Archive for the ‘music’ Category

What we’re digging in March

Duct tape, flipbooks, and more

Does the air feel unseasonably warm to you? Spring must be around the block. We thought we’d compile a list of things we like and what we’re listening to at the stores right now while we wait for the leaves to bud.

Pink and Blue Snuffles, (7 in. pictured) $13.00, 1 mo. – 5 yrs….

Just about as cute as Squishables (previous post). They come in different sizes plus as a rattle–adorable. Great gift for all the young babies you know. They eye you the same way your puppy might.

Alex Hot Duct Tape Fashion, $12.99, 7+…

Use Alex’s zany duct tape patterns and colors to make fashion accessories. Try the Duct Tape Tote Kit, $16.99 or the full kit, All Duct Out, $24.95 which includes 8 rolls of duct tape and all the parts to make glasses, jewelry, purse, a belt, headbands, and more!

Rocket Flip Book Kit from Fliptomania, $12.99, 3+…

Watch your own rocket ship zoom into outer space… over and over again! Teaches kids the essence of moving pictures. Includes book clips, markers, pre-drawn pages, and detailed instructions.

Swish, $12.99, 8+…

This artfully designed card game by Thinkfun–clear plastic cards with colorful layers printed on them–is a spatial game in which players must match the cards to create “swishes” by laying the cards on top of each other and seeing how the designs line up. Great for family game night. Swish is a meditative game. Includes a nylon bag for travel.

PLUS: we’re now streaming Pandora! Here’s what stations we’re listening to:

Aretha Franklin
Adele
Beirut
Balmorhea
Cole Porter
Ella Fitzgerald
Etta James
Louis Armstrong
Rodrigo y Gabriella
Walt Disney
New items for 2012 are still coming in.  Come check out the new offerings from Alex, Lego, and Playmobil.

Celebrate National Kazoo Day!

Claim your free kazoo

 This will be a fun post. This Thursday, the 26th, we’re celebrating National Kazoo Day! Come into either store to claim your free Kazoo and make some Kazooic! (Is that a dumb word? We made it up). But speaking of Kazooic (kazoo-music), here’s an example of some professional musicians using the kazoo–well. The National Kazoo Day website has an mp3 of the Dexter Street Stompers playing their ode to the history of the Kazoo, “Down South Submarine”. Listen here.

“Down South Submarine” refers to the name the kazoo was initially marketed as, due to its shape. The modern day kazoo that we think of was designed in Georgia in the early 1840s by two gentlemen called Alabama Vest and Thaddeus Von Clegg, and then exhibited at the Georgia State Fair in 1852. But kazoos have been traced far back in time, particularly on the African continent. Check out this wacky variation on the kazoo, from oddmusic.com! (below)

 

So many things to do for Oct and Nov!

LittleBargains and more!

Come visit our newly installed “LittleBargains” section in our Natick store -  this is where discontinued items or ones with bashed boxes go. Come check them out and take 20-70% off!

Also… we have a slew of events coming up this month and next. Check out the following for an artistic, spooky, or musical time!

What’s up in October:

This weekend, October 15 and 16, is Natick Artists’ Open Studios on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. If you’re in the area, stop by during Open Studio hours and make a Little Artists’ Trading Card of your own! FREE
www.natickopenstudios.org

Join us for Spooktacular surprises on Saturday, October 29.
The Natick Center Great “Spooktacular” Event and Trick or Treat Parade will take place on Saturday, October 29th beginning at 12:00 p.m. on the Natick Common. At 2:00 p.m. there will be two separate children’s parades winding their way through downtown seeking candy and treats.

November:

You are invited to join us on Sunday November 6 at 3 p.m. for a free concert by Family Music Makers. Come join the fun!
www.familymusicmakers.com

On Veteran’s Day Weekend we will be honoring Heroes of all kinds – including Armed Forces, Police and Firefighters with a weekend long sale expressly for them. Show your service ID and take 20% off your entire purchase all weekend, November 12 and 13.
Thank you all!

What we’re listening to

Our current playlist

Here’s what we’re listening to this month:

Badly Drawn Boy   -   Time of Times
Betty Everett   -   It’s In His Kiss
Brett Dennen   -   Oh the Glorious
Calexico   -   Gypsy’s Curse
Louis Amstrong   -   If
Michel Simone   -   No Surprises (Radiohead)
Regina Spektor   -   The Call
Rockabye Baby   -   Boys Don’t Cry (The Cure)
Rodrigo y Gabriela   -   Orion
 

Stacey Peasley, "Together"And of course we’re really excited about our neighbor Stacey Peasley’s new CD, “Together”.

The tune “Soapy Bubbles” won the Silver award in the Mid Atlantic Songwriter’s Contest and she was awarded the 2010 Nickelodeon Parents Connect Parents’ Pick Award for best party entertainer!

We love it, play it, and have it for you.

Stacey and her band will be performing at TCAN on Saturday, October 29 at 11 AM – fun!