Jordin Sparks Performance

Jordin Sparks, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation Ambassador will perform at a secret location in New York City on July 28.  To learn where she will sing, stay updated to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation tab on the Energizer Bunny Facebook page, follow @EnergizerBunny or follow #EnergizerSTM on Twitter for the latest news and hints. You won’t know where the event is until the morning of July 28th. Admission is free.

Help Raise Money For VH1 Save The Music Foundation

Just click “LIKE” on the Energizer Bunny® Facebook page and for each new “LIKE” through August 12, Energizer will donate $1 (up to $15,000) to help restore instrumental music education through the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

Power Your Playlist

In addition to powering music education in America’s public schools, Energizer is also powering Americans’ playlists. Right now in stores, specially-marked Energizer products contain a special code. Purchase three participating products, and redeem your codes for a $10 iTunes Gift Card at www.nowthatspositivenergy.com/music 

Giveaway

A $10 iTunes Gift Card

Rules

1. Contest starts now and ends July 30th midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over within the USA
3. One submission per household (not entry).
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
5. Winner has 2 days to claim prize via email.

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about why music education is important.
2. Use any of the share buttons above or under this post (for example Facebook Share, Facebook Like, Google+). Leave a separate comment about which one you used to share. You’ll get one entry per share.
3. Follow ConnieFoggles on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID.
4. Like BrainFoggles on Facebook. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Facebook ID.
5. Like  the Energizer Bunny page on Facebook. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Facebook ID.
6. Subscribe to BrainFoggles RSS feed or sign up for the email feed. Please leave a comment that you did so.
7. Tweet this exactly. You may tweet this daily: (leave a link to your tweet)

#Win an iTunes Gift Card @ConnieFoggles #giveaway http://bit.ly/r1hgCq PL RT

I will be provided with an iTunes Gift Card. I would have shared this information any way since I believe in the power of music education. Thanks to Energizer and VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

Giveaway Ended

The conference part of the day was just for bloggers, so my husband and daughter went off to the Magic Kingdom with Jennifer Leet’s (from The Dirty T Shirt) family. Breakfast was at Citricos which gave me time to chat and get acquainted with fellow bloggers. Of course, one of the main events for me. Then it was off to the Conference Center at the Grand Floridian.

I was already hyped for excitement when I entered the Conference Center thinking of what it was like last year.  When I saw how beautifully it was set up for us, I felt like a kid at a candy store. Unfortunately I don’t have a decent photo to show, but please take my word for it. Yes, I’m camera shopping.

First Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney World Resort, invited us to enjoy the parks. She also announced that we were receiving a Disney frame with a PhotoPass gift certificate to “Let The Memories Begin” (Disney’s campaign for this year).

Then came the speakers (who I wrote about previously) Matt Jacobson, Director of Marketing, Facebook, and Rene Syler, of Good Enough Mother.

Fairy God Mother

The Fairy God Mother surprised us and helped to give away one night at Cinderella’s Castle. The blogger who won it was ecstatic and who wouldn’t be! There were also raffles for Disney Dooney and Bourke purses, like this one – Disney Sketch Tassel Tote Bag by Dooney & Bourke – and Disney watches in between speakers. No prizes for me this year, but I survived.

Fran Capo Talking Fast

We were asked to share our favorite moments at Disney and a few bloggers took the mike. Suddenly, someone who answered ran to get up on stage to talk – really fast. I was thinking, who in the world? Until she was introduced as Fran Capo, who won the Guinness Book of World Records for fast talking. And that she did, with a thick New York accent to boot. My favorite line from her was, “Live every day as if it’s your last, and one day, you’ll be right. You don’t want to be doing laundry on that last day.” Fran shared more positive messages and provided lots of laughs which was the perfect way to go on to lunch back at Citricos.

This time I took photos of our food – yeah the blogger in me was back! Another delicious meal and more time to do what we bloggers do best when we get together, eat and talk. After enjoying my meal and talking way too much, I had to go over to Rene Syler and introduce myself and got a hug from her – the icing on my dessert.

One Of Many Choices For Lunch

If I didn’t have my scooter, I would have wobbled on over, stuffed to the gills, to the Convention Center, but I made it in time to find Duffy The Disney Bear waiting to take photos with us. No way could I resist!

Duffy and Me

When I walked into the room, I heard lots of excitement and saw that each spot at each table had a Duffy dressed up for St. Patrick’s Day. I couldn’t wait to bring it back to the room to give to my daughter Sammi because she’s been asking for one and you know what a mean mom I am.

Duffy in St. Patrick's Attire

I’m not so sure how Chris Brogan felt coming on stage with us all in a tizzy over our bears, but it didn’t seem to phase him. In fact he talked about CRAP (his blogging analogy). Yes, he got his own post too, cuz he rocks.

Georgia Stitt and Susan Egan Performing

I was getting tired by this time, not because of Chris, promise, but because it was my nap time. When I get tired, I get cranky. Thank goodness for Georgia Stitt and Susan Egan to brighten my spirits and some sparking cider – how I wish I could have had some champagne. In between songs that had me teary – remembering watching Hercules with my older daughter (I Won’t Say I’m In Love), laughing – (Susan’s rendition of The Mom Song), and feeling empowered – Defying Gravity, both spoke about being professionals and moms. Their insight rang true to me.

The Best Table of Bloggers In The Conference Center

It was over all too soon. I knew there was more to come, but being together in a room of fellow bloggers is such a buzz.  I sat with Maria Strong @SavingQueen, Kim Janocko, @CraftyMamaof4, Sandy Jenny @OrganizerSandy, Amy Hodges @Amychodges and Jennifer Leet @jentifa Back to my room though. Thanks for the great photo Sandy! I sneaked in a quick nap, changed my clothes and got ready for our next adventure.

Then it was off to Hollywood Studios, where we had dinner and dancing right on the set of of Lights, Motor, Action, which we have seen dozens of times. So amazing to be right there!! The theme was Disney Junior and even though Sammi doesn’t watch these shows, she loved the music, and thought the Never Land Pirate Band was funny. The food was buffet style, with even more desserts. Oh my waist! The excitement was infectious. Friends were all over. Fun was had by all!

The Never Land Band and Sammi

I have no idea when we got back to our rooms, but during the bus ride back, we talked about our day and our new memories that we created. Disney just knows how to get it right.

I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In exchange for my registration fee, I received deeply discounted rates on hotel, park tickets, events, meals, and swag. I am not required nor was I asked to write about the events by Disney or any other brands, celebrities, or speakers affiliated with the event. All opinions are my own. An affiliate link is included in this post.

Champions on the stage and in the community, the Gabba Gang will partner with Habitat for Humanity to further their homebuilding efforts in Tampa.  In addition, $1 from every ticket sold for YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY! in Tampa will be donated to the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

Reserved Seat tickets are $48.75, $38.75 and $28.75 and are available at www.livenation.com, charge-by-phone: (800)745-3000 and all TicketMaster outlets.  VIP packages with premium tickets and meet and greets will also be available. For complete tour, ticket information and VIP packages, visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com. Children under one year of age will be admitted free to sit on a parent’s lap.

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY

ST. PETE TIMES FORUM, TAMPA, FL – 2 SHOWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30^TH / 2PM & 5PM

The state-of-the-art production features music, singing, dancing and animation.  The show is an interactive experience that offers audience members of all ages the opportunity to witness their favorite characters come to life.  Joining the characters on stage will be hip-hop legend Biz Markie to teach kids how to beat box with “Biz’s Beat of the Day”.  Special guests will join the party on stage for the Super Music Friends Show and Dancey Dance segments.

Released in October, 2009, YO GABBA GABBA!: MUSIC IS AWESOME Volume 1 topped kids and overall music charts at iTunes (#1 kids album), Amazon (top 5 kids album) and Target sales, which reached more than 40,000 copies in only 6 months since its release. YO GABBA GABBA!: MUSIC IS AWESOME was picked as one of 2009’s top holiday gifts for toddlers by both PARENTS magazine and the popular Mom web destination MomLogic.com.  YO GABBA GABBA!: MUSIC IS AWESOME Volume 2 will be released on iTunes and will hit shelves nationwide this September.

Dates, venues and ticket prices are subject to change.

About Yo Gabba Gabba!
Yo Gabba Gabba! premiered in the U.S. on Nickelodeon in August, 2007 and currently ranks as one of the most popular children series on television.   Yo Gabba Gabba!, was voted as one of the best new shows on television by TIME magazine, won a BAFTA Award in 2008, was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Television” Award by the Television Critics Association, and is a two-time Emmy nominee. The series airs three times a day, seven days a week on Nick Jr. and in several major international territories, including Australia, Canada, Israel, Latin America, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.K.

Yo Gabba Gabba! infuses retro-style and beat-driven music to teach simple life lessons through music. The series stars DJ Lance Rock (Lance Robertson) and a cast of colorful characters, including: Brobee, the little green one, Foofa, the pink flower bubble, Muno, the red Cyclops, Toodee, the blue cat-dragon and Plex, the yellow robot. Today’s most popular names in movies, television, music and sports flock to guest star in the groundbreaking show, including Jack Black, Rachel Dratch, Melora Hardin, Tony Hawk, Biz Markie, Jack McBrayer, MGMT, Mark Mothersbaugh, The Roots, Andy Samberg, Amy Sedaris, The Shins, Amare Stoudemire, The Ting Tings, Jimmy Eat World and Elijah Wood, among others.  Yo Gabba Gabba! toys, apparel and other merchandise are sold in stores nationwide in the U.S. and have skyrocketed in popularity.  Yo Gabba Gabba! is recommended as a trusted program for preschoolers by The Smart Television Alliance, a non-profit organization comprised of leading non-profit children’s media organizations including Common Sense Media, Parents’ Choice Foundation, Parents Television Council and Coalition for Quality children’s.

And don’t forget the Yo Gabba Gabba Cool Tricks Contest that’s going on right now too!

Giveaway

Four tickets at St. Pete Times Forum , Tampa FL for the October 30 show at 5pm

Rules

1. Contest starts now and ends October 14th midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over from US
3. One submission per household.
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
5. Winner has 2 days to claim prize via email.
6. Have fun and tell your friends.

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Visit the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! site and leave a comment about something you’ve learned.
2. Follow Yo Gabba Gabba Live on Twitter. Leave your Twitter ID please.
3. Follow ConnieFoggles on Twitter. Leave your Twitter ID please.
4. Enter another giveaway and leave a comment on which one.
5. Use the Share Button and share this post (for example on Reddit, etc.) Leave a comment for each place you shared. One point for each share.
6. Leave a comment on another post (not a giveaway) and let me know what post please.
7. Use the Like Button by this post. Leave a comment that you clicked on it.
8. Visit Brain Foggles on Facebook and like the page. Please leave me your Facebook ID.
9. Follow Yo Gabba Gabba Facebook page and leave a comment that Brain Foggles sent you.
9. Tweet this exactly. You may tweet this daily: (leave a link to your tweet or your Twitter ID)

#Win @yogabbagabba Live! Tickets @ConnieFoggles for #Tampa http://bit.ly/axjfQa PL RT

I have not been compensated for this post, but Yo Gabba Gabba is one of my favorite children’s shows.

Giveaway Ended

Track titles:

1. Hello (New)
2. What Are the Odds?
3. Shake It Loud
4. This Way, That Way
5. In the Garden
6. Wheels
7. Air Guitar
8. Frogs Eat Butterflies
9. Circle
10. Turn Your Body Around
11. Bubbles
12. Who’s a Knockin’?
13. Silly Animal Friends
14. Guess What I Am
15. Willow Tree in the Wind
16. Goodbye (New)

You can take a listen to samples of What Are The Odds at the Monkey Monkey Music website. The lyrics are also available. A few of our favorites are What Are The Odds, which is so catchy and teaches about math, Wheels, a rendition of the Wheels on The Bus and Air Guitar, because who doesn’t like to play air guitar?

You can purchase What Are The Odds CD from the website for $14.99.

Giveaway: One lucky reader of Brain Foggles will win a copy of What Are The Odds CD

The Rules

1. Contest starts now and ends September 12 midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over from US
3. One submission per household.
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
5. Winner has 2 days to claim prize via email.
6. Have fun and tell your friends.

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about music that you like.
2. Visit Monkey Monkey Music and tell me what song you like from either CD.
3. Tweet about this giveaway by using the share button.

The Not-It’s first CD, We Are The Not-It’s, received the Fids & Family Music Award for one of the best family music albums of 2009. That’s rare for a debut album. This is a band to expect more from, especially from their live performances.

The Not-Its! do so much to help non-profits. Each performer has a background helping others. More than half of their shows have benefited worthy causes and they will continue this effort.

The members of the Not-Its!, Sarah Shannon (former lead singer of Velocity Girl), Danny Adamson (rhythm guitarist/singer), Mike Bayer (drummer), Tom Baisden (guitarist) and Nori Hoeft (bassist/backup singer) look awesome too.

My Review: I immediately learned the meaning of the name of the band, The Not-Its as soon as I began to listen to their CD. Their music style reaches children and adults too. It’s not one of those CDs that you put aside hoping your child will forget, or one that put in the CD player and shut your kid’s door. No, expect to dance, sing along and even ask to put in the CD.

Buy It: You can pre-0rder Time Out To Rock from The Not-Its! shop for $14.00.

Giveaway: Win one Time Out To Rock CD

The Rules:

1. Contest starts now and ends July 21st midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over from US and Canada
3. One submission per household.
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
5. Winner have 2 days to claim prize via email.
6. Have fun and tell your friends.

How To Enter:

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Visit The Not-Its Bios. Leave a comment about one of the members that is not mentioned here.
2. Enter another giveaway and leave a comment on which one.
3. Follow me, ConnieFoggles on Twitter. (Please leave your Twitter ID)
4. Use the Share Button and share this post (for example on Facebook, Reddit, etc.) Leave a comment for each place you shared. One point for each share.
5. Use the Like Button by this post. Leave a comment that you clicked on it.
7. Tweet this exactly. You may tweet this daily: (leave a link to your tweet or your Twitter ID)

#Win The Not-Its new CD Time Out To Rock @ConnieFoggles http://bit.ly/90Nj50 PL RT

Disclosure: I received a copy of the CD for this review. All opinions are my own.
Giveaway Ended

You will find English though, on the cover of the CD and it teaches you, the parent, the lyrics. Go ahead and share them with your children. Maybe you fill them as they’re singing, say a word or two in their ears. Make them giggle when you tickle their ears! It’s all about fun and the learning will come along easily.

Of course, Sing-A-Lingo is just a start, but it’s a great way to get your children interested in learning Spanish. Follow some of the tips offered by Pina and Michael Madera, the co-founders of Sing-A-Lingo. They suggest that you incorporate Spanish words into your everyday language and provide links to other sites that provide help with learning another language.

The songs on En Mi Casa are memorable. You’ll be singing them long after the CD is off, which makes perfect sense when you’re trying to learn a new language. They also use common words about every day tasks, like “Start Dancing”, “Wash Your Hands” and “Good Night”. There’s also 3 classics – “Mr. Sun”, “Little Monkey” and “Itsy, Bitsy Spider”.  All songs, except the classics, are written, sung and recorded by Pina and Michael Madera with the intention of them being used to help your child learn Spanish in a meaningful way.

My daughter and I had fun with the CD. She is still saddened about her school losing their Spanish classes because she enjoyed becoming bilingual. When we listened to the music, she was able to remember many of the words. I don’t know any Spanish, but through the songs and their fun melodies, I found myself picking up on words quickly. We plan on taking this with us in the car to listen to over and over. We did that already, so it would be over and over and over again!

You can purchase the CD from Sing-A-Lingo, tee-shirts, learning kits and tools. The CD is $14.99.

Savings Alert! Check out the free game Keys To The Treasures.

This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Sing-A-Lingo, who provided the CD for this review.

Check out the schedule on the tour site. Be sure to enter the code MOMS for a $5 discount on tickets to see Martina. She’ll be performing with Trace Adkins on the Shine All Night Tour.

You can even follow Martina McBride on Twitter to learn about the Shine All Night Tour and even win tickets!

Information was provided by MomSelect for this post.

Visit 429 Records to hear some of the songs included on the CD.  Here is a list of songs:

1. Life Less Ordinary  – Carbon Leaf
2. The Friendship Song – Carbon Leaf
3. California Sun – Brian Wilson
4. On A Roll – Carbon Leaf
5. Heart of the Day – Carbon Leaf
6. Let Your Troubles Roll By – Carbon Leaf
7. Walking in the Sun – Carbon Leaf
8. Follow That Monkey – Jackie Greene
9. Moon Man – Heitor Pereira
10. Going East – Heitor Pereira
11. Giving a Hand – Heitor Pereira
12. Zoo – Heitor Pereira
13. The Friendship Song – Heitor Pereira

My Review: My favorite song is California Sun, performed by Brian Wilson. It has the old Beach Boy sound and it’s a lot of fun to listen to. I’ve never heard of Carbon Leaf before listening to this CD, but I’m a new fan. Their songs have a bluegrassy, soft rock feeling to them. My favorite is Follow That Monkey. The songs by Heitor Pereira are instrumental and are nice for quiet times.

Purchase: Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey can be purchased for $13.98 on Amazon.com on March 2nd.

Giveaway: One new CD

The Rules:

1. Contest starts now and ends Feb. 17th midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over from US only.
3. Winners will be chosen by Random.org.
4. Winner have 2 days to claim prize.
5. Have fun and tell your friends.

How To Enter:
For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about what kind of music your child(ren), grandchild(ren), niece, nephew, etc. likes.
2. Follow my blog, Brain Foggles, on Facebook. (Please leave your Facebook ID)
3. Become a fan of my blog, Brain Foggles, on Facebook. (Please leave your Facebook ID)
4. Follow me, ConnieFoggles, on Twitter. (Please leave your Twitter ID)
5. Use the share button below this post to share this on any network. Leave a comment for each network and your ID there. For example Reddit.
6. Follow me on FriendFeed. Please leave your FriendFeed ID.
7. Write a blog post linking to this blog post. Leave a link to your post. This is worth 5 Entries. Please leave 5 separate comments such as I wrote a blog post #1, I wrote a blog post #2, etc.
   
8. Tweet this exactly: (leave a link to your tweet or your Twitter ID)

Win Curious George 2 CD @ConnieFoggles http://bit.ly/dycPDL  Ends 2/17 PL RT

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for 429 Records, who supplied the product for review and giveaway. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.

Giveaway Ended. Winner Announced.

The artist, Aaron Nigel Smith, is well known from performing on PBS in the show Between The Lions. His song “My Job” is a big hit from that show. He is also an educator who works with children to teach them about music and movement. “In 2002, he founded FUNdamentals of Music & Movement, a fun approach to music and dance education for children. FUNdamentals has since become the new standard for arts enrichment in Los Angeles, serving thousands of children.” He plays guitar and percussion and sings. He also performs live and can be booked through Great Night Productions.

Take a listen to the 15 songs on Everyone Loves to Dance on Amazon.com Turn it up loud and watch your child smile, laugh and dance!

My Review: Even though this is a children’s CD, my 11 year old daughter loved it and so did I. The reggae influences are easy to hear on many of the songs. Aaron Nigel Smith’s talent is as versified as the various songs on the CD. We loved to hear the children’s giggles included on “We Are The Fishies” and hip hop on “Music and Movement”.  We laughed along and were amazed to hear some old songs that we sang together when Samantha was little turned into new versions. It’s a great CD for at home to get us moving and in the car to get us singing along.

Purchase: Right now Everyone Loves to Dance is temporarily out of stock on Amazon, but you can sign up to be emailed when it comes in. Price is $12.98. You can also purchase it on iTunes for $9.99.

Giveaway: Win one new Everyone Loves To Dance CD

The Rules:

1. Contest starts now and ends January 17th at midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over internationally.
3. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
4. Winner has 2 days to claim prize.
5. Have fun and tell your friends.

How To Enter:
For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about some types of music your child likes to dance to.
2. Follow my blog, Brain Foggles, on Facebook. (Please leave your Facebook ID)
3. Become a fan of my blog, Brain Foggles, on Facebook. (Please leave your Facebook ID)
4. Follow me, ConnieFoggles, on Twitter. (Please leave your Twitter ID)
5. Use the share button below this post to share this on any network. Leave a comment for each network and your ID there. For example Reddit.
6. Write a blog post linking to this blog post. Leave a link to your post. This is worth 5 Entries.
7. Tweet this exactly: (leave a link to your tweet or your Twitter ID)

Win Everyone Loves To Dance children’s CD @ConnieFoggles http://bit.ly/6WNESiPL RT

Disclosure: I was provided with a CD for this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Giveaway Ended. Winner chosen.

The Activators are bringing the message of fitness fun to children through their website and their CD which features music to get your child moving and grooving. Working with My Gym, a children’s exercise center, The Activators want to combat childhood obesity by providing a comedy show for children to keep them focused and entertained.

Have your child take The Activators Pledge to exercise everyday, eat healthy foods and have fun too! Watch videos and get to know each of the four Activators, download activity pages and learn exercises that include imaginative play. Aimed at preschoolers, there’s lots of silliness and laughter.

The Activators

My Review: The Activators are out and out fun. They embody entertainment for children which includes lots of interaction. The best part of this is that children don’t know they are doing something good for their body. The four people that make up the Activators are actually teachers from My Gym who are very talented. Watch them one time and see if you don’t want to get up and move along with them.

Purchase the CD: My Gym Children’s Fitness Center Presents Aaron Nigel Smith Featuring The Activators is available through My Gym online store for $10.

Giveaway: Two winners will receive one of the CD’s above.

The Rules:
1. Contest starts now and ends December 20 at midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over in the US and Canada.
3. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
4. Winner has 2 days to claim prize.
5. Have fun and tell your friends.

How To Enter:
For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Have your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, etc. take The Activators Pledge. Leave a comment that you did so.
2. Leave a comment about something fun you do with your child, etc. that fun but includes exercise too.
5. Follow Brain Foggles on Facebook. (Please leave your Facebook ID)
6. Become a fan of Brain Foggles on Facebook. (Please leave your Facebook ID)
7. Follow me on Twitter. (Please leave your Twitter ID)
8. Tweet this exactly:

Win Fun Fitness Kids CD @ConnieFoggles 2 Winners! http://bit.ly/62tJa0 PL RT

I have not been compensated for this post, but have reviewed the websites.

I learned about this opportunity from The Product Review Place.

*CONTEST ENDED. WINNERS ANNOUNCED.*