Reeling in pairs

Promotional event offers free tickets to 'Finding Nemo'

Feld Entertainment, the production company behind Disney/PIXAR's On Ice version of "Finding Nemo," offered up some fun on Jan. 16 at the Galleria at Sunset mall for 13 children who belong to one of the 12 clubs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

The children played the "Finding Nemo" Memory Game, held prior to the show's performances at The Orleans Arena. The venue is hosting the Disney On Ice presentation of Disney/Pixar's "Finding Nemo" through Sunday.

The movie "Finding Nemo" contains a character named Bruce, a great white shark, explained Bridget Benov, the show's promoter with Feld Entertainment.

"During the movie, he decided that fish are his friends, and that he won't eat fish anymore," Benov said.

So, Bruce, the fish-friendly shark, also portrays Disney's message of kindness and equality, Benov said.

During the game at the mall, 20 2-foot-by-3-foot cards were spread out, and teams of two competed to find matching pairs.

Benov said the Virginia-based company enjoys participating in community events throughout the country.

"We've worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs before and we think they're a great nonprofit," Benov said. "And to go along with Disney's ideas, there is no winner or loser of the game. All the children receive a hat for participating. We're not making it about winning and losing."

Once asked to pair themselves with another child, youngsters quickly separated into teams pitting the girls against the boys. All sporting the Bruce the shark hats they received for participating, they soon were playing the game, concentrating on the placement of the cards.

"Every time Disney comes to town they make sure to do something with us," said Christine Skorupski, community relations manager for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas. "Not all families have the opportunity to see a show like this, so they bring it to us in some way."

Skorupski explained that the children who attended were mainly chosen based on availability and parental consent.

"But we also use events like these as positive reinforcements," Skorupski said. "Kids who are doing good in school, helping out at the club or maybe helping keep things clean, it's a good way to reward them."

Feld Entertainment, which also produces Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey productions, also donated a pack of show tickets to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

Once the children from the clubs each had a turn playing, the game was opened to the public, which included several families with little ones yearning for the gray-finned Bruce the shark hat.

The passersby who participated, as well as the children from the local clubs were encouraged to enter a raffle in which 100 tickets were given away.

Show times include 4 and 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Ticket prices range between $15 and $45.

For additional information, call The Orleans Box Office at 284-7777 or visit www.orleansarena.com.