(cool) tunes: recess monkey

It's no secret that I am a kids' music snob. Butchering of 'real' music to make it 'kid friendly' really grates on my parenting patience. Especially if the instrumental is reduced to keyboard-generated harpsichord. Yowza.

Needless to say, I make a point of seeking out great music with kid-friendly lyrics. It's a personal parenting mission.

The newest tunes to hit our iPod? The fun and funky musical stylings of Recess Monkey.

Love them. Seriously.

The Bug received one of their CDs as part of the Boogie Monster Dance Kit (includes the Boogie Monster book by Jodie Bisset, Recess Monkey CD and monster leg warmers. The gift was a huge hit by the way). Pat and I always have a little trepidation putting 'untested' kid cds in the player... because if the Bug loves it and we can't stand it, well, let's say it's a conundrum and leave it at that.

this isn't your grandma's christmas carol... new holiday concert debuts in baltimore next week

‘Tis the season for transformation. Or so says the classic holiday story, A Christmas Carol. But the timeless tale of Mr. Scrooge (heck, it’s even a Disney classic at this point) is getting a facelift this December... thanks to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the forward-thinking artists behind the international debut of A Christmas Carol -  The Concert.

A brilliant musical collage of rock, blues, gospel, classical, broadway show-stoppers and even a toe-tapping Irish fiddle number, this Christmas Carol performance is definitely not your Grandma’s orchestra concert.

But she'll probably still enjoy it.

“I’m trying to think of a genre I didn’t cover in this piece!” said composer Bob Christianson during a phone interview last week. “It’s very eclectic and fresh. It’s not a musical -- that’s been done before. This is a concert that tells a story. It’s more a hybrid piece.”

A Christmas Carol - The Concert reinvents the orchestra concert experience and, if Christianson gets his druthers, will appeal to a whole new generation of concert goers. Including the pint sizers in your life.

behind the scenes: laurie berkner live in concert this saturday (+ giveaway)

Pint-sizer fan favorite Laurie Berkner is headed to Charm City on Saturday morning to perform LIVE at Pier Six Pavilion at 11:00 AM (gates open at 9:30 AM). We'd totally be there if we weren't playing at Irvine Nature Center at the same time. {{See -- you've already got two fab choices for keeping the kiddos busy on Saturday!}}

Laurie was kind enough to answer a few questions via email. Find out what song she can't wait to perform for Baltimore families on Saturday, why her life is 'like a hurricane,' how she'd spend a day in Charm City and her favorite snack. Just happens to be green...

We know our readers can't wait to hear you all live on the 17th! What can they expect at a live concert?
Laurie: Lots of dancing and movement to songs from all of my albums, and for this show especially from the new DVD Party Day. We really encourage the kids to get up and be a part of the show, not just sit and watch.

What inspires your music?
Laurie: Memories from my childhood, things I'm going through in my life right now, my daughter and listening to what kids around me say.

Can you share a typical 'day in the life' of Laurie Berkner?
Laurie: I get up, always too early for my taste (I love to sleep late!), help my daughter get ready for school and try to get myself ready as well. We leave (usually a little later than we should to get to school on time) and I drop Lucy off. Then I either take care of personal things, work on whatever creative project I'm in the middle of (musical or otherwise) or go into the office to take care of the business end of my career. Very quickly it becomes 3pm and I am picking up Lucy from school. We hang out together or I take her on a play date, usually trying to take care of email etc. on my phone if we're at someone else's house. By 5 or so I like to be home so I can make dinner so Brian, Lucy and I can eat together. There is usually some more hang time after dinner and then bedtime routine for Lucy. After she goes to bed Brian and I either try to spend some alone time together or end up each doing work that was left over from the day. Then I pass out.

If there was a movie made about you, what would be the title track?
Laurie: Hmm, this was the hardest question for me. My first thought was "Like a Hurricane" by Neil Young because I so often feel that way inside. Then I realized that if there ever really was a movie made about me I would want to write that title track! So I would either write something new or use my song "I'm Not Perfect", since that is something I'm always struggling with.

Favorite snack?
Laurie: Kale chips. {{Ed note: Trying to get the green stuff into your kiddo? Just tell 'em Laurie loves kale!}}

If you had a day off in the Baltimore area, where would you go and what would you do?
Laurie: I would have my day be on a Sunday and start at the Baltimore Farmer's Market in the morning and then go to the National Aquarium in the afternoon.

Two of my toddler's favorite songs are "We are the Dinosaurs" and "I Know a Chicken." She dances all around the family room when these come on! I can just imagine the fun mayhem in a concert. Which song is your favorite to perform live and why?
Laurie: It changes as I write new songs because usually my favorite is one of the newest ones. Right now I would say I really like singing "My Family" because the audience gets so excited to hear it and it's still a really special song to me. My father passed away earlier this year and I sang it to him in the hospital before he died. When I sing it I'm reminded of him and of the wonderful family I have now as an adult, and all of the people in my life whom I care about.

Fast forward five years from now: what are you doing?
Laurie: Worrying about my daughter becoming a teenager! Whatever I'm doing in my career, I will still be finding a way to be creative and make music. Or maybe I'll have my own organic farm. :)

What's the BEST thing you've ever heard anyone say about the Laurie Berkner Band?
Laurie: "Mom, put on MY music. You know, Laurie Berkner."

GIVEAWAY ALERT: You know we love a good giveaway -- so we're giving one lucky (cool) progeny reader a copy of The Laurie Berkner Band's newest DVD, Party Day, courtesy of Laurie and the band! Want to win it? Just fill out this quick form. We'll announce the winner on Tuesday, September 20th!

have a princess in your life? disney princesses are headed to charm city... on ice

Two nights ago, I was sitting in my friend's living room sipping a glass of wine while our two daughters (2 and 4 respectively) twirled around the room in dress-up ball gowns, pretending to be Cinderella and Belle, and singing about finding glass slippers.

So how excited do you think these two will be to hear Disney Princesses on Ice: Dare to Dream is headed back to Charm City?

From the show creators:

Experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled, as Rapunzel and her unlikely companions, Flynn and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss. And join in a fanciful dream-come-true when Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy.

Based on our experiences at the last Disney on Ice Princess Adventure, I have a feeling this will be a fun night out!

Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets via charge, by phone at 1800-551-SEAT, via www.ticketmaster.com, and at the 1st Mariner Arena box office. Tickets go on sale September 12 at 10 a.m.

(cool) progeny readers are getting a deal -- $6 off each ticket! Just use code MOM11 when you purchase tickets online or mention the code if you buy by phone!

rocknoceros is going to be rockin' the baysox this saturday!

Virginia-based kids' music sensation Rocknoceros will be rocking Prince George's Stadium before the Baysox game on Saturday afternoon as part of the pre-game festivities. We can't wait for a fabulous show! Want tix? You can get them for just $10/seat online (includes the concert, Baysox game AND post-game fireworks) or $15 at the door. The concert starts at 4:15 PM and the gates open at 4:00. Visit the Baysox site for more info!

Not familiar with Rocknoceros? You should be. We had a chance to interview Coach, Boogie and Willie about how they got started, what to expect at Saturday's concert and what makes them well, not the Wiggles.

Tell us how you all got together and started in 2005?

Coach says: We've known each other for many years, having gone to elementary, middle, high school and college together. Boogie and Willie have been playing in bands together since the mid-1980s. We started after I took my kids to see a local performer. I deduced during the show that, with the help of my close friends, I could put together a show for kids and families that would be fun for all.

We can't wait to hear you all live before the Baysox game on August 13th. What can we -- and other Rocknoceros newbie fans -- expect at a live concert?

Willie says: Folks who are new to our show can expect to hear catchy songs covering a wide range of musical styles, and our lead singer often joins the audience to share in the fun.

What inspires your music?

Willie says: Our music is inspired by many things. Everyday activities. History. Places far from home, both real and imagined. Other music we like.

Can you share a typical 'day in the life' of Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie?

Boogie Woogie Bennie says: A typical day for Boogie Bennie includes cereal, practicing, performing, exercising, and relaxing, typically in that order.

If there was a movie made about your group, what would be the title track?

Boogie Woogie Bennie says: If somebody made a movie about Rocknoceros, I guess the Rocknoceros "Theme" would be a likely choice for the title track. It introduces who we are and what we do in a brief, toe-tapping three minutes. It does such a good job, they might not even bother completing the movie after the title track rolls.

We asked our neighbor (a true connoisseur of music for the pint sized crowd, she's 5) what she would like to know about you guys. Her question: What's your favorite food?

Coach says: Apples and Peanut Butter.

If you had a day off in the Baltimore area, where would you go and what would you do?

Boogie Woogie Bennie says: If I had the day off in Baltimore, I would comb the thrift stores of Hampden for used record albums. {{Woot! Hampden shout out!}}

Fast forward five years from now: what are you guys doing?

Willie says: Five years from now, we are halfway done recording our Fifty States Project!

What's the BEST thing you've ever heard anyone say about Rocknoceros?

Coach says: "You're nothing like the Wiggles!"

Check out Rocknoceros online (they've got a great podcast series and lots of upcoming drive-able concerts) or on facebook!

anatomy of a kids' rock concert: milkshake's valetine spectacular

What excited us about Milkshake's Valentine Spectacular at Rams Head Live yesterday? Kids. Fabulous music. Confetti. Balloons. Moo. Flying baseballs. Bottle of sunshine. Beer.

{{Probably shouldn't have gotten that excited over the adult beverages, but when do you really get a toddler friendly activity that offers beer?}}

The extravaganza attracted a sea of tutu-clad mini-shakers (and their parents) for an afternoon of dancing, singing, giant baseballs, swaying, face painting, "earth ball" batting, counting, clapping and awareness. Proceeds from ticket sales and merchandise benefited Autism Speaks.

If you were able to make the concert, you now know why Milkshake tops our list of kids' bands whose music doesn't make us feel like we od'd on saccharin - - and why we LOVE them.

It was A Great Day.

Many thanks to Milkshake for inviting us and the amazing John Waire of johnwaire | photo who documented the entire event for us, so that you can see the anatomy of a kids' rock concert. Enjoy.


(cool) tip: Dying to see more? You can view all of the photos on John's blog. Be sure to check out his facebook page, too!

another (cool) tip: Charm City Kids Club is developing a kids music class based on favorite tunes from Milkshake. Stay tuned for more information about this new tot-friendly business and their Minishakers offering!