Author Archives: David Ladon (Farmer Dave)

Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays. Growing up Jewish in South suburban Denver, my Christmases were spent eating Chinese or Indian food and going to the movies. But I also relished the music and food and spirit of the season. I remember vividly singing “Carol of the Bells” with my high school choir and being moved by the layering of harmonies (I still sing aloud in public when it plays in the grocery store). I often watch David Bowie and Bing Crosby’s rendition of “Little Drummer Boy” this time of year. And Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas is both a Halloween and Christmas tradition for my family. So, I’m no grinch… Continue reading →

We are currently in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15-10/15), which celebrates “the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success.” Depending on where you live, this means different things. Perhaps your children’s schools include units on Latinx or Hispanic communities and cultures. Or maybe your Netflix feed includes a featured banner of “Latinx Films.” Major companies celebrate the month and each year, media outlets publish new versions of essential Latinx books, movies, shows, recipes, artists, etc. And then on October 16, it’s over. Continue reading →

As an early childhood music educator (and now a parent), I do not want to listen to the songs I teach. “Down by the Bay”? “Old McDonald”? “Ram Sam Sam”? I do it all. They are so much fun to play with young humans – moving our bodies, singing call-and-response, playing lots of percussion instruments. But that doesn’t mean I want to listen to them in the car or at home. Don’t get me wrong, I love Raffi. I teach his songs in the classes I lead at Sloan’s Lake Park. I even have one of his albums on vinyl. But frankly, I don’t want to listen to “Shake Your Sillies Out” on regular rotation. Continue reading →