Ellis Paul - “Dragonfly Races” [The Dragonfly Races]
Recess Monkey - “The Sandbox Song” [Tabby Road]
FEATURED VIDEO
Persephone saw this video of the Beach Boys performing Fun, Fun, Fun back in 1964. After the video finished, her only comment was “Cool!” That’s enough approval from my official focus group of one to post it here to share:
Goran Bregovic - “Polizia Molto Arrabiata” [Songs and Tales from Weddings and Funerals
Big thanks to Dean and John for stopping by the studio and hosting the HFVS as our guest DJ’s with HFVS co-host Persephone. Their playlist was fun and sassy, along with a couple of live songs in the studio, including the world premiere of “It’s a Ruse.” These guys were a lot of fun and we look forward to their return to the Pioneer Valley for another family performance! In the meantime, visit them online at www.dogonfleas.com.
Be sure to check out our weekly music giveaway. This week we’re offering the opportunity for families to win music by Dog on Fleas (who btw will be performing at the Clearwater Music Festival!). We’ve extended the deadline by a week due to technical difficulties with last week’s Dog on Fleas Episode on the Hilltown Family Variety Show. So tune in this Saturday (06/21/08) from 9-10am on 103.3FM WXOJ (Northampton, MA) to hear this episode ,and enter your name to win HERE by 06/25/08.
Clearwater Music Festival: A Fun Family Experience
The Clearwater Music Festival happens next weekend on the Shores of the Hudson River at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Before my daughter was born I was a volunteer at the festival for years. Last year was the first year I took my daughter, and this year we’re volunteering in the children’s arts & craft area. I just love this festival, and it’s a great festival to take the family to - plus, we have FIVE FREE TICKETS to giveaway! To enter to win simply post us a comment below by 5pm Sunday (that’s tomorrow!).
“The Festival that Saved a River”–which has been at the forefront of the nation’s environmental movement in the struggle for clean waterways–is celebrating 40 years of environmental action, education and music. Inspired by a desire of singer/activist Pete Seeger to clean up the Hudson River, the Festival today attracts thousands of visitors for a weekend offering the best in family fun and children’s activities, crafts, and environmental education. Clearwater Revival is the most environmentally conscious outdoor event in the country, with five stages powered by solar, wind, and bio-diesel sustainable energy. In keeping with Clearwater’s environmental mission, the Festival features musicians, speakers, vendors, environmental exhibits, and grassroots activists advocating a sustainable lifestyle and social responsibility.
This year the Festival has significantly stepped up its efforts to reach its “Zero Waste” goal by arranging to collect all food waste for composing. Clearwater was the first major festival to develop the concept more than 42 years ago with the Litter Picking Committee, and today it is an integral part of our efforts to make our event a model for all other Festivals to follow.
Clearwater is also using recyclable products and encouraging visitors to bring their own water, minimizing the environmental impact on the site. The five performance stages are all powered with 100% sustainable energy that includes solar and bio-diesel.
The festival will also feature hands-on environmental education workshops and exhibits, including the GREEN LIVING EXPO, where companies, firms and organizations showcase green products or services, an the ACTIVIST AREA, where visitors can get information on many of the community’s important environmental groups.
Jay Mankita - “The Day the Library Went Wild” [The Day the Library Went Wild]
Steve Songs - “Library” [Little Superman]
The Jellydots - “Ralph the Cat” ["Hey You Kids!"]
Recess Monkey - “Kitty Sister” [Tabby Road]
Various - “Sadie Green” [Sweet Georgia Brown]
Ralph Covert - “Malcom McGillikitty” [At the Bottom of the Sea]
Gunnar Madsen - “Library Party” [I'm Growning]
Dan Zanes - “So Long It’s Been Good to Know Yuh” [Night Train!]
SADIE
This week’s episode is dedicated in memory of Sadie the library cat at the Meekins Library in Williamsburg, MA. Click here to read more about Sadie.
Persephone and I attended Sadie’s memorial service a couple of weeks ago. The library staff, along with a few patrons who also felt a loss with Sadie’s passing (after twelve years at the library), gathered to share kind words, good-bye tokens and singing. Before we left home, Persephone took a red pipe cleaner and formed it into the shape of a heart and then taped two blue craft feathers to either side to bring as a gift, “… because I know cats like birds,” she explained. My family is really grateful to the staff for allowing us to attend the service and to say our good-byes.
OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS
Persephone LOVES animals (and insects) and is the first to let you know about her greatest disappointment in life… not having a pet. She does have a goldfish named Rosevine (pictured above), who’s more than a year old, but nothing warm and fuzzy for her to hug and hold and dress in scarves and stuff in boxes … Having animal friends like Sadie gave her the opportunity to spend time with other people’s pets. Two other animal friends she is very attached to are Sebago (pictured here) and Delilah (pictured up top) - animal friends she either gets to visit or babysit, and who she is always excited to see, and sad about when she has to go back to her cold, lonely, petless-home. But all that has recently changed …
INTRODUCING VIOLET
Introducing Violet, our newest family member! I think Persephone’s sadness over Sadie’s passing, along with her constant complaints of being the only kid in her class who does not have a pet, prompted her daddy to do something totally out of character. Without consultation or inquiry he adopted this beautiful nine week old black kitten from the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society in Levertt, MA. It was a BIG surprise! I screamed when I unexpectantly saw her dash out from under the couch and cross the living room floor. I don’t know what I thought it was. And Persephone’s reaction was priceless - the excitement and joy she shared was well worth the next twelve years of vet bills, cat fur and litter box shifting. I’m sure we’ll be sharing all sorts of stories about Violet in the months to come.
The Sippy Cups - “Little House of Jello” [Electric Storyland]
We checked out Mem Fox’s web site to see what information she might have on the Australian culinary highlights mentioned in her story, Possum Magic. This is what she had to offer:
“I chose pumpkin scones in Brisbane (for those of you reading this outside Australia, Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland) because at that time the wife of the premier of Queensland was Flo Bjelke-Petersen, nationally famous for her pumpkin scones— it was an in-joke for the parents who read the book to their children. The other foods were chosen for their alliterative qualities and because they were typically Australian. The recipes for ANZAC biscuits, lamingtons and pavlovas can be found below.
There are heaps of songs we didn’t get to play on this week’s episode that would have fit our theme perfectly, including “7, 8, 9″ off of the new album Snacktime by Barenaked Ladies and a favorite from my childhood, “Figure Eight” from the Schoolhouse Rock episodes. Here are their videos below. Check ‘em out.
The BummKinn Band - “I Wanna Be a Tree” [Rockin' the Yee Haw]
Harmonica Pocket - “One Tree Said” [Ladybug One]
The Hollow Tree - “Ted the Talking Tree” [Welcome to Nelsonville]
They Might Be Giants - “The House at the Top of the Tree” [No!]
Dog on Fleas - “Trees” [When I Get Little]
Kevin Kammerad - “White Pine: State Tree of Michigan” [A Curious Glimpse of Michigan]
Farmer Jason - “The Old Oak Tree” [Rocking in the Forest]
ARBOR DAY
Arbor Day in Massachusetts is celebrated on Thursday, April 25th. It’s celebrated the third Thursday of every April in MA. HotChalk has lesson plans for Arbor Day, and the Arbor Day Foundation offers a multitude of resources, including educational resources, tree guides, a poster contest, and more!
CROSS-OVER APPEAL! Frances England never intended to be an award-winning indie-pop star with an international listening audience, but her dharma has snuck up and bit her on the tushie! She has just released her second CD, Family Tree, following her debut award-winning (2007 Oppenheim Platinum Music Award and Fids & Kamily Awards) CD, Fascinating Creatures. Fascinating Creatures was created as a fund-raising album for her son’s preschool, intended to be heard only by local neighbors and families. But when you’ve got a gift that shines so bright, it doesn’t matter what your intentions are (nor how shy you might be ) - a girl’s gotta shine. Her new CD has fast become one of our favorites; issued a “Repeat-Button Award” by our five year old backseat reviewer, Persephone.
COWBOYS & WESTERN WEAR! Maybe you first heard about The Bummkinn Band here on Hilltown Families when HF Contributing Writer Bill Child’s wrote about their performance at Kidzapalooza. Finally all those unreleased songs they performed at Kidzapalooza in Austin, TX, have been released on their new album, Rockin’ the YeeHaw. Blending the sounds of rock-a billy, southern rock and the traditional country influences of Hank Williams ad Loretta Lynn, this is the kind of album I wish was around when I was growing up in Texas. With songs like “You Broke My Heart on the Swingset” and “I Dropped My Ice Cream on the Ground,” The Bummkinn Band has put together a collection of unique country songs for kids. It’s sure to get you two-steppin’.
SOLAR POWERED & WORLDLY! I love the ecological awareness behind both the production of Ladybug One and the lyrics of the songs. This truly “green” recording was produced off the grid at their solar-powered studios on Marrowstone Island, Washington. That impressed me. What impresses Persephone is their songs about bugs, including fireflies, bumblebees, spiders and ladybugs. But it’s not just that the songs are about insects and spiders that makes it the most appealing, it’s their creative exploration of each song that leaves me wanting more. Their songs are truly unique, blending world-music with Americana, and quirky fun with serious issues. The blend of acoustic instruments played on Ladybug One gives the album a rich tapestry of unique sounds, including the didgeridoo, mbira, ukelele, harmonica, jaw harp, music saw, japanese gong, sitar, tabla and even a hula hoop! The educational opportunities (cultural, ecology, science) a parent could take with this album are multifold! Ladybug One is a new favorite of mine!
FOLK MUSIC FOR FAMILIES! Upbeat acoustic Americana music inspired by bluegrass, country, and folk music from days gone by. The Hollow Trees perform versions of many well known and obscure old classics, as well as originals music which help explain some of The Hollow Trees’ mythology. If you love bluegrass you’ll like Welcome to Nelsonville. Click here to discover how you can win this new CD on Hilltown Families.
Parker Bent - “Spaceman Steve/Farewell” [Charlie Davidson’s Tricycle Club]
Ernie & Neal - “Pluto” [Rock the House]
Bill Harley - “Milky Way” [Down in the Backpack]
Daddy A Go-Go - “Guitars from Mars” [Big Rock Rooster]
Rebecca Frezza - “Space Dog” [Road Trip]
Justin Roberts - “Backyard Spaceship” [Way Out]
Buckwheat Zydeco - “Space Zydeco” [On a Night Like This]
Mr. David - “The Stars are Grains of Sugar” [Jump in the Jumpy House]
Milkshake - “Space Song” [Bottle of Sunshine]
Rocknocerous - “Pluto” [Dark Side of the Moon Bounce]
The Sippy Cups - “I Am a Robot” [Electric Storyland”
The B-52’s - “Planet Claire” [The B-52’s]
Interplanet Janet
Remember Interplanet Janet, a School House Rock video that aired in the 70’s between Saturday morning cartoons; back before Pluto was declassified as a planet?
What is Pluto?
Persephone asked what is Pluto now that it is no longer classified as a planet. I did a little poking around and discovered that it’s now considered to be a dwarf planet.
International Astronomy Week
We’ve included a few astronomy links we’ve previously featured in our “Links We Recommend” column on the lower left-hand side of our web site. If you have any other’s to suggest, please post them below in our comment box.
The Sippy Cups - “Springtime Fantastic” [Electric Storyland]
Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck - “Come On Out” [Special Kind of Day]
Elizabeth Mitchell - “Winter’s Come & Gone” [You Are My Little Bird]
Dan Zanes - “Hey Little Red Bird” [House Party]
Milkshake - “Bluebird” [Bottle of Sunshine]
Mr. Ray - “When the Spring Comes” [Family Ride]
Ben Rudnick & Friends - “Coming of Spring (Instrumental)” [Grace's Bell]
This week’s episode is a celebration of SPRING! It finally feels like winter’s death grip has loosened here in the hilltowns, and the birds, buds and flip flops are finally starting to appear. Enjoy! We love this photo taken by Kevin Law, the perfect photo for this episode.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Week of the Young Child will be celebrated April 13 - 19, 2008. Throughout the week, there will be events and activities in the community that highlight the importance of quality, affordable, and accessible early learning experiences for all children, including events in Easthampton, Northampton and Monson, MA. As part of the National Week of the Young Child, the Easthampton Family Center and the Easthampton Community Partnership for Children is honoring young children and all those who make a difference the lives of children this weekend. Click here for more details.
Vernal Pools are coming to life this week! Click here to read more about vernal pools, see a video of a year in the life of a vernal pool, and to discover upcoming events your family may be able to participate in.
We’re Moving! HFVS is moving & expanding! On May 3rd, the Hilltown Family Variety Show will moving to Saturday mornings, and expanding to a full hour!Tune in between 9am-10am to 103.3FM (Northampton) to hear great family music and storytelling every Saturday! Our weekly podcast will be following suit, expanding to a full hour. Click here to subscribe to our free podcast.
Did you guys hear the news? Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could is coming to NOHO for a Rock ‘n’ Roll Casserole Musical Potluck Performance! Click here to read more. And even more good news is that we have three (count ‘em, 1-2-3!) copies of his newest CD to give away, along with the t-shirts he submitted to theHFVS T-shirt Review which, by the way, are super cute!
Here’s what three different families can win:
CD: Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
T-Shirt: Youth Sized 7
HOW TO WIN:
For your chance to win, simply post us a comment below and be sure to tell us where you live. We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an accurate email. IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 04/14/08 @ 7pm (EST).
Imagination Movers - “I’d Eat It Anyway” [Good Ideas]
Kevin Kammeraad - “Dinner” [The Tomato Collection]
Jamie Broza - “Snacks” [My Daddy is Scratchy]
Scott Flory - “Go Ask You Dad” [Soundzania]
Cab Calloway & His Orchestra - “Everybody Eats When They Come to My House” [Nicky's Jazz for Kids]
The Jimmies - “Googlie Mooglie” [Make Your Own Someday]
Laurie Berkner - “The Valley of Vegetables” [Buzz Buzz]
Uncle Rock - “There is Love in My Food” [Uncle Rock U]
The Sippy Cups - “Give Peas a Chance” [Kids Rock for Peas]
EXTRA EXTRA!!
HFVS is moving & expanding! On May 3rd, the Hilltown Family Variety Show will moving to Saturday mornings, and expanding to a full hour!Tune in between 9am-10am to 103.3FM (Northampton) to hear great family music and storytelling every Saturday! Our weekly podcast will be following suit, expanding to a full hour. Click here to subscribe to our free podcast.
If you didn’t get to catch Ralph’s World this past Sunday in Williamstown at the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute, here’s your chance to check him out by winning his CD and Music Video DVD music along with the t-shirts he submitted to the HFVS T-shirt Review.
Here’s what you can win:
CD/Video DVD: Welcome to Ralph’s World
T-Shirt: Youth Sized 5/6, Black
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL YOU CAN WIN:
The winner of our last weekly contest with Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck unfortunately did not supply us with a valid email, so we are including that giveaway with this one. Click here to see the booty, post a comment below to enter to win.
HOW TO WIN:
For your chance to win, simply post us a comment below. We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment and contact the winner via email. IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 04/07/08 @ 7pm (EST).
The Hilltown Family Variety Show is Moving & Expanding!
On May 3rd, the Hilltown Family Variety Show will moving to Saturday mornings, and expanding to a full hour!Tune in between 9am-10am to 103.3FM (Northampton) to hear great family music and storytelling every Saturday! Our weekly podcast will be following suit, expanding to a full hour. Click here to subscribe to our free podcast.
But we’re not the only ones moving, our friends over at Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child will be moving up an hour from 7am-9am on Saturday’s too! - It’s a party!
So get your kids to exercise their groove-thang by turning off the Saturday morning, commercial-laced, cartoons on the boob-tube, and tune-in to WXOJ-LP 103.3 FM from 7-10am for three full hours of back-to-back, commercial-free, local family programing. It’ll be a rockin’ good time!
A big thank you to >GRENDEL BOOKS, ABAA/ILAB for sponsoring our weekly promotional giveaways. Grendel Books, ABAA/ILAB is based out of the hilltowns of Western Mass and is an on-line out-of-print and rare book store selling quality books for over 20 years. www.GrendelBooks.com
Hilltown Families welcomes individuals and businesses to become a sponsor. Click here to inquire how you can support the work of Hilltown Families by becoming a sponsor. There are many different ways, both large and small, for you to support the work of Hilltown Families.
(c) 2006-2008 Hilltown Families, Sienna Wildfield, unless otherwise indicated. Reprint permission inquires may be sent to swildfield@juno.com or the corresponding author.
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
THIS WEEKS CONTEST 
THIS WEEKS CONTEST 
