Ozomatli – oZoKidZ Concert Review
March 6, 2011
Go. Just go and see this concert with your children. Go. They are fantastic, fun, delightful, amazing, creative, unique, entertaining – every complimentary word I can think of right now. I had so much fun at the concert because of their blend of music – they rap, salsa, funk, hip hop, ska, latin and more, more, more. Somehow this blend makes magical music which makes me want to dance and jump and shout for joy.
During the concert, Mishy and I danced and danced and danced. I had her in my arms the whole time because it was packed. There was a roped off area for children under 11 years of age to dance on, though the parents weren’t allowed to join them. Did I mind carrying Mishy in my arms and jumping up and down for sixty minutes? Not at all. It made the experience more fun because we were so close to each other and laughing and screaming in delight. It also made my arm muscles stronger. They are getting stronger every day.
If you had previously attended this Grammy Award winning group’s concert and feel it might be too loud for your children, they put the volume really low. It only got loud towards the end when one of the band members played the trumpet and then you just move back a little more.
More importantly, these musicians know how to put on a show! With simple props as a sheet, or wigs, or a Nacho Libre mask, the band and audience get into the groove. They featured some of their classic songs, some new songs and some crowd favorites. Some of their children even came up on stage and sang solos.
As I said before, go – go and hear them with your children and just enjoy being a parent who can continue to go and see amazing musicians playing.
Ozomatli will be playing at McCabe’s on March 13th at 11AM.
http://www.mccabes.com/condata.html
Want to know more details about Ozomatli oZoKidZ concerts? Check out my interview with Will-Dog
https://mjmiaoren.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/ozomatli-answers/
And here’s their website for even more information about them – with upcoming dates:
We heard Ozomatli perform at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. While it is a little far for us, I love this space because it’s a real club. My husband and I used to attend concerts at The Canyon Club when we had friends playing. I remember clapping and screaming and dancing before parenthood. It was so wonderful to share that same excitement with my daughter and I love that they are starting a Saturday matinee series for kids concerts. I am looking forward to their next one! Thank you for thinking of the kids and the adults who still like to dance with their children, who are still minors.
The Canyon Club
Mishy’s Third Birthday Party With Reptile Family
March 6, 2011
Who's the birthday girl? Matt asks Mishy to be his helper.
Our daughter turned three and she wanted a party. Fifty of our friends and my mom came to celebrate with us. Matt, from The Reptile Family brought many amphibians, reptiles, and arachnids to entertain and educate all our guests. He was a sensation.
Matt shows J a scorpion.
L looks to see what's in the basket.
Cockroaches!
Mishy has 5 frogs on her. We had to keep them wet so her dress got wet. She didn't mind.
Mishy touches a frog.
Y holds two lizards.
Matt shows L a geeko.
Gentle touching.
Fascinated by another lizard
Mishy picked 3 friends to hold an iguana together
Feeding snakes banana
A turtle
Watching the turtle move
This was Babba's favorite part of The Reptile Family
Matt had to remove the snake from our necks to let it pee and poo. The snake's pee is solid white and gooey yellow. They poo every 1-2 weeks.
Babba carried the snake around his neck for as long as he could. Long time friends, Joan and Beth look on.
S and Beth get a closer view of a snake while Mishy and others watch a snake on the grass.
Blowing out the candles.
Success!
Mishy just after she blew out the candles.
The children and adults painted t-shirts and puppets to take with them.
Mishy's new friend, John Cariani - Babba's long time friend. He's a Tony nominated actor and playwright of the most produced play in America. His play, Almost Maine, is more produced than Shakespeare's Mid Summer Nights Dream.
After the party, Mishy and friends played with chalk while others played upstairs and in the backyard.
Details:
Matt from The Reptile Family
Hire them! They make things very easy, are reliable, dedicated, and make a very unique experience which children and adults will remember. One child brought home an imaginary turtle and it still lives in their place. They also offer special classes for all ages.
Catering was by Maggie’s Tapas. Delicious food and healthy too. We ordered two party platters from them. They deliver too.
Cupcakes were from Vanilla Bake Shop and Yummy Cupcakes. Both are in Santa Monica and other locations in Los Angeles. Vanilla Bake Shop has baby cupcakes which went very fast. So fast, I had to ask a guest to take a cupcake from his hand so Mishy could have one. Yummy Cupcakes has vegan cupcakes.
Vanilla Bake Shop
Yummy Cupcakes
The cake was from Angel Maid Bakery in Culver City. We ordered the strawberry shortcake. On Mishy’s first birthday party, we ordered the guava passionfruit cake, which I thought was very yummy. Angel Maid is a family owned business which makes a special effort for customers and they make beautiful custom orders which are reasonable.
Angel Maid Bakery – Here’s their Yelp review, with all of their details
http://www.yelp.com/biz/angel-maid-bakery-los-angeles
Fabric paints we got from Jo-Ann’s Fabrics.
Natural Traveling Momma Blog 