Perceptions of Magic springs Magic springs are often associated with wonder and enchantment. They captivate our imagination and create a sense of awe. People have different perceptions of magic springs, and these perceptions can vary greatly. For some, magic springs are seen as a source of entertainment and excitement. They are places to visit and explore, where one can experience thrilling rides and shows. These individuals see magic springs as a way to escape reality and immerse themselves in a world of fantasy and fun.
These individuals see magic springs as a way to escape reality and immerse themselves in a world of fantasy and fun. Others view magic springs as a symbol of childhood nostalgia. They evoke memories of family vacations and carefree days spent enjoying rides and attractions.
Magic Springs Theme Park Show
Most of my friends have, at one time or another, had what I like to call birthday privilege – the chance to see Hanson either on or close to their birthday. My birthday is February 21st, and Hanson has never even played a show on that date. The closet I’ve gotten is is a February 3rd BTTI show. So, what does this mini-rant have to do with a show in July? Well, back on my birthday this year, what I thought was going to be a small group of work friends going out to lunch turned into a surprise party with most of my coworkers. My phone was politely tucked away in my purse while I mingled with work friends. When I came back from lunch, I pulled my phone out and saw posts from Hanson announcing the show in Hot Springs, Arkansas, AND a message from my friend saying she already got tickets. I don’t think there’s ever been another time when tickets went on sale immediately with the show announcement, so that was quite the birthday surprise. Without birthday privilege, I’ll take what I can get.
For one-off shows like this, my rule for attending tends to be if it’s within a 5 hour drive or if it’s a state I haven’t seen Hanson in yet. This show checked both of those boxes, and in fact was the first public show Hanson has ever played in Arkansas. I did end up flying though, as I had planned to then fly from the show to Chicago to celebrate the 4th of July with family. There was no direct flight however and in the long run, I could have driven there faster than I flew there.
My friend and I got to Little Rock early in the afternoon on Friday and made the quick drive down to Hot Springs. It was still too early to check into our hotel, so we found a few touristy things to do. We drove by Bill Clinton’s childhood home, and as a joke, I wondered if he has any saxophone songs on Spotify. Answer: no, but we did find a playlist called Songs Bill Clinton Would Bop To and it actually slaps – it became the theme playlist of the trip. We then drove through the small downtown and came to the conclusion that many of those buildings must be haunted. Everything looked like it just stopped existing in 1965. It was such a weird, little town. We found an observation tower up on a mountain and the views were gorgeous. We could even see the rollercoasters from the theme park and they looked so tiny in comparison. At the bottom of the mountain, there was a fountain where you could fill up with spring water. To be honest, I didn’t think it tasted that great. This city girl is too accustomed to her filtered city water.
In small world fashion, a friend of mine from Nashville recently moved back to Little Rock where he grew up. He’s a musician, and he just so happened to be playing a cover set at a restaurant in Hot Springs Friday night, so we of course had to go. I was a little bummed he didn’t play some of his original music, and when I asked he said he wasn’t even sure he remembered any. But if you’re into folk/pop, or if you’re near Little Rock and need a musician or DJ for your event, Nick Flora is your guy.
Hot Springs lived up to its name with a heat index of 104°F (40°C for my non-American friends) on show day. My friend and I debated sticking around the hotel until show time, but we were worried she wouldn’t be able to get a scooter if we showed up that late, and I hadn’t been to a theme park or on a rollercoaster in 17 years, and I was anxious to see if I could still handle them. (In 2019 I was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease – it’s an inner ear disorder that causes tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo, so I get dizzy much easier these days, not to mention the general equilibrium loss that comes with turning 40.)
We showed up to the park pretty early and made our way to the biggest coaster, The Gauntlet. I strapped myself in before I knew what I was doing, and as it started making it’s way up for the first drop I realized it was too late to turn back. I was fine, but it did make me wonder why coasters don’t have a panic button before the drop if someone starts being really not okay. Turns out, I still love them – it was the good kind of thrilling. However, as expected, my body does not still love them. I had taken some motion sickness medicine before we got there, but still felt pretty woozy and dizzy after the ride, so I took a dose of my prescribed vertigo medicine. The heat may have contributed to it, so we found some shade and water and took a break only one ride in.
After some rehydration, we rode a wooden coaster and that was much easier on my head than the big one that sent us spinning and upside down. But at this point, the heat was getting really bad and we called it quits. We found some ice cream and then learned there was one air conditioned Mexican restaurant and spent most of our time there before making our way to the amphitheater for show time.
Unfortunately, I think we were already too far gone from the heat by the time we took refuge in the restaurant, and I was still feeling pretty miserable by the time Hanson took the stage. I hate to say this, but I was honestly ready for the show to be over before it even began. When they slowed down the set and started playing “Weird”, I caught myself with my eyes closed more than once. They picked the pace back up with “This Time Around” and I was still struggling to stay awake, and that’s when I realized I was not okay. There was a little catwalk coming from the stage and my friend and I were near the end of our aisle. Taylor started making his way down the catwalk toward us, but I was too busy desperately digging for a pack Pedialyte in my backpack to pay attention. It saved the day though, and I was able to enjoy the end of the show. The expected highlight of the show was an encore of “Rollercoaster Love”.
Since my friend and I still weren’t feeling 100%, we wasted no time getting out of the park and back to the hotel after the show. Before heading up to our room, we stopped by the lobby shop for some Vitamin Water and ice cream treats. My friend booked this particular hotel because it was the only one that had ADA rooms available. But as luck would have it, there, enjoying our ice cream, when one by one the guys walked into the lobby. We just smiled at Zac before other fans started talking to him and Isaac didn’t notice us at all (in his defense, we were kind of hidden behind a pillar). Taylor was the last to show up and since we were done with our snacks at that point, we got up to say hi and ask for a photo before going up to our room. We apologized for looking miserable during the show and assured him it wasn’t their fault.
At the end of the day, I’m glad I went – I’ll always be glad I went. But, I think this show taught me that it’s time to retire from outdoor summer shows in the south. Although I know that’s easier said than done. If, for example, they decide to play an outdoor summer show in Mississippi, another new Hanson state, I’m sure I’ll be there. But please, Hanson, don’t do that to me or else “you’re gonna be my demise” when “I feel the heat on the rise”.
In small world fashion, a friend of mine from Nashville recently moved back to Little Rock where he grew up. He’s a musician, and he just so happened to be playing a cover set at a restaurant in Hot Springs Friday night, so we of course had to go. I was a little bummed he didn’t play some of his original music, and when I asked he said he wasn’t even sure he remembered any. But if you’re into folk/pop, or if you’re near Little Rock and need a musician or DJ for your event, Nick Flora is your guy.
These individuals see magic springs as a place of sentimental value, a reminder of simpler times and the joy of being young. There are also those who perceive magic springs as a place of wonder and magic. They believe that there is something mystical and otherworldly about these springs, where illusions come to life and dreams can come true. These individuals are drawn to the enchanting atmosphere of magic springs and the sense of possibility that they offer. However, not everyone shares these positive perceptions of magic springs. Some people may view them as over-commercialized and artificial. They see them as money-making ventures that exploit the dreams and desires of individuals. These individuals may believe that magic springs are nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion, lacking depth and substance. In conclusion, perceptions of magic springs can vary greatly among individuals. Some see them as places of entertainment and excitement, evoking childhood nostalgia or evoking a sense of wonder and magic. However, others may perceive them as artificial and commercialized. Overall, the perception one has of magic springs is a personal belief influenced by individual experiences and perspectives..
Reviews for "Rediscovering Childhood Wonder: Fairytales Come to Life in Magic Springs"
1. Jane123 - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the "Perceptions of Magic Springs" exhibition. The artwork was underwhelming and lacked creativity. It felt like a mishmash of random pieces with no clear theme or direction. The descriptions accompanying the art pieces were vague and didn't provide any deeper understanding or appreciation. Overall, I left the exhibition feeling unimpressed and unchanged.
2. ArtLover87 - 1/5 - "Perceptions of Magic Springs" was a complete waste of time. The so-called "artwork" was nothing more than amateur doodles on cheap canvas. I've seen better pieces at local craft fairs. The exhibition lacked any depth or thought-provoking elements. It felt like the organizers simply wanted to fill up space with mediocre art. I wouldn't recommend this exhibition to anyone.
3. DisappointedVisitor - 2/5 - As an art enthusiast, I had high hopes for "Perceptions of Magic Springs," but sadly, it fell short of my expectations. The artwork seemed uninspired and lacked originality. Many pieces resembled generic prints I had seen before in online galleries. The curation of the exhibition also left much to be desired, as the flow between pieces felt disjointed and confusing. Overall, it was a forgettable experience that I wouldn't revisit.
4. ModernArtCritique - 1/5 - I don't understand the hype around "Perceptions of Magic Springs." The artwork was pretentious and failed to evoke any emotional response. It felt like the artists were trying too hard to be avant-garde without actually understanding the essence of modern art. The exhibition left me feeling disconnected and dissatisfied. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who appreciates true artistic expression.
5. ArtIntellect - 2/5 - "Perceptions of Magic Springs" was a lackluster exhibition. The artwork felt clichéd and lacked originality. It seemed like the artists were trying to imitate popular styles rather than creating something unique. The exhibition space was also crowded, making it difficult to fully appreciate the pieces. Overall, I was unimpressed and felt like I had seen better art elsewhere.