Rockin' With Dan Zanes (Contest, too!)

I'll admit that I wasn't one of the hip parents who automatically knew about Dan Zanes and Friends from the beginning. I didn't - it took Playhouse Disney and their clips of Dan singing "Catch That Train" and other songs for me to discover this quirky and vibrant band. I love how his songs aren't your typical collection of songs about the alphabet, an itsy-bitsy spider, or a lamb and its neglectful handler, Mary. I don't feel silly singing along with Malti or Down by the Bay.

I recently had the chance to review the latest Dan Zanes CD, The Welcome Table. It's described as "songs of inspiration, mystery, and good times" and that's exactly what you get when you press play. These tunes are upbeat, yet vaguely calming - my daughters love to bop along to the beat, while I feel a wash of tranquility and happiness wash over me, all from the same song.

While we're not a particularly religious family, I still enjoyed songs that were of a religious nature because no single religion is being promoted here. The purpose is to present songs of hope, joy, and togetherness. According to the liner notes, a portion of all sales from this CD will go to The New Sanctuary Movement, an interfaith group dedicated to helping immigrant families in the US.

If you're looking for songs both you and your children will enjoy, Dan Zanes and Friends is the band to look for. I have yet to be disappointed with any of his albums. And I've been told his concerts are a blast, too.

Win A Copy of Nueva York!

I've got four copies of the Dan Zanes and Friends CD, Nueva York, to give to four lucky readers! To win, leave one comment below and be sure to leave a valid e-mail address. Entries will be accepted until Sunday, March 8 at 11:59 pm EST. Four winners will be chosen by random drawing.



**COLUMBUS READERS: Go See Dan Zanes LIVE for FREE!
If you're in the Columbus Metro area, or live close enough that you're willing to drive in, I'm giving away one set of tickets for a family to see Dan Zanes and Friends at the Wexner Center on March 28, 2009 at 11am. If you're a fan of Dan, you know that the band doesn't tour in Ohio all that often, so this is a very special treat!

To enter, leave a comment below saying you want to attend the concert and be sure to leave a valid e-mail address. If you're trying to win the CDs, too, just indicate in your comment that you'd like to be entered for both contests. Entries will be accepted until Sunday, March 8 at 11:59 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by random drawing from those entries indicating they want to be included in this giveaway.

One entry per household, US residents only. Winners chosen by random drawing using Random.org.

Good luck!

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This contest is now closed. Congrats to our winners: Staci, Karen, Yadgirl, and Katie, all receiving CDs, and to Katie for winning the concert tickets as well!