Thursday, March 10, 2011

A Question from the Mail Box

We just got a letter! We just got a letter!  We just got a letter!  Wonder who it's from?

It's from Leigh Ann, and she asks:
We were wondering how you chose the books you talk about in "Reading Our Way"?


Here's my answer!
Hi Leigh Ann,
Are you asking specifically about the books I mention in that one song, or throughout the CD?  I'm going to assume it's throughout the CD.....
First of all, as with all the books, places and "weird things"  on the CD I chose what has been special to my family over the years.
Secondly, I undertook a ton of research to find books that were specific to various states/regions around the country.  It was a lot of internet research, plus writing emails and asking librarians.  Some books were an automatic "given," such as Make Way for Ducklings  and Misty of Chincoteague because they are so closely associated with places.  Others were not so easy.  For example, I was totally surprised to find out that the "Ramona" books took place in Oregon!

As for the specific "Reading our Way" song, that song came from personal experience.  I have read to my children from Stephen King books (yes, even when they were young...I just chose the stories carefully!) and we have gone to see Eloise at the Plaza Hotel and read and done the other things mentioned in that song as well.  We have traveled to 49 US states and read to each other and listened to audiobooks all along the way.  We didn't go to Alaska, but we did go looking for Balto in Central Park, and we found him, too!



I hope this answers your question.  Thanks for writing!
Judy


If you have any questions for me, don't hesitate! Send them TODAY!  Just click "contact Judy" on the home page of my website to get my email address.  Maybe you'll see your name here on my blog!

Monday, March 7, 2011

WANTED: New Dancers for the Judy Crew

It's just so much easier for me to post the official press release than rewrite all the info, so here it is:

PRESS RELEASE

March 5, 2011
For immediate release


Grammy Nominated Children’s Performer Judy Pancoast is looking to add fresh faces  her fabulous Judy Crew dance team, and auditions are Saturday, March 12 from 1-3pm at Bedford Dance Center, 172 Route 101 in Bedford, NH.

The Judy Crew Dance team performs with Judy at her major stage shows, performing choreographed routines, skits, and moving into the audience to dance with the children during the last part of the show.  They are an integral part of Pancoast's stage show, and, as such,  prospective Crew members must have professional dance training or experience dancing on stage.  Judy is looking for boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 17 who love to perform, are comfortable with young children and are energetic, enthusiastic and fun-loving!  You must be available to travel around New England this summer.


Teens  of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to attend.  Being  “Disney Perfect” is not necessary, but a positive attitude is a must.  


Past Judy Crews have accompanied the singer to perform at the New York Kids 4 Kids Carnival and Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Street Fair in New York City, among other shows.

Come prepared to learn a short routine and demonstrate your dancing skills.   You must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. You will meet other members of the team and be able to learn first-hand about their experiences performing with Judy. Please note that there is no monetary compensation for being on the Judy Crew, but travel expenses for overnight stays are covered and meals are provided for day trips.
Although car-pooling is often arranged, Crew members are responsible for their own transportation to rehearsals and shows.

For more information, email Judy@judypancoast.com.

It Was a Wonderful Time!

By now you probably know that I didn't take home the Grammy, but I want to thank Pete Seeger for winning because it was much easier to save face when losing to a LIVING LEGEND.  And I was okay.  It was the most glamorous and exciting weekend of my life and I got to share it with my whole family and everything went swimmingly.  I want to thank everyone who prayed for me, for our safe trip and everything....and sure enough,  I'm home now, and I can still sing!

In fact, I've already begun work on the next CD, which, after long negotiations with the North Pole, will be entitled "Judy Pancoast Presents Christmas with Mrs. Claus."  I have had a close personal relationship with the dear lady ever since I began producing her TV show here in NH back in 2004.  You can take  peep at a portion of that show here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWFbXPZ90vo  and it will give you some idea about what an enthusiastic person Mrs. Claus is, and she's very excited about this new venture.

I've also been booking shows for spring and summer, which is always a big project and does not get easier every year, as you might think.  With Arts funding and support for libraries being cut right and left, and donations to festivals and community celebrations down it is harder and harder for people like me to make a living.  But that's okay, because I've got my biggest project ever in the works ...the "Weird Things are Everywhere!" multi-media stage show for theaters and performing arts centers.  I'm working with some brilliant young production designers and this is going to be an unbelievably fun show, with cool stuff to see AND hear along with me and the Judy Crew Dancers.  We're premiering the show at the Regent Theater in Arlington, MA on April 23.  You can find out more about that here:  http://www.regenttheatre.com/tickets_events/2011/04

If you want me to come to your town this spring or summer then please know that my best booking agent is WORD OF MOUTH!  Talk to your librarian, fair or festival presenter or parks and rec person about me and send them to my website.  My best bookings come from fan referrals!  And thank you from the bottom of my heart.