airport events

Mural painting in airports

Events,

Here’s a fun way to stay entertained when you’re stuck at the airport.

HMSHost is hosting pop-up mural painting at several airports his holiday season.

Local artists are being invited to sketch murals that travelers will be invited to paint. 

There will be a mural at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on December 13 and one at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on December 15.

Each large-scale mural is different. At each airport, the artist will kick-off painting and then turn the art-making over to travelers, who will be treated to complimentary holiday drinks, sweet treats, holiday-themed giveaways and discounts to HMSHost restaurants.

“Our focus is on enhancing the travel guest experience while connecting with the local community.  Studies show creative activity, regardless of artistic talent, lessens stress,” said HMSHost Vice President of Marketing and Communications Atousa Ghoreichi. “With the craziness holiday travel can bring, our interactive mural painting pop-ups will be a unique airport experience.”

Here are some pictures from the mural painting that took place last week at Miami International Airport. This looks like so much fun that I’m adjusting my schedule this week to be on site for the mural painting at SEA airport. Stay tuned.  

(Photos courtesy HMSHost).

Puppets at LAX; an outdoor park at Denver Airport

Airports, Events, ,

Don’t be shy.

If you’re at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday or Wednesday, July 10 and 11, make your way to Terminal 4 (post-security) to see a performance by the LA-based Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

The shows will be at 11 am and noon each day and if you’ve got a ticket to any terminal at LAX it should get you through the security line at Terminal 4 as well.

 

For the summer, Denver International Airport has turned its 82,000 square-foot open-air plaza between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Denver hotel into a Pop-Up Park with native Colorado trees and plants and 9,000 square feet of turf.

Passengers and locals are invited to hang out in the park, which has lawn games, lunchtime fitness classes, lounge seating and a variety of scheduled music events and activities. More details here.

 

Mister Rogers at PIT Airport; Aerial dancers at San Diego Int’l

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This week it is impossible to choose just one Airport Amenity of the Week, so we’ll declare a tie.

Pittsburgh International Airport is having a fun event Friday, March 23, to honor Fred Rogers and the Mister Rogers Neighborhood children’s TV show that was produced in Pittsburgh and first aired 50 years ago.

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in PIT’s Airside Center Core, airport employees wearing red cardigans will be offering travelers refreshments and handing out free buttons and red shoelaces. A big chalkboard will be set up, so passengers can share memories of watching the TV show during its 33-year run.

The cardigans, the shoelaces, and the “You’re Special, Too!” slogan printed on the buttons are homages to Rogers, who would always tell viewers how special they were and who started each program by putting on a zip-up cardigan and changing out of his loafers into sneakers.

PIT’s event is timed to coincide with Friday’s release of a Mister Rogers Forever stamp and the airport’s post office on Concourse D will have those new stamps to sell. More details here.

 

(Courtesy SAN Airport, photo by Alan Hess)

The next round of the performing arts residency program at San Diego International Airport kicks off Wednesday, March 28 with an aerial rope performance post security in Terminal 2. The event will feature acrobatics, trapeze work, music and dance.

The performers are from the Astraeus Aerial Dance Theatre and during a six-month airport residency, dancers and acrobats from the troupe will interact with passengers and create, rehearse and perform new content inspired by what happens at the airport.

So next time you’re at SAN – look up!

Tuesday Travel Tidbits: JetBlue Trying Again

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JetBlue’s first attempt at selling 200 copies of its limited edition “Get Packing” board game – which includes a real flight certificate in each box – was a big bust.

After a big promotional push, when it came time for the games to go on sale on Amazon, it appeared a shopping bot immediately grabbed up all available copies and complaints flooded in.

Now Jetblue is trying again.

This time they’re running a sweepstatakes: enter here by the end of 12/19/17 for a chance to win one of 195 games. 5 additional copies of the game are being auctioned off on Charitybuzz to benefit Make-A-Wish.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has added extra performances to its holiday music line-up:

On December 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the airport’s Asleep on the Wheel stage (near Gate 10), Ray Benson will perform with The Barton Hills Choir backing him up.

The Choir will then go on to perform a mix of golden oldies, classic rock and modern favorites. December 22 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.,  The Austin Jazz Workshop will perform jazz infused instrumental versions of classic Christmas Carols.

See the full schedule of music offerings at AUS here.

Germany’s Dusseldorf Airport has brought back ice-skating inside the terminal for the holiday season – this time with real ice.

Ice-skating and loaner ice-skates are free each weekend through the first weekend in January.

Free airport ice-skating is also offered during the holiday season at the Munich Airport Christmas and Winter Market and at Denver International Airport.

Music, events coming up at IAD, DCA, CLE and PIT airports

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Balloons

 

At least four airports throughout the country have sent StuckatTheAirport.com a heads up on events taking place in the terminals next week and into October.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) will host a series of music and dance performances in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15.

At DCA, events take place on Wednesday afternoons from noon until 2 p.m. in National Hall, opposite Il Viaggo Restaurant.

Sept 20: Argentinian music with T Trifilio Tango

Sept 27: Peruvian dance and music with Papalca

Oct 4: Folk music with Cecilia Esquivel of Canto Sur

Oct 11: Mexican dance with Los Quetzales

These same groups will perform at Dulles airport on Thursdays from noon to 2 pm on the upper level of the Ticketing area.

Sept 21: Argentinian music with T Trifilio Tango

Sept 28: Peruvian dance and music with Papalca

Oct 5: Folk music with Cecilia Esquivel of Canto Sur

Oct 12: Mexican dance with Los Quetzales

 

There’s also a full schedule of events – live music, special guests, food samples and other treats – scheduled at both Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) from September 18 to 22, courtesy of Fraport USA.

Celebrate Cleveland will welcome Cleveland Indians’ mascot Slider, Professor Wylde’s traveling show from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland’s Singing Angels to the airport.

Malley’s Chocolates and Mitchell’s Ice Cream will also treat travelers to complimentary treats during the week as well.

Pittsburgh International Airport is teaming up with Airmall Pittsburgh for the third annual Discover Pittsburgh week and the 25th anniversary of the airport.

PIT will welcome Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, The National Aviary and the Pittsburgh Zoo in addition to Iceburgh, the Pirate Parrot, and other mascots.

Daily food sampling will take place at the Strip Market and bands will perform in the airport’s Center Core.