I’ll take my time announcing the full lineup for the Meltdown 2010 (March 27, 2010, JFK Middle School), but since it’s in her newsletter, I will go ahead and announce that Elizabeth Mitchell & Friends will be in the lineup.  (They’re also doing a show at the Eric Carle Museum on February 6 benefiting the Northampton Community Music Center.)

And it’s gonna be a great lineup on both the music and book sides.  Visit RiverMeltdown.com to see last year’s lineup.  It will again be an all-day affair (10-4) with great music, readings from children’s book authors, activities, local food, local businesses, and so much more.

More to come!  To tide you over, here’s video from their show last year:

This week, Monte has pairs of tickets to see Bill Harley in the No Nap Happy Hour. Listen for your chance this morning and throughout the week!

Plus, you’ve got another day or so to enter for the giveaway at Hilltown Families.

For no particularly good reason other than “I’ve been meaning to do that for a while,” I’ve relaunched this site on a WordPress install.  It’s a lot prettier (yes?) and a lot more flexible.  It’s still definitely under construction, so let me know your feedback!

I attempted to export all of the old content with no success.  Maybe I’ll try more — and if anyone has had success importing a massive RSS file into a WordPress blog, holler! — but for now, if you want old content, just go here to access the Blogger-based site as of the past post.

This week, Ella talked about Ella Enchanted.  If you don’t already have it, follow the link below to find it at an independent bookstore (and to support independent radio for families!):

Shop Indie Bookstores

12/6 Bill Harley – Grammy winner Bill Harley played to a packed house with the Greenfield Symphony earlier this year; here’s your chance to see this great musician and storyteller in a more intimate venue. Bill will also be doing a guest DJ set on Saturday, December 5.

12/31 They Might Be Giants – It’s not part of the No Nap series, but we’re very happy to be part of bringing They Might Be Giants to the Calvin Theatre on New Year’s Eve, with a 3:00 family show and an 8:00 14+ show. Tickets are on sale now, with a special family four-pack for $60.

2/21 AudraRox – AudraRox makes their first full band appearance in the Valley, supporting a great new record! You’ve seen Audra on Noggin, Sesame Street, and elsewhere, and her band tears up the stage with a raucous show for the whole family.

3/14 Gustafer Yellowgold – The New York Times called Gustafer Yellowgold a cross between Sgt. Pepper’s and Dr. Seuss, and they’ve opened for the likes of Wilco and the Polyphonic Spree. Creator Morgan Taylor’s melodic songs tell the story, along with the “moving storybook,” of Gustafer Yellowgold, who is a creature from the sun trying to make his way on Earth.

4/11 Secret Agent 23 Skidoo – The first great hip hop for kids from a member of GFE. SA23’s live show is certain to make you laugh and dance.

TBA Brady Rymer & the Little Band That Could – Grammy nominee Brady played the Taste of Amherst over the summer and has played here one or two other times too. Great roots rock from one of the best bands in kids’ music. Brady will be doing a guest DJ set prior to his show.