Reminder: The New OWTK.com

Hey there.  You still coming to this dusty blogspot address?  Still waiting for a new article to come through via RSS?  You're missing a ton!  

Visit, bookmark and resubscribe to the OWTK RSS feed now at the new, improved (and totally impressive, if I do say so myself) OWTK.com

THE NEW OWTK.COM

Out With The Kids has moved! 

It's officially official, so what are you waiting for?  

Head on over to the new and improved OWTK.com now!  Bookmark it, subscribe in Google Reader, become a fan on Facebook, follow on Twitter...blah blah blah.  


Goodbye Blogger...hello OWTK.com!

The New OWTK Launches 1/4/2010

On 1/4/2010, look out for a brand new OWTK!

Happy, safe and amazing new year to each and every one of you.

A Very Yellow New Year

In what is turning into a New Year's tradition, OWTK will be attending the Jan. 2nd Gustafer Yellowgold show at World Cafe Live. I may have even used this blog post title before. It's Deja Vu, all over again.

It seems the yellow guy visits Philly on the 1st weekend of each New Year and, you know what, I cannot really imagine a better way to kick off another year of great family music.

We haven't seen Gusty since the release of "Mellow Fever". I'm quite interested to see how Morgan Taylor and Co. squeeze in the new songs ("Panther Stamp Pants", "Quite Easily Lost", etc) while also playing the older tunes essential in telling the Yellowgold tale ("Your Eel", "My Dragon"), so that new converts have some semblance of a clue as to what is going on...and do all that in 45-55 minutes.

Near Philly this weekend? You should come too. Click here for all the info/tickets/etc.

The Muppets + Fallon + The Roots = Christmas Awesome

The Muppets joined Jimmy Fallon and The Roots to sing "12 Days of Christmas". Fallon looks genuinely unnerved at first, but warms up a bit. Pretty sweet stuff. Check it:

New Debbie & Friends Video/Song

Here's the newest cartoon video from Debbie and Friends. The terrific song, "Willy Won't Smile for the Camera", is from the band's forthcoming sophomore release, due in March '10. The track is lively and layered, with a stellar piano solo. Love the press conference backdrop 90 seconds in, brilliant. Check it:

Debbie and Friends Live in Philly

Last weekend, while the Mrs. slumped into her cubicle for an unpleasant Saturday morning of shuffling papers, the Bear, Mouse and I traveled to Philly for the Debbie & Friends show at World Cafe Live.  We'd been enjoying their ab-fab animated music videos over the past several months, but this occasion marked our 1st time seeing the Boston band live.  The quick 45-minute set was energetic and tight (although devoid of our favorite song, "Little Red Riding Hood").  The 5-piece band had the kids, and most of the moms, on their feet and in motion for much of the performance.  I contend these kid's shows need to be longer, but that is probably a beef with the venue/promoter than the bands.  Kid's can go for longer than 45 minutes, trust me.  Ideally, I'd like to see a solid 1 hr 15 min or something in that range.

Anyhow...what struck me most about our time at the show was how much the Bear enjoyed herself.  Debbie and Friends make very good music, without a doubt, but it's decidedly preschoolish in nature.  At home, the Bear typically rocks a little harder, to the likes of The Jimmies, Recess Monkey and 23 Skidoo, but she had an absolute blast on this day.  She and the Mouse got right up front, danced together and interacted with Debbie Cavalier from just about the 1st note.

The timing of the show was intriguing.  The next day, the Bear was going to a birthday party for her best bud at school.  Hannah Montana was on the invitation [groan].  If given the choice, I'd probably have selected an edgier kid's rock show for her to attend before stepping into the Disney Pop world for a couple hours the following day, but seeing her still willing and able to enjoy Debbie & Friends' songs about opposite words, The Three Little Pigs and the like, made me extremely happy.  The Bear may be growing up, but she's still an adorable little girl who hasn't severed ties with the "adorable" or the "little".

If you've got little ones, or bigger ones who are still in touch with their toddler-selves, check out a Debbie & Friends live show and/or the band's debut album "Story Songs and Sing Alongs"  - my two have been singing several of the unbelievably catchy songs from this disc since the show last weekend. 


News! News! Debbie & Friends album #2 is due out in March 2010.