The Baltimore-based kids' rock band we all know and love, Milkshake, has an exciting new project coming up — a CD of their PBS one minute songs plus 20-30 brand new songs all lasting 2 minutes or less.
To fund the project, they have turned it into a Kickstarter Campaign. If you are not familiar with Kickstarter, it is a fantastic way for creative people to get funding for their projects. Incentives are offered at different levels to encourage people to back the projects. If the project gets fully backed, the funds are released to the artist and the incentives go out. If not, no money changes hands.
Milkshake is already well on their way to raising the $14,000 needed to produce their album, but the deadline of March 18 is fast approaching! Backers of the project can sign up for a wide range of rewards including classic Milkshake tutu's, a house concert with Lisa and Mikel, or even time in the recording studio as guest producer.
WHERE: Ram’s Head Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
WHEN: Sunday, February 13th – concert at 2pm (doors open 1pm)
TICKETS: $15. Under age two, free. Family four pack: $50
Lisa Mathews, from the band Milkshate, just sent me this lovely recording of one of their latest songs, from their Grammy-nominated album Great Day. So appropriate for Valentine's day, and what a voice.
Their Valentine Spectacular show is coming to the Ram's Head Live in downtown Baltimore February, 13th at 2pm. Doors open at 1pm with lots of fun kid activities before the show. There will be chocolate kisses from Moo, face painting, balloon art, cartoons, videos, flowers and more. Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate Valentine's day with the kids!
Part of the proceeds from this event will go to Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is an organization that funds research and raises public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society.
Tickets are available at the Ram’s Head box office 410-244-8854, or online.
How's that for a title? I've been on the lookout for good activities. Not just fun stuff. Fun is good. Fun is great. But I'd like to throw in a few educational things too. Here are a few recent submissions that might just fit the bill.
WHEN: January 14-16, 2011 (see show times below)
WHERE: The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, or Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore
Icarus at the Edge of Time – The World Science Festival has partnered with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to present the family-friendly orchestral work and accompanying film "Icarus at the Edge of Time" based on the book by noted physicist Brian Greene. The program also includes music from "Star Wars." The BSO will present three concerts in the DC area - an evening performance at The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda on Saturday, January 15 @ 8 pm, and an evening performance and matinee in Baltimore on January 14th @ 8 pm and January 16th @ 3 pm at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Children 6-18 are half price for non-premium seating!
Physicist and author Brian Greene will be on hand to introduce the piece at each performance.
Towson University's Saturday Morning Science covers everything from rainforests to fireworks to space travel. Presentations are (most) Saturdays at 10:00 and noon. No reservations are required. All ages are welcome. FREE!
AVAM Celebrates MLK, JR. Day A celebration in honor of the life and dreams of one of the greatest visionaries in recent history. Join us for guided tours, birthday cake, special performances by Abu the Flutemaker and Batala (all female percussion ensemble) & other fun stuff (like AVAM's popular Shrinky Dink Bar!) at a FREE day at the museum! Museum is open 10AM-6PM. A special invitation extended to educators and all the wonderful people who help to empower the next generation! Teachers, come pick up our educational materials and discover the opportunities available for you and your students.
MLK DAY SCHEDULE:
11:00am – 3:00pm: DIY "I Have a Dream" Shrinky Dink pins and magnets in the AVAM's classroom 12:00pm: Happy Birthday MLK cake cutting 1:00pm: Abu the Flutemaker performs 3:00pm: Batala Washington - All women's Brazilian percussion band performs
No advance registration required, Museum is FREE & OPEN to the public, 10am – 6pm! For questions, call the museum at (410) 244-1900.
Photo by: Patrick Kolts
WHEN: Sunday, February 13, 2011
WHERE: Gordon Center
SteveSongs at Gordon Center. Ages 2 - 10. 3PM. Come sing and dance along with SteveSongs, a.k.a. "Mr. Steve," cohost of the PBS KIDS preschool destination. Shows will include award-winning favorites as well as songs from the band's upcoming album. Gordon Center, 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills, MD, 410.356.SHOW.
WHEN:November 12-13, 18-20, 8:00 pm; November 14 and 21, 3:00 pm
WHERE: Theatre Project 45 West Preston Street Baltimore, MD 21201
I'm really looking forward to seeing "Zippy the Pinhead: The Musical" which opened this week at Theatre Project. Yes, I know Zippy is bizarre and honestly I never understood the humor as a kid. The creator, Bill Griffith is fully aware that people have this reaction, and even posted a How to read Zippy section on his website. All the more reason to take the whole family I say. I want them be confused, befuddled, amused, concerned, baffled, perplexed and maybe, just maybe, entertained. So let the madness begin.
Poster by Spur Design - Dave Plunkert
Here are the details:
The beloved, if slightly skewed comic strip by Bill Griffith, gets the musical treatment when composer Lorraine Whittlesey follows Zippy as he visits Baltimore and travels to his high school reunion. Fun abounds with songs like “Pinhead Love,” “The Condiments” and “Type ‘Z’ Personality.” A world premier workshop production, co-produced by Theatre Project and Private Sector Productions.
We stopped by the Meyerhoff recently to try out one of the BSO's many kid-friendly programs. I was a little surprised to see a real live penguin hanging out in the lobby of the Meyerhoff, but hey, he was dressed nicely for the occasion, so why not. Actually, he was part of the pre-show festivities, and along with a 20 lb. bunny, was representing the Maryland Zoo.
We moved on to the face-painting line. I gotta say, this woman raised face-painting to an art. She turned my little one into an incredibly happy butterfly.
My butterfly enjoys lunch after the show.
We found our seats, way high up, but center, and still with a good view. The show was The Polar Express, based on the book
by Chris Van Allsburg, and it featured Mei-Ann Chen as conductor, Andre McRae as baritone, the Peabody Children's Chorus, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra — quite an impressive line-up for a kids' concert. Upcoming kids' shows are listed here. Tickets are prices reasonably for these events ($12-20) and the
performances tend to be short. That's good news for me, because some
of us are just too wiggly to make it past the one hour mark. As the show began, our kids slowly nestled into their seats, and for almost a whole hour all were calm...
I like to think that somehow this great experience will be permanently seared into their brains and classical music will forever be a part of their lives, growing those little neuron paths with every passing moment.
Maybe it worked. My budding violinist certainly enjoyed the show, my very busy son listened intently as soon as the story started, and Little Miss Butterfly does keep asking if we can go back...for another round of face painting.
The Nutcracker Ballet ranks high on my list this year for must-do activities to get into the holiday spirit. And I can't think of a better place to take the kids to see it than Baltimore School for the Arts. I took my oldest daughter when she was 3 years old, and heavily into her pink ballerina phase. With the twins at age 5 now, they are past due, but I am sure they will be delighted to see it. I am also sure that at least one of them will be begging for ballet lessons afterward... and I will probably cave.
by Chris Van Allsburg, and it featured Mei-Ann Chen as conductor, Andre McRae as baritone, the Peabody Children's Chorus, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra — quite an impressive line-up for a kids' concert. Upcoming kids' shows are listed 
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