Two Gigs in One Day

This blog wasn't meant to promote my music. "Yeah, right!" you say? No really, I promise that's not my intention. But since I haven't written in this blog in 3-4 years, I do feel like I'd like to give you a sense of where I"m coming from for my first post "back". On Sat. I played two gigs. I only do kids music in case you're wondering. No moonlighting at night as a "grown-up" musician.

The first one was a band show at the Hideout, a well-known hipster bar in Chicago that looks like something from WI. We were playing a show with a band called "Future Hits".  Matt Baron, the leader of indie rock band, Future Hits, is an ESL teacher and writes curriculum based songs.  This was our 3rd time playing at this venue with them.  The music started at 3pm but we had to be there at 1pm to load-in, sound-check, etc.  Anyways, we had a great crowd and everyone was happy to be out because we've been having a harsh winter of blizzards and sub-zero weather. Some people have been calling it "Polar Vortex" or "Chiberia".  The show went really well. See above video for a reference. Also, since it was a kids show at a bar, I have to admit, it was really nice to have a drink with my band (including my husband) after the show. While enjoying my "free" drink,  I said to my band members, "Why is it always that the more fun gig comes before the less fun gig?" as I got ready to leave the Hideout to go do a birthday party an hour away.

After leaving the Hideout, I drove out to Orland Park. It was completely out in the middle of nowhere compared to Chicago.  "Oh my gosh. Where am I?" I just left my family and friends on a cold winter Sat. night to come out to no man's land.  I was starving and had a little time so I stopped into some random Italian deli.  I ordered a sandwich and bought a bunch of stuff like anchovies, pesto, ladyfingers, etc. I talked to the owner for a little while. Everyone who worked there was very friendly. Afterwards, I scarfed down 1/2 my sandwich which was super yummy in the car. They forgot to put in a napkin so I had to use my mitten to wipe my face.

I got to the party and let me tell you I was SO wrong about it being a "less" fun gig. I walked into this house and everybody was dressed in beautiful Indian garb. Wow, the woman, the men, and the children all looked stunning to me. And what a wonderful community. Everybody was friendly and engaged in my show. They were laughing and singing along. Even the elderly grandma came up and sang a song into my microphone. After my show, when I told them I already ate, they sent me home with a huge to go bag of authentic Indian food. 

I really enjoyed this party because although it was chaotic there was a ton of community. It really reminded me of filipino parties growing up.  I told the kids at the end of my little concert, "Embrace your culture and don't conform to be like others. That's boring!" The parents all cheered after I said that.

Psychobaby: The hardest working mom in kids' showbiz

I haven't done barely any self-promotion you know on this blog but. . .

Psychobaby: The hardest working mom in kids' showbiz

The Power of Music

A couple weeks ago, several parents that happen to also be musicians at my daughter's school got together to do a fundraiser called Burleypalooza. Several of the parents were professional musicians but all of us did it for free. The parents represented all types of music from classical to Irish to folk to 80's music to indie rock to jazz and even some spoken word. Together we were able to raise a good chunk of change. More importantly, the energy in our school seemed to have been lifted up by this event. With all the budget cuts, the economy, not winning the US cellular money, etc. it was music that brought us al together through this tough year. It was music that filled our souls with hope.

Feist on Sesame Street 1234

I must admit I've been singing this song in my Wiggleworms music classes - a parent/baby interactive music class at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. I've been singing this version. Of course, I'm giving Feist full credit so please don't sue me anyone out there. This version is great because unlike Feist's real 1234 song, the counting is accurate in the Sesame Street version. I'd hate to be sending babies into the world learning to count incorrectly. So anyways, it's a real hit in class for the indie-rock parents out there.

I heart Sufjan Stevens

My all time favorate Christmas music is from Sufjan's Stevens Christmas box set. The video itself is kind of lame but it's got a nice heartwarming message. Anyways, this is one of my favorate songs from the box set. I love all the quirky instruments and harmonies. Happy Holidays to my 2 readers out there!

Chairlift - Bruises

So I've mentioned that I teach Wiggleworms at the Old Town School of Folk Music. I basically bring my guitar and sing tunes for babies and caregivers. Last Tuesday, was the last class of the 16 week session so of course we had a little holiday party. I must say that there are some very generous people in the world. Along with some nice gift cards, I received some heartfelt thank you cards from several moms. A little affirmation goes a long way. Anyways, Hal, one of my little babies, and his mom, Nanette, made me a mix cd as a thank you gift. This is the second cd she has made me. I'm always trying to find fun "grown-up" pop songs that I can bring into the classroom to play on my guitar or even just to play while I blow some bubbles. Here is the one that stuck out the most for me. I love this song!

Old Town School of Folk Music Holiday Party

So . . it's late right now and I've had a couple mixed drinks. I'm allowed to say that right? Anyways, I went to the Old Town School of Folk Music Holiday Party. That's the place where I work as a Wiggleworms instructor. The party was at a place called Schuba's in Chicago. Honestly, I'm a little sweaty because I spent the last 2 hours dancing my you-know-what off. Here's why I'm writing though. Here's the cool part. Well Old Town has this thing where employees can sign up at the party to play 2 songs on the stage. If you know anything about Old Town, you know there is a very talented pool of musicians who work there. It's is really quite amazing. I didn't get up and sing. It was really nice to sit back and drink my drinks and watch the talent. But there were a few kids musicians who went up on stage. There was Lindsey, and there was Tisa who don't have kids cd's but should. Then there was Jeremy Babcock of the "Dreamtree Shakers' who got the crowd going and also Joel Frankel who is a kids musician that I just adore. In the audience, there was Laura Doherty and Mr. Singer of Sharp Cookies. As well some other Wiggleworm instructors who are very talented like Lisa and Anne-marie. Anyways, I'm feeling a bit inspired these days especially with this blog. I watched Julie and Julia today and that inspired me. I guess I've been feeling a bit confused as to why I write this thing. I think I felt like I had to just write reviews of cd's and concerts. But lately I"m seeing the possibilities with this thing. Kids Music is so much more than just that. And overall I live it everyday in some shape or form. I'm going to find a way to share this world with you if you'll let me.

Red Moon Winter Pageant 2009

For me, nothing says Chicago like Red Moon Theater. Yes, I know they made it big-time at the White House this year at Halloween. However, at this year's Winter Pageant, my husband, daughter and I felt the same sense of magical wonderment we've always felt at their productions over the years. Even though Red Moon seems to find it's way everywhere in Chicago like Millenium Park, Wicker Park, Columbus Park, and Chinatown, viewers still get a grass roots feel from almost every production. You get a sense that a community of artists and musicians are working together to make it happen. It's puppets, it's machines, it's art, it's juggling, it's shadow and water and bubbles and more. The music at this years pageant was amazing. Mark Messing of Mucca Pazza I believe was involved.
Here's a little taste of the magic.

Milly's almost all kid Holiday spectacular

Today at the Old Town School of Folk Music on Sunday Dec. 13, there will be two shows 3:30 and 5:30. If you are old school Chicago like me, you've seen Milly's posters around for many years. I believe it's another old school Chicagoan, cartoonist Heather McAddams who does the unique Milly's posters too! Looks like fun!



A blast from the past - Hilarious

The Beat Kitchen Fall Kids Concerts!!!!

So here is the line-up for this year's kids concert series at the Beat Kitchen. The Beat Kitchen is my favorate place to play. It may be the pre-show bloody mary's, the yummy food, the great sound, or the intimate crowd. It also may be Gomez, the bar owner's commitment to bringing great kids' music to Chicago. Or it may be the parents reminiscing about hanging out at this bar in their younger years. Whatever the case, parents love to meet out with their other family friends for some live music. As far as Kids Concerts, we might not have Jammin' Java, that cool Bowery Poetry place in NY, or World Live Cafe PB & J but Chicago does have the Beat Kitchen. Let's toast to that!

10/25 Shana Sings
11/1 Human Tim + Robot Tim
11/8 Karen 4 Kids
11/15 The Little Miss Ann Band
11/22 Mary Macaroni
12/6 The Swing Sets "Remember the 80's"
12/13 Lindsay & Jesse
12/20 Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans

Free Music at the Library!

So, the neighborhood I live in in Chicago is off the beat and path. While I have incredible "Latino"-owned and "Polish" owned grocery stores, the closest library has slim pickins. So when I pick my daughter up from her school which is in a much swankier neighborhood, we hit the library over there. The Lincoln-Belmont Library which is just a block away from the Whole Foods has a really stellar kids music selection. Today, I went through their cd's and found several Ella Jenkins. I can stop right there but I won't. To add to the list, there was Laurie Berkner, Joel Frankel, Jim Gill, Susan Salidor, Bill Harley, and even the Jimmies. Actually, over by the "grown-up" music, there were several musicals and bands kids love too.

Goodbye Mary Travers

For some reason, 80's music never spoke to me when I was a teenager. I enjoyed Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan. I learned how to play guitar after hearing Joni Mitchell's "Blue" album. Of course, one of the first songs I ever learned on guitar was "Leaving on a jet plane". I know John Denver wrote this originally but for some reason Peter, Paul, and Mary's version was the one that stuck for me. Honestly, I don't know very much about Mary Travers life but I do feel a connection to her and her voice. It's like when I smell lilacs and it brings me back to catching fireflies in the backyard as a kid. Rest in Peace Mary Travers.

On the Waterfront Fest

So there are some pro's and con's to playing kids music and writing a kids music blog. The pro is that you know the inside scoop on what fests have a kids stages because you've played them. The con is that when you're writing about a fest that you're playing at it comes off as self-promotion. (Which I'm not exactly opposed to).

Anyways, Bill Osbourne has an impressive line-up at this year's On the Waterfront fest in Rockford, Illinois. Not only is the Little Miss Ann Band playing but so is Thaddeus Rex (a reading enthusiastic kids musician), The Boogers (kids music meets the Ramones), and Secret Agent 2 Skidoo (kid-hop music all the way from Asheville, NC).

Cheap Trick may have paved the way with their music in Rockford, but us kids rockers are going to keep it going.

Thanks, Nanette for the Mix Cd!

So for all three of you who may be reading my blog, I'm back. Where have I been you ask? Oh well. . I wish I had a good answer to that but mostly doing a lot of gigs, enjoying summer, camping, and playing with my new ukelele. You might remember that I teach at the Old Town School of Folk Music. I teach Wiggleworms where I play guitar and sing to parents and their babies. I've had the good fortune of having an amazing supportive group of strong sassy moms throughout my five years of teaching. In fact, it was one mom who gave me 2 cd's (Smithsonian Folkways Children's Collection and an Elizabeth Mitchell cd) that encouraged me to make a children's cd. Anyways, recently one of the moms from my class, Nanette gave me a mix cd that has really inspired me lately. Sometimes, my current music taste falls heavily into indie rock music. Well, the mix she gave me is definately more folk based and the songs messages are very touching. Above is one of the songs that both my daughter and I really like. It is called "The Little Birds" and I think it is off of Putamayo kids.

The Beatles

Kidzapalooza 2009

Tor Hyam is back with an incredible line-up for this year's Kidzapalooza stage at Lollapalooza Fri. August 7 to Sunday August 9th. Frances England is my personal fave.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7th

Yuto Miyazawa
Paul Green’s School of Rock All-Stars
Frances England
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Zach Gill (ALO Jack Johnson)
Special Guest
Lunch Money

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8th

Frances England
Zach Gill (ALO Jack Johnson)
Quinn Sullivan
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Care Bears on Fire
Special Guest
Ralph's World

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9th

Care Bears on Fire
The Q Brothers
Ralph's World
Lunch Money
Peter DiStefano & Tor
Perry Farrell
Paul Green’s School of Rock All-Stars

Wicker Park Fest Kids Tent

Wicker Park Fest is this weekend both Saturday and Sunday. Kids tent will be on Milwaukee on Evergreen. If I wasn't playing this fest, I would never have been able to find the kids tent line-up:( on-line. I've played this fest twice before and I love it! It's so much fun.

This year's line-up is bursting with Old Town Folk Wiggleworms peeps like Lindsay Weinberg, Laura Doherty, Karen Lubicz-Banks and I. Also, Jeremy Babcock who isn't a Wiggleworms instructor is part of the Old Town family!

Saturday
Noon Mary Macaroni
1:00pm Lindsay Weinberg
2:00pm Beazley Phillips
3:00pm Jeremy Babcock of the
Dream Tree Shakers
4:00pm Bucktown Music School
5:00pm Little Miss Ann


Noon Mary Macaroni
1:00pm Kids’ Yoga with Soulistic
2:00pm Chang’s Martial Arts
3:00pm Mad Science of Chicago
4:00pm Laura Doherty
5:00pm Karen 4 Kids

Where's the kids stage?

Logan Square, Chicago. . . is the home of Pitchfork headquarters. If you live in Chicago, you might know that Logan Square is bursting with hipsters. And hipsters have kids too! Grown-up hipsters, otherwise known as "Grubsters" want their kids to have access to quality indie rock kids music. Even the Shins were on Yo Gabba Gabba! And Andrew Bird was Dr. Stringz on Jack's Big Music Show. So Pitchfork, where's the kids' stage????

Oh well. . maybe next year?? Here's their grown-up line-up. Maybe Yo La Tengo will do "Speedy Motorcycle".
FRIDAY Built to Spill • The Jesus Lizard • Yo La Tengo • Tortoise SATURDAY The National • Beirut • Doom • Yeasayer • Final Fantasy • The Pains of Being Pure at Heart • Fucked Up • Plants and Animals • Cymbals Eat Guitars • The Black Lips • Matt & Kim • Lindstrøm • Wavves • Ponytail • Bowerbirds • The Dutchess and The Duke • The Antlers • Disappears SUNDAY The Flaming Lips • Grizzly Bear • M83 • The Walkmen • The Thermals • Pharoahe Monch • Blitzen Trapper • Frightened Rabbit • The Mae Shi • The Very Best • Mew • Vivian Girls • Japandroids • DJ/Rupture • Women • Killer Whales • Dianogah • Michael Columbia

Folk and Roots Fest

The Old Town School of Folk Music will host a kids tent at their Folk and Roots Festival this Saturday and Sunday in Welles Park. There will be a wonderful line-up of diverse music, percussion, and dance for kids. First off, I will be playing with my husband. Laura Doherty and Julie Helenius will also be doing a set. I am excited because Erin Flynn will be playing with her band. Erin's cd "Dreamer of Dreams" is a wonderful addition to any family music library.

Saturday, July 11th

* 12:00p | Wiggleworms with Little Miss Ann
* 12:50p | Ecuadorian Folk Dance with Carmen - Nuestra Música
* 1:40p | Cowpoke Sing-along with Annie
* 2:30p | Storytime Dances with Jen
* 3:25p | Laura Doherty
* 4:35p | Kids Rhythm Circle with Lenny
* 5:30p | Special Music by Special People

Sunday, July 12th

* 12:00p | Wiggleworms with Julie
* 12:50p | Hip Hop Kidz with Lyn
* 1:45p | Remember the '80s? with The Swing Sets
* 2:45p | West African Drumming with Rick Neuhaus
* 3:40p | Erin Flynn Band
* 4:40p | Zumba for Kids with Isabella - Nuestra Música