Dan Zanes is here THIS SATURDAY!!!

In a town (Chicago) filled with great kids music we are truly blessed with the variety and quality of the acts that play in the neighborhood.  Laura Doherty, Little Miss Ann, Istvan and his Imaginary Band, Human Tim+Robot Tim, Miss Jaime, Mister Singer, Jeanie B! and national acts  Ralph’s World and Justin Roberts (two time Grammy nominee).  So the fact that my family and I are excited to see Dan Zanes and friends this Saturday is a bit of a big deal.  He is  referred to as the founder of the modern Kindie (kids independent) movement and one of the first to play great all ages  shows.  He is also an artist that inspired me to get into the kindie movement when I heard my band mate (pre-Poochamungas) Pete play Wagon Wheel.  A song I profiled on the blog earlier this year in my Song and the Process  series (see article here).  I’ve seen Dan play solo and with Elizabeth Mitchell but never with the full band so this is a treat. We’ve probably listened to the Catch That Train CD a thousand times. Watched the Jump Up video just as much.  My daughter is a big fan and I’m sure my son is about to become one as well.  The thing about Dan’s music is it’s all rooted in Americana. Whether rock, traditional, folk it’s always got terrific roots. Dan’s secret is simple. Play great music that everyone can enjoy.   So head to the Harris Theater this Saturday, November 15^th at 2pm. It’s gonna be a whole lot of fun for the whole family. Now go out and support an Independent artist today!

The kindieverse helps out!

This Saturday, February 15th is  the big fundraiser for Brickton Montessori School called THE BIG LEAP.  Tickets are still available and the Poochamungas have a  been working on a special contribution for tthis years event but that is all very top secret! Shhhhhh… Not so loud… So  I asked a bunch of Kindie artists for some CD donations last minute (if your a kindie artist I forgot to ask don’t worry I’ll get you next year) and the response has been super great.  If you are a fellow artist whose child is looking for items to be donated I would be glad to do the same for your event.  Here is the listed auction item though it looks like a few additional names will be added to this awesome package of music.  Feel free to bid on this super Kindie Music Starter Library!  

Good stuff

This weekend has been pretty busy.  First on Saturday members of the Poochamungas worked on a Top Secret project for the upcoming Big Leap fundraiser for my children’s school.  More details to arrive later in the week.  Then my son and I went to The Old Town School of Folk Music for a concert with The Okee Dokee Brothers.  There were also birthday parties, holiday parties, carnivals, and what not!  Busy but fun. 

If you are looking for a great place to start in the kindie music world Brickton Montessori (our school) is having their yearly fundraiser and among the items up for bid online are a Kindie Music CD Collection.    This is a tremendous oppurtunity to get a lot of great music and help a good cause at the same time! All CD’s were donated by the artists reflecting the many great music styles available. From punk to pop and jazz almost every genre is covered.  Included are Dog on Fleas, Joanie Leeds, Mr. G, Jim Cosgrove, Lunch Money, The Hipwaders, Alistair Moock (Grammy nominee), Grenadilla, Mister Singer, Little Miss Ann, Story Laurie, Lori Henriques, Recess Monkey, Mr. Kurt, Baze and His Silly Friends, The Boogers, Heidi Swedberg and Her Sukey Jump Band, and Bricktons very own Poochamungas!  Just added an autographed CD from our friends the Okee Dokee Brothers!!!  Bidding starts at $60 but I’m sure the price is going to go up.  Get to bidding on this fantastic-super-amaz-a-riffic deal today! While your there see if anything else catches your eye.  Only 4 days left!