Great news for moms like me who love PBS Kids. The Critter and I recently attended the world premiere of Dinosaur Big City, the movie special kicking off the second season of DINOSAUR TRAIN. The show is one of The Critter’s favorites – it was actually the first show on television that he watched. We had a great time – it was held at the Silent Movie Theatre, complete with red carpet, fun activities for the kids, and the opportunity to meet Buddy the Dinosaur in person!
The kids loved the movie, and I knew it would be well received. Over 1.7 million kids (ages 2-11) tuned in for this special DINOSAUR TRAIN movie, produced by The Jim Henson Company. Dinosaur Big City was also one of the most-watched kids’ shows in August, based on Nielsen data. This means that more families are embracing PBS KIDS’ educational content in their children’s viewing choices – I look at PBS Kids content as pure protein that tastes like candy in a junk food world. Dinosaur Train focus is particularly in the area of STEM – science, technology, engineering and math.
When I first saw Choo Choo Soul on Disney Jr I thought “Now that’s baaad!” (in a good way). The music was groovin, and I couldn’t help notice that the conductress and the engineer were totally hip and cool, too. The Critter got up and danced, so I knew videos were a winner. We watch them on TV and on the web; I have these little production gems in my toy box of distractions for the easily distracted.
So of course I wanted to meet Genevieve and DC when I had the opportunity! The Critter and I drove waaaaay out to the Valley to watch them tape their latest video, Zippity Doo Dah. Genevieve Goings and Constantine Abramson ride the rails with soulful style, which makes sense, because that’s how they came together – in a neo soul band called Legato. Check it out on iTunes.
The Critter got to hang around the set with the kids who appear in the video and see how the people are filmed against a green screen. He also got to hang out with Genevieve and DC in DC’s dressing room, where DC had set up his easels so that he could work on his paintings between takes. He is definitely a multitalented guy – his resume includes painter, mascot “Thunder” for the Warriors, and beatbox master. Genevieve’s is also creative and prolific: dancer, R&B singer in addition to soul and jazz, writer and producer. They both are super creative, both consumate entertainers and generous with their talents. It was SO gracious of them to make this priceless personal video for the Critter, and again, thank goodness I like their sound, because I have now heard it about, oh…seven hundred times. Thanks so much!
I recently attended D23, Disney’s supercalifragilistic annual expo that reveals its newest products and ideas to their fans. Imagine every aspect of Disney – movies, tv, parks, stores, and all go with them launching their fall lineup in one giant trade show. It was spectacular to see all the stuff that goes inside them and how it all ties together.
I am a veteran of trade shows from my interior design background, but this one had me a little dizzy. I found that I loved all the little girl stuff – ironic, since I happen to have a boy. After checking out the Special Agent Oso presentation at the Disney Channel Pavillion, I began to snap photos of these princess and fairy cakes obsessively. If the Disney Sisters hadn’t swooped in and showed me the ropes (to the red carpet), I would have been really lost!
Last year’s Fashion’s Night Out was a really fun experience for our family. Whether one follows food trucks, fashion, or ferris wheels – this is an opportunity to come out and wave that fashionista flag. One might spot vintage couture in the crowd from days gone by or an upstart designer sporting a piece hoping to get noticed. Jeans or cocktail dress – anything goes! Beverly Hills’ finest purveyors of threads will keep their doors open in celebration so partygoers can preview the fabulous fall lines. A not to be missed annual event – be sure to check out the Rodeo Drive Facebook Page and Tweets for giveaways and specials going on throughout the evening in addition to the slated events!
I know, I know, it’s been a whole MONTH since I shared all the fun stuff going on in our ‘hood, but have no fear there will be a fantastic “What I did for My Summer Vacation” post next week after the Critter goes back to preschool and I can get my schedule going again with some quiet time at The Office. I can’t wait to show you all the wonderful times we’ve had!
For this weekend, I plan to a)go big on forgetting the diet and go to as many of the Taste of Beverly Hills events I possibly can; b)support the documentary genre and view Being Elmo at Docuweeks; c) loaf about in a way that I can’t when the Critter and my Perfect Husband aren’t camping.
I’m thrilled to see the film, as I saw the trailers for it at the PBS Press Tour, and it looks really phenomenal. I actually got to meet Kevin Clash, the guy behind the little red monster, and it hit me then what an impact this man has had. He is the most famous person in the world that you wouldn’ t recognize walking down the street. I can’t wait to know more about how this irreplaceable piece of American culture came to be!
You may remember the big time I had last year at The Taste – this is definitely one of my favorite community gatherings, as one really gets to see all our cultures together having a wonderful time. If you would like to try it yourself – click on the flyer below to purchase ticket and if use the promo code BHEF to receive a 40% discount, a portion of the proceeds of your ticket will go to the Beverly Hills Education Fund. Enjoy yourselves and have a safe Labor Day! More to come next week!
At this very moment I am sitting in the International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton, listening to some serious American entertainment iconography. Somehow, because of my interest and support of PBS Kids through this blog, Facebook and Twitter, I have now attended three PBS Press Tours. At these events I am allowed to sit amongst hardcore journalists who screen and write critiques of the season lineup. As a blogger, I do not have the responsibilities of the hardcore – I’m able to completely gush about the people who make the amazing programming and films that we see on PBS, as opposed to take an omniscient stance.
First up this morning was Cameron Crowe (who, until Elmo is up tomorrow will be my gushee), was on the panel today to discuss his latest contribution to his portfolio of rock and roll documentaries – “Pearl Jam Twenty”, part of the American Masters 25th Anniversary. As a HUGE fan of his Cameron’s movies since I first saw Say Anything, I was really inspired by Crowe’s easygoing demeanor and his friendly interaction with all of us – this is a man who is passionate about his subjects. His remarks about his long standing relationship with the band , how they embarked on the retrospective as “group therapy” throughout the “angst and explosion of the early years” were rooted in the Seattle music scene in the 90s. We were told that twenty years later the film is a “joyful expression” of the fact that they “stayed true to their roots while still moving on” into mature artists.
Crowe believes that since Pearl Jam has always been such a fantastic live band, they weren’t slaves to MTV video views, never stopped caring about their fans – never letting the connectedness waiver. His love for the group is palpable, as he sees them as iconic figures on the scale of The Rolling Stones, speaking about how wonderful it was to have over 1200 hours of video footage of their performances along with personal moments that he was able to recollect as he went through the production process. The energy of the trailer shows the band’s electric interaction with the crowds at their shows, drawing me back into the era of the music of the time. According to Crowe, lead singer Eddie Vedder sees himself in the footage, bodily hurling himself into the adoring fans’ arms and
asked “what was that guy trying to prove?”
Special thanks to the folks from PBS for having me there and allowing me to ask Cameron when he will do the sequel to Say Anything – I always wanted to know what happened to Lloyd.
*photo of Cameron Crowe – thanks to Rahoul Ghose of PBS
…that sometimes I get to meet the most amazing people. Fellow Los Angeles mommy Jamie sent me an email recently introducing herself, and I’m SO glad she did. If she hadn’t, I never would have seen this amazing video that told me a story of what’s she’s been up to the last few years. It’s is the sweetest and most beautiful celebration of love and family that I had to share it with you too. Thank you to Jamie for taking the leap and writing that email – it’s this kind of stuff that inspires me.
Warning: ten hanky rating on this one – keep the kleenex box in your lap, in fact. All happy tears!
Huge props to the folks at Paul Frank for having us at the launch of their Academy of Awesome Tour at the Pacific Design Center, my home away from home for many years. The event was the first of many parties Paul Frank is hosting across the USA this summer – mission: conspiracy of fun! We were so excited to see lots of my MomsLA ladies and their families, and the Critter played like a demon on the enormous blowup bounce house/jeep/obstacle course/superslide thing for three hours. It was a perfect afternoon of family fun, style, design, and pure awesomeness.
When I was in high school I sang with the choir and competed in a few vocal competitions. Did you know that the National Anthem is often assigned as the audition piece for this type competition? I can tell you that it takes A LOT of talent, heart, and spirit to sing it like you mean it.
Today – sing it like you mean it people – America is still the greatest!
