, “You might not have thought about production numbers in a comedy show, but you will now.” The dancers, costuming, and music are excellent and choreographed into the show along with excellent sets. When combined with Yakov’s great comedy and his ability to relate so well with his audience the result is a unique “exciting quality entertainment experience.”