One of our favorite things to do is have a dance party.  Whether we are in the car or our living room, my girls and I love to sing and dance together!   Friends and other parents I meet at events regularly ask me what my favorite kid’s CDs are to bust a move too.  Although we go to lots of live kids concerts, I don’t fancy myself an expert on the topic.

That is why I asked one of our family’s favorite kindie artists, Ann Torralba (AKA Little Miss Ann), to share her favorite kindie songs from 2011.  In addition to being my girls’ favorite local rock star, Little Miss Ann is also a Wiggleworms teacher at Old Town School of Folk Music and a former CPS Special Education teacher.

When I asked Ann what about these songs she connected with, she shared that she leans toward melodic, folk-rock indie music w/positive messages or songs that invoke interaction amongst kids.

So get out your dancing shoes and make yourself a mix tape…I mean download a few of these amazing kindie songs!

1. Charlie Hope –  “The One that I love” from the album “Let’s go Play” Notes: This Seattle-based Independent Music Award winner and Juno nominee has a voice like an angel.
2. Kira Willey – “Underneath the rainbow!” from the album “Kings and Queens of the Forest” Notes: I loved her first CD! Known for her song “Colours” which was featured in a Dell commercial. Don’t let the yoga thing throw you off. Kira knows how to sing and play music to everybody and not just those who downward dog. Check out this lovely tune where Kira plays ukulele.  (Look out for a possible LMA/Kira show this summer)
3. Suzi Shelton –  “Smile in my heart” from a mini-disc “Tomboy in a Princess Dress”. Notes: Multi-award winning, Brooklyn based sweetheart sings song from the heart.
4. Elizabeth Mitchell – Ooki Na Kuri No Ki No Shita De (Under The Big Chestnut Tree) from album “Sunny Day”.  Notes: My all-time favorite kids musician. Smithsonian folkways kids musician plays music with her husband, Daniel Littleton, and daughter, Storey. Check out their adult music too, IDA. Little Miss Ann had the pleasure of singing with Elizabeth Mitchell at her recent Old Town concert last month.
5. Gustafer Yellowgold – Cheddar from the album “Infinity Sock”. Notes: No surprise that members from Wilco sing a song on this album as his music does remind me of my hometown favorite, Wilco.  Morgan Taylor (singer/songerwriter) does the illustrations with his character “Gustafer” a little yellow guy who came from the sun. At his concerts, Taylor performs his songs next to a large video screen with moving illustrations of Gustafer and more.
6. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band – “Quite like you” from album “Oh Lucky Day”.  Notes: This LA kindie group sings a jolly little indie tune sounds like a peppier Shins song.
7. Lori Henriquez – “It’s hard to wait for your bday” from the album “Outside my Door”. Notes: Sounds like a scaled down Regina Spektor song.
8. Jeannie B! and the Jelly Beans (Chicago local) – “The Best Me I can be” from the album “Sugar Buzz”. Notes: Soulful Carol King 70′s sound to me just makes me happy.

On the go is delighted to sponsor the Little Beans Winter Concert Series.  We’ve had a blast at the first two concerts rocking out with two of our favorite local kindie rock stars Little Miss Ann and Mr. Singer, This month we are looking forward to getting our groove on with Joanie Leeds.

Since Joanie Leads is coming to us from New York,  I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing her perform in person.  I recently downloaded her latest CD, “I”m a Rock Star”, and love Goodbye, Goodbye and I Wanna Be Green. Have a listen for yourself on her website.

Along with the rockin’ live concert, your family will also enjoy playtime in Little Beans amazing play space and pizza. On the go will be there with tips on where kid-sized fun is hiding in your neighborhood and free maracas for the kiddies!

One lucky on the go reader will win a family four pack of tickets.  Simply comment below or send me an email at cindymccarthy@onthegoChicago.com by 5pm Thursday, February 9th.

Inside scoop:

• What –  Little Beans Winter Concert Series: Joanie Leads
• Where – LIttle Beans Cafe, 1809 W. Webster
• When – Friday, February 17th at 5:30pm
• Cost – Tickets include play time, concert and pizza! 2 People – $25, 3 People – $35, 4 People – $45

Also, one of my favorite kindie musicians is playing at Old Town on Sunday. Laura Doherty will be rockin’ the house with songs from her new CD at a special Valentines Day Show at 11am on February 12th.  Tickets are only $10.

Little Miss Ann is releasing her third CD, Walk With Me, this Sunday at the Beat Kitchen. Woo Hoo! My kids are serious Little Miss Ann fans.  Not only do they proudly wear their Little Miss Ann shirts, but they know every word to every song of her previous CDs.  I too am a huge Little Miss Ann fan, but I would be lying if I did not admit that I am happy to be adding a NEW CD to the rotation!

When asked what she loved most about recording her new CD, Little Miss Ann said,  ”I love that while “Walk with Me” was recorded in a Chicago bungalow, some incredible Kindie music luminaries, added back-up vocals including multi-award winning, Brooklyn-based Suzi Shelton and Independent Music Award winner, Seattle-based, Charlie Hope.”

I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak/listen to “Walk With Me”.  Like her last two CDs, Ann sticks to her Folk/Rock/Bluegrass kindie style.  It truly is a CD that parents will enjoy as much as their kids.  I especially love the inspirational and uplifting lyrics of Take Me For Who I Am and Fly, Shine, Soar.  Put Out Your Hand and Waltzing Matilda are great tunes for your next living room dance party.  Click here to listen to her new songs, and download a copy for yourself.

Be among the first to rock out to Little Miss Ann’s newest songs at the CD release party this Sunday!

• What – Little Miss Ann CD Release Concert
• Where – Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont
• When – Sunday, January 15 12pm
• Cost – $6

Isn’t it amazing how even the youngest babies naturally respond to music.  It’s something about the rythm and beat that we all respond to on some instinctual level.  Well next Saturday, Rick Neuhaus and John Yost will be exploring the resonant rhythms, world vibrations, Asia, Africa, our common beat, and a wild drumming parade at the Old Town School Playdate.

On the go is proud to sponsor the monthly Old Town School Playdates in Lincoln Square.  If you haven’t been to one yet, come check it out.  Not only is it a bargain ($5), but it is truly a hands on experience.  Each month the featured muscicians engage the audience in an educational and fun exploration of music.  Audience participation is part of the show.  Plus, kids can get up on stage after the show and play drums and other rythm instruments.

January’s concert, The Pulse of Rhythm with John Yost & Rick Neuhaus, will focus on how our world vibrates in resonant rhythms. We all sing and dance to one pulse from many traditions.

One lucky on the go reader will get to find their common rhythm for free.  Simply leave a comment below or on Facebook by 5pm Sunday, January 8th to be entered into our drawing for FOUR free tickets to the show.

Inside scoop:

• What -The Pulse of Rhythm with John Yost & Rick Neuhaus
• Where – Old Town School of Folk Music (4544 N. Lincoln Ave.)
• When – Saturday, January 14th, 10am
• Cost – $5

On the go is thrilled to sponsor the Little Beans Winter Concert Series.  Last month we rocked out to holiday classics with Little Miss Ann.  We’re kicking the new year off with Mr. Singer, Kerry Appleberry & Marius Mustard on January 13th.

Mr. Singer is one of my families favorite local kindie musicians.  We’ve seen Mr. Singer perform countless times in concert, at story time at the Zoo and even at my youngest first birthday party.  Mr. Singer is amazing at getting the kids to participate in his shows.  There is generally quite a large kiddie mosh pit going by the end of his performances!  My kids particularly love Rathputin the Rattlesnake and King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki Me O. Click here to sample a few of his original songs.

You can check out Mr. Singer in person, Friday, January 13th.  Tickets are on sale now. Along with the rockin’ live concert, your family will also enjoy playtime in Little Beans amazing play space and dinner. On the go will be there with tips on where kid-sized fun is hiding in your neighborhood and free maracas for the kiddies! 

One lucky on the go reader will win a family four pack of tickets.  Simply comment below or send me an email at cindymccarthy@onthegoChicago.com by 5pm Thursday, January 5th.

Inside scoop:

• What –  Little Beans Winter Concert Series: Mr. Singer
• Where – LIttle Beans Cafe, 1809 W. Webster
• When – Friday, January 13th at 6pm
• Cost – Tickets include play time, concert and dinner! 1 Person – $30, 2 People – $60, 3 People – $80, 4 People – $100

It’s no secret that my family loves to see live music.  We are so lucky to live in a city that has so many amazing kindie artist, and fabulous places to enjoy live music with the under 7 crowd.  Every Sunday, the Beat Kitchen hosts a different kids band at 12pm.  It’s one of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday morning. Plus, they have a delicious breakfast burrito!

This Sunday, December 4^th, Super Stolie will be rockin’ the house!  I had the pleasure of interviewing Rebecca Stoelinga, Super Stolie, over lunch recently.  She is as bubbly and energetic in person, as she comes across in her songs.  My kids and I love her upbeat songs and playful lyrics.

I wasn’t surprised to learn that she was in a successful girl band, Tres Femmes, prior to starting her career as a kindie musician.  There is a decidedly Pop quality to her original songs.  After only listening to her CD a couple times, my girls and I had most of the lyrics memorized.  When we get in the car, the two most requested songs this week were “Look Up High” and “I Love Kitties and Dogs”, or as my kids call them the sky song and animal song!

Super Stolie has been playing the piano and guitar since she was a child, and says writing songs has always come naturally to her.  Her lyrics reference the world around her, including many references to life here in Chicago.

When I asked Super Stolie what she likes best about performing, she said interacting with the kids.  She loves to play freeze dance and involve the kids in the show.  This Sunday, she will be performing with a full band including back up dancers.  She is also debuting a few new songs from her soon to be released second album.

The Beat Kitchen has provided on the go with a family four pack of tickets to this Sunday’s show.  Plus, Super Stolie has offered to give two additional on the go readers a free copy of her CD, When I Grow Up.  To be entered into our drawing for the tickets and CDs, simply comment below or email me at cindymccarthy@onthegoChicago.com by end of day Wednesday, November 30^th.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Super Stolie & The Rockstars
• Where – Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont)
• When – Sunday, December 4^th at noon
• Cost – $6
• Insider Tip – One of our favorite kid-sized businesses, Wishcraft, will be hosting fun crafts for your little rock star after the show.  Kids will design their own guitars and create their own band name.

If you can’t make Sunday’s show, you can check out Super Stolie every Tuesday morning at 10:30 at Fantasy Kingdom.  Super Stolie also performs private shows including birthday parties! Check her out on Facebook for all the details on her upcoming shows.

Old Town School of Folk Music has started their monthly playdates again!  Each month, you and your little rocker can enjoy a hands-on and interactive concert at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Lincoln Square.  Best of all, tickets are only $5!

This week’s concert, Oceans Apart with Lanialoha Lee and Shana Harvey, will  whisk you away on a voyage across the ocean to where island styles from Hawaii, New Zealand, Cuba, Puerto Rico and others meet.  In the musical harbor, discover ipus and tamborres, kala’au and claves, castanets and `ili`ili. It all begins with the sounding of the conch shell!

On the go will be there handing out tips on where to find family fun this Fall and stickers for the under 7 crowd.  We hope to see you there.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Oceans Apart with Lanialoha Leaa and Shana Harvey
• Where – Old Town School of Folk Music (4544 N. Lincoln)
• When – Saturday, October 8th at 10am
• Cost – $5

One on the go reader will be dancing the afternoon away with their family for FREE at Laura Doherty‘s CD release concert this Saturday at Martyr’s.  See below for contest details.

I was lucky enough to get a sneak “listen” to Laura’s latest CD, Shining Like a Star, last week.  Her folk music style and clever lyrics had the girls and I singing along in no time. Plus, as a city family, we loved all the references to urban life including the El Train, Green City Market, lake, etc.  The two most requested songs in our car’s playlist are now Hula Hoop and I’m a Tree.

If your’ not familiar with Laura’s music, check out her site and click listen from the side bar menu.  You can sample a number of songs from her first CD including El Train and Rockin’ at the Zoo, two of my personal favorites.

Laura has been strumming a guitar since she was sixteen, but first got inspired to make kids music at Old Town School of Folk Music.  She taught classes and actually ran the Wiggleworms program for more than ten years.

She wrote her first kids song while riding the El down to Millennium Park to teach a free Wiggleworms class as part of the yearly Millennium Family Fun Fest.  In fact, the city continues to be her main source of inspiration for writing songs.

When chatting with Laura about writing and performing for children last week, I really got a feel for how much she enjoys watching kids respond to music.  She shared with me how she loves to try out new songs in her Wiggleworms class and at shows, and then adjusts based on how the kids dance, move ,etc.  She says the kids constantly surprise her and spark new ideas.

If you would like to watch your little rock star respond to Laura’s awesome new CD, check her out this Saturday at Martyr’s. Your kiddos will also be delighted by the special guest tap dancer Reggio “the Hoofer”! To be entered into our free drawing for a family four pack of tickets, send me an email by 5pm Wednesday to cindymccarthy@onthegochicago.com or leave a comment below.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Laura Doherty CD Release Concert
• Where – Martyr’s, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.
• When – Saturday, October 1st at 12pm
• Cost – $5 kids, $8 adults, under 1 are free

Two things my family loves to do together are eat and dance.  If your looking for some foot stomping and finger licking fun this Fall, check out the Kids Concert Series at Little Beans Cafe.

Every Friday through October, you and the kids can shake your sillies with a great kindie muscician, pig out on BBQ, play to your hearts content and finish the night off with some delicious Homer’s Ice Cream.

One lucky on the go reader will win a family four pack of tickets to the show of their choice.  Simply email me at cindymccarthy@onthegoChicago.com or leave a comment below before 5pm Monday, September 26th.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Little Beans Kids Concert Series
• When – Fridays from 5pm-7pm through October (see complete schedule below)
• Where – 1809 W. Webster
• Cost – $40/Family of 2, $60/Family of 3, $75/Family of 4, $90/Family of 5

Schedule:

• 9/30 – Mindy Hester & The Timeouts
• 10/7 – Scott the Steel Drum Guy
• 10/14 – Joel Frankel
• 10/21 – The Dreamtree Shakers
• 10/28 -Jeanie B

If your family is like mine, you love to bust-a-move together.  Next Sunday (Sept. 18th), Families in the Loop is hosting Brunch and Boogie: “Back to Cool”.  We attended their last Brunch and Boogie, and had a fab time.  From shaking our sillies out on the dance floor, crafts on the second floor and yummy brunch; we laughed and danced the morning away. Next Sunday the Gooeybots will be rockin’ Lincoln Hall, and you and your little dancers are sure to have fun.

Families in the Loop has offered on the go readers a special 20% off discount on tickets.  Simply click here to order tickets and use discount code “onthego”.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Brunch & Boogie: Back to Cool
• Where – Lincoln Hall (2424 N. Lincoln Ave.)
• When – September 18th from 10:15-12pm
• Cost – $10 (on the go readers get 20% off with discount code onthego)

Just about every time I get in the car with my kids they start begging me to put on Little Miss Ann.  Needless to say, we are big fans!  This weekend, Little Miss Ann will be playing with Charlie Hope at the Beat Kitchen as part of their Concerts for Kids Series.

If you are not familiar with Charlie Hope, check out her website.  You can sample some of her music, including a great song titled “Train”.  She is an Independent Music Award winner and was nominated for a Juno Award.  If you have not had the pleasure of enjoying a Little Miss Ann concert with your kids, you’re in for a treat.  She is one of the top kindie artist in Chicago, and her folk-rock style and uplifting lyrics will bring a smile to your face and a wiggle to your step!

The Beat Kitchen is a great place to get your groove on with your wee ones.  Shows are only $5, there is plenty of room for your little rocker to shake their sillies out, and you can arrive a bit early and enjoy a yummy brunch.  I personally love their breakfast burrito.

On the go will be there with tips on some of the best places to explore nature in Chicagoland.

Hope to see you there.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Charlie Hope & Little Miss Ann Concert
• Where – Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont Ave.)
• When – Sunday, July 31st at noon
• Cost – $5

Inside Scoop:

• What – Let’s Fandango!, Old Town School April Playdate
• Where – Old Town School of Folk Musice (4544 N. Lincoln Ave.)
• When – Saturday, April 2nd at 10am
• Cost – $5, free for Household of Note Members
• Insider Tip – Next Playdate is scheduled for May 14th, with one of our fav local Kindie Musicians, Little Miss Ann