So What Are You Doing After Kindiefest? (The Unofficial Party Thread)

KindiefestBadge.jpgI'm excited, of course, to be attending and moderating at Kindiefest in just a couple weeks (April 30-May 2), but since coming back from SXSW, I understand better that no music conference is complete without unofficial side parties and concerts. This post, friends, is for those of you attending Kindiefest and feeling like there's not quite enough kids music (or kids music socializing) going on, and needing more. (It's also for you lucky ducks living in Brooklyn who want more than the official Sunday concert, which kicks off at noon.) Right now there are two events I know of -- if you're playing a gig in NYC that weekend, shoot me an e-mail or post something in the comments and I'll be happy to expand the list. See below for more! Anyway, Renee Stahl and Jeremy Toback are playing a Renee and Jeremy show of sorts -- they promise their solo music along with some R&J tunes. There are probably plenty of folks who play Renee & Jeremy tunes late at night -- it's just usually recorded, and in the nursery. Anyway, though details are scant on the Sullivan Hall website, it appears they're playing at 10:30 PM at the Greenwich Village venue. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Secondly, Frances England, who's playing the industry showcase at Kindiefest Saturday night, will also be playing a public show at the 92nd Y Tribeca on Sunday, May 2 at 11 AM. NYC folks, if you can't make it to Brooklyn (or if your kids are very easy-going) -- this is a rare opportunity. Tickets are $15. NEW: Ralph Covert (Ralph's World) is doing a solo performance/signing at the Borders on Columbus Circle, Friday the 30th at 4 PM. Details here. NEW: Rhythm Child is taping a Kids Place Live Rumpus Room concert at 2 PM Friday. Send an e-mail to Mindy Thomas (Mindy AT siriusxm DOT com) for details. Also, here are a few things going on if you're not actually attending KindieFest... NEW: AudraRox will be playing the Tribeca Film Festival on Saturday, May 1 at 4 PM, presumably at the street fair. NEW: Lloyd Miller of the Deedle Deedle Dees is leading musical nature workshops for kids in Brooklyn's Prospect Park as part of NYC Wildflower Week, including Saturday morning at 10 AM for the preschoolers, 11 AM for the grade schoolers (details here). NEW Princess Katie and Racer Steve are playing the Luke's Rock 'N' Stroll fundraiser from 8:30 - 11:30 (or so) Saturday morning. Like I said, if you're performing in NYC that weekend, let me know...

It's Spring, So Kids Music Series Are Spreading Like Weeds

But good weeds, of course. I would be remiss after talking about my set of kids music series here in Arizona if I didn't mention some of the other great musical stuff taking place next month and on into the summer in other parts of the country. While I'm not sure it was ever true to say "it's so hard to find recordings of great kids music," it's certainly not true in the 21st century, and it's increasingly not true when it comes to seeing it live. Kindiefest_small.jpgI'm of course heading to Brooklyn for Kindiefest in just a couple weeks and while it's primarily an industry conference, the public festival on Sunday, May 2 (from noon to 4) is excellent. At New York prices, Ralph's World, Bill Harley, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, and Recess Monkey would probably be worth the $15 entry fee by themselves, but instead you get all of 'em, plus the Royal Order of Chords and Keys and Clementown. Not one of 'em based in NYC, either. Tickets are here. I'm always excited to see other folks take further steps of their own into the kids music world, so I was glad to see Jeff Bogle from Out With the Kids start his own concert series in suburban Philadelphia. He's kicking it off with Chicago's Laura Doherty on Sunday, May 9 (3 pm) and Randy Kaplan just 6 days later on Saturday, May 15 (with the Deedle Deedle Dees coming in June). Randy's played Phoenix a couple times, and the Dees once, so I know Jeff's gonna have a great time with his series. I'm obviously a big fan of Kansas City's Jiggle Jam Festival and while this year's lineup doesn't quite reach the heights of last year's, it's pretty darn close, with folks like Ralph's World, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, the Jimmies, Terence Simien and the Zydeco Experience, and Sugar Free Allstars joining the strong KC contingent of Mr. Stinky Feet, Funky Mama, and more. Y'know, the more I think about that lineup, maybe it is just as good as last year. And you can't beat the price... $8 in advance (per day), $15 per weekend. Memorial Day weekend, Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th. Finally, heading into summer, Bill Childs has put together a nice little lineup of family-friendly artists to play the "River Meltdown Camp" at the Green River Festival in Massachusetts July 17 and 18. It includes Elizabeth Mitchell, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, The Nields, the Deedle Deedle Dees, Starfish, and lots lots more. So, yeah, if you say you can't find good music to enjoy with your kids in a live setting, it's really mostly your own fault at this point...

Why I'm Going to Kindiefest 2010

When I mentioned previously that registration for Kindiefest was open, I wasn't 100% sure that I was going myself. I mean, I had lots of fun last year, and this year promises to be even better (more panels, a keynote, a chance to hear 14 different artists playing live). But it's a really long flight from Phoenix, and a weekend away from the family essentially working. Having said all that, I'm going. And now the panel I was asked to moderate is starting to take shape, I might've been willing to go to Brooklyn for that experience alone. The panel "Old School Meets New School," will talk about the generations of family musicians -- those who've been doing it for 3 years and those who've been doing it for 30 -- and their perspectives on making music for families in today's world. At the moment, the panel includes Elizabeth Mitchell, Suni Paz, and Bill Harley. Not to mention Kids Corner's Kathy O'Connell. (And I don't think the panel's quite complete.) Yeah. You read that right. My chief goal in being moderator will be shutting up and not getting in the way. Anyway, earlybird registration for the conference ends next Monday, so if you haven't seen the burgeoning list of speakers and artists, I encourage you to do so. See you in Brooklyn.

KindieFest 2010 Registration Starts, Well, Today

I went to Kindiefest last year and had a great time. (Really, I did.) By all indications, this year's version (held April 30 through May 2) will be even better -- longer, with more detailed panels. If you're in the kids music business, it'd probably be worth your while to attend. Registration can be done here, with more details on the weekend here. And if you want to see a slickly-produced promo video about the conference, well, Tor, Bill, and Stephanie have got you covered, too...

KindieFest 2009: Final Thoughts

StinkFestFeet.jpgSo now that StinkFest has officially become KindieFest, I just wanted to gather everything KindieFest 2009-related in one spot. From the awesome photos used with permission of J.P. Stephens from the band Lunch Money (visit him at Lumos Studio) to my initial thoughts on the day to my notes on all the showcase performers, I wanted a collection. (Plus, I dig the shoes.) Having said that, the collection is poor, if only because so much is missing -- Molly Ledford and Ashley Albert leading a songwriting workshop with the kids in attendance; listening to those kids perform the song; walking down the street to pick up a fresh sandwich and looking up to notice HEY! IT'S THE MANHATTAN SKYLINE! But it was an excellent day of meeting people and talking about the genre's future. Kudos to Tor, Bill, and Stephanie for putting it on. If you missed it, join in at the KindieFest Ning community. And kudos to all the kids musicians who hopped on stage with Ralph's World to do "Sunny Day Rainy Day Anytime Band." Full set of artists' links (in the order I posted 'em) after the jump...

Live Video: Mariana Iranzi

MarianaIranzi_Jalopy.jpgThe toughest barrier Mariana Iranzi had to break at her KindieFest 2009 showcase was probably not so much language as much as it was familiarity. While many of the acts on the showcase were pretty well-known names to the industry crowd, Iranzi was more unfamiliar. She'd only released her album Aventura Collage earlier this year, so many folks might not have heard her before the showcase. Having said that, Iranzi and her band indisputably rocked. She might have sung most of her songs in Spanish, but her set (just like her album) covered a much broader range of melodies and musical styles. At times it was like Belly was up there on stage, singing for kids (and in Spanish). I look forward to seeing (and hearing) what happens as Iranzi gets more experience playing (and writing) for kids. Mariana Iranzi - "Bluesando" Photo used with permission of J.P. Stephens from the band Lunch Money; visit him at Lumos Studio. Woot!