A terrific new release from The Pop Ups makes this year’s Philadelphia International Children’s Festival even more exciting. We’re hoping Janet Schreiner of local favorites Cats Pajamas recovers from back problems and is able to appear at the festival as well.
CD: The Pop Ups, Radio Jungle
The Pop Ups’ (Jason Rabinowitz and Jacob Stein) new Radio Jungle CD is already among 2012’s best. “Connect the Stars” showcases vocals from Shine & the Moonbeams’ Shawana Kemp in a look at the night sky. A Latin beat imparts musical complexity to the simple rhyming lyrics of “The Bat.” Klezmer forms the base for the lesson that “Feelings Change.” This upbeat, danceable collection establishes The Pop Ups among family music’s brightest lights.
The Pop Ups video of "Balloon" from their Outside Voices CD
Song: “How Many People in a Family?”
by the Cats Pajamas
From the much-loved local band’s new Back Seat Driver CD, enjoy my favorite track: “How Many People in a Family?” This counting song consistently returns to the Number 2: “two people who love each other.”
The Cats Pajamas perform "How Many People in a Family" at World Café Live in Philadelphia
Event: Philadelphia International Children’s Festival, May 3-5
This year’s Philadelphia International Children's Festival at the Annenberg Center in Phila., features a Kids Corner stage with John Hadfield’s funny Monkeys in the House show and The Pop Ups’ PASTA! Musical mix of art, comedy and music. John Tartaglia’s imaginative ImaginOcean takes puppetry to new heights. Circo Comedia with Cirque du Soleil veterans and Space Panorama’s one-man recreation of Apollo 11’s moon landing round out the stage shows. The lineup includes Kids Corner favorites The Plants and (hopefully) Cats Pajamas in the Festival’s open-air Fun Zone. The Phillie Phanatic appears at noon May 5.
The Pop Ups performing their PASTA! Musical
Kathy O’Connell is a contributing writer to MetroKids and host of Kids Corner, weekdays 7-8pm on WXPN 88.5 FM.
