Urban Suburban Mommy

Tag Archives: music

Turn. It. Down.

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

You’ve got kids.

You’re at a restaurant.

I’m shooting you dirty looks. And it’s not your kid’s fault, it’s yours.

Yah, that’s right – my death ray glare is locking on target, and you’re in the crosshairs.

Turn. The. Volume. Down.

baby-iphone

I don’t know what’s going on lately – and believe me, I understand survival parenting better than most – but what is up with blaring the volume on your phone or tablet? You keep the kid quiet so you can enjoy a meal – to the detriment of everyone around you.

Honestly, I get it. I’m actually not quite sure how my parents did it without technology, and a well-timed iPhone bribe will get me what I need, but I won’t do it at the expense of every single other adult in the room.

I was astounded the first time it happened – we were out at a restaurant that was NOT a family restaurant. The napkins were not paper, the candles were NOT electric and the ambient music was NOT ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ – well, it wasn’t when we arrived. But another group decided that their fussing 2 year old could be pacified with videos. The mom promptly propped her phone on the table. At full volume.

Full volume.

Why, when I’m not obligated to listen to my own child’s grating music, would another parent impose that on me?

I wouldn’t have batted an eyelash if it had been a crying kid; a tantruming kid; a giggling, laughing silly kid. But it wasn’t the kid, it was the parent unparenting. It was obnoxious.

It wasn’t the only time it’s happened. It seems where once we had a modicum of grace and consideration, today, some have forgotten that the rest of the world is right there.

Whenever I turn on a device for my children, whether it be a waiting room, an event or even a restaurant, I have had earbuds for my children, or put the volume so low that it’s barely audible to me, never beyond me.

I get it. We all need a break. Sometimes finishing dinner with the little muppets it all a parent needs to keep sane. But next time, does the volume need to be set to max?

Parents don’t. Please don’t.

10 Questions with Child Entertainers Sonshine and Broccoli

Posted on by Posted in 10 Questions With .
FEATURE Sonshine and Brocoli

Your kids love to be entertained, but you can’t be the feature attraction 24/7. Birthday parties are an exceptionally good time to hire entertainment. Some entertainers are better than others. Some really know what will keep your child entranced – and how long they can hold that attention before that little body can’t contain it any longer. So what to look for in an entertainer? We caught up with professional child entertainers Sonshine and Broccoli to ask the questions you know you want to know.

Sonshine and Broccoli

1. Why are musical shows engaging for children?

I think we all remember our first concert. Mine ( Sonshine ) was the beach boys. Musical shows are extremely engaging for all kids, from the first clap, to the head bop, to the jump. Kids find music a freedom of their own expression.

2. What time of day is best for keeping kids interested in the performance?

I would say first thing in the morning or after nap time.

3.  Where do you get the energy to entertain kids on a continual basis?

We could be having the worst day but the second we are on stage rockin’ out to an audience of kids, life is just great. The energy truly comes from them. Kids are excited , intrigued and engaged. We often feed off of their energy.

4. How do you know when you are losing the attention span of a child – are there signs?

Ohhh yes. Big signs.

We can plan a show one way and totally decide to change it part way through depending on the age and types of kids in the audience. Sonshine and Broccoli have been called “The Kid Whispers.” There is nothing better than getting their attention from the very first song. We have found that keeping the show very upbeat and interactive works great for us.

5. Should entertainment be at the beginning, middle or end of a party?

Entertainment should be after the first half an hour of a party. Let your guest come in – leave some time for the stragglers – and within 30 to 40 min of the called time it’s great to bring out the entertainment.

6. What size party works best with entertainment?

It completely depends on the party. For more intimate parties, 20 kids is great. For larger parties or events we bring equipment, plug in and rock out to a huge crowd.

performing - sonshine and broccoli

7. Can you customize a show to my child’s age group?

Yes of course. Recently we performed where we were given very little information about a show. The kids happened to be much older than our normal audience. We quickly adjusted our set list and the kids, all the way up to 15, had a blast. We always have tricks up our sleeve.

8. Do you need a large space to have performers at a child’s birthday party?

Not at all. Any performer should be able to accommodate your space. I always say whatever you are comfortable with.

9. What can parents do to make the entertainment part go over well? Should it be hyped on the invite? Part of a theme?

Yes to both. It’s always great to let your guest know who will be performing. It allows the parent and child to go online, check them out on YouTube, get excited about who they will be seeing. I have seen so many fabulous themed parties, from a Far East theme where all the kids were given kimonos to Princess Parties.

10. Why do children love your music?

We have been writing and singing kids’ music for 11 years. When we started writing, the process was so natural: Just put yourself into the mind of a child; the innocence of so many first things , silly things, scary things. We have just released our 3rd album and our music has grown over the years. We are growing with the kids. This new album is a pop rock album and is in the new genre of kindie music. Indie music for kids. We feel that parent and child should really rock out together!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3U0BHzK2Wo&w=420&h=315]

sonshine and broccoliSonshine & Broccoli, AKA Lisa Sonshine and Brock (Broccoli) Burford, have been entertaining parents and their children for over a decade. They’ve just released their third album “It’s A Beautiful Day.” 

Music, always close to the heart and ongoing for Lisa and Brock, is the subject of a documentary, “Learning To Play” currently in post-production.  Developed by the multi-talented duo, “Learning to Play” emerged from seven day collaboration with other musical artists.  A Juno nominated artist, a film/ TV composer, vocal coach, Sonshine & Broccoli song writing students and others, came together in an all ages storytelling look on the power of music in our lives.  The interviews and music from this moving collaboration can be seen on Sonshine & Broccoli’s website. The documentary explores how an early learned love of music can connect people to each other throughout their lives.

Over the past decade, Sonshine & Broccoli have entertained children across the GTA with their high energy interactive shows, sold out performances, In demand Corporate & private events, as well as a Pop Stars songwriting workshop for kids aged 7 to 12 as an after school, PD Day, and camp program. The camp has been recently added to the Toronto Public Library’s Culture Days programming.

Sonshine & Broccoli brings out the song in all of us.

twitter @s_bmusic

 

Tiny love mobiles

Top 5 host gifts – according to Urban Suburban Daddy

Posted on by Posted in Mommy Approved, Urban Suburban Daddy .

urban suburban daddy headphonesOur Urban Suburban Daddy is onto something here. Usually it’s a ‘Hostess Gift’ and it’s either something for the home or something with a feminine touch – flowers, wine, candles… Yes, we love these things, and it’s too true, Dad usually isn’t the one bringing the homemade pie to the neighbour’s holiday party. But since our Urban Suburban Daddy is quite the socialite, accepting invites far and wide, we asked him what he thought would be the coolest host gift if he were laying out the spread at our house.

What he wants:

1. Wine, Alcohol or Beer (why am I not surprised) Gift Basket

Nobody’s shocked at this one, it’s a pretty typical answer. Think outside the wine box – we suggest curating a themed gift of spirits, ales or wine.

Try this: Buy an ice bucket, select 5 or 6 flavoured, international beers such as Friuli (Strawberry beer from Belgium) or Wells Banana Bread Beer (UK). Place the beer inside the bucket, wrap with cellophane and a bow. You could do the same with red wines for example or little bottles of vodka.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Recipe Book

Our Urban Suburban Daddy is a budding foodie, and has finally admitted he’d like to be able to cook as well as some of those chefs we make him (like we have to twist his arm!) watch. One of his picks is from the selection of Jamie Oliver’s cookbooks. Feel free to inscribe it and mark off the recipe you want him to make the next time you come for dinner.

3. Barbecue Grilling Set

You can pick up a Barbecue Grilling Set at a department or big box store. Have a look at this great set from BergHoff. You can even get creative with the theme and combine gifts numbers 2 and 3, just grab a grilling recipe books such as Bobby Flay’s Grill It (an oldie but a goodie) and pair it with a Barbecue Grill Set.

4. Hot Sauce, Flavour-Makers & Jams

Like the hopped up gift basket suggested above, our Urban Suburban Daddy thinks it would be very cool to be on the receiving end of a selection of delectable and different hot sauce, rubs, marinades and even jams.

5. Play List

Our Urban Suburban Daddy is a DJ by night, so the perfect gift for him is music. It’s also one of those great personal gifts. With the help of iTunes you can make your own playlist and present a USB stick full of awesome music for the holiday party or burn a CD if you’re old school like that. We are crushing on Drake and The Weekend right now – who doesn’t love a little Hotline Bling? Another suggestion is to go the old fashion route and pick up a copy of a CD – Adele is smoking hot this holiday! (And gratuitous video because you know you can’t get enough – we can’t either!) [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQHsXMglC9A&w=560&h=315]

What’s your beat? Bring it to the party!