Category Archives: Video

Morning Wake-up Call with Lisa Loeb! Featuring special guest videos by The Not-Its! And Sugar Free Allstars

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Ok, I’m just gonna say it: I hate am not a fan of the morning rush before school! Once that alarm clock beeps or my child runs in with an egregious amount of joy as she jumps all over the bed, my mind starts racing through all of the things I have to get done, including getting to school on time. Have you ever gotten a tardy card before? I was handed one this year, and I really don’t want another one. Not that I’m all about perfection. My fear is really more related to the word “tardy.” It just screams “we know what you did this morning” in an “I know what you did last summer” way for some reason. But, I digress…

I love listening to music in the morning and really, throughout the day. But, unfortunately, depending on when everyone makes it out of bed, popping that CD into the CD player or, if you are a “streamer,” queueing up that song/playlist just doesn’t happen. I wish we listened to music more frequently during the week because it’s mood altering effects are awesome. Everyone seems to stay focused and the milk goes back into the refrigerator instead of the cupboard with the drinking glasses.

There are songs that I’ve turned to in the past that certainly help, but what has recently brightened the mood are chants. I know, that word “chants” seems strange, but read on!

Lisa Loeb – remember her? She’s the master of that awesome 90’s hit “Stay” which was featured in the movie Reality Bites? In the last few years, Loeb has released several children’s album’s that are focused on camp-themed songs. You can read more about her Camp Lisa album and the Camp Lisa Foundation here.

Last year, Loeb released a song/book combo called Lisa Loeb’s Songs for Movin’ and Shakin’: The Air Band Song and Other Toe-Tapping Tunes.” Aside from the fact that there is a song about being a total rockstar in your own air band, there are a couple of songs that have been perfect for getting through the morning. One of them in particular, “Everybody Wake Up,” is an updated version of “The Wakeup Song” from the Camp Lisa album. It’s a great song you can clap and stomp along with. Heck, you can even substitute your own lyrics and instead of stomping have everyone march to the breakfast table.

The actual book that the CD is packaged with provides additional fun if you are home with a little one or need some activities for everyone after the school day. The 24-paged book promises to “get you up out of your chair!” To inspire her audience, Loeb included lyrics and dance instructions, i.e. clapping for “Miss Mary Mack,” how to scare away a monster in “Monster Stomp,” how to tell your left from your right (because your LEFT hand is the only one that can make an “L” shape with your thumb and pointer finger), and even some helpful reminders like hitting the hay earlier for an easier rise and shine. And for those that like a morning stretch or two, “Hello Today” offers some yoga-inspired poses. Ryan O’Rourke adds to the book’s charm with colorful, retro-style illustrations.

I definitely recommend checking this book/CD combo out!

Do you enjoy the morning rush? Have you gotten a tardy card before? I’d love to hear your thoughts so please share any tips that help you remain sane and calm whether it involves music, chanting or something else.

ps – the other songs I referred to that relate to this topic are “Busy” by The Not-Its! and “Gotta Get Up” by the Sugar Free Allstars. Videos below.

Watch This + Free Download! “Armando Armadillo” by Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke

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Today’s video premiere and free download is for the song “Armando Armadillo” by Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke (KWMC). It’s also just one of many entertaining stories from their latest release, Animal Tales.

What you will love about it: The illustrations and animation, clever sense of humor and wacky Armadillo facts! Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke’s attention to detail is what consistently sets them apart. What you will find in this video, as well as the rest of Animal Tales, is KWMC’s uncanny ability to tap into a rich, imaginative space that takes listeners/viewers on an adventure along with the characters they create. By presenting a relatable narrative, paired with beautiful artwork, viewers will feel as though Armando is their friend.

What you should know: “Armando Armadillo” is a cautionary tale about a hard working Armadillo who lives with is wife and 12 children (3 sets of identical quadruplets) in a Nacogdoches (Texas) burrow.

Armando has to make daily treks across the busy Highway 21 to get to his job as a gardener which could prove dangerous since armadillos instinctively jump straight up into the air when they get spooked. Even a suit of plated armor is no match for oncoming traffic! But, as the lyrics say “that’s just the way it goes/ For armadillos.”

Viewers will get a chuckle as they are introduced to Armando’s family through a Brady Bunch style grid and as they watch Armando weave his way across the highway with Frogger-like style.

Behind the Scenes: The entire video was illustrated and animated by Key Wilde. Grammy winning producer, Dean Jones, joins in on the guitarron contributing to the Mexican flair of the song.

Want to learn more? Of course you do! Head on over to Facebook and “like” Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke’s page to stay up to date with what they are working on and where you can see them perform. You can also follow them on Twitter.

Key Wilde has done artwork for Avanti Greeting Cards, the Central Park Conservancy and the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge all of which can be found in Key Wilde’s portfolio. I highly recommend checking out his work, as well as KWMC’s Animal Alphabet iPad app and “Animal Alphabet” video.

Stay tuned for my full review of Animal Tales which is akin to an audio version of a National Geographic Kids magazine.

In the meantime, you can download “Armando Armadillo” for free through the Soundcloud link below.

Watch This: Rekindling the spirit of Jim Henson: “Rattlesnake” by Red Yarn

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Portland’s Andy Furgeson, aka Red Yarn, is the man behind the creation of The Deep Woods, and today’s video feature for the song, “Rattlesnake.”

What you will love about it: Its charm! There is a very real, heart-warming feeling about this video that resembles the vibe of many of Jim Henson’s productions (Emmett Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, The Muppets, Fraggle Rock). Furgeson’s demeanor and refreshing candor brings an authenticity to the scene leaving the audience feeling as though they are invited into the scene as opposed to simply being presented with it.

As the video opens, we are introduced to Red and Bob Rabbit who kickoff the song with a wicked beat and engaging dance movements that will light a spark in the imagination of children who will be compelled to stomp and clap along. As the song builds, more and more critters come out of the woodwork to join in the jamboree. They even welcome in the mean snake who has been terrorizing other animals throughout the song.

What you should know: This video is the first segment of Furgeson’s grant-funded ‘Deep Woods’ TV Pilot. The pilot tells the story how Red Yarn first discovered the Deep Woods, befriended the critters that live in the forest and started a traveling band with them. The only way the Deep Woods will survive is if the children of the world remember these old characters and the folk songs from which they came, so Red decides to help the critters by going on the road together. The “Rattlesnake” video depicts the first time Red plays music with the band.

Behind the Scenes: A huge creative team came together to make this pilot happen. 12 puppeteers worked to bring the puppets to life while Jeff Speetjens (digital artist for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, as well as Green Lantern) collaborated and served as director, production designer, Joseph Silva was cinematographer and editor, and Ryan Bruce served as art director. You can view the names of the entire crew at the video’s YouTube page.

Want to learn more? Of course you do! Check out my interview with Andy Furgeson which goes into further detail about what The Deep Woods is all about and how it was born out of Furgeson’s interest in American folklore with a special focus on the role animals played in old folk songs. There’s some really interesting stuff here!

Halloween Digest 2014: Part 1 – Videos and Activities!

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I love Halloween and all the preparation, spooky tales, trick or treating adventures and the rest of the absurdity that goes along with it. Today’s post is the start of a few posts related to this holiday. We’ll start with some videos, round things up with a monster dance party, and end with a book suggestion and fun Halloween activity. The party is just getting started! Fill your treat bucket with a Halloween playlist full of fresh tunes that will lift your spirits!

The Hipwaders – “Pumpkinhead” –  The legend of Pumpkinhead muhahaha… Actually, this is a fun, cautionary tale about the consequences of eating too much candy. The Hipwaders relay this tale with a smooth, reggae beat making it hip for Halloween. A great song and terrific video featuring a rotating set of vintage Halloween postcards. I want some of those in my pillowcase!

Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips – “Halloween Every Night” – This haunt floats in with some surf-rock grooves as Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips present a “spirited” video featuring a cast of spooky characters having fun together on Halloween night. There’s a bit of retro fancy in this video as well when the colorful crew takes to the “Spooky Movies” where they are presented with clips of classic freaks from the past (Frankenstein, Dracula, The Munsters even show up). Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans might feel a bit of nostalgia here as the monsters’ silhouettes are superimposed at the bottom of the scene in a similar fashion. The entire concept, drawing and animation was done by Mista Cookie Jar and family. Very cool.

Play Date – “Dance Like A Monster” – This is a classic and I encourage you and your family to “get your monster boogie on” with the rest of the Ghouligans in this video. There’s even a call to “let our your monster cry!” A perfect addition to a Halloween playlist and impromptu monster mash dance parties.

Additional Halloween Fun

UnknownWhen you’re through with dancing, check out “Glad Monster, Sad Monster” an awesome book that helps kids channel and communicate their emotions. This book goes through what makes each monster happy, glad, sad, mad, scared, etc, and then prompts kids to put on the monster masks and express their feelings in the same way. One of our favorites!

 

 

Looking for a fun activity? Do some Halloween Word Mining! Read this PBS Parents feature by Jeff Bogle from Out With The Kids for instructions and a printable activity sheet to get you started. http://www.pbs.org/parents/adventures-in-learning/2014/10/halloween-word-mining/

National Fire Prevention Week: Watch videos by Recess Monkey and SteveSongs plus FREE app downloads!

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Hearing a smoke alarm’s loud beeping makes me want to freeze, curl in a ball and cover my ears. My 5-year-old responds by repeatedly yelling “TURN IT OFF!” while unconsciously running as far away from the noise as fast as she can. Without a solid exit strategy, trying to remain calm in the face of an emergency can end up adding more stress! In honor of National Fire Prevention Week week (October 5, 2014 – October 11, 2014), both SteveSongs and Recess Monkey have teamed up with The National Fire Protection Association’s friendly mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog® to raise awareness about the importance of having a fire safety plan in place.

In “Little Rosalie” SteveSongs delivers four important steps kids should follow when they hear the beeping of the smoke alarms. For quick reference, they are:

1. Get up and walk don’t run, but you should walk briskly

2. Remember 2 know 2 ways out of every room

3. Get yourself outside quickly and

4. To your outside meeting place with your family

Recess Monkey trades in their Tambourine Submarine for Sparky’s flying smoke alarm in “What’s That Sound?” With some old skool “flare,” Drew Holloway dons a golden smoke alarm necklace, while delivering the fire safety 411 to kids with some funky dance moves. As a bonus, Recess Monkey recorded this song in five different genres. So, depending on your musical taste, you can listen to the song in Country, Funk, Latin, Rap, and Uke (short for Ukulele).

In addition to these two videos, The National Fire Protection Association’s friendly mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog®, kids, teachers, and families can have fun exploring the world of fire safety at www.sparkyschoolhouse.org, the “Sparky Schoolhouse” website, where apps, music videos, lesson plans, activity sheets, an e-book, and games for kids age 3 – 10 can be downloaded for FREE.

Sparky the Fire Dog® even has his own page filled with activities (smoke alarm hidden picture), and you can even  print out a smoke alarm calendar to remind you every month to test your smoke alarms.

Watch this: Video World Premiere – “I Can I Can” by The Squeegees

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Sometimes we all need a little encouragement. A smile, a hug and a high-five are warm and wonderful ways to offer support. While actions are powerful, hearing the right string of words can sometimes be the best medicine. The Squeegees, an LA-based band, hits just the right notes with today’s world premiere video for “I Can I Can,” a song from their forthcoming album Veggie Soup.

“I Can I Can” with its familiar verses “I think I can I think I can…/You can you can” is a refreshing, versatile anthem that all kids should keep in their back pocket. It works for grown-ups too, particularly during the morning prep before school and bedtime routine. Ahem.

The Squeegees have recorded and are ready to release Veggie Soup but are looking for a little support of their own. To help with post-production costs, The Squeegees have launched a Kickstarter campaign. The campaign ends on October 8 so you still have 6 days to lend a virtual hand if you’d like. Check out the video and read on to learn more about the band.

And if you are in the Los Angeles area on October 18, 2014 don’t miss The Squeegees at The Rose Bowl for the Kidspace Pumpkin Festival!

The Squeegees’s consists of songwriters Samantha Tobey and Pierre de Reeder, along with members Chris Phillips, Moni Wood, Adriana Suyama, and Anne Marie Ceralvo. The band shares a passion for interacting and working with children. Samantha brings a natural flair and years of experience as a “Mommy and Me” instructor and baby sign language teacher to her passion for interacting and working with children. Pierre is a father of two, a music producer, studio owner, and founding member of the seminal Los Angeles band Rilo Kiley, while Chris has charmed many audiences as the drummer for The Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Through very melodic songs with rich harmonies that are not only addictive but also educational, The Squeegees have provided an enjoyable medium for kids and parents alike to learn about eating healthy, nature, movement, eco-consciousness and animal welfare.

View this: “La Clave” – ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! + Music tutorial!

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Uno-Dos-Tres-con-Andres-400Hispanic Heritage Month is from Sep 15 – Oct 15, 2014 and to celebrate, here is a new video for “La Clave,” by Andrés Salguero from his recent release, ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés!.

“La Clave” refers to the musical instrument that keeps the rhythm in salsa music. It also refers to the beat itself which Salguero demonstrates as he sings “Pa Pa, Pa Pa Pa.” “La Clave” encourages participation as viewers are encouraged to sing along with the lyrical text while also visually experiencing what the heartbeat of salsa looks, feels and sounds like. You don’t have to know Spanish or salsa to participate. The key is to find your own rhythm and move along. I guarantee you will.

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BONUS!! – Andrés put together a web tutorial demonstrating how to play La Clave, the musical instrument used to create the rhythm in Salsa and Afro Cuban music. This is an excellent opportunity to and make music with your family while introducing them to the sounds of World music. Bring along some rhythm sticks or use simply use your hands and follow along!

To learn more about La Clave click here.

My letter to First Grade and a song…

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First Grade, how did you get here so fast? I knew you would arrive eventually, and I admit that I was secretly impatient about the fact that you might have been taking too long to get here…at times. But, now you’re here and though I’m glad, I’m also feeling the bittersweet pain of what it means to let my little big girl go.

Today is her second day with you and she insisted on being dropped off curbside. She actually gave me a stink face and growled when I suggested walking her to her homeroom (the school is like a maze!). I know her confidence and drive for independence. You really can’t mess with the fury behind those animalistic tendencies. So, I let her go. I managed to chuckle to myself while watching her bouncing down the sidewalk with her life-size backpack on. I even yelled out “Have a rockstar day!” because I’m a super cool mom like that. And really, First Grade, you deserve a proper welcome.

I was happy and proud of her until she just about turned the corner… She stopped, turned around, blew me several kisses, wrapped her arms around herself and pointed at me emphatically mouthing, “for you.” She then tucked some papers under her arm and made a heart with her hands. It took all I had not to run to her and hold on to her for just one more minute (maybe even one more day), but I was strong. I mustered up the biggest smile and echoed back all of love, infinity x 100.

As we both headed on our way, I got back into the car and turned on the radio, which was still tuned to Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live. The following song, by some incredible coincidence, is what greeted me and was a reassuring friend throughout the entire drive home.

So, First Grade, here we are. I promised I wouldn’t cry but your powers are strong. Take care of my big girl and I look forward to our many adventures with you throughout this school year.

In Memorium: Robin Williams in “Never Had A Friend Like Me” from Aladdin

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The passing of Robin Williams has prompted many touching posts through social media and on different sites throughout the internet. I am still processing my own thoughts and feelings regarding this unfortunate event and will likely update this post at a later point in time. One thing I keep going back to is how much emotion I always saw in his eyes and heard in his voice as he brought his characters to life. Despite what he might have been feeling inside, one thing is for sure, that man lit up like the sun anytime he was given a chance to fill the air with laughter.

Similar to many of you, one of my most favorite characters was the genie in Aladdin. Genie showcases many of Robin’s talents, and because music has a powerful way helping us process our own emotions, it feels right to publish “Never Had A Friend Like Me” as a toast to such an accomplished and inspiring individual.

World Premiere Video: “Dah Day” – Baze and His Silly Friends

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Have you ever wondered what your child’s dreams are like? When my daughter was a toddler it always seemed like she would go to bed and wake up the next morning with a new skill or string of vocabulary words. We used to joke about what her brain might have been doing while she was asleep. Would she wake up speaking a new language? Start walking and make herself breakfast?! Or were her dreams filled with rainbows and butterflies? We could only imagine!

Today, I am proud to present the world premiere for “Dah Day” the third video from the The Best Day Ever! by Baze and his Silly Friends.

“Dah Day” is a swirling, psychedelic adventure featuring the voice of Cole, Marc Bazerman’s (“Baze”) son, when he was just 1 year old. To create the song, Baze followed Cole around, capturing various vocalizations and sounds during playtime. At the same time, Baze was curious about what Cole might be seeing in his dreams, which ultimately inspired him to further develop his vision for this video. Animated by Tony LaRocca (Egotistical Productions), “Dah Day” brings to life all of Cole’s favorite toys, including his teddy bear, his guitar and Otay, his beta fish and blends them into a surreal, technicolor dance. It’s pretty much what the best dream ever might look like!

Want to hear more by Baze and His Silly Friends? You can listen to and purchase additional tracks from The Best Day Ever at via CDBaby and iTunes. You can also stay in touch with Baze and his Silly Friends through Facebook and Twitter.