Songs of the Season

When it comes to Christmas songs, there’s enough variety to make anyone happy - we’re even talking about you, Mr. Grinch.  Go online and you’ll easily find lists of brand-new songs from today’s favorite artists, lists of songs to help children sleep on Christmas Eve (good luck), and lists of old-fashioned Christmas classics.  You can find songs that make you want to jump up and dance, or sing out loud with your friends, or curl up with someone special. What about songs that make your jaw drop, or bring an irrepressible grin to your face?  The internet’s got those too. We recommend starting with this list of 12 Acapella Christmas Songs. 

Grease is Back

Do you know all the words to “Summer Nights” or “Greased Lightnin’”? If you do, here’s some exciting news for you - Grease is coming back.  The Broadway smash hit and iconic motion picture is soon to debut as a tv show.  HBO Max handed out a straight-to-series order for a musical, Grease: Rydell High.  The TV series will be produced by Paramount Television (the studio behind 2016’s Grease: Live), and will reimagine the original movie.  If that isn’t exciting enough, Paramount Players also put a Grease prequel in development for the big screen.  

If you aren’t familiar with Grease, now is the time to check out the movie and get ready.

Gentle Giants

Do you have a pet?  Have you ever wondered about a world where you were average-sized but your pet became two stories tall?  That’s the world imagined by Japanese artist Monokubo. Monokubo creates charming illustrations of people traveling, snuggling, and simply living life with these gentle giants.  Take a look to see giant foxes sneaking into classrooms, enormous butterflies perched on sunken ships, and mythological animals joining humans for tea and adventures.

Homemade Popsicles

Is there anything better than a cool, sweet treat on a hot summer’s day?  We don’t think so, unless it’s eating the sweet treat with your favorite people at your favorite location!  Whether you’re sitting by the pool, lounging on a beach, or marveling at some mountains, these popsicles are the perfect dessert du jour.  Each one only needs a few ingredients, and they’re probably items you already have on hand, making it easy to taste-test your creations over and over again.  Start by enjoying these three recipes, and then get inspired to make your own! Maybe a Blueberry Bliss, or a Peach Delight...the options are endless.

Music for Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who cares for a child - all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and mentors who delight in a child’s strengths and passions, and care for a child’s hurts and woes.  It’s typical to celebrate this holiday with sweet cards, gorgeous bouquets, handmade gifts, phone calls and brunch. This is a time to tell your mother, or mother-figure, that she’s special. What about doing that with music?  We don’t mean composing a song (although if that’s something you’re capable of, go for it!) but rather mean picking out a music-related gift. It could be something that plays music, or something that looks musical. Rolling Stone has a list of ideas that covers everything from personalized artwork to portable speakers.

Healing with Music

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) brought together musicians, music therapists, and neuroscientists to tap into the brain and figure out how music could heal the sick.  Yes, you read that right – heal, not soothe.  We know music soothes us, whether we’re in a hospital or feeling grumpy at home, but what if it could do more?  What if combining music and science revealed ways that health actually improved by listening or creating music? There are all sorts of ways this could play out.  For example, a neuroscientist and dance professor are trying to find out if the music and movement in an improvisational dance class might enhance the brain’s neural networks in Alzheimer’s patients.  Or did you know that sometimes stroke survivors who can’t speak can sing, and music therapy can help them retrain brain pathways to communicate?  How fantastic!

Time Travel with the Beatles

Sir Peter Jackson, perhaps best known for his work with the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, is taking on a new project: creating the latest Beatles documentary. Jackson will use 55 hours of never-before-seen footage, and 140 hours of audio to give viewers a “fly on the wall” type experience. We don’t know what fascinating moments will unfurl throughout the feature-length film, but Jackson has said the narrative negates the claims that the Beatles were full of discord and strife during their last months of being a band.

The People Behind the Music

Have you been singing Christmas carols since September?  Or did you only recently break into the holiday music?  Have you played your favorite over and over, or are you content to let the radio guide your selection?  Whether you sing along on sandbanks, or during snow flurries, while the kettle’s whistling or while shopping for presents, we bet you could do it almost without thinking.  Next time one of these well-known tunes pops into your head, you might enjoy knowing exactly where it came from.  Check out this list for the stories behind ten popular carols.

Halloween’s Chaotic Fun

We’re only a few short weeks from Halloween and it’s hard to believe the end of October is almost here.  Do you have any traditions you’ll be pulling out for October 31, or other fall traditions you might have already enjoyed?  Pumpkin picking, apple picking, homemade donuts, candy, costumes, spooky movies and haunted houses.  There’s so much to choose from!  

Here are two fun articles to enjoy while you make your plans: The Origins of 15 Spooky Halloween Traditions and 12 Halloween Traditions From Around the World.

Long Lost Song Resurfaces

Forty-five years ago, Mick Jagger and Carly Simon recorded a slow love ballad believed to be called “Fragile.”  The song has never been heard – until now.  Rolling Stones collector Matt Lee found the song on a tape.  It wasn’t too long ago that Simon discussed the song.  She mentioned it in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine published two years ago, and even sang a few lines.  Lee sent a copy of the song to Rolling Stone as they promised to give it to Simon.  Bring on the memories!

World Cup Madness

June 14th was the kick-off for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, held in Russia.  For weeks leading up to the event, fans listened to this year’s official song ‘Live It Up,’ but there’s now an official music video to watch as well.  The song is sung by Nicky Jam and features Will Smith and Era Istrefi, and has over 17 million plays on YouTube.  It’s always great to have the perfect tune heightening the excitement!

The Tony Award Nominations 2018

The Tony Award nominations are out, and you probably recognize the two most nominated shows – even if you’ve never set foot in a Broadway performance venue.  Mean Girls and Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical both earned a dozen nominations.  Has anyone seen them?  Had any of their catchy songs stuck in your heads for days?  Go to YouTube for a first look at Mean Girls and Spongebob.  You can see the full list of nominations here.

Callin' Oates

Whether you're fan of good ol' 80's pop or just need a mood lifter you can now call a number and choose your favorite Hall and Oates song. Dial 719-26-OATES and press 2 for my favorite "Rich Girl".

Halftime Show 2018

Whether you watched the 2018 Super Bowl for the game, the commercials, the halftime show, or for it all, there's no doubt Justin Timberlake's performance has been coined by critiques as a dud. Sales for his new album may not sky rocket, but the Air Jordan sneakers he wore were going for $200 and have since sold out. What did you think about it?

New One Direction?

If you have spent anytime around a tween girl or are a parent to one you undoubtedly have heard of a rising boy band named Why Don't We. They have been coined the new One Direction, which is great timing since One Direction recently announced their split.

Just in time for the holidays, Why Don't We released a Christmas EP with several catchy and original tunes that contain all the harmonies and feels that's expected of a boy band.

Great New Marketing Campaign with Shaq on YouTube

Drunk, distracted and drowsy driving can have major ramifications, so drive like you give a #&%! That's what Shaquille O'Neal urges in an entertaining and brilliant campaign from responsibility.org. So before you get behind the wheel ask yourself if you're ok to drive, because Shaq has his eye on you. 

Look What You Made Me Do- Taylor Swift

After a much needed break, Taylor Swift is back with a catchy and controversial song. "Look What You Made Me Do" has fans going wild, yet her critics lash out at the tone of the song, saying it's "victim blaming" and contains "undertones of 13 Reasons Why". Love it or hate it, she's back and her song is at the top of the charts.

Legally Blond

I fell in love with Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blond and each movie thereafter has been a hit in our household. We didn’t make it to see in the theatres, so we were thrilled to see it is playing on iN Demand. Looks like we will be popping some popcorn and settling in for some good family movie time this weekend. @MoviesOnDemand #SingMovie

Wellness-Getting to the Core of Symptoms

I love this approach to Wellness: “Dr. Amy Weiler's mission and passion is to practice Functional Medicine which helps her patients define the actual cause of their disease and address the roots of their illness rather than simply prescribing for the symptoms." I am referring her wellness program to anyone who just hasn't been feeling quite right.

80’s Songs To Get You Moving

A great playlist from the 80’s that got me moving as suggested by a millennial.

http://www.flocku.com/articles/your-dad-s-favorite-bar-songs-playlist