Laurie Berkner's 25th Anniversary and Pirate Pants

Most people think that the kindie (kids independent) childrens' music era started in the early 2000s. But the Laurie Berkner Band pioneered the movement way back in 1997 with her first album, WHADDAYA THINK OF THAT?

Hard as it might be to believe, but kids who grew up with songs like "We Are the Dinosaurs," "The Cat Came Back," and "I Know a Chicken" are now parents themselves. And Berkner is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the album with a remastered collection on the Kidz Bop label. There will also be a limited edition vinyl edition that can be pre-ordered, being released on November 18, 2022.

You can order the 25th anniversary release of WHADDAYA THINK OF THAT? from Laurie Berkner's website, Amazon, or Apple Music. You can stream the songs on Spotify.

Here is a video for her classic song, "We Are The Dinosaurs" with artwork by children's book illustrator Ben Clanton (known for his Narwhal and Jelly stories). He has also illustrated several of Berkner's songs as their own books:

Aah, the era of piracy on the high seas. It's hard to be sentimental about such disreputable scallywags, but Rich Manic has managed to create an entire children's theatrical performance based around that period, crafting the persona of Pirate Captain Festus McBoyle. The award-winning New Zealand performer has released a new single entitled "This Song is Pants":

Now I might be the Captain but I don’t always get it right

But when you sleep without pajamas on for at least 6 hours a night
Ya wakes up kinda foggy and ya brain is cloudy too
So that is why I’m sharing this important song with you

The title plays off an old English saying that equated the word "pants" as something deemed to be below par or substandard. McBoyle isn't just telling kids to remember to get dressed, he's reminding them to stay engaged and in the moment.

You can hear Pirate Captain Festus McBoyle at his website, Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is a ukulele tutorial of his song, "Hula Hula Lady":

Laurie Berkner Livestreaming Halloween Concerts

COVID has cost children many things, including family gatherings and holiday celebrations. Although the advent of vaccines looked to improve those conditions, start/stop procedures based on breakthrough infections and anti-vaxxing advocates have made it challenging for performers seeking to return to normal (whatever that will become).

Out of an abundance of caution, kindie queen Laurie Berkner has cancelled the rest of her 2021 in-person concerts. She and the Laurie Berkner Band are bringing back livestreaming with two special Halloween concerts on Sunday, October 31 at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM ET. Bassist Brady Rymer is confirmed for an appearance and band members Susie Lampert and Bobby Golden may also pop by to say "boo" and jam with the Boss Berkner.

Attendees can expect to hear Laurie sing a brand new Halloween song, "I Picked One Pumpkin." Over the course of her career, Berkner has recorded a bevy of costume-related tunes, so there will also be renditions of her popular holiday favorites, "What Am I Gonna Be (for Halloween)?," "The Superhero Mask Song," "Monster Boogie," "The Cat Came Back," and "Choc-o-lot In My Pock-o-lot." 

Kids can expand their Berkner Halloween experience with the children's book based on her song, "Monster Boogie," illustrated by Ben Clanton. It's all about conquering "things that go bump in the night" and dancing away your fears. "Monster Boogie" is available from the Simon & Schuster website.

"Doors" open one hour prior to the performances at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM ET on Sunday, October 31, 2021. There will be pre-show games and activities to engage the youngest viewers. "Meet and Greet" opportunities are available if ordered in advance, at a cost of $80 (including the livestream). Each $20 family ticket includes access to one or both livestreams for one device and an exclusive "welcome" video from Berkner. You can click here for the preview page and ordering information.

Here is Laurie Berkner's video for "What Am I Gonna Be (For Halloween)?":

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