Tiny Iron Fists

"Milk in my Sippy Cup!"

LA - Target Free Holiday Mondays: Memorial Day (05.28.12)

Target Free Holiday Mondays: Memorial Day
Monday, May 28, 2012 | 12 pm

Visitors of all ages are invited to a free day at the museum*, with live music by George Kahn "Jazz and Blues Revue" on the plaza at 12:30 and 2:45 pm. Free bilingual tours, programs, and other activities occur throughout the day.

LACMA | Free, general admission ticket required; *does not include admission to In Wonderand | Tickets: 323 857-6010 or purchase online.

To ensure a safe and pleasant visitor experience, tickets to the Boone Children's Gallery on Target Free Holiday Monday will be timed and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Pick up your free, timed ticket in the Boone Children's Gallery on the day of the event. Timed tickets allow for a thirty-minute visit.

MOCA: Transmission LA. Do You Copy?!

MOCA: Transmission LA is pretty much the most amazing art exhibit accidentally created for children, ever.

One Love!

I attended the red carpet premiere for the Bob Marley Movie a few days ago and fell in love with the musician and legend all over again. I loved Marley's music the most during my college years and while I knew of how he lived and died, I didn't have much insight on who the man was. This insightful documentary filled in the blanks from young poet to revolutionary and leader.  A few choice quotes from the film:

"My life is only important if me can help plenty."

"My richness is life."

Marley was released today and can be watched on Facebook, iTunes, and On Demand.

Facebook: http://bit.ly/MARLEYonFacebook
iTunes: http://bit.ly/MmovieIt
On Demand: https://bitly.com/MARLEYvod
Theatres: https://bitly.com/MARLEYtheatres

One love!

My Beatboxing Babe

I have always had high hopes for Lulu to master beatboxing -- a skill I wish I'd pursued more seriously as a young 'un. She seemed to have a knack for it as an infant. Sort of. Now that she's 2.75, I'm thinking I should shape that raw talent into something real. See me try to teach her a thing or two.

The female (or male) Asian rap icon role hasn't been filled yet. Does my kid have the potential to be the next big vocal percussion protege?!

Supercute!'s "Dumb Dumbs"

I suppose candy is poison. But these gals are all good! This video's about having a sweet tooth and having cavities right? Love the new "Dumb Dumbs" video from Supercute! [Hat tip to Boing Boing]

She Will, She Will... Glock You!

My mom spammed us last year with a link to this child xylophonist prodigy...

The three year old Korean kid is amazing. She's quite a performer! I love her illuminated expressions. She has perfected smizing at such a young age!

Lulu received a glockenspiel this Christmas from our Parisian family. This is her first experience with it...

It is safe to assume we do not have a child prodigy xylophonist living in our home. But you should see what fun we're all having dodging the percussion wands!

Two Year Old Khaliyl Iloyi Rapping With Alim Kamara

Everything about this video makes me smile from ear to ear. The family unit. The music. The pure joy. The beats. The hand gestures. The encouragement. Love. Love. Love. I hope Khaliyl explores his passion for music. He's already got the support (and genes) for it.

More abour the clip:

Khaliyl Iloyi rapping like his mother Roucheon Iloyi. Like mother like son. His father Femi Iloyi aka smooflow is in a group with Roucheon and together they are called Royal Priesthood. www.feromedia.co.uk

"Space Oddity" by Kangaroo Class

I'm a big fan of The Langley Schools Music Project and even have their CD. Of course, Bowie's "Space Oddity" is a fave. So it's only natural that I'm all gagagoogoo over this clip too. So cute! [Thanks, Jeannette!]

Lulu is a VIP Cookie!

We live in Los Angeles. Land of red carpets, Hollywood glamour, and VIP status. So it's only appropriate that Lulu has been awarded her first VIP card as a two year old. For what? Well... we're great big fans of the ever so charming, Books and Cookies in Ocean Park and happened to shoot some photos they've used a few times. In appreciation for her unofficial modeling work, Lulu's been recognized as a kid Books and Cookies wouldn't mind having around more often.

While Lulu has always been recognized as a VIP in our household, I'm happy for the perks she will receive: a free cookie per visit, free story times, play groups, cookie decorations, discounts on classes and purchases... totally sweet, thanks!

LA - Andrew and Polly Performance (11.05.11)

Saturday, Nov. 5
10:30 a.m.
Ages 3 - 103 
    
Andrew and Polly Create Fun,  Silly Music for the Whole Family! 

From the parks and brownstones of Brooklyn, Andrew and Polly recently settled in Santa Monica, with their singing hound dog, Lily. By day, Andrew is a film composer and Polly creates music and sound design for commercials. In their spare time, they write and perform friendly, engaging music for children of all ages. Their folksy vocal harmony and cornucopia of acoustic instruments (mandolins, accordions, ukeleles, shakers, bananas) delight kids and parents alike.

Children's Book World | 10580 1/2 W. Pico Blvd | Los Angeles | CA | 90064

LA - Pacific Standard Time Family Festival (10.22.11)

Pacific Standard Time Family Festival

Date: Saturday, October 22, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Admission: Free; no reservations required.

Inspired by art in L.A., this daylong festival invites a new generation of local artists to reinterpret the creative legacy of artists featured in the Pacific Standard Time initiative. Discover special performances and unexpected installations by Machine Project, Kim Ye, and other local artists, make your own mail art, help to recreate a version of Di Suvero's Peace Tower with Becca Lofchie, and so much more at this only-in-Los Angeles event!

This event is part of Pacific Standard Time at the Getty Center.

Free Shuttles to Pacific Standard Time Westside Museums

Thanks to Santa Monicas Big Blue Bus and the City of Santa Monica, free shuttles will connect a series of Santa Monica/Westside Pacific Standard Time institutions on Saturday October 22. Travel doorstep to doorstep along several itineraries devoted to Pacific Standard Time. Learn more about the Westside Focus Weekend or download the shuttle schedule.

First Of The Year (Equinox) by Skrillex

This generation's Firestarter (and I don't mean The Prodigy).

LA - Abbot Kinney Festival (09.25.11)

 
More info here.

LA - Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could (08.13.11 + 08.14.11)

Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could

Date: Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14, 2011
Time: 4:00–5:30 p.m.

Grammy nominated, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could is a rollicking back-porch rock 'n' roll band with a feel-good R & B foundation. This music will get your family up and dancing and smiling from ear to ear! They "might just be the best-sounding band in children's music," according to National Public Radio.

 

Catching Rainbows

We spent the morning catching rainbows at the garden. Lulu loves watering the fruits and vegetables because in sunny SoCal, we always see rainbows. Throw in migrating Monarch butterflies and buzzing blue-green beetles and it's a pretty spectacular time. What a wonderful way to start the day!

And for more rainbow inspiration, enjoy this classic video of Kermit the Frog and Debbie Harry singing the Rainbow Connection:

[Thanks 2K By Gingham for the link!]

Outfit: babyGap hat and Japanese shirt (gift)

SF - Pasados del Presidio (06.23.11 - 06.24.11)

Pasados del Presidio
Events June 23 and 24, 2011
Info: (415) 561-5418

The Presidio we know today has its roots in events that took place more than 230 years ago. In 1776, a group of soldiers and pioneering families completed their long trip from Mexico to the bay in Alta California. Here they built El Presidio, a fortified settlement. From this modest beginning, the City of San Francisco was born.

Each year the park hosts a series of public programs commemorating “San Francisco’s birthday” and the founding of the Presidio. Pasados del Presidio events are open to all. There’s something for everyone!

Around the Campfire with Anza
Thursday, June 23, 7 to 8 pm
Rob Hill Campground
Join us for a special journey to Alta California with Juan Bautista de Anza and friends.  Evening will include living history, stories, and songs around the fire. Bring a flashlight. Parking is limited.

Friday, June 24, Noon to 3 pm
Golden Gate Club, 135 Fisher Loop
Explore the lifeways and music of Early California. Day includes live music and dance, and rancho life activities. Kids can enjoy adobe brick making, pottery, tortilla making, and more! Food is available for purchase.

Evening Fandango
Friday, June 24 , 7 to 9 pm
Golden Gate Club, 135 Fisher Loop
This lively evening concert celebrates the songs and dances of Early California with the renowned Coro Hispano de San Francisco directed by Juan Pedro Gaffney R.

Robert Jeffrey's "Me at Nine, Performing to Madonna in Summer '91"

Robert Jeffrey, a 29 year old screenwriter and the owner of this amazing piece of childhood memorabilia wrote this about his time capsule video:

"I performed to MADONNA's "VOGUE" in the Summer of 1991 when my parents took me to Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. A business in the casino at the time gave tourists the chance to lip-synch to their favorite pop songs in front of a blue screen background, and I was lucky enough to partake that summer.

In honor of the twentieth anniversary of MADONNA's "TRUTH OR DARE" and in celebration of MADONNA's upcoming "W.E.", here is my nine year old self paying tribute to the woman who changed my life and continues to inspire me just as much today as twenty years ago."

I say, bravo to the child for being real. Bravo to the man who posted such sweetness. And bravo to the parents who kept the video for Robert and for raising such awesomeness!

[Thanks to Vidalia for sharing the link!]

Soft Rock: Oeuf Guitar

When I was a kid, I had to rock out on a ghetto tennis racket. Its "strings" were long dead and although the shape resembled a banjo, it was still no guitar. Fast forward three decades and say Oy! to the plush alternative for heavy metal head banging (the only kind of music played on air guitars).

Oeuf Guitar - $58 (less on Amazon)

• Hand-knit
• 100% alpaca wool
• Eco-friendly
• Height: 16" (45cm) tall
• Made in Bolivia

 

Is Tropical's "The Greeks"

Warning: this video is not for the faint at heart.

These kids live in my neighborhood and they shoot BBs at each other several times a week. Kidding. Not these kids exactly, but kids like these. The next time my French husband tells me America is insanely violent, I'll remind him of this clip. [Thanks Charles and Marz for sharing the love violence!]

LA - Pablove Shutterbugs: Graduation Show (05.14.11)

Brooklyn - Spring Fling (04.23.11)

LA - GOOD LA Launch Weekend (04.08.11 - 04.10.11)

From GOOD: We're celebrating the publication of the Los Angeles issue of our magazine, and the launch of GOOD LA, a new local community for Los Angeles residents. So we're throwing a party to honor our hometown and the people who make it work (that's you!).

Join us at the GOOD LA Launch Weekend for urban adventures, DIY workshops, hack-a-thons, civic engagements, artist interventions, resource sharing, literary readings, film screenings, book club meetings, neighborhood walks, and locally-made goods, all at an exciting new creative space in Atwater Village. 

Atwater Crossing (ATX)
3229 Casitas Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90039

All events except for the GOOD Book Club take place at ATX

Parking is in two free lots, or street parking is available
We highly encourage everyone to bike or take public transit; plan your trip at Metro.net

All events are free but you must RSVP!

Kid Rock

Lulu and I happily spent part of Sunday afternoon hanging out with Uncle Mike (former president and GM of several big record labels and the reason we have a DEVO suit in the living room). He showed Lulu his kids' (my cousins) musical instruments and she had a blast strumming, banging, plucking, and rapping the afternoon away. Every time Uncle Mike pulled out a new instrument, Lulu got all wide-eyed. She was definitely pleased to be able to make and control sound with all these funny looking noise-toys!

It's a good thing our family lives only four blocks away because Lulu has a pension for pounding on the piano. It's not quite music to my ears yet, but if the kid wants to play notes, I'm all for it (like any good Asian parent would be -- hah)!

Outfit: Small Paul sweatshirt, American Apparel infant baby rib legging and The Children's Place socks.

Playmobil Stop Motion: Joy Division's "Transmission"

I'm going to trick Lulu into listening to my music (in this case, Joy Division's "Transmission") by getting her hooked on video clips like this one someday. An oldie, but goodie.