MamaBlogger365 - Travel Around the World in Song with Acclaimed Multicultural Children's Performer, Daria

And a "World of Music for Kids" poster give-away!

Have you ever wondered how kids around the world make music? If you’ve ever gotten a chance to attend one of DARIA’s popular WORLD MUSIC FOR KIDS concerts, you might be amazed at some of the really cool and unusual instruments used in cultures around the planet. Tibetan bowls that sing! A donkey’s jawbone with large tooth rattles from Afro-Peruvian culture. Middle Eastern percussion that dates back to ancient Egypt. Native American drums made from the trunks of trees! And all of it is hands-on fun for kids. Since March has been named “Music in Our Schools Month” by the National Association for Music Education, DARIA decided to create a poster that would share many of these unique instruments with moms, parents, caregivers and teachers across the country. Feel free to check out the special poster give-away below.

In the WORLD OF MUSIC FOR KIDS poster, you can seek and find 30 different instruments that include the unusual ones as well as ones that kids will recognize right away. There are guitars, tambourines, triangles and even a trash can and hub cap. The trash can and hub cap come from the time DARIA was chosen as the only woman Honda STOMP/PULSE performer and she actively used the trash can, lids and car parts to create the sound of a steel drum orchestra.

Other than the poster, where can you check out DARIA’s music? Her www.dariamusic.com site won a 2009 Parents Choice award as one of the best places on the web to share music with children. The site has a great songbook, an “explore the instruments” section and a CD area where you can hear selections from her award-winning kids music CD’s. There are also easy links from the site to Daria’s store on iTunes and Amazon as well.

Want to play a bit more with music? On Daria’s main site and her Making Multicultural Music blog you can find instructions on how to make a variety of these instruments at home, such as didgeridoos, guiros, shekeres, maracas and even a homemade mbira (thumb piano) or pow-wow style drum! Like animations? You can also check out her VIMEO channel for some wonderful fun, funny kids music videos, many of which are bilingual (Spanish/English, Zulu/English, Yiddish/English, etc.).

Says Daria: “Music is a great way to teach children a pride in their heritage and a positive, optimistic curiosity about others.” Although March is officially Music In Our Schools Month, there are no limits to how music can be used at home or in the classroom any time of year. “It’s a beautiful way of not only encouraging positive, expressive play, but also building global citizens that can really get excited about the concept of world harmony!”

DARIA’s World Music For Kids website:
www.dariamusic.com

See, Hear, Play, Color and Make World Music Instruments Here:
http://www.dariamusic.com/cajon.php

Making Multicultural Music Blog (Sharing Diversity Through The Arts)
http://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com

DARIA's VIMEO CHANNEL
www.vimeo.com/dariamusic

Would you like to win DARIA’S

“A WORLD OF MUSIC FOR KIDS” poster?

She’s teamed up with us to give away 5 to of our MamaBlogger365 fans and friends. Click here to enter!

The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!Visit the Museum of Motherhood, NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30.

MamaBlogger365 - The Journey, an excerpt - part 7 by Jax Resto

When mom-rocker Jax Resto last checked in... local celebrity guitarist Jeri Jay was en route to meet Jax, Raven and Sam... (Need to catch up from the beginning? Click here for an archive of posts that chronicle The Journey by Jax Resto.)

Our first rehearsal: There were moments when I wasn't sure this day would come...

Half an hour in, we are minus an integral member—the guitarist. Jeri Jay is on his way. I'm still not sure how I feel about letting a guy into our girl band, even one who dresses like a girl. But I am eager to move forward. I've spent so much time these past few weeks putting together a band, I've barely had time to just play music.

Despite the Speedy Gonzalez cartoon short that ran through my mind after Jeri told me he would be right over, realistically I know it will probably be another half hour before he arrives.

I walk into the spare room of our house, which we refer to as the “drum room.” Now equipped with full PA, and speakers, thanks to Samm, it has suddenly evolved into a rehearsal studio.

I look over at Samm, who stands in the left corner of the room, hip cocked, holding her bass, looking like a superhero. I feel compelled to give her a superhero name. Beautimus.

“Wanna try running through some songs before Jeri gets here?” the golden superhero asks.

I grin at her eagerness. At the name I've mentally given her. My silliness. Something.

Raven plants herself in front of the microphone in the center of the room, and looks at Beautimus, “Do you know 'Alone?'"

Beautimus responds with an unsuperhero-like blank expression.

Apparently our desperate search for female players ultimately overshadowed our initial plan to hold more formal auditions where the players came prepared. It turns out that, though we each know many songs, there aren't many we all know.

Click here to read more!

Bio: Jax Resto is a wife, mom and business owner by day, mom rocker by night. In 2010 she performed with Band of the Year at the Mamapalooza Festival in NYC. She left the band shortly after to start her own band of rockin' moms Female Band Invasion. But her mom rock band took an interesting turn. Visit www.reverbnation.com/femalebandinvasion.

The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today! Visit the Museum of Motherhood NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30.

MamaBlogger365 - The Journey, an excerpt, part 6 - by Jax Resto

Two days after talking with local celebrity guitarist Jeri Jay on the phone, I can't get his hot pink MySpace page out of my head... or his request to audition for my girl band. I send Raven a text about considering it. She thinks I'm joking. Since we're still short a bass player, I don't pursue the issue.

I haven't quite gotten over losing our bass player of 2 hours to Jesus. I think about Chelsea's parting words over the phone. “I'll pray for you to find a bass player.”

My phone vibrates. I think it's Raven, but it's a number I don't recognize. I answer.

The caller says, “Hi. My name is Sam. I'm a friend of Micky's. She said you were looking for a bass player for your new band.”

Though I know better than to let myself get too excited, I can't help it. Sam is short for Samantha.

Thursday evening, Raven and I are sitting in a booth at a local English pub waiting anxiously to meet Sam. I sit facing the front door, so I can watch Sam's entrance. The day we interviewed guitarist Micky at Starbucks, she described Sam as tall, blonde, and gorgeous. Even if Micky was exaggerating, the half hour conversation I had with Sam last night over the phone practically has me sold... not to mention the fact that she's female.

Click here to read more!

The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today! Visit the Museum of Motherhood, NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30.

MamaBlogger365 - The Journey, an exerpt, part 5 by Jax Resto

Jax Resto

It's been three weeks since I set out to start a band of rockin' moms.

I was excitedly optimistic when I quickly found single mother of five/vocalist Raven. But the rest of the lineup hasn't been as easy. Yesterday after acquiring what seems to be the only female bass player in two counties, things were finally looking up... until this morning, when she called to say she'd had a change of heart.

Deflated, I mull over some of the responses we've gotten so far, including one that had Raven texting me this morning about driving to Miami. I'd barely had time to think about how unlikely the possibility of an impromptu roadtrip to the other coast on a “school day” would be before she texted, “Nevermind. It was for an adult video.”

My train of thought leads me to an absentminded Googling of HERA, which subsequently takes me to our Myspace page. It's impressive, considering we're not even a real band yet. The sexy photos. Creative logo. Clever catchphrase that reads, Cougars that know how to rock hard...Wait...what?

I cringe, stray cursor scrambling for the delete icon. How many of my friends and professional contacts have seen the cougar comment, I wonder. At least that explains the adult video offer. I shake off my humiliation and focus on something more productive: A Bandmix profile for a 29-year-old mother of 3 named Tara who plays keys. I send her a message, to which she responds that evening with a confession that she is only an amateur keyboard player and primarily a vocalist. Disappointed, I tell her I already have a vocalist, though I'm not just being polite when I tell her I will keep her contact information just in case. Maybe I'm just still reeling from the cougar debacle. Maybe not.

The next day, I follow up on a response from a female guitar player named Micky. I fall in immediate like with her after 5 minutes on the phone and schedule a meeting at a Starbucks in Sarasota. Though she is slightly older and less edgy than I'd hoped, she wins me, and surprisingly, even Raven, over with her great personality and Scottish accent.

On the way back to Venice, Raven and I discuss the possibility of Micky becoming part of HERA, as well as the fact that Micky knows a female bass player who may also be interested. It all seems too good to be true... .and it just may be since Micky's only means of transportation is motor scooter.

After a few days, Micky's lack of reliable transportation seems moot. Raven's already labeled her “flake” because Micky has not been in touch. I'm not sure why, but I have a sinking feeling that Micky is afraid of Raven.

Days later, ears undoubtedly burning, Micky finally calls me from a local music store. She says she's been talking me and my band up to guy who works there named Jeri Jay. The name is familiar: A guitarist for hire that plays around town. I saw him play years ago, but don't recall much beyond a long-haired middle-aged guy in a suit who played great guitar.

Micky puts Jeri on the phone, who greets me with a cheerful, “Hello.” Then without missing a beat, he asks, “When can I audition for your girl band?”

I feel a deep triangle forming in my brow, not sure which puzzles me more: The fact that Jeri wants to be in my girl band. Or the fact that he thinks he'd need to audition.

Unclear what part of girl band he doesn't get, I reiterate, “It's a girl band.”

“I know,” he replies in his manly New York voice. “Check out my MySpace page.”

The triangle in my brow deepens. “Okay. I will.” I'm mostly just being polite, but soon curiosity has me typing in the link. A hot pink page pops up on my computer screen. I lean in closer and peruse the profile picture of the middle-aged woman adorned in hot pink hair extensions, startling pink and blue makeup, a Hello Kitty tee, and pink leopard print skinny jeans. Did I type in the wrong link? Or am I thinking of a different Jeri?

I explore the Myspace page further, clicking on earlier pictures of a slightly less pink Jeri. A slightly less feminine one. I have the right link. The right Jeri, though apparently a lot's changed since the last time I saw him. Her....?



Bio: Jax Resto is a wife, mom and business owner by day, mom rocker by night. In 2010 she performed with Band of the Year at the Mamapalooza Festival in NYC. She left the band shortly after to start her own band of rockin' moms Female Band Invasion. But her mom rock band took an interesting turn. Visit www.reverbnation.com/femalebandinvasion.

Our Year-End Giving Campaign is going on NOW! The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!

Visit the Museum of Motherhood
NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30

The Ukulele Cowboy Society, Interviewed by Mamapalooza for the MamaBlogger365 Project

It's with great pleasure that we had the opportunity to talk with Jesse Chandler and Michael Kaplan, The Ukulele Cowboy Society, about their new holiday single, "I Wish for a Moment..." -- click here to enjoy the exclusive interview and the swing-jazz style of this special holiday song! From all of us, to all of you, happy holidays and all the best for 2012!

Our Year-End Giving Campaign is going on NOW! The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!

Visit the Museum of Motherhood
NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30

MamaBlogger365 - The Journey, an exerpt by Jax Resto

When we last heard from Jax Resto: "I imagine the possibilities of being in a band with my big brother. I'd gladly ditch the “all-female” theme for a brother/sister one...."

I sleep on the idea of scrapping my all-female band idea for two strong moms and a couple of dudes, and awake to an inbox flooded with responses to our ad for a bass and guitar player. Not a female in the bunch; only men who want to work with two chicks. The next day we meet with a male bass player named Robert at a Starbucks in Venice. After two hours of talking like we're old friends, I'm feeling pretty good about our band situation. If my brother agrees to be our guitarist, Robert would be the last piece to our HERA puzzle.

The moment Robert is out of earshot, Raven perforates my happy little bubble. “He's just not Hera material,” she says with conviction. And I realize that Hera has taken on a life of her own, despite the fact that we're not even a real band yet.

Any existing remnants of my bubble dissolve completely when my brother tells me later that day that he doesn't want to be in the band, adding that he doesn't like the new song we worked on together—the one Raven made all her changes to. So I tell myself that it's Raven's modified version he doesn't like. Or maybe just Raven. “Okay. No problem,” I say with a smile, my heart slightly breaking on the inside. But rather than pursue the topic, I'm already planning my next move, which sadly won't include a brother sister act.

Click here to read more!

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MamaBlogger365 - Tunes as a Tool by Kelli Stapleton

I don’t think I’m wrong when I say that music is the most powerful force on the planet. Well, maybe there are other forces that are stronger, but let me just make the point: there is power in music. Music can incite _________ (insert almost any verb here).

Of course we all know this! Who hasn’t been in a foul mood and have it change instantly when we hear our favorite song? Conversely, who hasn’t had a broken heart and listen to sad music so we wouldn’t feel so alone? And by the way, have you seen what music does to teenagers?!

I’m not EVEN going to go into the children’s music genre. Gosh, I could write a whole post on how much my kids and I will love a song the first babillion times we hear it and then how I’m OVER it and wanna take an ice pick to the base of my skull the next babillion times. Ah, the joys of parenthood ….

In keeping with the theme of MamaBlogger 365 and reframing motherhood; I wanted to share an important tool with you: Music

The walk-out song

In American baseball when a player is introduced, he takes the field while music blares over the loud speakers. Each player picks his own song, and the clip within the song. This is called his ‘walk-out song’. This song will (hopefully) generate feeling of empowerment, fun, and success for the player and fans.

Do you get where I’m going with this?

Yes, find your own walk-out song!

Part with that $.99 and download something that will make you feel invincible. Play it before you head to a meeting, dissertation, or playgroup. Or just play it when you’ve had an all-nighter with a sick baby.

Then take it a step further and make a ‘walk-out song’ list. And while you’re at it, make a list of songs that make you laugh. Make a list of songs that make you feel strong. Make a list of songs that make you feel beautiful. And then make a point of using those songs as a tool for when you need them.

Music can change a mood.

Music can change a moment.

Add this tool to your tool belt sisters and hopefully it will make this motherhood journey a little easier.

Kelli Stapleton
Producer/Host of the talk show: Birth Stories on Demand
www.birthstoriesondemand.com
Mother, wife, heavy Diet Coke user

Photo credit: gracey|MorgueFile

Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Your tax-deductible donation in ANY amount will help us make our autumn POP-UP exhibit in NYC a permanent reality - visit our Members page to learn more.




Visit the Museum of Motherhood
NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30

MamaBlogger365 - Mamapalooza Takes Sydney!

Mothers of the world take note! Sydney will be on the map in 2012 with a great Festival of Arts celebrating Mamapalooza "the Aussie way!"

Join us at Tap Gallery -- 7th-13th May, 2012!

Vee Malnar, artist/writer and event co-ordinator for Mamapalooza Sydney 2012, together with gallery manager and artist Lesley Dimmick (along with a host of many talented volunteers) will pave the way for thousands of Australian mothers and grandmothers to create a lively festival of highly talented, inspirational and knock 'em out sensational acts! Musicians, magicians, poets, singer-songwriters, visual and performance artists and commediennes will grace the Sydney stage in May 2012, and create herstory!

"There's a bit of complacency in Oz," says singer-songwriter (and mother of three) Kathy Cox, "particularly around women's talent. I think a festival like this will place a wonderful variety of talent under one roof, and it'll be a hoot!"

"We need to bring together the extraordinary talent of so many mothers in this country and showcase it under the same umbrella – audiences will be enthralled!" says Vee.

So don’t miss this wonderful week of arts and entertainment starting on the 7th of May at Tap Gallery. We will have an art exhibition, an original songwriter night with awards, stand-up comedy and much much more!

For those who would like to contribute and participate; if you’re a mother, a woman, a person with an idea about ‘motherhood’, come and join this group and help in the collective collaboration of a fantastic festival!

It starts now with you!

Contact us:

Vee Malnar
Mamapalooza Australia Co-Ordinator
veemalnar@gmail.com
mob: 0402036082

Lesley Dimmick
Tap Gallery
178 Palmer St. Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
info@tapgallery.org.au
ph: 0393610440


Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Your tax-deductible donation in ANY amount will help us make our autumn POP-UP exhibit in NYC a permanent reality - visit our Members page to learn more.

Visit the Museum of Motherhood

NOW OPEN in NYC! Tues-Sun, 10:45-6:30

MamaBlogger365: Is Balance Really a Myth? by Kim Jennings

I wonder. It’s a hot topic, maybe even a bit overdone. Seems to me that balance should be more about figuring out the life you want, and then working towards that, all while spending time with the people you care about most.

So, after months (ok, years) of saying I’m going to work on it, I’m taking action.

Click here to read more.

Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Your tax-deductible donation in ANY amount will help us make our September POP-UP exhibit in NYC a permanent reality - visit our Members page to learn more.

Photo credit: hotblack

MamaBlogger365 - With Heavy Heart by Kim Jennings

My heart is heavy.

My music community just lost one of our own. He was just 29. Too young. A mutual friend called me at work first thing in the morning to see if I knew anything about what happened to him. And I didn't believe it, as I obsessively Googled his name all day and could not find anything about what happened, or an online obituary, or anything. Later that afternoon she emailed me a link. There isn't a lot of detail, and I don't know how he died. I don't need to know.

All I know is that this circle of friends feels a sense of loss that I have not experienced with them before.

As soon as I heard, all I could think about was his mother and how she must feel. Read more...

MamaBlogger365 needs you! Tell us how you're re-framing motherhood and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011!

Photo credit: Solitary Existence by Michael Drummond

MamaBlogger365 - Start Writing To Get There by Kim Jennings

I just finished listening to the book on CD “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” by Marshall Goldsmith. Duh! All kidding aside, the reality is that there are things I want to do with my life -- in addition to (or maybe in spite of?) being a full-time working mom with a very active pursuit of music during nights and weekends. And my usual hero/martyr/perfectionist self is only going to make it harder to take on any more. There’s just no more room -- something’s got to give. And this is a good thing!

So I write this acknowledging that it’s a bit self-serving. It’s an exercise in awareness that I’m personally using to break old habits and build new ones.

At the very end of the book, Goldsmith walks through a visioning challenge where you imagine yourself as a 95-year-old person, and write a letter to yourself as you are today. What would you tell yourself, in all of your wisdom? This is where I would start. read more

MamaBlogger365 needs you! Tell us how you're re-framing motherhood and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011!

MamaBlogger365 - Music and Mayhem by Shira Adler, Diva Mama

After a harried week, spending a really grown-up evening in the city sounded like heaven. The hour train ride to Grand Central Terminal flew by.  Before I knew it I was waiting for my boyfriend in the middle of the central foyer, admiring the view of the main concourse amidst the bustle of the evening commuters who scarcely seemed to have time or the inclination to admire its grandeur.

With the excitement of two teens playing hooky, we began the short dash to the Times Square shuttle and on to our connecting train.

And that was when I saw her.

Sitting next to the stairs close to the number 1 Broadway local crouched a dark-haired woman, somewhere around my age with a two-year-old. The baby sat in her flimsy umbrella stroller, eyes drooping closed while sucking on the bottle her mother propped up with one hand. In the other was a sign: “I lost my job and have two kids to feed. Please help me buy some food.”

As usual for a busy NY subway, most people were too preoccupied or just tired of seeing “these types” in the subway corridors to notice.

I grabbed the only remaining single I had in my wallet and knelt down to place it in her hat. As I did our eyes locked. “God bless you,” she said to which I replied, “and God bless you. Hang in there, I hope this helps..." my words trailed away, not sure of what I could really offer knowing I had no time to even stop and chat, ask her name, how she was doing or where she’d be sleeping tonight with her children. read more

MamaBlogger365 needs you! Tell us how you're re-framing motherhood and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011!

Photo credit Girls Eyeball by Mikaela Dunn

MamaBlogger365 - Healthy Viewing Choices for Your Children by Diane Lang

We never had as much opportunity to get lost in front of a television, computer, iPod, cell phone, etc., when we were kids, did we? Our moms didn't have to wrestle with technology the way we do; so how do we re-frame our approach and strike a balance we can all live with? Never fear, Diane Lang's here to help! read more

MamaBlogger365 needs you! Tell us how you're re-framing motherhood and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011!

Photo credit jdurham | MorgueFile

MamaBlogger365: Why I Love Curious George by Kim Jennings

It’s not necessarily his inquisitive nature, or his mischievous way of getting into scrapes that always miraculously turn into monkey heroics.

Nope.

It’s the movie I’m thinking about – more importantly, the soundtrack to the movie. We’ve got the Jack Johnson mellow grove soundtrack in a CD player in my son’s room. Whenever he turns on the tunes, inevitably a smile comes across the faces of every person in the house.

Never mind that Mommy is downstairs working feverishly to meet that deadline in an hour, or that Daddy is trying to paint the walls in the kitchen before lunch time. No, just a little groove music gets us all to slow down, even if just for a moment, and smile, laugh, dance, and remind each other that there is joy in sharing musical moments together. read more