Spring is right around the corner and the temperatures continue to rise each week. As much as I enjoy playing music indoors at a school or library, I really look forward to singing outside in the fresh air. So, I am pleased to announce some wonderful outdoor events coming up where you can join me for extra sing-along fun. I’ll have lots more information soon about each one. In the meantime, please mark your calendars now and get ready to pack up the kids for family entertainment under the sun. OK? OK.

Saturday, March 3 – “Read Around Fairytale Town” celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday (performances at 12 pm and 2 pm). Visit the Fairytale Town website for more info. I am in the process of learning a few authentic Dr. Seuss songs to sing. Wow.

Saturday, March 31 – Land Park Spring Egg Hunt (9:30 am – 11:00 am). Besides the Egg Hunt, there’s a fabulous Hat Contest, face painting, and music by guess who.

Sunday, April 15 – “Fairytale Town Literacy Days” (performances at 12 pm and 2 pm). Two more performances on the Mother Goose Stage. Songs about learning through music.

Friday, June 8 – Belle Cooledge Library Ice Cream Social (6:30 pm – 7 pm). I’ve been waiting all my life to play at this fantastic event. Join me for a triple scoop of fun.

I hope to see you at one, more, or all of these shows. Much more is being planned. Thanks and stay tuned…

I’m still confused. Back when I was growing up, when you were leaving a friendly conversation, you said “Merry Christmas.” Since then, I’ve learned that not everyone was Christian. So, instead of listing all religious celebrations, I learned it was politically correct to say “Happy Holidays.” But that’s not all. What about the change of year? Does “Happy Holidays” include “Happy New Year”? Is it best to say both? I needed something to say that would be all inclusive. My wife said it by accident. Now I say it all the time, every time.

So, to all my friends, young and grown up, and to all your families. Happy Holidays, Merry and Happy Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Festivus (for the rest of us), Happy Hour, Happy Meals, Happy Solstice, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday (Capricorn), Happy Feet, Happy Endings, and Happy Trails to you. Or in other words…

HAPPY EVERYTHING!!!

Now for some friendly reminders:

Music time at Belle Cooledge Library will be tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 20) at our usual time (4 pm). Please remember the library will be closed all of next week. The next Sing Along Club meeting will be on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 4 pm.

Music time at Valley Hi Library will continue this Thursday (Dec. 22) at 4 pm. We will also be getting together on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 4pm. Did someone say “road trip”?

“Words to Live By” coloring books will no longer be provided at library shows starting in 2012. You are now able to print out your own coloring books by clicking on “The Coloring Book” above. Go for it.

All three of my CDs are always available from me for the reduced price of $10 each. Did someone say “great gift idea”?

Thank you all again and again for your support of my music programs. Your attendance at a library, concert, school event, or Farmers Market, is greatly appreciated. I hope to see you soon. But if not…

HAPPY EVERYTHING!!!

Click here for a special surprise…

Once again, it’s time for another library update. Now that fall has fallen and winter is near, it’s getting too cold to come and see me sing songs for you in the chilly open air. Libraries are the perfect place to be for indoor adventures of all kinds, including music with The Sing-Along Club. Here is the current schedule for all the libraries I visit. I hope you can be there. It wouldn’t be the same without you…

Belle Cooledge Library:
We meet on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 4:00 pm.
November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
December 6, 13, 20
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14

Valley Hi Library:
We meet on Thursdays from 4:00 – 4:30 pm.
November 3, 10, 17
December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
January 5

Fair Oaks Library:
We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 11:30 am – noon.
November 8
December 13
January 10
February 14

Pocket-Greenhaven Library:
We meet on the last Tuesday of each month from 11:30 am – noon. Please note time change for 2012.
November 29 (11:30 – noon)
December – no music
January 31 (11:00 – 11:30 am)
February 28 (11:00 – 11:30 am)

A great big THANKS to all of the libraries for bringing The Sing-Along Club with Mister Cooper inside their doors where it’s nice and warm. I appreciate the continued support. And, oh yeah, I almost forgot. Happy Halloween! Please remember to BE SAFE. I’m not kidding. The End.

The Loose Acoustic Trio plays family friendly “good time music” all summer long at Farmers Markets, parties, barbeques, and other outdoor events throughout the Sacramento area. The 2011 season is almost over. But there are still a few opportunities for you to see us and hear the songs before we say “so long” for the winter. This coming Saturday, October 22, we’ll be performing at the Sunrise Farmers Market at the Light Rail station on the corner of Sunrise and Folsom Blvds. The next Saturday, October 29, we end the season at the Country Club Plaza Farmers Market, close to the corner of Watt and El Camino Blvds. And then we finish up that same night at Ettore’s Restaurant on Fair Oaks Blvd starting at 7:30 pm. I hope you can make it. If not, we’ll try it again in June 2012.

Belle Cooledge Library is my neighborhood library. It’s the place where I started the after-school Sing-Along Club program. That was three years ago and I’ve been there every week since then. I look forward to my time there on Tuesday afternoons (4:00 – 4:30 pm) and thank you all for coming to see me each week. Thank you for telling your friends and neighbors. It’s been great.

This coming Tuesday, September 27, we will NOT be meeting at our usual time and place. The library is being painted and that includes the community room. So, we all have the week off. But, we WILL be getting together on Tuesday, October 4, for more singing, dancing, and fun. Please don’t forget to remember to mark your calendar. I’ll miss you. See you in October…

It’s almost here… Coming right up is the last Sunday in July and that means get ready for more Music in the Park. Every summer, the fine folks at the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association present a free concert series for the enjoyment of the Curtis Park community. The concerts are located at the north end of Curtis Park in Sacramento. This Sunday, July 31, the performers are The Thing Itself and your pal, Mister Cooper. It’s a great way to relax on a beautiful summer night. I will be playing two sets of music, from 6:15 – 6:30 pm and then again from 7:30 – 7:45 pm. I hope to see you there. Did I mention it’s free?

Everybody who’s anybody has been to Fairytale Town. The children’s play park has been an institution in Sacramento for more than 50 years. This summer, the good folks there are presenting a mid-summer concert series throughout the entire month of July. This Sunday, July 24, I’ve been invited to perform on the main Mother Goose Stage. The show starts at 2:00 pm. I’ve been looking forward to it all year. I’d love to see some familiar faces and hear some familiar voices, so please consider spending some quality time with me this Sunday at Fairytale Town. The weather will be beautiful. I hope you can make it.

Summer is here and that means there is an abundance of Mister Cooper music available to you, especially if you live in the Fair Oaks area. Every Saturday morning, the Loose Acoustic Trio will be performing our special brand of “good time music” at a Farmers Market near you. One of them is the Country Club Plaza Farmers Market near Marconi and Watt Blvds. And the other is the Sunrise Farmers Market located at the light rail station on the corner of Sunrise and Folsom Blvds. We start around 9:00 am and stop about 11:30 am. So come to the Farmers Market, get your fruit and veggies, and listen to a tune or two.

Country Club Plaza Farmers Market – July 2, 16, 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 10, 24, Oct. 15, 29

Sunrise Farmer Market – June 25, July 9, 23, Aug. 6, 27, Sept. 17, Oct. 8, 22

But that’s not all. Starting this Friday morning, June 24, from 10:00 – 10:30 am, the Fair Oaks Library will be hosting the Sing-Along Club. I’ll be singing there all summer long. You are now invited to come and join in the fun. I’ve been looking forward to playing at this library, where my friend, Christie Hamm, is the Branch Manager. She’s the one who first brought my music program to Belle Cooledge Library and now she’s bringing me out to Fair Oaks. Thanks, Christie.

Fair Oaks Library:
Friday, June 24
Fridays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Fridays, August 5, 12, 19, 26
All shows begin at 10:00 am and finish around 10:30 am

It will be great making music with my friends and for my friends this summer. I hope you can stop by and say hello. Thank you, one and all. Stay cool.

The Crocker Art Museum is presenting their Family Fun Day – Summerfest, on Sunday, June 19 from 11 am until 4 pm. Here’s what the Museum is saying about the Summerfest:

“Enjoy a creative sampling of activities for Crocker tots, kids, and teens at the official launch of the Crocker’s “All About Families” activities. Start your family summer vacation close to home at this Museum-wide celebration of the arts. Gallery adventures, hands-on workshops, films, performances, and more.”

But plans have changed from my last post. Here is the new plan A.

I will be performing 2 (two) big 30-minute sets of family-friendly music at this event. The start times have been changed to 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. And the show will take place in the Main Courtyard (right around the corner from the main entrance). This is the big stage with the big PA system. Could it be a big deal? Only if you’re there to sing along with me. I know it’s Father’s Day. Bring Dad along. There’s fun for everyone.

The Crocker Art Museum has recently been expanded and remodeled. The current exhibit is called Transcending Vision: American Impressionism, 1870–1940 and it looks very interesting. So please join me for big fun at the Museum. I’ll see you on Sunday…

June is one of my top 12 favorite months of all time. School ends and summer really begins. The weather (hopefully) starts getting nicer and the temperatures (hopefully) start getting warmer. There are a number of places where you can come and see me during this merry month of June. Please circle these dates on your calendar. it’s going to be a fabulous summer.

This coming Saturday, June 11, I will be singing some songs at the “Garden Unveiling and Celebration” at Bret Harte Elementary school. I’ve been singing with the Kindergarten students there for 9 years now and this will be a great event. It’s one of the school’s “Dollar Days” and there will be lots going on. My 30 minute music time will start at 2:00 pm. I’ll be playing “Circle of Seeds,” “Dig a Little,” and other songs about gardens and growing. So come and support a fine school and check out their new garden.

Another place where I’ll be soon is the newly expanded and remodeled Crocker Art Museum. On Sunday, June 19, the museum is holding a Family Fun Day called Summerfest. I’ll be outside in the Kendall-Davis courtyard (behing the mansion) for 30 minute performances starting at 1:00 and 3:00 pm. The museum is featuring American Impressionist paintings and painters. This is going to be a fun time for everyone in the family.

Also, I’ll be adding a new library to the mix starting Friday, June 24. The Fair Oaks Library will be hosting the Sing-Along Club every Friday from 10:00 am until 10:30 am all summer long. I’m really looking forward to music time with the community there. Big THANKS to Christie for the invitation. Here are the dates:

Fair Oaks Library:
Friday, June 24
Fridays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Fridays, August 5, 12, 19, 26
All shows begin at 10:00 am and finish around 10:30 am

And don’t forget about every Tuesday at 4:00 pm at Belle Cooledge Library, every Thursday at 4:00 pm at the Valley Hi Library, and Tuesday, June 28, at 11:30 am at the Robbie Waters Pocket Greenhaven Library. June is all good. See you soon? Thanks.

Just added... Check out the little mention in The Pocket News. Leave a comment if you have one. Wow. Thanks to The Pocket News.