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Wednesday, May 23, 2007
This Day in History: New York Public Library dedicated
1911 : New York Public Library dedicated
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Hilltown Family Variety Show (May 22nd, 2007)
Hilltown Family Variety Show
WXOJ LP - 103.3 FM
Northampton, MA
May 22nd, 2007 @ 7pm
Fishing Fry Episode
Playlist
- The Wizard of Oz Soundtrack - “The Lollipop Guild”
- Country Joe & The Fish - “The ‘Fish’ Cheer” (excerpt)
- The Bottle Let Me Down (John Rauhouse & Andy Hopkins) - “Three Little Fishes”
- Taj Mahal - “Fishing Blues”
- Mr. David - “Jump in the Jumpy House”
- The Ditty Bops - “Fish to Fry”
- Mr. David - “Hey! It’s Lunchtime!
- The Nields - “Toes”
- Uncle Rock - “Shoe Bandit”
- The Nields - “Shoes: Farewell, My Pants”
- Elizabeth Mitchell - “Winter’s Come & Gone”
- Vintage Children’s Favorites (Maurice Denham) - “Three Little Fishes”
- Walter Frederick Browder - spoken word
FAMOUS ARTISTS FROM SPRINGFIELD
This past weekend we stopped by the Springfield Museum and Persephone got to romp around the Dr. Seuss Memorial Sculpture Park. Dr. Seuss grew up in Springfield, and is honored throughout the city with banners and a sculpture park. There were many kids there climbing on the structure, which a sign nearby clearly prohibits. Parents were shouting things like, “Joey, get off Horton.” “Persephone, don’t climb on the Grinch.” “LIAM! Don’t push your brother into Thing Number 2!”
I noticed one of the benches a screaming parent was sitting on had a tribute to Taj Mahal. I later learned that Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks) is the official Blues Artist of Massachusetts. Voted on and approved by the Senate and House of Representatives. Taj Mahal grew up in Springfield too, another claim to fame of the city.
JUNE IS NATIONAL KIDS FISHING MONTH
Taj Mahal sings about goin’ fishin’ and tells how he’d go fishin’ at Watershops Pond and at the lakes down at Forest Park in Springfield when he was a kid. Dr. Seuss lived a few blocks from Forest Park too, and his grandfather started a brewery near Watershops Pond. Something about that area generated some mighty talented folks.
There are a lot of fine places to go fishing here in the Hilltowns, with plenty of fishing derbys for the kids to participate in. A couple of weeks ago there was a fly fishing clinic for kids, and last week Chesterfield, Ashfield, Hadley and Easthampton had their fishing derbys. This coming weekend there will be another fishing derby at DAR State Park in Goshen, MA. I think I saw this posted on the community bulletin board at the Chesterfield General Store, but don’t hold me to it. — If you live outside the area, find a fishing derby near you by going to www.kids-fishing.org.
Local Resources
NEW MUSIC, FREE MUSIC
Jump in the Jumpy House was our featured new music this week. The album isn’t scheduled to come out until August 2007, however Mr. David is offering two free downloads of the cuts we played. Simply go to his website on myspace.com and download. They’re free downloads for now.
Persephone and I first listed to his song “Jump in the Jumpy House” on his website and LOVED IT! New fave! This song could easily be the theme song for the multitude of kid friendly festivals and fairs that happen during the summer and autumn months! It’s a call to FUN. - And “Hey! It’s Lunchtime” has inspired Persephone to claim that lunchtime is her favorite time too. Last night when I told her it was bathtime she protested and said she’d rather it be lunchtime. Lunchtime is more fun…
Mr. David is giving the first 3,000 fans who sign up for his newsletter a free, signed copy of the “Hey! It’s Lunchtime!” single. It might not be too late, and worth a shot if you’d like to get your hands on some new music.
UPCOMING FAMILY PERFORMANCES
May 26th (10am) - Aric Bieganek @ Cup & Top- June 10th (11am) - The Nields @ Thornes
- June 2th (10am) - Mr. Richard @ Cup & Top
- June 16th (10am) - Ulysses S. Dee from The Deedle Deedle Dees solo @ Cup & Top
June 16th (6pm) -The Deedle Deedle Dees@ Artifacts- July 7th (10am) - AudraRox @ Cup & Top
- July 28th (10am) - Uncle Rock @ Children’s Art Museum
FEATURED ALBUM REVIEWS ON ZOOGLOBBLE:
- The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides - Various Artists
- You Are My Little Bird - Elizabeth Mitchell
- All Together Singing in the Kitchen - The Nields
Click here to subscribe to Hilltown Families newsfeed.
HEAR HERE: The Hilltown Family Variety Show can be heard on-air every Tuesday from 7-7:30pm on WXOJ LP, 103.3 FM, Valley Free Radio, out of Northampton, MA.
SUGGEST A SONG: Post your feedback & music suggestions below, or email Sienna & Persephone at swildfield@juno.com.
SUBMIT AUDIO, VIDEO & LITERATURE: Mail a press kit & media to be reviewed to HFVS, P.O. Box 98, West Chesterfield, MA 01084.
Uncle Rock in Concert - July 28th, 2007
Hilltown Families & Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child Present …
UNCLE ROCK!!!
Join us for an intimate performance with Uncle Rock in the beautiful Hilltown of Shelburne Falls, MA. Make a day exploring Shelburne Falls following this Saturday morning performance. “Unlike some of the classic New England towns that are overrun with tourists in the summer and fall, Shelburne Falls remains a bit of an undiscovered pot of gold at the end of a bridge decked with a rainbow of blossoms.”
Reserve your tickets for UNCLE ROCK!
- July 28th, 2007 @ 10 a.m.
- Children’s Art Museum
- Shelburne Falls, MA.
- Tickets are $6.
- Call to reserve your tickets!
- 413.296.0096.
“[Uncle Rock’s CD, Plays Well with Others] is the album you imagine your former-rocker husband would love to make for your own kids–if only you had let him buy that Stratocaster last year instead of replacing the washer and dryer.” - Cool Mom Picks
“Plays Well with Others is an album with some great cuts of kid-friendly roots-rock.” - Zooglobble.com
Persephone met Uncle Rock last year while sailing aboard the Sloop Clearwater on the Hudson River. She’s been smitten ever since! Our well loved copy of Plays Well with Others has been played at pancake breakfasts, a community Halloween dance and on HFVS.
His real name is Robert Burke Warren. The former globe-trotting bass player (with the Fleshtones), stage actor (as the lead in the London production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story) and Americana songwriter (with Rosanne Cash and for Wanda Jackson) stumbled onto his most satisfying creative endeavor yet as a teacher’s assistant at the rural School Of The New Moon in Mount Tremper, New York, where Uncle Rock was born.
Warren shares, “It’s my natural bent as a songwriter to go to shadowy areas, and I was happy to be reminded that most kids have an innate interest in things like ghosts, wild animals, villains, misadventure and mystery.” An erstwhile stay-at-home dad, went to work with guitar in hand, and, surrounded by preschoolers, found that requests for the darker stuff were constant.
Much of Uncle Rock’s music rocks, with drums, bass, and instruments ranging from Irish tin whistle to kalimba to a RevereWare pot, while exploring often overlooked subjects that fascinate folks young and old:
- “Picnic in the Graveyard” explores the largely Mexican/Central American holiday El Dia De Los Muertos (Day Of The Dead) in which families celebrate and break bread with folks who have passed on.
- “The Gettin’s Big Blues” describes the difficulties of progress with lyrics like, “I’m talkin’ baby talk/Pick me up ‘cause I don’t wanna walk…”
- “Shoe Bandit” explains a childs confounding loss of a single sneaker.
- “Kids just wanna rock with Uncle Rock, whose colorful, engaging tales have made him a hit on the children’s circuit.” - Harp Magazine
- “Freewheelin’ fun!” -Cookiemag.com
- “Music that rocks both kids and adults is a brilliant concept and one done extremely well here.” - Kingston Daily Freeman
- “Roots rocking family fun.” - Chronogram Magazine
- “The hippest, most parent-friendly, most intelligent kids’ songs ever.” - Woodstock Times
- “Thankfully adult-friendly tunes sure to become a staple in your household.” - Hudson Valley Parent
Comments from the Peanut Gallery:
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Hilltown Family Variety Show (May 15th, 2007)
Hilltown Family Variety Show (May 15th, 2007)
Hilltown Family Variety Show
WXOJ LP - 103.3 FM
Northampton, MA
May 15th, 2007 @ 7pm
Cats & Dogs (Sharks & Eels) Episode
Playlist
- Free to Be You & Me - “My Dog is a Plumber”
- David Weinstone – “Big Old Dog”
- Ernie & Neal - “My Cat”
- Lunch Money - “I Want A Dog”
- Recess Monkey - “Fred (the Tabby Cat)”
- Recess Monkey - “Pet Shark”
- Steve Weeks – “Billy Bob’s Breakfast”
- Frances England - “Blueberry Pancakes”
- Bill Staines - “Little Brown Dog”
- Gustafer Yellowgold - “Your Eel”
Final exam week for me. Enough said. 
Click here to subscribe to Hilltown Families newsfeed.
HEAR HERE: The Hilltown Family Variety Show can be heard on-air every Tuesday from 7-7:30pm on WXOJ LP, 103.3 FM, Valley Free Radio, out of Northampton, MA.
SUGGEST A SONG: Post your feedback & music suggestions below, or email Sienna & Persephone at swildfield@juno.com.
SUBMIT AUDIO, VIDEO & LITERATURE: Mail a press kit & media to be reviewed to HFVS, P.O. Box 98, West Chesterfield, MA 01084.
The Nields: Private Kids Show in Noho
The Nields: Private Kids Show in Noho
May 11th, 2007
HOW CAN YOU BE INVITED?
The Nields will be performing a special, private kids show in Northampton on June 10th. The performance is by invitation only. Now I know some of you are thinking, “How can I get on THAT guest list?” It’s easy. All it requires is a little creativity by your kids and a donation to Safe Passage.
GET CREATIVE!
Break out those crayons, paints, scissors & glue, and let your kids artisitc juices flow. Safe Passage is collecting kids artwork and invites kids in the area to send in their work. Send in a donation to Safe Passage along with the art, and whalla! You’re on the guest list. You’ll receive your invitation in the mail. The performance is at the A.P.E. Gallery in Thorne’s Marketplace from 11am - Noon.
WHAT IS SAFE PASSAGE?
Safe Passage has been providing non-judgmental support and services to survivors of relationship violence for over 26 years. All of their services are free, confidential, and available in English, Spanish, and other languages. Services include: 24-hour Hotline ( 586-5066 ), Crisis Support, Individual Counseling, Support Groups, Advocacy, Disability Services, Safe Houses, Referrals & Resources, Court-Based Advocacy, Legal Services, Safety Plan for Animals and Help with Emergency Needs.
Safe Passage is collecting kids artwork. Send your child’s art, along with a donation to Safe Passage, to 43 Center St, Suite G, Northampton, MA 01060, and you’ll be invited to this exciting performance with The Nields.
Persephone & I love the The Nield’s kids concerts. We saw them back in March at the Amherst Library and got to see them perform live on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. They’re excellent. You can hear them on the HFVS Podcast too.
They also performed at the Children’s Art Museum in Shelburne Falls, which we missed but heard it was another fabulous performance. Speaking of which, the Children’s Art Museum is also doing a call for art work made by Hilltown children. Click here for more information on CAM’S project.
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Night of Music in the Hilltowns
“Night of Music” Scholarship Fundraiser on May 25th
The Fifth Annual “Night of Music” fundraiser for the Crane Memorial Scholarship will be held on Friday, May 25th at 7 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center in Huntington, MA. Students, faculty, alumni and staff will perform a variety of music including blues, folk and rock and roll. Read the rest of this entry »
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Nields: Private Kids Show in Northampton, MA
The Nields: Private Kids Show in Noho
HOW CAN YOU BE INVITED?
The Nields will be performing a special, private kids show in Northampton on June 10th. The performance is by invitation only. Now I know some of you are thinking, “How can I get on THAT guest list?” It’s easy. All it requires is a little creativity by your kids and a donation to Safe Passage. Read the rest of this entry »
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Uncle Rock in Concert - July 28th, 2007
Hilltown Families & Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child Present ...
UNCLE ROCK!!!
July 28th, 2007 @ 10 a.m.
Children's Art Museum in Shelburne Falls, MA.
Call to reserve your tickets!
413.296.0096.
"[Uncle Rock's CD, Plays Well with Others] is the album you imagine your former-rocker husband would love to make for your own kids--if only you had let him buy that Stratocaster last year instead of replacing the washer and dryer." - Cool Mom Picks
Hilltown Families Spring Social & House Concert
Sassy Mamas & Papas Sing Out
at HF Spring Social & House Concert
Seeing Marla BB perform at the Iron Horse last year in Northampton was great. Having her perform in her hometown of West Chesterfield, at the base of Smith Mountain with the Westfield River rushing by … now that rocked! Performing with the talented accoustic Jazz bass player, Michael Dunning, this Blues & Jazz duo brought style and class to an intimate family community social.
Families gathered for home cooked food & dessert beforehand, cooking salmon on the grill, sampling one another’s potluck dishes and sharing organic gourmet pizza donated by Bread Euphoria.
As the music began, children snuggled up under wool blankets, joining their parents on the lawn for a sunset performance. The sky turned pink and orange as the sun set behind Smith Mountain on a cool spring evening, and Marla called out to all the “Sassy Mamas” and “Sassy Papas” to join in and sing. Click here to see video.
Hilltown Family Variety Show (Math 8th, 2007)
Hilltown Family Variety Show
WXOJ LP - 103.3 FM
Northampton, MA
May 8th, 2007 @ 7pm
Mother’s Day Episode
Playlist
- Tom Paxton – “It’s Arithmetic, Baby”
- AudraRox – “Moms & Dads”
- Ben Rudnick & Friends – “Mama Don’t ‘Low”
- Steve Weeks – “Someday”
- AudraRox – Hope My Mama Says YES!”
- Laurie Berkner – “Down Down Baby”
- David Weinstone – “Girl Power”
- Sweet Honey in the Rock – “On Children”
- Ginger Hendrix – “Mommy, She Loves Me
RECAP
This past weekend we had a House Concert & Potluck Social for members of Hilltown Families at our home here in West Chesterfield. Blues Singer Marla BB & Jazz Bass player Michael Dunning did a sunset performance for families out on the lawn. Click here to read more about the event, see photos and video.
MOTHER’S DAY
This coming weekend we’re honored to host another community event at our home, the 3rd Annual Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast. Hilltown moms get to relax and enjoy the morning while sipping mimosas with strawberries, catching up with friends and stuffing their faces with pancakes and fresh maple syrup. Dads and partners cook up a storm and referee the kids (Dads cooking at last year’s breakfast pictured here.)
On this weeks program Persephone & I selected a few songs to share with our listeners in honor of Mother’s Day, including songs by AudraRox, Sweet Honey in the Rock and Ginger Hendrix. We’ll be queing up the HFVS Podcast during the Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast.
FAMILY PRIDE
This past Saturday was the annual Pride March & Rally here in Northampton. Persephone & I chose AudraRox’s song “Moms & Dads” as a tribute to family diversity. Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director of Family Pride, an organization that advocates for LGBT family equality, talks about inclusion of diversity: “We might look different and come in different forms but we all share a commitment to our children that transcends our differences.” Chrisler continues, “American families are increasingly diverse and all of us benefit from treating one another with respect and understanding. Our children deserve no less.”
WIN A GUEST DJ SPOT ON HFVS PODCAST
Speaking of families, the family center in Cummington is having a silent auction fundraiser this Saturday. Hilltown Families has donated the opportunity to have a half-hour radio program produced and aired globally through the Hilltown Family Variety Show Podcast.
The winning family gets to experience broadcasting as a DJ on HFVS Podcast. They get to pick the songs, share their thoughts, give a shout out to relatives that live in Timbuktu. HFVS producer, Sienna Wildfield, will engineer the program and post the broadcast through the HFVS Podcast.
For kids with grandparents in California, or an Uncle in Hong Kong, a sister in Ohio, this could be a pretty neat experience for them. They get to experience broadcasting and then share their show with friends and family anywhere in the world via podcast. Click here to read more about the CFC Silent Auction.
ALBUM REVIEWS BY ZOOGLOBBLE
- AudraRox’s album I Can Do It By Myself!
- Ben Rudnick & Friends’ album Grace’s Bell
- Ginger Hendrix’s album Macaroni Boy Eats at Chez Shooby Doo
- Laurie Berkner’s album Whaddaya Think of That?
- Steve Weeks’s album Alphabet Songs Vol. 3 (Rabbit Run)
Streaming Audio Archived Shows Subscribe to Podcast SUGGEST A SONG: Post your feedback & music suggestions below, or email Sienna & Persephone at swildfield@juno.com.
SUBMIT AUDIO, VIDEO & LITERATURE: Mail a press kit & media to be reviewed to HFVS, P.O. Box 98, West Chesterfield, MA 01084.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Hilltown Families Spring Social & House Concert
Sassy Mamas & Papas Sing Out
at HF Spring Social & House Concert
Seeing Marla BB perform at the Iron Horse last year in Northampton was great. Having her perform in her hometown of West Chesterfield, at the base of Smith Mountain with the Westfield River rushing by … now that rocked! Performing with the talented accoustic Jazz bass player, Michael Dunning, this Blues & Jazz duo brought style and class to an intimate family community social.
Families gathered for home cooked food & dessert beforehand, cooking on the grill and sampling one another’s potluck dishes. As the music began, children snuggled up under wool blankets, joining their parents on the lawn for a sunset performance. The sky turned pink and orange as the sun set behind Smith Mountain on a cool spring evening, and Marla called out to all the “Sassy Mamas” and “Sassy Papas” to join in and sing. Click here to see video.
Princess Katie & Racer Steve
Princess Katie Holds Court in Florence
May 1st, 2007
Performance Review: Princess Katie & Racer Steve
Princess Katie and Racer Steve performed this past Saturday (04/28/07) at Cup & Top in Florence, presented by Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. Their high energy performance had kids up on their feet, dancing and twirling, and parents in their chairs smiling at the total cuteness of it all.
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tony(a) lemos said,
May 12, 2007
Self Portraits!
From June 1st to June 21 we will be having a children’s art show “Self Portraits”. To have your child/rens art included please encourage them to draw/paint/collage a self portrait ( a picture on themself!!)
Once this is done bring it to CAM before May 30. Art work must be framed (or at least matted to be included). You may pick up your work any time after June 20th.
It has been great seeing the images so far…this is sure to be a GREAT show! They can also submit a small photo if they like as well as a sort bio about the author! An example can be seen on the CAM blog (sunday on)