Month: March 2010

The Showboat Branson Belle.

A recent article entitled “Showboat Branson Belle provides a great ‘free’ reason to celebrate your birthday in Branson,” published on line at News.Branson.Com gives an excellent reason to plan to celebrate your birthday in Branson this year. The “Showboat Branson Belle” is offering a free cruise to just about everyone celebrating a birthday during 2010.

Tammy Johnson, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center said, “This is another great reason for a person to celebrate their birthday in Branson.” She explains, “With all its shows, attractions, shopping, entertainment and other activities Branson is a great place to celebrate a birthday anyway, but with the Showboat Branson Belle offering a free cruise for those celebrating their birthday during 2010 it just might be ‘the place’ to celebrate your birthday.”

She points out that a cruise aboard the Showboat Branson Belle, sometimes referred to as the “Queen of the Ozarks,” is a one of a kind entertainment experience. It provides a memorable two hour journey across Table Rock Lake, complete with beautiful views, a fabulous meal and world-class entertainment. “It’s a special memorable entertainment experience anytime, but what a great way to celebrate a birthday,” said Johnson.

The free Showboat Branson Belle birthday cruise is available on the day of a person’s birth March 19 through December 31, 2010 with a valid photo identification. Johnson points out that if your birthday falls on a date when the Showboat Branson Belle is not operating you may take the cruise on the next available cruise date.

Johnson explained that the operators of the Showboat haven’t forgotten those who had a birthday earlier in the year between January 1 and March 18, prior to its opening. They will be able to take their birthday cruise on their 1/2 birthday (i.e. February 1 births can cruise for FREE on August 1.)

Please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services for additional information, reservations and tickets on the Showboat Branson Belle and its free birthday cruise; tickets for any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

The Baldknobbers began Branson’s family entertainment phenomenon in 1959, when the four Mabe brothers began entertaining fisherman on the downtown Branson lakefront. Today, over fifty years later, the second and third generations of the Mabe family continue that family tradition of combining your favorite country classics, with hot-new country hits and hilarious country comedy into a fast paced show. It’s the songs you know and comedy that makes everyone (even the kids) laugh out loud.

The Mabe brothers adopted the name of an old Ozarks vigilante group that held their meetings on a treeless hilltop or "bald knob". So when the Mabe brothers started Branson’s first show, it was just natural to take a regional name.

Second generation and producer, Tim Mabe, known to many as Droopy Drawers, Jr., says, "My dad and uncles founded the hillbilly humor of the Baldknobbers on the adage of the city slicker who comes to town to take advantage of the old hillbilly. And the hillbilly always gets the last laugh. The jokes are different but over 50 years later, it still holds true."

Tim goes on to say, "We are one of the few shows that do an all new show each year. That means all new comedy, new music and even new costumes. And our show is completely live with some of the best singers and musicians in the country."
"The Baldknobbers show is entirely a group effort. Every cast member gets to put their stamp on our new show each year. The Baldknobbers don’t have a star, the show is our star," Tim said.
Second generation Baldknobber and bandleader Brent Mabe says, "All of us play at least a couple of instruments and almost all of us sing—yep even the comedians. It is a pleasure to work with such a great group of professionals, but more than that we have lots of fun. We all love what we do and even if you’re not related to us, you’re still family!"

Longtime Baldknobbers’ fans and new fans alike appreciate the Baldknobbers’ family traditions. It’s the great music and side-splitting comedy that have made this show popular from generation to generation. Come celebrate over 50 years of family fun with The Baldknobbers Jamboree!

As part of its continuing commitment to serving Branson area tourism and the community, the Branson Tourism Center is proud to sponsor this press release on this site. It is one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show tickets, attraction tickets and lodging. For additional information or tickets on The Baldknobbers Jamboree Show or for any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center. It can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com

For the first time, the annual Jamboree of the Chuckwagon Association of the West will be held in Branson at the Circle B Theatre Oct. 24 through 27. The public is invited to see top national cowboy music and comedy acts along with local guests Dusty Rogers, Johnny Lonestar, John Wain, and Riders of the Circle B.

"Chuckwagons of the West began 50 years ago when the Flying W in Colorado Springs started inviting tourists to their evening cattle roundups and serving food. The six members of the association provide quality and value in family entertainment," said Circle B’s Michael Horn. Other members include Bar-J, Jackson, Wy.; Bar-D, Durango, Co.; Circle B, Rapid City, S.D., and Flying J, Riudos, N.M. The complete schedule will soon be on www.circlebshow.com. Call 336-1828.

As part of its continuing commitment to serving Branson area tourism and the community, the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), is proud to sponsor this press release on this site. It is one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show tickets, attraction tickets and lodging. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Yakov Moscow Circus returns to Branson for the 2010 season on Thursday, March 4. Yakov Smirnoff, famous Russian Comedian, announced today “The Yakov Moscow Circus is promising to be bigger, better, and more unforgettable than ever!” The major change for the 2010 season is the addition of an authentic Russian meal prepared with recipes provided by Yakov’s mother.

Mishka the Russian Bears will open the 2010 season on March 4, with a brief and exciting 8 show run. These surprising bears will showcase their remarkable sense of coordination and balance while riding a variety of bicycles and unicycles and performing many other amazing tricks.

Yakov adds, “You would think with bear arms, bear bottoms, and bear feet that they would freeze in the winter; well Mishka has a secret way to stay warm….bear hugs!!”

Yakov’s Moscow Circus Dinner Experience is a fast-paced 90 minute show full of history and tradition tracing back 200 years, and blends romance and zany comedy as Andrei the Clown searches for his love, Marina the Ballerina. The storyline for this show is an original concept narrated on video by Yakov Smirnoff himself. It is a story of relationships, love, courage, power, hope and triumph culminating in a happy fairytale ending.

In addition to Andrei the Clown and Marina the Ballerina, the cast of Yakov’s Moscow Circus Dinner Experience will be joined this season by a revolving line up of exciting and unique acts including Irina Markova and her award winning canine troupe and their feline friends, Ioan Veniamin Oprea the Human Slinky, National Unicycling Champion Anton Soumiatin, Alena Oulianova the Fire Eater, authentic Russian Dancers, and for a limited engagement by Mishka the Russian Bears.

Yakov’s Moscow Circus Dinner Experience will run from March 4 to December 30 with one or two shows daily. The delicious authentic Russian meal will be served during every performance. The Yakov Theater is also excited to announce a very special 9:00 pm New Year’s Eve Show on December 31!

This press release is sponsored on this site by the Branson Tourism Center (BTC). It is one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show tickets, attraction tickets and lodging. For more information or tickets for Yakov’s Moscow Circus or any other Branson show or attraction or for Branson lodging arrangements please call BTC by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

A recent article entitled “Lyle Mabe, Branson entertainment cornerstone and co-founder of Baldknobbers dies” was recently published on line on “News.Branson.com.” The article reported the death of Lyle Mabe after a long illness on February 27 at the age of 71.

As a co-founder of the “Baldknobbers Jamboree” in 1959 with his brothers, Mabe achieved iconic status in Branson entertainment history. Today Branson is known as “the live music show capital of the world” but it all started with the pioneering efforts of Lyle, the Mabe family and the “the show that started it all,” the “Baldknobbers.”

Article Excerpts:

In 1959, Lyle and his brothers Bob, Bill and Jim along with Delbert Howard and Chick Allen, decided to provide evening entertainment to tourists visiting the Branson area. They started in a rented fifty seat room in the old city hall and performed only on Friday and Saturday nights. The show used a simple format of blending popular country music with original unique comedy routines, was called the “Baldknobbers” and went on to make Branson entertainment history as the show “that started it all.”

Lianne Milton, co-owner of the Branson Tourism Center said, “Branson has lost not only one of its entertainment pioneers, but a cornerstones of its entertainment industry. Our thoughts, prayers, and sympathies are with the Mabes and their extended ‘Baldknobber family.’”

Branson Mayor Rae Anne Presley said, “Our Branson community has lost a pioneer in the theatre industry, Lyle Mabe. We send our prayers & heartfelt condolences to the Mabe family.”

Anyone who has ever seen Lyle perform as the comedian “George Aggernite” knows that with his arrival, Heaven’s angels are going to have a tough time laughing and playing their harps at the same time.

Click here for the entire article.