This week’s top picks for upcoming live entertainment

"Dancers' photo by Peter Griffin

Mark your calendar and save these dates for the following entertaining and diverse line-up of events in New York City, Amherst, Massachusetts and Santa Monica, California.

New York City

The Just Kidding at Symphony Space all-ages series will continue to provide New York City families with ground-breaking entertainment most Saturdays through April 2012, and on this Saturday, November 12, at 11:00 a.m. Just Kidding provides one of the nation's top "kindie rock" stars, Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights.

Leeds is one of those big, beautiful rock 'n roll sopranos whose voice goes full-out or soft and tender, and she uses both to full effect.

Her tuneful melodies and rich, funny and thoughtful child-respecting lyrics give depth and irresistible zip to songs about sunglasses at the beach, goodnight hugs, popcorn popping and creative blame-shifting.

Check out the video below from Leed’s YouTube channel to see her in action.

Then, on Saturday, November 17 at 11:00 a.m. Just Kidding offers a unique mix of multimedia performance art from the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players  when they present their "indie-vaudeville conceptual art-rock pop band" concert.

 

Originally from Seattle, and now based in Brooklyn, the Trachtenburgs are a domestic trio (dad Jason, mom Tina Piña, and 16-year-old daughter Rachel), who play quirky indie pop songs in the key of "unironic."

It's all good, clean fun with one major catch: All the songs and carefully rhyming lyrics come from the vintage slide collections they've found at estate or garage sales that accompany their performances.

The intrepid trio has appeared on Nick Jr. and the "Conan O'Brien Show," and they've taken their show on the road to Bonnaroo, the Edinburgh festival as well as comedy clubs around the nation - all the while winning over famous fans like Meg White (The White Stripes), Matt Groening ("The Simpsons") and John Waters ("Hairspray").

The Trachtenburgs have just released a new CD called Lost and Found.

and for your enjoyment below, the Players on Nick Jr.'s "Jack’s Big Music Show”.

This diverse line-up is part of the ongoing weekly shows aimed at children ages 3 to 9 and their families. For details about all of the shows, tickets and subscription information, visit Just Kidding online. 

Amherst, Massachusetts

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road, Amherst, Massachusetts, is presenting Picture Book Theatre featuring Eric Carle’s “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,” said the Sloth and Rooster’s Off To See The World, Saturdays, November 12, 19, 26 and Friday, November 25 with 45-minutes performances at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.. Tickets are $5 and can be reserved in advance by calling the Museum at 413-658-1126.

Directed by founder Therese Brady Donohue, Picture Book Theatre is now in its sixth season and is known for adapting picture books into puppets and dance productions suitable for all ages, especially the very young.

This year’s productions include the premiere of the stick puppet show “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,” said the Sloth, with music composed by Karen A. Tarlow.

The story includes 27 puppets representing endangered rain forest species. Norton Juster voices a recorded introductory message from Eric Carle and Onawumi Jean Moss is the storyteller.

Double cast local puppeteers include Margaret Arsenault, Frances Caparello, Joan Hanson, Naomi Ossar, Diane Westfall, and Karin Wilburn and professionally designed lighting is by Steve Morgan and operated by Dan Fedora of Harrison Digital Productions.

Each family will receive a copy of Carle’s “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,” said the Sloth during the show (like a libretto) to reread and relive what they have seen.

A grant from the Amherst Cultural Council administered by the Massachusetts Cultural Council has helped to underwrite this new show.

The second show is a revival of Carle’s Rooster’s Off To See The World that showcases young dancers from Amherst Ballet. Sharing the title role are Isabel Wardlaw and Stone Dresser. The dancing role of two cats is shared between Amy Benedetto and Isabela Gomez, and Madeline Poole and Rachel Oram-Brown. Music is again by Karen Tarlow and the recorded narration is by Museum Chief Curator Nick Clark.

All puppets in the show exactly replicate the illustrations in the Carle books.

For further information about these performances and current exhibitions in the Museum’s galleries and many other ongoing events visit the Museum’s website at www.carlemuseum.org.

Santa Monica, California

To celebrate the launch of her newest CD, Everyday Adventures, award-winning singer/songwriter Deborah Poppink (a/k/a affectionately known by her fans as “DidiPop”) is appearing at the legendary McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Boulevard., at 31st Street, Santa Monica, California on Sunday, November 13 at 11:00 a.m.

The performance includes a 5-piece band (not too loud) costume changes and magic. Plus, there will be Mardi Gras beads for the kids, and a chance for them to do the hula with the magnificent BoBo Bernstein on pedal steel.

 DidiPop will play spoons, piano, guitar, ukulele and even some mock accordion.

Ticket price is $8 (kids under 2 get in free). To purchase tickets online, connect to McCabe’s website at http://www.mccabes.com/condata.html

Below, for your enjoyment, is a sample of DidiPop’s The Cool Alphabet Song, which she’ll be performing at McCabe’s.

Eric Carle’s ‘The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse’: Fun creative inspiration

"The Artist Who Painted the Blue Horse" by Eric Carle

Beloved children’s author/illustrator Eric Carle’s newest book, The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is set for simultaneous release here in the United States and United Kingdom on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011.

Courtesy Eric Carle Museum

Carle’s distinctive artistic style, a combination of vibrant colors applied to hand-painted paper and formed into expertly crafted collages, has garnered him a worldwide following over the past four-plus decades.

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse continues this artistic tradition, which has served to delight countless children, and in his latest offering, he provides children a good dose of creative inspiration and permission to think outside of the box.

Many of Carle’s books are best-sellers and are considered evergreen children’s classics that have been translated into more than 50 languages, selling over 100 million copies around the globe. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is sure to be embraced in that same rarefied category.

Inspiration for this latest book came from the Expressionist period of painting and in particular the German artist, Franz Marc. In the video below, Carle discusses this, and demonstrates his creative technique in addition to sharing some of the story.

If you’ll be visiting New England from now until March 20, 2012, be sure to check out the special exhibition, The Art of Eric Carle: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 

The exhibition includes almost all of the original artwork from the book, plus three “dummies” (working mock-ups for the final product). Also on-hand is a poster of one of Marc’s blue horses as well as several of Carle’s conventionally drawn horses, and a few other animals – a terrific way to compare Carle’s range of media and variety of technique.

For further information regarding the exhibit along with address and hours of the Museum, visit online at: http://www.carlemuseum.org/

Special 9/11 presentation at Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

'The Man Who Walked Between The Towers'

On Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011 at 1:00 p.m., the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art will present: From Towers and Tragedy to the Birth of a Book with Mordicai Gerstein.. This very special presentation, as well as museum admission for the day is offered FREE to the public.

In 2004, Gerstein’s picture book for children, The Man Who Walked Between The Towers, was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal. It is the true story of  Philippe Petit the man who walked between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in 1974, suspended high above New York City on a wire cable. It is a beautifully illustrated and uplifting story that honors this day of remembrance.

Mordicai Gerstein

Patrons will join Mordicai Gerstein as he tells the story behind The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. A special meet, greet and book signing will follow the presentation.

For event details visit www.carlemuseum.org

  

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

125 West Bay Road | Amherst, MA 01002

Phone: (413) 658-1100| Fax: (413) 658-1139        

Email: info@carlemuseum.org |

The Book Report: Sharing the best in books, apps and literary marketplace news

"Books" photo by Paula Slade

Something old, something new; never borrowed, never blue – today’s “Book Report” looks at classic bedtime stories, a 21^st Century app, and exciting news about a new blog from the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

 

NEWS

Making Art with Children: New Blog from the Carle’s Art Studio

Courtesy The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts not only houses an extensive and ever-changing collection of picture book art, but provides free art studio workshops and classes with their standard museum admission. Taught by Carle staff or professional/visiting artists the art studio is designed “to foster imagination and critical thinking through hands-on work with materials.” 

Now this same professional expertise is being shared online at the Carle’s new blog, Making Art with Children.

Parents and caregivers will enjoy interesting and helpful posts by Museum educators Meghan Burch and Diana Mac Kenzie as well as news about upcoming Museum activities. 

By following this link to one of their recent posts, you’ll find a step-by-step process for recycling used crayon pieces and providing them a new life to be used by little hands. You’ll also be able to download the how-to instructions for this project and sign up for their RSS feed to keep up to date with all of their posts.

For more information about visiting the Museum, call 413-658-1100 or surf into the Museum’s website at www.carlemuseum.org.    

BOOKS

The Going-To-Bed Book (Board Book) by Sandra Boynton

When it comes to engaging and entertaining children, Sandra Boynton has a gilded touch with her simple, cleverly constructed rhymes, charming animal characters and knack for storytelling.

Originally published in 1982 this classic board book never fails to delight and help with sleepy-time wind downs for babies and preschoolers.

Additional information and reviews are available at Amazon.com, with best pricing for the board book through Amazon Marketplace starting at $2.00.

Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book (Hardcover)

First published in 1962, this timeless tale is guaranteed to make the smallest to the tallest readers sleepy; it’s a true Theodor Geisel classic abounding with his crafty rhyming signature storytelling and quirky character illustrations.

Additional glimpses inside of Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book and customer reviews are available at Amazon.com, with best pricing through Amazon Marketplace starting at $7.09 for this hardcover edition.

Time for Bed (Board Book)

Easy-to read rhyming couplets by Mem Fox, and Jane Dyer’s dreamy delicate watercolor renderings provide the perfect comforting bedtime story about animals being tucked in for the night by their mothers - a true parent-child bedtime bonding.

First published in 1997 this has been a classic favorite for children ages 2-7.

Amazon.com has additional glimpses inside Time for Bed along with product details and customer reviews.

Currently, best-researched price available is through Amazon Marketplace beginning at $2.92.

APPS

Nighty Night! HD

  

By Shape Minds and Moving Images GmbH

This is absolutely one of the sweetest and beautifully visual bedtime tales being offered as an app for iPhone and iPad. (Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later.)

Nighty Night! HD, a Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award Winner is wonderfully crafted, combining interactivity, animation and professionally narrated storytelling for children aged 1-4 years.

Created by Heidi Wittlinger (2002 Oscar Nominee Best Animated Short) Nighty Night! HD’s 2D illustration and inviting animation prompts children to gently interact with seven different farm animals as they all get ready to go to sleep.

The app also includes melodic lullaby music and an auto play function.

To view additional Nighty Night HD screen shots and read other customer reviews, visit the Nighty Night HD page at iTunes where the app is available for $1.99. The video below will also give you a good glimpse of this very special app.

A child-pleasing calendar of events at the Eric Carle Museum

A marvelous lineup of programs to entertain and help shake off the winter doldrums awaits children and their families at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Located in western Massachusetts, the Museum draws regular patrons from all across New England and those visiting the east coast.

Founded by beloved children’s book author/illustrator Eric Carle, and his wife Barbara, patrons are invited to view some of the finest original works of art created for children’s picture books, which are part of rotating exhibitions housed in three separate galleries.

In addition to the galleries, the Museum offers the Reading Library for your family’s enjoyment, where you’ll share books with your child that mirror the works currently on exhibit.

Also within the Museum, an Art Studio invites children to participate in scheduled hands-on classes and creative events - everything from picture book making to music and dance.

And, there is a Café and a Museum Store available to round out your visit.

The following is a list of current and upcoming exhibits and events:

SHREK! Illustration copyright
© 1990 by William Steig.
Used by permission of
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

From now until Sunday, January 23, 2011, MONSTERS AND MIRACLES: A Journey through Jewish Picture Books, features the works of the following authors and artists: “Eric Carle, Daniel Pinkwater, Maurice Sendak, Margot Zemach, Mark Podwal, Francine Prose, Lemony Snicket, Art Spiegelman, and William Steig.”

 In addition, the MONSTERS exhibition includes “historical examples dating as early as the twelfth century” and “encompasses the work of luminaries Isaac Bashevis Singer, Marc Chagall, and El Lissitzky. “

 Also in the galleries, from now until Sunday, May 1, 2011, the exhibition, PARTNERS IN WONDER: Selections from the Collection of Jane Yolen. 

Yolen, the prolific, award-winning author who is often referred to as the “Hans Christian Andersen of America,” has collaborated with numerous artists over the years, and according to the Carle’s Chief Curator H. Nicholas Clark, “she has forged deep ties to many of the artists who have illustrated her books. As a result she has formed a truly rich and wide-ranging collection that would be the envy of any serious collector.”

The works that are part of this collection includes illustrations by Kathryn Brown, Tomie dePaola, Jane Dyer, Lauren Mills, Barry Moser, Dennis Nolan, and Ruth Sanderson, and on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 1:00 pm, patrons are invited to “join Jane Yolen and a distinguished group of illustrators of her work as they discuss the interplay of words and pictures in the process of creating a picture book.” This special event is FREE with Museum admission.

Saturday, January 8, 2011 a marionette performance for children three and older, by the Hartsbrook Marionettes, as they present THE GRATEFUL CRANE, an adaptation from a collection of Japanese stories from The Listening Cap by Yoshiko Uchida, which was published in 1954.

Performances of THE GRATEFUL CRANE are at| 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and are offered FREE with a Museum admission.

Opening on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 and remaining on view until Sunday, June 5, 2011, a new gallery exhibition, WHAT A CIRCUS! The Art of Etienne Delessert.

In celebration of his 70th birthday, the works of internationally acclaimed Swiss painter/graphic artist/illustrator, and publisher Delessert comes to The Carle.

 Delessert’s books, translated into more than 15 languages, have interested and entertained children in the United States and Europe for decades.

The exhibition spans Delessert’s earliest book, The Endless Party (1967), to his most recent (2010) work, Spartacus The Spider. On Saturday, February 19, 2010 there is a special members opening reception from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Opening Monday, April 18 2011 and running through Friday April 22, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. every day, the Cactus Head Puppets present: JUST SO STORIES a collection of three tales of “mischief and magic that tell how some of your favorite animals came to be.” Child-pleasing adaptations of How the Camel Got His Hump, How the Rhino Got His Skin, and The Beginning of the Armadillos will be performed. Admission is $5.00 (Museum members $4.50.)

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is located at 125 West Bay Road, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Hours for the Museum are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5:00 p.m.

General admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children under 18, and $22.50 for a family of four.

For further program information and directions, call 413-658-1100 or visit online by following this link to the Museum’s website and taking an introductory virtual tour.