AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Orphans on Broadway

Hold onto your hats. Broadway is getting dark and twisty this Spring. In the new Broadway show Orphans, two orphaned brothers live in their decrepit North Philadelphia row house. They survive by petty thievery and a steady diet of tuna fish and daytime television until the violent older brother decides to kidnap Harold (Alec Baldwin, yes THE Alec Baldwin), a notorious Chicago gangster. Harold soon becomes the force that will forever change their lives.

Written by Lyle Kessler and directed by Daniel Sullivan (Glengarry Glen Ross), Orphans features a critically acclaimed cast including Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, The Mechanic, and Flash Forward if you can remember that far back) and Tom Sturridge (Being Julia, Like Minds, The Boat That Rocked, and On the Road).

The show features a book by Doug Wright (Pulitzer Prize winner, I Am My Own Wife), lyrics by Amanda  Green (Bring It On: The Musical), and music by Trey Anastasio (Phish) and Amanda Green. Directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-The-Plow) with musical staging by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis), it is based on the acclaimed 1997 documentary of the same name by S.R. Bindler, produced by Kevin Morris and Bindler.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to Orphans! There are 4 easy ways to win, and each comment counts as an entry. Be sure to leave your email in each comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment letting me know which famous gangster most intrigues you and why.

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Tweet about this contest "I just entered to win 2 tix to @OrphansOnBway on Awesome In New York! http://bit.ly/12bct82" and let me know with a link to your tweet.

Winners will be chosen using Random.org on Monday 3/4. You have until Monday 3/4 at 12 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

Congratulations Rob! He was the 29th commenter and wins a pair of tickets to Orphans! Thanks for entering everyone and stay tuned for more contests.

AWESOME ALERT: The Iconic NYC Jazz Club You Knew Existed But Have Never Been To

Jazz clubs. They are about as New York as it comes (well, if you don't count New Orleans). But have you every actually step foot in one? If you have, give yourself a pat on the back. If not, you owe it to yourself to tap your toes and sip a glass of wine at one of the city's musical gems.

My friend invited me along to the speakeasy-like Smalls Jazz Club, tucked into a basement space on West 10th Street, for their free Tuesday night show. I honestly went in with no expectations. I'm not ashamed to admit that I never liked (or thought I liked) jazz because I associated it with old people. I don't exactly know where that came from, and yes, older people do seemingly like jazz, but I digress.

When we walked in, a trio comprised of the piano, guitar and bass were playing upbeat tunes and taking turns showing off crazy skill with their solos. I know practically nothing about music theory or "why" music is "good," but it sure as heck sounded amazing. We grabbed seats a few rows from the front and had fun watching the cat (I'm told her name is Mina) sleep on the piano with intermittent breaks for cleaning herself.

Mina (Photo Courtesy Rachel Reed)

The music was so good that we decided to stay for the paid show at 9:30. Good thing we did too! For only $20, we got an intimate concert with the Scott Hamilton quartet, a pretty big deal in the jazz world (or so the Internet tells me).

Scott Hamilton Quartet

You can find the Smalls Jazz Club schedule here. Most shows are either indicated as "no cover" (aka FREE!) or cost $10 or $20. Looking for last minute Valentine plans tonight? The club is featuring 2 quartets and a quintet playing late into the night and I'm sure your date will be pleasantly surprised.

AWESOME DEAL: 40% Off the Entire Peanut Butter & Co. Online Store

There are some deals in life that are just too good to pass up. For example, amazing peanut butter and accompaniments for 40% off...

Yes, you heard me right loyal readers. Today ONLY, the world-famous (well at least NYC-famous) Peanut Butter & Co. is offering 40% off their entire store. That means you can get your fill of White Chocolate Wonderful, The Bee's Knees, and Mighty Maple (my 3 faves) for $3.60 a jar compared with the normal $6 price tag.

You can also stock up on gifts for your peanut butter loving friends like this PB for My Sweetie gift set just in time for Valentine's Day ($19.20 down from $32).

Or if you want to make someone REALLY happy, you can get the Total Nut Case gift set which comes with spicy peanut brittle ($76.80 down from $128)!

Anyway you order, you're sure to be satisfied. Just make sure you use the coupon code TASTEAMAZING at the online store and place your order before midnight EST tonight 2/5.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Hands on a Hardbody on Broadway

How far would you go for the American dream? In the new musical Hands on a Hardbody, ten Texans test their endurance and stamina in the hot sun by seeing who can keep at least one hand on a brand new truck for the longest in order to win it. I admit, the plot line sounds a bit thin, but it's based off true events and I'm most curious to see how they've managed to turn this story into an entire musical.

The show features a book by Doug Wright (Pulitzer Prize winner, I Am My Own Wife), lyrics by Amanda  Green (Bring It On: The Musical), and music by Trey Anastasio (Phish) and Amanda Green. Directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-The-Plow) with musical staging by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis), it is based on the acclaimed 1997 documentary of the same name by S.R. Bindler, produced by Kevin Morris and Bindler.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to Hands On A Hardbody! There are 4 easy ways to win, and each comment counts as an entry. Be sure to leave your email in each comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment letting me know what you would keep your hand on for days on end in order to win. Get creative people!

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Tweet about this contest "I just entered to win 2 tix to @hardbodymusical on Awesome In New York! http://bit.ly/WnQunP" and let me know with a link to your tweet.

Winners will be chosen using Random.org on Friday 2/8. You have until Friday 2/8 at 12 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

We have a winner! Congrats to Theo for being the 43rd commenter and winning 2 tickets to Hands on a Hardbody! Thanks to everyone who entered -- I really enjoyed reading about all the things you'd keep your hands on. You are all so creative! Stay tuned for more contests for Spring 2013 shows :)