Portland Musicians Offer Virtual Fun for May!
We’re still stuck at home. It’s hard to fathom, but we’re all doing this for the common good. Music has a wily way of making even the most closed-in day a little happier. Try spinning some of the virtual concerts that artists are creating right now, and consider adding some fresh tunes to your playlist.
Many artists are creating live concerts for young fans. Firstly and foremost-ly these Portland-area artists have a lot to share with families:
If you’re not already a fan, you may want to check in with Red Yarn and his critters – they’re singing and playing their homespun tunes and stories on Facebook Live three times each week. Catch them live or in the many archived mini-concerts there.
Jessa Campbell, whose “Can You Feel It?” album recently received an Independent Music Awards nomination, is hosting sweet nature-themed concerts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays via her Facebook page.
Aaron Nigel Smith, whose credits include a PBS TV series, just launched episodes of his “Big Up Show” on his YouTube channel. This music and movement series is great for kids who have graduated out of “children’s music.” For a chuckle, Mo Phillips’ offbeat Facebook Live concerts are guaranteed funny.
Other nationally acclaimed artists offering live-streamed concerts every week include interactive playtime with PNW artist Dana’s Music Playground and Suzi Shelton‘s music sessions with Cinnamon Bear (for preschoolers) and for older kids, check out the folksy sessions by Alastair Moock, “stuck-at-home” song and craft times with Justin Roberts, and the daily”Rock the Block” dance parties with The Alphabet Rockers.
New tunes for spring 2020Many other artists are bursting out with new songs this spring. We’ve posted a “Parenting in a Pandemic” playlist on Spotify. These are songs from albums and songs that are new for spring 2020.
Here is sprinkling of what’s new and available on various music platforms, with links to the artists’ websites:
Sara Lovell – Night Life
Acclaimed and award-winning songwriter Sara Lovell will release her third children’s music album in less than four years. In keeping with her previous two award-winning albums (You’ve Got Me and Wild is Everywhere), Night Life is defined by its easy movement between diverse musical genres in a sparkling and adventurous musical exploration of what happens between the resistance and the surrender when day turns to night. The original song “Rock-a-Bye My Baby” will become your child’s new favorite lullaby.
Okee Dokee Brothers – Songs for Singin’
At a time when families are quarantined at home, The Okee Dokee Brothers draw from the age-old tradition of singing to heal the soul during difficult times. This slew of catchy and inclusive songs allow fans to join in and belt out. In the spirit of American folk legends Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, Songs for Singin’ presents timeless messages of hope and unity. The album, produced by Dean Jones, includes an illustrated 32-page book with the lyrics and chords to every song to inspire living room sing-alongs. Joe Mailander and his son Hap recently posted an adorable at-home song that is generating lots of response.
Lindsay Munroe (with Raffi): I Am Kind
Raffi’s music label just released a new album of sing-along songsby an exciting new artist: Lindsay Munroe. Imbued with joy and a deep respect for children, these 16 songs offer encouragement with sparkling simplicity. Raffi’s voice adds to the charm of this all-ages inclusive album. It is available everywhere now: https://found.ee/LM-IAmKind
Jose-Luis Orozco: ¡Muévete! Songs for a Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings)
America’s premiere bilingual musician-educator, offers 18 new songs that are perfect for preschool sing-alongs at home. These tunes promote fitness for children ages 1 to 7, and they are the perfect complement to Orozco’s Grammy-nominated Smithsonian Folkways album, ¡Come Bien! Eat Right!, which promotes good eating habits and offers a complete picture of healthy living for young children.
