Ella talked about Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep.  Click on the book cover to find an independent bookseller selling it!

I was going to try to write about the whole day of the Meltdown.  It’s pretty much impossible, especially since I spent much of the day running around maniacally.  So a few thoughts, and then some links:

• Our best estimate is that at least 3,500 people came through.  Even though it got a little cozy at times, everyone was super friendly, happy, and fun!
• Everyone seemed to like the addition of the third performance area (the Chill Room).  Storytelling, puppets, cartooning, singing — what’s not to love?
• Hula hooping rocks.
• Trombones are awesome.  If you’re thinking about putting a sax solo in a song, replace it with a trombone solo.  It’ll probably be better.
• Sponsors: You rule.  Yankee Candle, Comcast, WEBS – America’s Yarn Store, Hampshire Gymnastics, River Valley Market — they, and the vendors (who also rule!) are how the event was free.  Thank you.
• Jarrett Krosoczka is amazing.  He put together an insane lineup of authors and illustrators.
• Our performers: crazy good.  Thanks to, in order of appearance: Dog on Fleas, Rona Leventhal, Maria Sangiolo, Royal Order of Chords and Keys, Alastair Moock, Tom Knight & Amy Dawn Kotel, Mister G, Mariana Iranzi, Jay Mankita, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, Ratboy Jr., Keith Munslow, Uncle Rock & the Playthings, Marcy Gregoire, Flannery Brothers, Laura Daisybee, and the Deedle Deedle Dees (who, as usual, destroyed) (in a good way).  I stand by my assertion that there will not be a better lineup of family music anywhere this year.

Some links:

• Great photos from the day are over at WRSI.com.  Or, maybe easier, at WRSI’s Facebook page.
• I’ve posted my photos on this (public) Facebook album.
• Dadnabbit came to the event and posted a nice overview.
• Out With The Kids came and has a whole series of posts.

And I’ve put all of the videos I am aware of from the event into one playlist; watch it here (or go to it here):

If you know of any videos or photos I don’t have up here, let me know!

Finally: Thanks to everyone who came, laughed, danced, ate, drank, bounced, hula hooped, shopped, made a weird wax thing with your hand, or just walked around, mouth agape.  I hope you had a ton of fun, and we’ll see you next year!  (And before then!)

Listen any time you like at WRSI.com!  And see you Sunday at 2 for Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, with Mister G opening, at the Iron Horse!

Thanks to Clementown for the terrific guest DJ set.

Segment 1
TMBG – It’s Spare the Rock
-Ella ID
TMBG – The Vowel Family
Heidi Swedberg & the Sukey Jump Band – Pop Goes the Weasel (Play!)
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion – Go Waggaloo (Go Waggaloo)
ID
Gourds – Fossil Contender
Monty Harper – Roundy Round (Take Me to Your Library)
ID

Segment 2
Johnny Bregar – Dragonfly
Little Miss Ann – Mockingbird
ID/prep to rock
Hold Steady – Take Me Out to the Ballgame
ScribbleMonster – The World’s Greatest (Chocolate Milk)
Roy Handy & the Moonshot – Socks Are Overrated!!! ((I’m Gonna Be) Your Best Friend)
Quiet Two – Invisible Trousers (Make Some Noise)
ID/book time with Ella (Cornelia Funke – The Thief Lord)

Segment 3
Ralph & Ralph – Opposites
Dean Jones – Hail! Hail! The Gang’s All Here!
Mates of State – Jellyman Kelly
ID
John & Mark – People Have Good Reasons
Keith Munslow – Are You Gonna Eat That? (Homemade Fun)
Recess Monkey – Sack Lunch (Field Trip)
ID

Segments 4 & 5
Clementown guest DJ set:
Twilight Zone Theme
Bellville Rendez-vous – M&S
Yes, We Have No Bananas – Baily’s Lucky 7
Little Bed – Clementown
Big in Japan – Tom Waits
Little Old Money Maker – Meters
Radio One Radio Jingle – Jimi Hendrix
Fixing a Hole – Beatles
Fun Services – Phone Phreaks
Flea Keepers – Clementown
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious – Julie Andrews et al
Fistful of Dollars – Morricone
Shining Star – Earth Win & Fire
Runaway Waffle – Clementown
Man from UNCLE theme

Segment 6
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo – Luck
Run DMC – Reading Rainbow
Deee-Lite – Groove is in the Heart
Baby Loves Jazz – Duck Jam
ID
TMBG – Meet the Elements

This week, Ella talked about Cornelia Funke’s The Thief Lord.  Click on the cover to find an independent bookseller to buy it from!

This week, Ella talked about local hero Jarrett Krosoczka’s Lunch Lady book.  Click on the cover to find it for sale from an independent bookseller!