Hilltown Families 
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This week on the Hilltown Family Variety Show, Recess Monkey whisks listeners of the Hilltown Family Variety Show off on a trip to the Novelty Shop for a madcap hour of truly strange musical oddities! The band’s bassist frontman Jack Forman guides us through a collection of dust-covered rarities and instant classics, each guaranteed to out-weird the last!
Grammy winning producer, Dean Jones from Dog on Fleas, is our guest DJ this week.
This week on the Hilltown Family Variety Show… Family Funk and Half Pint Hip Hop specialist Secret Agent 23 Skidoo takes listeners on a journey through the weird and lovely sonic landscape of family music at its best! This show features the story “Weirdo Calhoun and the Odd Men Out,” fringe science explanations on the fantastic from bio physicist Jeff Firewalker Schmitt, and some very strange sponsors. Appropriate for ages 1 through 1 billion.
Listen to Podcast: History of Folk Music for Families Episode with Guest DJ, Greg McIlvaine This week on the HFVS, Greg McIlvaine, singer and guitar player with The Hollow Trees guest DJs this week with History of Folk Music for Families Episode. He plays fun and fascinating family songs ranging from the earliest recorded music up to the present. The songs reflect a short history of family music with an emphasis on… Read More
Guest DJ Jason Didner invites you for an hour of “fun in the sun” themed music by today’s great children’s musicians and a few well renowned classic rock and reggae acts. You’ll get to know more about the “Jersey Shore Sound” that Jason and band are proud to call an influence. You’ll catch the beach party spirit that’s on full display from Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, an energy that also shows up in tracks by Brady Rymer and Yosi. You’ll enjoy the feel-good sounds of Jimmy Cliff, Suzi Shelton, Miss Nina and more. Whether you’re headed for the beach, the lake or the pool, this episode can be your summer soundtrack!
This week on the HFVS, Kb Whirly takes us on a funky musical journey. From dancing like a rooster in the kitchen with Pete Seeger, to celebrating all the critters with Andrew and Polly, KbWhirly will take us on a cruise through folk, blues, funk, pop and hip hop tunes that are sure to get your toes tappin’!
This week on the Hilltown Family Variety Show, family music artist Eric Herman serves up a smorgasbord of fun food songs. From chocolate-covered brussels sprouts to a thousand tiny doughnuts, Eric will musically explore the idea that you are what you eat!
Keith Terry from Crosspulse Ensemble is our Guest DJ this week! Keith’s program is about World Music AND Music of the World – not only songs from artists around the planet, but sounds of the planet, itself – from the calls made by insects and birds, to atmospheric sounds created by lightening. Plus some found sound — music created by the sounds we don’t always think of as musical, such as fog horns and trains, even bricks. Join Keith in this exploration of some new and unusual ways of creating and listening to music.
Moona Luna’s Sandra Velasquez takes you on a Latin American bus adventure. Based on her own travels by bus through Latin America, she provides you with a soundtrack for a journey that is as rich and diverse as the changing landscape.
Mama Doni celebrates the Jewish holiday of Purim on Hilltown Family Variety Show! Celebrating the universal theme of Purim: standing up to adversity, having a voice, self empowerment, Mama Doni shares classic songs of strength. This unique Radio Show will give listeners a flavor of Purim — from the fun and crazy to the true meaning and message of this cool Jewish holiday.
Children’s book author and musician Johnette Downing and Grammy Award winning producer Scott Billington offer a carnival of Louisiana roots music; a showcase of Cajun, New Orleans Rhythm and Blues, Zydeco, Brass Band and Jazz music by Louisiana artists.
This week on the Hilltown Family Variety Show, David Grover is our Guest DJ with a History through Stories & Songs Episode. David puts together an eclectic mix of favorite folk songwriters and singers that highlights the history of our country. (Original broadcast: May 25th & 26th, 2013.)
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Guest DJ Jason Didner, a children’s musician, leader of the Jungle Gym Jam, spins a collection of holiday music that he and his family enjoy. You’ll hear performances by independent children’s musicians and a few household names too. You’ll hear timeless holiday classics and some original numbers written by some of these performers to get you in the spirit. Songs will celebrate winter fun, Christmas, Hanukkah and the joy of an occasional “snow day” off.
Join Sonia De Los Santos (from Dan Zanes and Friends) as she presents this episode on “The Sound of Mexican Music Made in the USA”. She’ll play some of her favorite songs from a variety of Mexican genres like: Son Jarocho, Norteño, Mariachi, Son Guerrerense, Banda, Huapango and Corrido. Learn about Mexican Traditional instruments and get to know who’s making Mexican music in the USA!
Join Sugarcrash Kids as they guest DJ on the Hilltown Family Variety Show. The songs range from dance party to camping trip, and the Sugarcrash Kids crew talks about the importance of being yourself and embracing who you are!
Andrew & Polly spin their favorite songs about being home and away. They’ll play some of their childhood favorites, some quirky holiday songs, and a grab-bag of tunes about traveling and the different places they’ve lived.
Adam and Kristin Marshall from The Bazillions enjoyed guest hosting the Hilltown Family Variety Show this weekend by challenging each other to a song off. Each of them chose their favorites from categories like best educational song, best remake, best bedtime song and many more. They both shared little musical information tidbits about some categories along the way with a lot of laughs! Tune in to our podcast anytime to see who wins!
Autumn means harvest time in the northeastern United States. But what are people harvesting in other parts of the country, and around the world? Join Hilltown Family Variety Show guest DJ Story Laurie for some lively songs (including two that were written by elementary school kids!); a crazy tale about a girl sailing around the world on a cabbage; and we’ll even check in with some folks in the Philippines, Finland and Korea about what they’re harvesting right now.
Western MA based musicians Don, Stephanie, Paul, & Mark of Nutshell Playhouse are our guest DJs this week, with great classics from Taj Mahal, The Weavers, Burl Ives, and Barbra Streisand.
Stephanie Richards & Brian Arbuckle of Sunshine Collective are guest DJs on the Hilltown Family Variety Show, and it’s all about Good Arts & Good Eats! This husband-and-wife-team of music makers tumble through toe-tapping vintage jazz, modern artful pop, and retro novelties, while tying together two of life’s best treats. Listen in for a taste of the good stuff!
This week on the Hilltown Family Variety Show, join Guest DJ Frank Gallo from Rolie Polie Guacamole for an episode which focuses on healthy living through eating good foods and getting lots of exercise.
Kelly Donohue of the kindie band Here Comes Trouble is our guest DJ this week!
Listen to our podcast anytime! Our Back to School Episode includes music by Milkshake, Chuck Berry, Tom Paxton, Barenaked Ladies, Imagination Movers, and many other great musicians sing about all topics of school! Even Bill Harley is featured with a great story, “The Teacher’s Lounge.” Great classic episode!
This week on the Hilltown Family Variety Show, join Guest DJ Meredith Wright from Sweetbeatz for Summer in the City. She’ll be spinning a soulful mix of songs that will have you boppin’ to the beat of the city streets. Grab your metrocard (you’ll need it for the subway) for a fun adventure to Central Park, a ballgame and everything in between!
This week on the Hilltown Family Variety Show, through music and mindfulness, Charity Kahn (of Charity and the JAMband) explores some of the ideas at the heart of community service: helping those less fortunate, practicing kindness, loving ourselves so we have something to give back, practicing gratitude for the role our communities play in our lives, having awareness around what our various communities are and who makes them up, and seeing the reality that we are all part of a global and interdependent ecosystem. So sing along, listen closely, and then go out and help someone today!
Awaken Joy Episode with Lucy Kalantari this week on the Hilltown Family Variety Show (HFVS). Lucy presents a collection of songs that are bound to put a skip in your step and a smile on your face. Tune in any time to our podcast!
Cultural Itineraries
- Season: January & February
- Season: March & April
- Season: May & June
- Season: July & August
- Season: September & October
- Season: November & December
