Five Best Barbra Streisand Movies, Scores and Soundtracks

I was five years old when my mom took me to see Funny Girl. We fell in love with Fanny Brice (and Barbra Streisand--"Don't tell me not to live just sit and puttah. Life's candy and the sun's a ball of buttah!" GLEE would reprise that some 40 years later. But NOBODY does it like Babs. Later, in 1971, my dad took me to see What's Up, Doc?. It's still one of our favorite movies. Here are Barbra Streisand's best movies and soundtracks. Because of her amazing voice. Barbra has been cast in parts that didn't always sufficiently showcase her acting and dancing talents--Like "A Star is Born." Meh. But the song Evergreen was gorgeous. These movies represent some of the best of Barbra's acting skills also. Yentl is my favorite. I love how she embraces and celebrates her Jewish background. And the best of her music doesn't come from a movie--it's her "Classical Barbra" album. I still have mine from high school. Five Best Barbra Streisand Movies and Soundtracks

Memorial Day Pageant and Parade, with Patriotic Musical Selections

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May has several names: Remembrance Day and Decoration Day. We honor fallen military and our loved ones who have passed. Looking for a fun interactive Memorial Day activity the whole community will enjoy? How about an educational Memorial Day pageant planner with U.S. history tie-ins, American patriotic musical selections and a vintage flavor.  Educational, Vintage Memorial Day Student Pageant and Party

Music Playlist of War and Government Protest Songs for Memorial Day

I always feel the need to play war protest songs around Memorial Day--all the misguided RWB fever, I guess.  Don't get me wrong--I get choked up at the Stars and Stripes. I just can't wrap my mind around the concept of "just war." It's all killing. So here's my government protest playlist. Please forgive my bombastic writing. I was at a different place in my journey and tended to get a little strange. Music Playlist: 25 War and Government Protest Songs

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, with Latino Music, Dance

Cinco de Mayo--"fifth of May" in Spanish--celebrates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Pueblo. It's not the Mexican independence day though it sounds like the U.S. 4th of July. My Latino friends tell me Cinco de Mayo isn't as big in Mexico as in the U.S. And what do we Americans do with holidays? Party! Or in this case, fiesta. Here's are Latino music selections, including mariachi and Tejano (Tex-Mex style), plus dancing, games, crafts, homemade maracas and food for a kid-friendly Cinco de Mayo party! Kid-Friendly Cinco de Mayo Fiesta With Latino-Inspired Games, Crafts, Food

Holland Tulip Time is About Music, Dance, Not Just Flowers

What's Holland Tulip Time, you ask? Only one of the loveliest events in Michigan! It's what we locals used to call the Tulip Festival. It's about flowers, imported from the Netherlands, to be sure. But my favorite part is the historical-cultural arts element.

There are three parades, including Volksparade (Folks Parade), Kinderparade (children's parade) and Muziekparade (a music and dance parade). There you experience traditional Dutch "Klompendans." Klompen dancing, called Holzschuhtanz (clog shoe dance) in Germany, is a group Dutch festival dance, It's like square dance. It features hand-offs and partnering, like the Virginia Reel (or the Sir Roger de Coverly as it's called in England). Klompen resembles the Circle Polka, Mazurka and Schottisch, too.

Klompen dancing uses high kicking, almost like Irish dance. Local high school students dress in native regional costume and, of course, their "klompen" (clogs or wooden shoes). The musical trills from the various calliope street organs like the "Gulden Engel," (Golden Angel). Can't get to Holland? Read this article for links to see video presentations. Holland Tulip Time Kicks Off, Just in Time for Mother's Day

Jesus of Nazareth Soundtrack is Reverent, Liturgical and Beautiful

There are some movie soundtracks that just stick with me. The score from Jesus of Nazareth (1977) is one. It's haunting, bold and profoundly moving. My husband and I watch it with the kids every year and we cry at the crucifixion scene every time. Viewing and listening is a spiritual experience almost as intense as mass. The London Philharmonic Orchestra does stellar job performing Maurice Jarre's transcendent score. Jesus of Nazareth (Franco Zeffirelli) is a must watch for the Lenten and Easter season. Watch it with your family, classroom, Sunday School, youth group, religious ed class or Bible Study group.  Best Movie for Lent and Easter: Jesus of Nazareth

Poetry Writing Prompts, NaPoWriMo Games, Music Lyric Composition Activities

April is National Poetry Month. For online writers, it's NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writer Month). What are music lyrics but poems set to song? So I say let's celebrate with a poetry and music writer workshop. Write about Earth Day, spring, Easter, awakening. Want to join NaPoWriMo fun but don't know where to begin? Here are poem and music writing prompts, story starters and word games to call forth your inner bard! Perfect for homeschooler parents, English and creative writing teachers. Free Poetry and Music Writing Prompts, NaPoWriMo Games, Activities