Posted Under "Deals"

If you’re not looking, you may miss it. The Swinney Homestead sits high on a hill back off the road to the left as you head west along West Jefferson Blvd. I can imagine people who lived there centuries ago being surrounded by brush, trees, pastures, and no neighbors. Surely it would have been hard for them to believe the house would someday sit between a divided highway in the midst of a thriving city.

A local group of volunteers called the Settlers maintains the home as a venue of education and enrichment for the Fort Wayne community. Each May they sponsor the “Herbs and Perennials Plant Sale & Swinney Homestead Open House.”

This is a good chance to purchase plants to complete the landscaping around your home or herbs for your cooking. The herbs come right from the herb garden at the Homestead.

The plant sale will be held Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5.

May 4, 2012
Herbs and Perennials Plant Sale & Swinney Homestead Open House
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

May 5, 2012
Second Day Plant Sale
8:00 a.m. – noon

This free event is held to supplement the funds needed to maintain the Swinney Homestead, one of Fort Wayne’s most historic buildings.

During the sale, a gift shop is open on the second floor of the Swinney House. What fun to walk through this house and imagine the people who had lived there! Actually, it might not be too hard to imagine life during the colonial period as music, refreshments, crafts and other artifacts from that time will be on display.

Since the 1970s, Settler members have provided information about the colonial way of living for the Fort Wayne community through special speakers and programs.

The Swinney Homestead is located at 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd. Parking for the plant sale is free.

For more information, check them out online.

Live music can always be surprising, especially when you’re seeing a band for the first time. And so it was when I saw Godsmack open for Metallica in 2004. I was certainly familiar with the band, whose hits include “Voodoo,” “Straight Out of Line,” and “I Stand Alone,” but didn’t know what to expect from them live. What I got was a kinetic, exciting, straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll show. Godsmack is returning to Fort Wayne as part of the Mass Chaos tour with co-headliner Staind and featured bands Halestorm and Brookroyal on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Godsmack and Staind, both Massachusetts bands formed in the mid-Nineties, found much success over the next several years on multiple albums and singles. Staind is probably best known for “It’s Been Awhile,” but they also had hits with “For You,” “Fade,” and my personal favorite, “Epiphany.” Sully Erna and Aaron Lewis, frontmen of Godsmack and Staind, respectively, possess two of the most distinct voices in rock and will undoubtedly put on a great show.

So if you’re looking to rock in the Fort, come May 8 there will be no better place to be than the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum once “Mass Chaos” has descended. Tickets range from $29.75 to $42.75 (facility fees are included but other charges may apply). Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, any authorized Ticketmaster outlet, or at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum box office.

And, you can click here to register to win a pair of tickets ONLINE!

Think BLUE at the Embassy Theatre this spring!

NETworks Presentations, LLC and Blue Man Productions are pleased to announce a new theatrical touring production will stop in Fort Wayne at the Embassy Theatre for three performances only: April 16-18 at 7:30PM.

See the Blue Man Group live at the Embassy Theatre April 16th-18th, 2012

Blue Man Group is best known for its wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts that combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. Their unique brand of entertainment includes performances that feature three bald and blue characters who take the audience on a journey that is funny, intelligent and visually stunning. A live band, whose haunting tribal rhythms help drive the show to its climax, accompanies the Blue Men.

The blissful party atmosphere created at the live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience.

Currently, Blue Man Group theatrical shows can be seen in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Berlin, Tokyo, and on tour throughout the U.S and Canada.

Although Blue Man Group has toured previously with its Megastar arena rock show, this marks the first theatrical production to tour North America. The theatrical tour features classic Blue Man moments as well as brand new content.

Blue Man Group on tour also features a new physical design centering around a proscenium-sized LED curtain and high-resolution screen creating an entirely new visual experience for Broadway houses across the nation.

Tickets for Blue Man Group are on sale now and start at $29.50. Tickets can be purchased at the Embassy Theatre box office, by visiting Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Discounts are available for subscribers and groups of 20 or more by calling 260.424.5665.

And, you can register to win a getaway to see the Blue Man Group in person, simply CLICK HERE to register!

Spring break: (n) Period of time, usually one week, where families escape winter doldrums of northern and Midwest states and head for warmer, tropical locales. Also refers to the time period where adults and children can relax, recharge and reconnect without being held to the demands of normal work/school routine.

Spring break is one of the first things to look forward to after the holidays. Many people find themselves staring at the calendar on February 1st chanting “eight more weeks…” While countless families pack up and make extensive travel plans, there are also many families who opt to get away a little closer to home. When your vacation becomes a “staycation,” there are still many great things to do here in Fort Wayne that are inexpensive (or, better yet… FREE!) to relax, recharge and reconnect with your family.

Get Back to Your Roots
Whether your family is tightly-knit or scattered to the wind, spend an afternoon in the Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library and take a look at your family tree. This extensive collection of genealogical information and resources will provide an interesting glimpse into your ancestry. Use the ACPL genealogy database to start piecing together your family’s history. Who knows? You might even learn some interesting things about your family that you never knew before.

Cindy's serves the world - 15 people at a time!

Sample a Classic Taste
Enjoying fun and fabulous food on vacation is a must – and if you’re on a “staycation,” it shouldn’t be any different! If you want to sample some of the most classic and long-standing tastes of Fort Wayne, look to the downtown area. There’s Coney Island on Main Street – tasty hot dogs with that one-of-a-kind Coney sauce, all nestled into a steamed bun. Cindy’s Diner, on the corner of Wayne and Harrison, offers great diner fare, but if you really want to indulge? Order “Garbage” on the breakfast menu. It may not be pretty, but it tastes incredible. Another delicious downtown destination is Powers Hamburgers on South Harrison St. On a good day, you’ll smell the burgers & onions before you even get there. And, when lunch is finished, don’t forget to top it off with a frosty treat from Fort Wayne’s own Zesto shops. Located just south of downtown on Broadway and Creighton, southwest on Falls Drive, north just off Washington Center Road or northeast at St. Joe Road and Maplecrest, Zesto’s ice creamy goodness will put a happy twist on any day.

Take a Dip
Many of us associate “spring break” with spending time on a warm, sandy beach with the prospect of playing in the cool water just a few feet away. While we don’t have the warm, sandy beach in Fort Wayne, we definitely have options to play in the water… or on the water. Check out Earth Adventures Unlimited just west of downtown, or Fort Wayne Outfitters just north of the city to rent a canoe or kayak and set out to explore the rivers in our midst.

Hometown Tourism
If these starter ideas aren’t going to do the trick, be a true tourist in your own town and head to www.visitfortwayne.com for more spring break staycation ideas. You’ll find everything you need to cover a week’s worth of days with family fun. You’ll find details on things to do, places to eat and special events. Don’t forget to click the DEALS tab, for specials and coupons to save a few dollars while you make many memories.

If you’re not heading for hot sun and beaches this spring break, make Fort Wayne your destination, and enjoy spring break right in your own hometown!

Gabriel Iglesias has been described as unbelievably witty, electrifying and as a talented performer who has the ability to consistently deliver a uniquely hilarious comedy experience –from start to finish. His high-octane show is a sure-fire hit: a mixture of storytelling, parodies, characters and sound effects that bring all his personal experiences to life. Gabriel’s clean and animated comedy style has earned national crossover appeal, making him popular among fans of all ages. Enjoy Gabriel’s show on April 22, 2012 at 7 pm.

Gabriel Iglesias delights audiences of all ages.

Gabriel’s performance paired with the charm and elegance of the Historic Embassy Theatre will be a perfect match for a night on the town or a fun-filled family evening. Grab a bite to eat at one of our local downtown eateries before the show. Want to make a weekend of it? Look at our Calendar of Events for additional entertainment options for that weekend. And, check out our hotel packages!

And, you can register to win a set of tickets to see Iglesias in person! Simply click here to register to win!