BlockCon 2023 May 26-28 in Chicago!

Update - there is a website with more details! blockcon2023.com

Some highlights include: 

• NKOTB concert on Friday night
• Saturday BLOCKCON Panels and Events
• I’ll Be Lovin’ You Forever: NKOTB Prom Theme Party on Saturday night
• Sunday Farewell Event

The word is out! Check out the news from Donnie about "BlockCon 2023"

BLOCKCON 2023 - Hosted by @nkotb! The first ever New Kids On The Block Fan Convention! May 26-28 in Chicago, IL. Three full days of fun TOGETHER (kind of like a cruise on land) as part of our 15 year reunion celebrations, we are inviting our Blockhead family to come together for a weekend celebration of ALL THINGS NKOTB with NKOTB. Concert + Theme Party (or two) + Special Events + Panels + More Events + sooooooooo much more! We can’t wait to spend the weekend WITH YOU! #BLOCKCON 🤖❤️♾💫✨🎉🥳🎈

Tickets on sale this Friday at NOON EST. Presale for Block Nation members starts this Thursday at NOON EST.  

Shoutout to @mylothecat for putting this epic reimagining of our 1990 animated series together! Absolutely brilliant! 🎯

LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Here's a summary of events from the BlockCon2023.com website: 

FRIDAY DAYTIME

Arrival into Rosemont; BLOCKCON attendee registration; Photo Ops and Merchandise Shopping Available.*Registration details to be shared with all ticket holders in advance

FRIDAY NIGHT

The Time Has Arrived! The Blockheads have descended upon Chicago! We’ll be kicking off BLOCKCON with an intimate, exclusive NKOTB Concert at the Rosemont Theatre.

SATURDAY DAYTIME

Join the New Kids on The Block and special guests for a day full of panels, events, laughs and surprises as we spend the day together in style in the Rosemont Theater.

*more details to be announced soon on Saturday Event Schedule

SATURDAY NIGHT

We want you to come dressed to impress for the I’ll Be Lovin’ You Forever: NKOTB Prom. It’s going to be party time New Kids style as we dance the night away together. Who will be crowned King and Queen of the Blockhead Prom? There surely will be balloon arches, slow dances, cummerbunds, corsages, and boutonnieres. We can’t wait to party with you all at our first ever Blockhead Prom Dance.

SUNDAY

Every good thing must come to an end. Join us on Sunday morning for a BLOCKCON Farewell get together where we’ll reminisce on the good times we just had, drink lots of coffee and take a BLOCKCON family photo before we depart.

Here's some more details on prices: 

Block Party Ticket Package: $549 + Fees

• Reserved Seat for all Rosemont Theatre events including the kickoff NKOTB concert
• Entrance into all Saturday BLOCKCON Panels and Events
• Entrance into the I’ll Be Lovin’ You Forever: NKOTB Prom Theme Party on Saturday night
• Entrance into Sunday Farewell Event
• Commemorative BLOCKCON Laminate

Full-Service VIP Package: $1499 + Fees

• One reserved ticket up front, best seats in the house at all Rosemont Theatre events including:
• Kickoff NKOTB Concert
• Saturday BLOCKCON Panels and Events
• M&G photo with members of NKOTB (Photos taken in groups of 10)
• Access to VIP Lounge Area inside the I’ll Be Lovin’ You Forever: NKOTB Prom Theme Party on Saturday night
• Access to Full Service-VIP Hospitality Lounge for all Rosemont Theatre weekend events
• Special VIP Entrance for Theatre events
• Sunday Farewell Event
• Commemorative BLOCKCON VIP Laminate
• Crowd Free Merchandise Shopping

Here's an article about the event from The Music Universe:

New Kids on the Block announce first-ever fan convention

The event celebrates the group’s 15 year reunion

New Kids on the Block will host BLOCKCON, the first ever NKOTB fan convention which will take place on May 26-28th in Chicago. The all-weekend immersive fan experience, with events at the Rosemont Theatre and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, includes an intimate one-of-a-kind NKOTB concert to kick off the weekend; daytime panels and events on Saturday with NKOTB and guests; special exhibits, the I’ll Be Lovin’ You Forever: NKOTB Prom theme party on Saturday night and a farewell event with the New Kids on Sunday morning.

Tickets for BLOCKCON go on sale Friday, February 3rd at noon EST via Ticketmaster. Block Nation Fan Club members will get first access to tickets on Thursday, February 2nd at noon EST.

This year marks the 15 year anniversary of the New Kids reuniting with a curtain drop reveal on the Today Show on April 4, 2008 followed by ear-splitting cheers from the unsuspecting crowd. In the 15 years that have followed, the New Kids have embarked on numerous sold out world tours and NKOTB cruises with their fans but this will be the first NKOTB fan convention – where blockheads (a nickname for NKOTB fans) will be able to come together in a city, spend an entire weekend together and an entire weekend with the New Kids.

“We’ve done almost every event imaginable with our amazing Blockhead Family over the last 15 years — from Cruises to Concerts to Town Hall Meetings — but nothing quite like BLOCKCON! Spending three full days with them, while hosting a convention crafted especially for them (including multiple events that will give us the best opportunity to connect with all of them), is the perfect way to celebrate this reunion that has meant so much to us all,” states Donnie Wahlberg.

Fans will be able to experience BLOCKCON by purchasing either a Block Party Ticket Package which gets them in to all BLOCKCON weekend events and activities or a Full-Service VIP Package, which includes the best seats in the house at all Rosemont Theatre events, access to VIP areas at the Saturday night NKOTB Prom Theme Party, Sunday farewell event and much more. For fans coming in from out of town, BLOCKCON has arranged for discounted Blockhead rates at hotels close to the venues.

More details and announcements will come in the weeks to follow, including Saturday panel and event schedules and guests, and more.

NKOTB News for January 29

NKOTB, Donnie, Danny and Joey all posted this on their social media accounts today: 

We’re coming up on the 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY of this magical announcement day! The day that brought us all back together again, as family! Maybe we should celebrate? We’ve got some ideas! 😉 Stay tuned… 

Donnie added this to his post:

"🤖❤️♾️💫✨ (not #DonnieSoon not #NewKidsSoon but something like - tomorrow soon). 😜 Lets go!!!"

In other news, Donnie was at the Celtics vs Lakers game last night! He posted a few photos on his Instagram stories: 

Joe Stick was also at the game, and he shared this photo of him with Donnie and Donnie's nephew Brandon: 

And he posted this as well: 

Celtic/Laker games never get old !! Great Game, Great food (Nebo) & a great time with @donniewahlberg @paulpierce @papetty

Saxophone player Joe Sparkes posted a photo of him and Donnie outside the TD Garden: 

When Donnie Wahlberg jumps out of the car to give you a tip and take a photo, I'm pretty sure you're supposed to post that $hit

D-Nice was also at the Celtics game on Thursday night and he took a photo with Donnie at that game: 

D-Nice also posted about an event in New York City on March 18th. I don't know for sure what this means, but note Donnie's response (Note: this is not related to the upcoming announcement from NKOTB): 

There is a new Wahlburgers in Manly Beach, Australia! Wahlburgers Australia posted this video from Donnie and Paul: 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wahlburgers Australia (@wahlburgersau)

Only one week left to sign up for the Dash With Danny virtual 5k (registration closes February 4)! Here's the link to sign up: www.rememberbetty.com/dash Remember Betty's director, Bethany Wood, posted this video about it yesterday: 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Remember Betty (@rememberbetty)

NKOTB News for January 27

Donnie attended the Celtics game versus the New York Knicks game last night! He posted this photo of him and his friends D-Nice, Ian Loring, and Kainon Jasper. 

#Family aka #DNice & #DDub aka #CQBeantown! Let’s go #Celtics @dnice @ianloring @kainon_jasper @celtics v @nyknicks @tdgarden Let’s go #celtics #knicks ☘️❤️🏀🔥👑

Here is another photo of Donnie at the game from Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images.

Before Donnie drove to Boston for the C's game, he shared this clip of 2 of his dogs getting ready to go!

Last Tuesday, Donnie shared a selfie on the set of Blue Bloods.

Donnie was in Syosset, NY (Long Island) earlier this week to film Blue Bloods. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman shared this on his Facebook Page: 

It was great to welcome Donnie Wahlberg and the production of Blue Bloods to Syosset, NY. The movie and tv production industry continues to make Nassau County home - creating jobs and generating economic activity for our community.

Donnie received some more praise from people he worked with on Blue Bloods! This one was from Quincy Giles, who was on last week's episode: 

New Kid on the Block and I plan to keep steppin 👣 #MondayMotivation #BlueBloods #CBS #LoveLife

Appreciate everyone reaching out about the episode. Blessed to connect and create magic with incredible people. This one was special, and gave me a deeper sense of passion & purpose 🌟

“The sky’s the limit for you! Keep doing it. You got it!” @donniewahlberg 🤞🏽

And here's another from Everett McCain, who was on set with him at Republic Airport in Long Island for an upcoming episode that they are filming this week:

An interesting morning at my job as the television show, “Blue Bloods” is back here again filming some scenes. I got to catch up with Donnie Wahlberg again after seeing him last June, and saying hello again to Marisa Ramirez, and getting the chance to meet Lyle Lovett too. All three were very nice, and Donnie mentioned that when we last saw each other it was warm outside. A nice way to start the work week.

Broadway World announced their 2022 Regional Awards for Los Angeles, and "Drag the Musical" won the "Best New Play Or Musical"!

It appears that Jonathan has deleted his Twitter account. 

I know Jonathan posted the question of whether or not to delete his Twitter a few weeks ago, so this isn't a real big surprise. I just hope he keeps his Instagram!

I keep things in mind for these posts and sometimes I'll save some screen caps some possible things to share. I had initially decided not to use these in last Tuesday's post, but since it appears these were his final tweets, I'll post them now: 

Update on the Block Nation Presale Access Bundle

I've been getting a lot of questions about when to renew your Block Nation membership. If it's been a year since you joined, it's likely you got an email today letting you know your membership has expired! 

The Block Nation membership perks include: 

• First access to tickets to headline shows and special events 
• An exclusive membership gift! 

The price is $70 (although with fees, taxes, and shipping, it was nearly $96 when I signed up).

Click here to renew or get a new Block Nation membership!

NKOTB News for January 24

People.com posted an article about Joey's Carnegie Hall performance! They asked him about his plans for this year. Here's a quote: 

As for what's next, McIntyre says his Carnegie performance felt "like a kickoff" for his plans to make his 50th year extra special.

"I've been saying to friends that I want to do 50 shows this year, so 50 for 50," says the star, although he admits that plans have not been finalized. "I'm just doing what I love to do, and taking it one day at a time but I think it'll all come together soon."

Click here to read the full article!

Could one of the those 50 shows be in Boston? Joey shared a photo of a chair by the Charles River in Boston over the weekend with the caption "future namaste":

Joey shared a photo of him with Peloton instructor, Robyn: 

He posted this selfie last night: 

Shoshana Bean made a heartfelt post about Joey and she included a clip of them rehearsing. Click here to view! 

My sweet Joe Mac…you belong to the masses. But your superpower is making each of us feel so seen and so cared for that we are sure you belong solely to us alone. You have always held me with a strength and sensitivity that made me feel more safe and more courageous than I would have been had you not been at my side. Even under the scariest and most vulnerable of circumstances. I am so grateful for, inspired by and proud of you! Thank you for having me be even the tiniest part of such a massive moment. To many, many more chances to goof around and say yes, my friend. #joeshanaforever xo

And speaking of posts about working with one of the guys, Jessica Pimentel, who guest starred in last week's episode of Blue Bloods, posted about working with Donnie: 

If you guessed I was talking to Danny Reagan in my previous post, YOU WERE CORRECT!

Here I am with the gracious and awesome forever heartthrob @donniewahlberg

Who was an absolute joy to work with.

I am seriously, humbly and thankfully at a loss for words today from all the outpouring of love and support from family, friends and fans of @bluebloods_cbs .

What an amazing experience!

What should we order at Manducatis for dinner?

Donnie shared a few things on his social media recently:  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DONNIE WAHLBERG (@donniewahlberg)

At Joey's Carnegie show, Jonathan announced there will be a season 3 of Farmhouse Fixer and it looks like they are looking for people to have their house renovated! Scott Harmon posted this on "Jonathan Knight's "FARMHOUSE FIXER" Fan Page" on Facebook: 

If you meet the criteria, click here to apply!

A couple Team Betty groups are doing local fundraisers! Team Betty Colorado is hosting a paint and sip night on February 5th!

Click here to register!

And Team Betty New Orleans is hosting a bowling event on February 4th!

Click here to register!