Attention Parents! We Have the Perfect Plans for Your Holiday Break (This is NOT a Trick)!

Making plans for the entire family, especially during the holiday season can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the kids usually have a week or more of school vacation, providing plenty of opportunities to “do something.” On the other hand, most families feel the fiscal burn once holiday gift-giving has come and gone. More so, it can prove difficult to make plans that are truly “fun for the whole family.” Seriously. When was the last time you can remember everyone in your family laughing at the same thing at the same time? Well, if you’re from the Dayton, Ohio area and you’re looking to make some plans to rectify that, we think we can help. While you might think of us at McCluskey Chevy as car people, we are also parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and kids, who understand the struggles that come with the holidays. 

On Tuesday, December 31, the Nutter Center at Wright State University will play host to one of the most affordable, memorable, and (dare I say) universally appreciable forms of entertainment I can think of. I know, I know…the anticipation must be killing you, but please allow me to take a step back in order to frame the ‘big reveal.’

Normally – in order to enjoy an activity – you need to be a fan of whatever rests at the heart of that activity. If I suggested you got to a particular sporting event, it would help if you were a fan of the sport. If I suggested you go to a comedy show, it might help if you enjoy comedians. But what if I told you that I was putting the two of those things together, and you didn’t have to be a fan of either to appreciate the end result? Well, that’s exactly what I’m talking about when it comes to the Harlem Globetrotters. 

History of the Harlem Globetrotters

Since 1927, the Harlem Globetrotters (or “Globe Trotters” as they were originally called) have played 26,000 exhibition games that combine the appeal of athleticism, theatrics, and comedy for the enjoyment of audiences of all ages and backgrounds in 124 different countries. If you need further evidence of their widespread popularity, look to the team’s signature theme song “Sweet Georgia Brown.” The significance of the team’s whistled anthem is so well-known that it’s considered one of the most recognizable instrumental pieces around the world.

One listen, and it brings to mind the light-hearted levity offered by the Globetrotters. For those of us who have had the pleasure of attending a game, especially in our youth, the sound of that theme transports us back to a simpler time. To this day, I can remember being in awe of the talents of Connie “The Hawk” Hawkins and Fred “Curly” Neal. I can recall Lynnette Woodard joining the team in 1985, long before the WNBA, and how it inspired female classmates to join us in making trick shots on the playground. There’s something indomitable about the Globetrotters – but it’s less about their oft-lamented winning streaks and more about the optimism and goodwill that they embody. 

But when it comes to their tendency to come out on top of opponents, it’s a common misconception that Globetrotter games are choreographed in their entirety. In reality, opposing teams like the Washington Generals may not interfere with the Globetrotter’s shenanigan-enriched offense, but they are playing legitimate offense of their own once in possession of the ball. In other words, the games themselves are not fixed – and about 30% of the gameplay in each game is very real. But one can only imagine that it would be difficult to beat the Globetrotters, considering the inestimable skill and talent to be found in their roster. 

Family Fun

I could share endless videos of mind-blowing trick shots, masterful gameplay, and top-notch comedic antics, but we’ll assume you’re familiar with the Globetrotters. If you’re not, you can watch endless videos on their YouTube channel.

For those of you looking for a more modest dose and an introduction to some of the current players on the roster, here is a preview of their current 2019 World Tour. 

For more information on the December 31st show, including ticket availability, click here.