Mister Cooper's Blog & Website

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.

My friend, Rosemarie, is having trouble finding new kid music that she and her family can enjoy. I listen to a lot of CDs, many of them filled with children’s music. So, instead of just telling her of my latest favorites, I thought you all might like to know what’s been in the car player these days. Each of these recordings are available in the Sacramento library system. Please check out these CDs and then check out the music. Here are five good ones in no particular order.

First up is “You Are My Little Bird” by Elizabeth Mitchell. She has a newer CD out (also available through the library) but I like this one the best. She has a beautiful, earthy voice that I love listening to. The music is acoustic folk that is soothing and soulful. Her husband lends her a hand with guitars and vocals. She doesn’t write a lot of songs, but she finds great ones to sing. Neil Young, Woody Guthrie, Bob Marley, Gillian Welch, and the Velvet Underground are all represented. Very nice.

Next is “Bedtime Stories for Pirates” by Captain Bogg & Salty. Do you like pirate music as much as I do? This is a CD filled with sea chanties, jigs, pirate rock, and lullabies. The language and vocabulary are all included. This is an older CD as well, but still their best in my opinion. Their videos on YouTube are also fun to watch. If your kids are into pirates, this CD will shiver your timbers (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

My favorite childrens artist right now is Frances England. And though she also has a new CD out, the library does not have a copy. But they do have “Family Tree” and it’s fabulous. Frances is a songwriter that really does a great job writing from a kid’s point of view. She plays “kindie” music, which is alt rock supporting her acoustic guitar. Her CDs all win awards and it’s easy to hear why. Highly recommended.

Being a folk/country/acoustic singer-songwriter, I never really listened to a lot of rap. When I read some reviews about “Underground Playground” by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, I had to check it out. I’m glad I did! The music and beats are fantastic, the hooks are inventive, and the subject matter is great for kids and parents alike. Witty, funny, clever, and altogether well done. If you have kids that are a little older and enjoy this rap music, here’s where you can meet them half way.

Last but not least, “Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti” is a charity CD recorded for the people of Haiti after the earthquake. Many well known children performers are featured on this outstanding CD of new unreleased songs. Elizabeth Mitchell, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Frances England, Dan Zanes, Pete Seeger, and many more provide a wide variety of tunes. You can feel the compassion from beginning to end.

Happy listening. I hope you find something that you really like. And if you have a favorite of your own you’d like to share with me, please do. Leave a comment or send me an email. Thanks in advance.

July is upon us and there’s so much going on. The weather is heating up. It’s supposed to hit 100º all weekend long. The 4th of July is Monday. And here’s a tip from your pal, Mister Cooper. Please be sure to drink plenty of water during these summer months. Especially if you’re doing outside activities like swimming or riding your bike. After the party is over, get a cool drink of water. OK? OK!

I hope you’ll take the opportunity to come and see me sing some songs for you this month. There are plenty of places to do just that. Here they are in no particular order:

Belle Cooledge Library – Every Tuesday at 4:00 pm
Valley Hi Library – Every Thursday at 4:00 pm
Fair Oaks Library – Every Friday at 10:00 am
Franklin Library – Saturday, July 23, at 2:00 pm
Fairytale Town Concert – Sunday, July 24, at 2:00 pm
Robbie Waters Pocket Greenhaven Library – Tuesday, July 28, at 11:30 am
Music In The Park Concert (Curtis Park) – Sunday, July 31, at 6:15 pm

Also, The Loose Acoustic Trio will be playing music at a Farmers Market every Saturday morning starting at 9:00 am and going until 11:30 am(ish). So come see the band. More information is located above by clicking on the “Live Performances” tab at the top of this page. And I’ll be posting reminders throughout the month. Circle your calendars and I hope to see you soon. Now, where did I leave my glass of water? I’m thirsty…

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.

Some people think summer begins Memorial Day weekend. Still others believe summer begins Tuesday, June 21, on the Summer Solstice. I would have to say, for me, summer begins when school ends. This year, it’s Friday, June 17. After that my schedule completely changes. I say “have a nice summer” to all of the students I sing with in the classrooms. Or “see you in September.” Then off we go on our separate ways for a full 10 weeks of sunshine and fun.

Before I said “so long” to my friends at Sutterville Elementary, I picked up the latest edition of the school newspaper called “The Sutterville Slate.” It’s written, edited and published by the students in Pub Club, a group of 5th and 6th graders. What a pleasant surprise I found. Trevor Zinky (writer of the song “That’s What Beauty Is” on the new CD) wrote a nice piece about me and “Mister Cooper is for the birds.” You can read the whole article by clicking here. Thanks, Trevor, for the article and the song. Both are fabulous.

I would like to pass along big congratulations to Donna Zick, the new Children’s Librarian at Belle Cooledge Library. I’ve known Donna for a few years now and she will be a fantastic addition to the staff there. I used to sing with Donna’s son, Ethan, at Tiny Tots Pre-school. Her husband, Eric Bianchi, is the best live sound man in Sacramento (he’ll be running the board for the Music in the Park show on Sunday, July 31). Donna finished school, got a job at Central Library, and now has returned to Belle Cooledge. Welcome back, Donna. Maybe she’ll sit in with the Sing-Along Club.

And speaking of the Sing-Along Club at Belle Cooledge Library, music time has been extended through the middle of September. YEAH! Here are all the dates:

Belle Cooledge Library
Tuesdays, June 21, 28
Tuesdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26
Tuesdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Tuesdays, September 6, 13
All shows start at 4 pm and finish around 4:30 pm

Happy summer, everybody. Be sure to check the “Live Performances” page on the top row of this website to find out where you can come and see me this summer. Drop by, say hi, and sing a song or two. 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.

Due to rain, rain, rain, the Sutterville Summer Splash has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled for September. Sorry, folks.

Sutterville Elementary School is where my son, John, went to grade school. It’s also where I started singing with kids 16 years ago. It’s the place where I now present all of my various music programs. The support I have recieved from the whole Sutterville community over the years is something I am so grateful for. And this coming Saturday, a fantastic event is being held to raise money for the Sutterville P.T.A.. It’s going to be fun from beginning to end. Hopefully, you’ll come by, say hello, and sing a song or two with me at 2 pm.

Think Fun, Think Sun, Think Cool, Think Pool!

Summer Splash is a family-friendly event with swimming, water games, music, entertainment, food, vendors, arts and crafts, obstacle course, prizes, fitness challenge, raffle, and more!

Saturday, June 4, 2011, 11am-3pm at the Natomas Racquet Club.

Admission
$8 in advance, $10 at the door. Includes participation in all activities and events.
Adults & kids under 3 get in free! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Entertainment Schedule:
11:15-11:45 a.m. International Gymnastics Centre Exhibition
12:00-12:30 p.m. Jumpin’ Jaguars Jumprope Exhibition
12:45-1:15 p.m. Mad Science
1:30-1:45 p.m. Very Special Arts presents the 3rd Grade Hip Hop Crew
2:00-2:20 p.m. Sing-A-Long with Mister Cooper
2:30-3:00 p.m. Magician Trevor Wyatt will teach you how to do your very own magic tricks

I have something to admit. I’m not much of a computer guy. When I was a younger man, it was fun taking things apart to see how they worked. Nowadays, if it works, I’m good. Today, I learned what a widget is. Here’s what Wikipedia says about a widget:

“A widget is a stand-alone application that can be embedded into third party sites by any user on a page where they have rights of authorship (e.g. a webpage, blog, or profile on a social media site). Widgets allow users to turn personal content into dynamic web apps that can be shared on websites where the code can be installed.”

Very interesting. Now I will share with you a widget for all 3 Mister Cooper CDs. I hope you will take a look and a listen. If you want to save big bucks, come to a library show and get it direct. Thank you.