GHOST LIGHTS IN DETROIT

I'm looking forward to the long intermission ending, the pandemic passing and the curtain rising again for live drama and musical presentations at theatres. Detroit has many grand theatres that have been the backdrop for many special moments for me and my family. We are very much looking forward to having the chance to making even more fond memories at these venues in the future when the coronvirus social distancing at some point comes to an end.

From my going to see my first play, Annie, with my parents at the Masonic Temple as a kid to taking my own kids to see Sesame Street Live at The Fox Theatre to walking across the stage of the Detroit Opera House to receive my diploma during my law school graduation there have been a lot of smiles shared by my family at these places. More recently, I've enjoyed some great dad time spending one on one evenings out on the town for dinner and a Broadway in Detroit play with my kids taking my daughter to Disney's Aladdin -- The Musical at the Opera House and my son to The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at the Fisher Theatre.

As auditoriums across the country remain dark during the COVID-19 pandemic, Metro Detroit's theaters want people to know the show will go on! They've produced a video message of hope letting people know that GHOST LIGHT are shining in these special places. Ghost Light narrated by Michigan native Jeff Daniels who is known nationally as a Tony® Award nominated actor and locally as the founder of the Purple Rose Theatre Company, features the solitary ghost lights that continue to shine on our area’s stages while waiting for audiences to safely return.



A centuries-old tradition, a ghost light is a single lamp that illuminates the stage when the theatre is not in use. Legend has it that the light shines to protect the actors, patrons and theatre from bad luck and ghosts. In these times, ghost lights have taken on a new meaning. They are beaming a message of hope and inspiration to “Shine on Detroit!” as we as we persevere through these difficult days together.

The production of Ghost Light was sponsored by Broadway in Detroit and the film short was created by SMZ Advertising. Check out this video and I hope it inspires you to shine on! Plays and concerts will one day be ushering us back into normality and I look forward to the day we can return to the theaters around Michigan and across the country. It is nice to know the ghost lights are on in Detroit as a guide for us to return once again to experiencing in a communal setting live theater and music together. Until that moment my friends, this dad blogger wishes you all stay safe and keep your spirits up.

DAD TIME AT GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL

An aspect I've appreciated about Goldfish Swim School is that it is a very dad-friendly environment. Compared to taking my kids to other activities like dance class and soccer practice where it tends to be mostly moms that stick around, fathers seem to be very involved whenever we go swimming. From jumping in the pool with toddlers for parent-tot programs to cheering on tweens in Swim Force competitions there is a lot of dad involvement at Goldfish Swim School.

Here are some ways dads create golden experiences with their kids at Goldfish Swim School:

TODDLER SWIM

Getting kids comfortable in water at an early age is a great way to teach them some water safety skills, interest them in swimming, obtain some exercise, and have some fun. Goldfish Swim School has a Mini Class which has parents get in the pool with their children that are between the ages of 4 and 35 months. Instructors lead classes that include entertaining activities and games plus instill safety tips meant to provide children with the wherewithal to assist themselves in avoiding drowning accidents.

There are a lot of fathers who participate in these Mini Class sessions with their sons and daughters. In fact, some of these parent - tot classes are made up of just dads. This is a great opportunity for getting the skin-to-skin contact with young children that pediatricians recommend that fathers normally don't provide as much as mothers do. It is also a nice opportunity to spend some dad time bonding with a child.

SWIM LESSONS

For older children who are diving into the pool on their own for swimming lessons without dad or mom getting into the water with them, there is still an opportunity for spending parenting time at Goldfish Swim School. There is a viewing area for parents to observe swimming lessons and children appreciate knowing someone is paying attention to their efforts. Plus after every lesson each parents gets an individualized update on a child's progress from an instructor. After class, kids often need help washing up, changing clothes and getting ready to go home. There are plenty of ways for dads to be involved without getting into the water themselves.

FAMILY SWIM TIME

Goldfish Swim School offers open swim hours where members can enjoy some family time together in the pool. You will often see dads in the pool working with kids on practicing their swim stokes or just having playing with their children. These are a nice way for dads to spend some quality time with their families.

SWIM FORCE MEETS

The Goldfish Swim Force promotes swimming as an athletic endeavor and hosts quarterly competitive meets for participants. Swim Force members are children who tend to be over 8 years old and have passed all of the swimming lesson levels but still want to be involved with Goldfish Swim School. These are great events for dads to cheer on children to show support and encouragement.

Goldfish Swim School really is a great place to spend some dad time with kids. I've had a great experience myself and encourage other dads to dive on in and get involved with swimming as an activity for your family to get involved with. Goldfish Swim School is great at having scheduling that works around busy schedules and a liberal class cancellation and make up policy. They make a great effort to fit into your personal and professional obligations rather than you having to make your time available to fit into your schedule. Their customer service is really outstanding with a focus on catering to families with children between the ages of 4 months and 12 years old.

For more information about programs and locations, head on over to goldfishswimschool.com 

A Geek Daddy is a Goldfish Swim School Brand Ambassador. I receive complimentary services and products in exchange for sharing my experiences with my ageekdaddy.com audience. Opinions expressed are honest and my own. We've been partnering with Goldfish Swim School for several years and I wouldn't have continued this arrangement for so long if my kids weren't getting value and enjoyment out of it. Goldfish Swim School has absolutely earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for the golden experience my family has had with them.