Tons of upcoming music for families

[Bill Childs]

Lots of stuff to tell you about.

First:

Our big concert announcement: We're thrilled to help bring They Might
Be Giants (http://tmbg.com) to the Calvin Theatre on New Year's Eve,
with a 3:00 family show and an 8:00 14+ show. Tickets go on sale on
this coming Wednesday for members of IHEG's mailing list (go sign up,
right now, at http://iheg.com, if you're not already), and then Friday
to the general public. There will be a special family four-pack
available for the family show.

Second:

This Thursday at 4:00, Laura Doherty (http://
www.lauradohertymusic.com) will be doing a fundraising show for Noho
Pride at the Florence Civic Center. Tickets are available in advance
at Cup & Top Cafe or at the door for a little more money. Details at
http://nohopride.org.

The Cup & Top will finish up October with a free show from Marcy
Gregoire on October 28, also at 4:00. Details at http://cupandtop.com.

Third:

We also have a bunch more shows scheduled at the Iron Horse in our No
Nap Happy Hour series. All shows are Sundays at 2:00, with advance
tickets available at http://iheg.com. Note that I think all of the
shows have special family four-pack tickets available in advance only
for $30. That's a great deal.

10/18 Uncle Rock & the Playthings (http://unclerock.com) - Uncle Rock
will be guest DJing on Saturday 10/17, featuring new music from Dean
Jones, backed by the Felice Brothes. This is Uncle Rock's first
Valley performance with his band the Playthings. His live shows are
engaging, funny, sometimes moving, and always great.

11/8 Brady Rymer & the Little Band That Could (http://bradyrymer.com)
- Grammy nominee Brady played the Taste of Amherst over the summer and
has played here one or two other times too. Great roots rock from one
of the best bands in kids' music. Brady will be doing a guest DJ set
prior to his show.

12/6 Bill Harley (http://www.billharley.com) - Grammy winner Bill
Harley played to a packed house with the Greenfield Symphony earlier
this year; here's your chance to see this great musician and
storyteller in a more intimate venue. Bill will also be doing a guest
DJ set.

2/21 AudraRox (http://audrarox.com) - AudraRox makes their first full
band appearance in the Valley, supporting a great new record! You've
seen Audra on Noggin, Sesame Street, and elsewhere, and her band tears
up the stage with a raucous show for the whole family.

3/14 Gustafer Yellowgold (http://gustaferyellowgold.com) - The New
York Times called Gustafer Yellowgold a cross between Sgt. Pepper's
and Dr. Seuss, and they've opened for the likes of Wilco and the
Polyphonic Spree. Creator Morgan Taylor's melodic songs tell the
story, along with the "moving storybook," of Gustafer Yellowgold, who
is a creature from the sun trying to make his way on Earth.

4/11 Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (http://www.secretagent23skidoo.com) - The
first great hip hop for kids from a member of GFE. SA23's live show
is certain to make you laugh and dance.

(We're still working on that January slot.)

While we're talking about spring, the River's Family Music Meltdown
and Book Bash will return on March 27. It'll be even bigger and
better than the first one.

As always, listen to Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child -- 8 to 10 on
Saturdays on 93.9 The River (101.5 in Brattleboro), http://wrsi.com,
or 7 to 9 on VFR 103.3 -- for information on shows, to hear the
artists, etc. And if you're on Facebook, become a fan of the show --
http://www.facebook.com/sparetherock -- and you'll get somewhat more
frequent updates.

Rock on completely,
Bill & Ella & sometimes Liam