Parents Who Rock

Alma Schneider and No Rehearsals Among Many Great Bands Kicking Off Church Street Free Summer Concerts

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 02:40:00 +0000

Montclair Center Stage will kick off its series of free summer concerts on April 27 with a great lineup of performers from from noon to 6 p.m on Church Street in Montclair.

The second show, on May 4 will feature Parents Who Rock's own Alma Schneider performing with her band, the No Rehearsals.

Here's the lineup for the first two shows.

Saturday, April 27th:

Rainbow Fresh; Bern and the Brights; Owls & Lions; Mike Ferrara & Friends/ Tribute to John Finnegan; Gregori Lukas; Shaunie and the Walkers; DJ Boogie Dash.

Saturday, May 4th, Church Street Family Day/ GLAM! Street Fair, Noon-6 p.m.:

Vikki Williams and the Lynx Band; Guitaro 5000; Watermelon; Alma Scheider and No Rehearsals; Grey’s Light; Adam Streicher; Special Hip Hop Artist Gigg; DJ Boogie Dash.

The concerts are produced by Joann Smalls Productions, and sound production is by ACIEM Studios.

See "Muscle Shoals" May 4: Great Discount from Montclair Film Fest for PWR Members

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:36:00 +0000

The Montclair Film Festival is offering Parents Who Rock members a discount to see a great music film it’s showing this year.

For music lovers, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, holds special significance as the place where classic songs were recorded by the likes of Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett and Paul Simon. The remarkable documentary, Muscle Shoals, interviews the players – both famous and anonymous – who have helped make Muscle Shoals so extraordinary.

The documentary will be screened at the Montclair Kimberley Academy, Saturday, May 4, at 4:15 p.m.

To get the member price, when you order tickets online and get to the ticket purchase page, there will be a “Know a promotion code?” box. Click that and enter this code: MFF2013bk. The member price will appear.

Thanks to the Montclair Film Festival for offering this great discount to PWR members.

Celebrate Cuatro de Mayo with The Bloomingfields at Tierney's!

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:14:00 +0000

Come on out for a fun Cuatro de Mayo dance party featuring great original music from two loco local bands—The Bloomingfields and The Unmentionables, Saturday, May 4, at Tierney's Tavern in Montclair.

The Unmentionables go on at 9 p.m. The Bloomingfields take the stage at 10:30 p.m. There's a $10 cover.

Tierney's is located at 136 Valley Road in Montclair.

Be sure the check out the Bloomingfields on Facebook.

PWR's Mellman to Open for Trout Fishing in America this Friday, April 26 at Outpost

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:48:00 +0000

Parents Who Rock’s Bob Mellman will be opening a great family-friendly show featuring Trout Fishing in America at Outpost in the Burbs this Friday, April 26.

The show is set for 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 67 Church Street, Montclair. Doors will open at 7:30.

Tickets are $22 for adults, and $10 for children 12 and under.

PWRocker Mellman has written memorable children's songs about dinosaurs and head lice, as well as ballads and blues. He has composed and performed music heard on National Public Radio, commercials and the Dr. Demento show. As a solo performer on guitar and as the bass player in the popular local band, The Reticents, he's performed at the Concert for Haiti, Montclair First Night, Tierney's, Maplewoodstock and Hat City Kitchen. Mellman has also brought many renowned folk, bluegrass and klezmer musicians to perform in concert at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, for its popular Havdalah Café series.

Four-time Grammy nominees, Trout Fishing in America is the long-standing and yet seemingly unlikely musical partnership of Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet. As individuals, they are about as different as one can imagine. Together, they blend seamlessly in a way that has captured the imagination (and hearts) of audiences of all ages for over three decades. Idlet on guitar and banjo stands six foot eight tall while Grimwood on bass stretches to just under five foot six, on a humid day. Idlet is more playful and extroverted while Grimwood is more serious and reserved. Each of them bring out the best in the other and the joy that comes from this musical interaction is contagious and impossible to deny. Check out troutmusic.com for more.

PWR's Vakili's Inclusion Film Makes It to Montclair Film Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:24:00 +0000

Parents Who Rock's Lily Vakili has produced an amazing video, "I Am Montclair," about inclusion in Montclair and we’re happy to say the video has made it into the Montclair Film Festival!

Lily recently performed at PWR’s Tom Petty songfest. She was also the person who first approached PWR about the Edgemont playground fundraising which is how we got involved (and look what we did there!)

Lily’s video will be playing May 5th at 2 p.m. at the Clareview Cinema in Montclair and we hope everyone will buy a ticket.

View the trailer here!

Big Mamou and Eugene Chrysler Band Rock Tierney's This Saturday, April 13

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:02:00 +0000

Big Mamou is back at Tierney's Tavern in Montclair for a special show this Saturday, April 13—sharing the bill with the fabulous Eugene Chrysler Band. Eugene Chrysler plays a great mix of rockabilly and swinging country.

Following Eugene's set, Big Mamou will close out the evening with a nice long set of "Mamou" style zydeco, cajun, swingin' blues and cosmic country. This should be a great dance party, so plan to stay late and have a blast! Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Tierney's is located at 136 Valley Road, Montclair.http://www.parentswhorock.com/2008/01/big-mamou_421.html

Jangle Unchained: Warren Zanes and Matt Davis Kick Off 3-City, 1-Weekend Tour This Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 03:39:00 +0000

Parents Who Rock-ers Warren Zanes and Matt Davis will join fellow veterans of College Rock Era Econoline campaigns for a trio of Jangle Hoot Pop shows this weekend, starting with an all ages show Friday evening at Maxwell's in Hoboken.

Warren will play songs from his solo releases as well as from his adventures as a part of The Del Fuegos. Matt will be playing songs mined from his ancient history as a member of The Vestrymen, along with new material from his current band, The Thousand Pities. Joining them will be Seth Tiven (Dumptruck) and Michael Carlucci (Winter Hours, East Of Venus, The Thousand Pities). Four songwriters, acoustic guitars, in-the-round style. A Jangle Pop Hoot.

The cover charge at Maxwell's is $10. Please come! Bring the kids! Swearing will be kept to a minimum… sort of...

Friday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. —Maxwell's, 1039 Washington Street, Hoboken;
Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m. — Never Ending Books, New Haven, CT;
Sunday, March 24 at Pianos (Upstairs), 158 Ludlow Street, New York.

Montclair performers help solve problems with music

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 04:48:00 +0000

From The Montclair Times, Friday, February 8, 2013

BY GEORGE WIRT,

STAFF WRITER

THE MONTCLAIR TIMES

When there is a need, Montclair's music community responds.

Parents Who Rock founder Alma Schneider, right, presents a check to the Rev. Paula Olivier, pastor of the First 7th Day Adventist Church, for the congregation's food pantry and soup kitchen.

Whether it's for a new and safer playground for local children, a rape crisis center that offers free counseling or a soup kitchen that feeds hungry people, musicians who volunteer under the "Parents Who Rock" banner regularly step forward to perform at benefit concerts and work at fundraising events for these and lots of other charitable causes.

"We're all parents who live in Montclair, we're all musicians, we're all at different levels of community activism, but we like raising money for local causes," said blues guitarist Michael Reitman. "It's the reason why we all got involved.

"We're doing what we love to do, and that's playing music," Reitman said. "And in doing that, we're giving back to the community."

The Parents Who Rock membership roster includes more than a hundred musicians, singers, song writers and performers, representing dozens of official and de facto performing groups. Its members appear on stage and work behind the scenes.

Since the group was founded by Alma Schneider in 2005, Parents Who Rock has raised more than $200,000 for nonprofit organizations, church groups and educational institutions.

Some PWR members will doing their volunteer work at "Bradfest," an evening of live music and dancing this Saturday, Feb. 9, upstairs at Tierney's Tavern, 136 Valley Road. Sock Monster, the Eugene Chrysler Band and Zara Phillips will be among the performers on stage raising money for Bradford Elementary School. Tickets are $20 at the door, and the music is slated to start at 8 p.m.

"It's a labor of love and it's a complete community effort," Schneider said of PWR's volunteer projects. "It's a win, win, win, win, win.

"Parents Who Rock benefits the musicians who need a creative outlet," Schneider noted. "It benefits members of the community who want to go out and see good music that is affordable. And it benefits local charitable organizations that are in need of money."

Schneider said the group primarily focuses its efforts on Montclair-based organizations so that "people will be able to see where their money is going."

Among the local groups Parents Who Rock has supported are the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence, the Mountainside Hospital Breast Cancer Education Center, the Montclair Rape Crisis Center, the Montclair Public Schools Developmental Learning Center, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice and the Family Service League.

"We do one tribute show each year in January where we pick one famous artist and we cover their songs," she said. "We just did one for Tom Petty."

Proceeds from the group's Tom Petty Tribute have been donated to assist the food pantry and soup kitchen operated by the First 7th Day Adventist Church, 15 Elmwood Ave., which has experienced a 20 percent jump in the number of people it serves since Hurricane Sandy struck New Jersey.

The Rev. Paula Olivier said the funds "will help in the purchase of proteins and vegetables that will make it easier to provide balanced meals and food packages for our clients."

Its fundraiser this past January is just one of the events Parents who Rock organize each year

"We always do a big backyard event in September," Schneider said. "It's a family event. And people perform all day long, from 12 to six.

"In between those times, we perform at other people's community events," she said.

In the past six months, Parents Who Rock did a show at Yogi Berra Stadium, where they raise awareness for the food programs and collected food donations for the Human Needs Food Pantry; and performed at a show for Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless, or MESH, an interfaith group focused on homeless people, at the opening of the new South Park plaza.

Representing PWR, Schneider last year did a demonstration at Toni's Kitchen, which provides meals for people in need, to encourage the use of crock-pots, which allow for easy, healthy and inexpensive meals, and promoted local food-assistance programs through descriptive flyers featuring the dates and times when residents can volunteer and make donations.

Parents Who Rock has released its second CD, "Let 'Em Play," with proceeds from the sale benefiting Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit organization, which is working toward raising $50,000 to help increase music education in Montclair Public Schools.

Mayor Robert Jackson said the Parents Who Rock volunteers have made their mark on the community.

"Parents Who Rock is a critical component of Montclair's philanthropic tradition," Jackson noted.

"I am always amazed by these talented musicians who give up their time to help others," he said. "The rest of us can enjoy great music and contribute at the same time. Not bad."

Encouraged by the success of its Tom Petty tribute last month, Parents Who Rock is working on another event scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 28.

"We're partnering with Keller Williams Realty on a 'Kitchen Tool Exchange,'" Schneider said.

Montclair residents can donate new or unused kitchen tools and gadgets at the exchange where the items will be made available to other members of the community. Donors will also be able to pick items they might need.

"Everyone is welcome to the swap, and the leftover goods will be donated to the Soup Kitchen and Community Services program of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, which is in great need of kitchen/cooking supplies," Schneider said.

For more information about Parents Who Rock, visit www.parentswhorock.com or email Schneider at alma@parentswhorock.com.

Contact George Wirt at wirt@northjersey.com.

Bradford Parents, Many of them PWR-ers, Band Together for BRADFEST—This Saturday, Feb. 9

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:19:00 +0000

The Bradford PTA is putting on it’s second-ever Bradfest, a rocking parents’ night out to raise money for Bradford School, this Saturday, February 9, upstairs at Tierney’s. Four great bands, all featuring Bradford Moms and Dads, will be playing—and three of them—Sock Monster, the Eugene Chrysler Band and Zara Phillips—are also PWR performers for whom banding together for good causes is nothing new. Another band put together by Bradford parents, Voodoo Merchants, is also on the bill.

The music starts at 8 p.m. and will conclude with the return of the Bradford All-Nighters—other Bradford parent rockers, including PWR's Stacia Thiel, Ben St. Jacques and Ross Yustein, who will be joining the bands onstage for a a freewheeling jam session guaranteed to get the crowd dancing. Advance tickets are available from the Bradford PTA for $15; tickets at the door that night are $20. Come out and kick back, have a drink and listen to great music! Tierney’s is located at 136 Valley Road, Montclair. All money collected goes to help fund Bradford PTA projects.

First SDA Church Soup Kitchen Thanks PWR

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 03:16:00 +0000

Photo: Pastor Paula of First 7th Day Adventist Church in Montclair thanks Alma Schneider, Parents Who Rock founder, for the organization's recent efforts to raise money to help fund the church food pantry and soup kitchen. 

Dear Parents Who Rock:

After Superstorm Sandy, we experienced a 20 percent increase in clients, and that increase has remained till this day. We have also seen an increase in the number of retirees in need of food. We provide staple foods and have relatively easy access to carbohydrates. These funds, however, will help in the purchase of proteins and vegetables that will make it easier to provide balanced meals and food packages for our clients. Thanks to the generous donation from Parents Who Rock, we are better able to facilitate a happy and healthy quality of life for those in need in our community.  

In God's service, 

Dr. Paula Olivier, Pastor

First SDA Church of Montclair

www.montclairsda.org <http://www.montclairsda.org/>

Damn the Torpedoes! PWR Goes Full Speed Ahead with Tom Petty Tribute Benefit THIS Saturday, Jan. 26

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:21:00 +0000

It’s time for Parent Who Rock’s Annual Artist Tribute Benefit Show, and this year the group has set its sights on Tom Petty. The show is set for 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, January 26 at the Art Garage, 211 Glenridge Ave., Montclair.

More than twenty performers will offer up their unique renditions of Tom Petty songs—from the classic hits to the undiscovered little gems. All money raised will benefit food programs for the hungry in Montclair.

The lineup is:
Ed Carine
Chris Mathews and Lesley Scammell
Mark Egan and Francy Egan
Dana Hawkins-Simons and Ben St. Jacques
Melissa Schaffer and Ben St. Jacques
Ron Holtz and Troy Hall
Christine Kelly
Aliza Mattenson and Ciaran Kinsella
Stacia Thiel
Pete Cenedella
Alma Schneider, John Paul Uva and Bob Cannon
Lilly Vakili and Ben St. Jacques
Jason Didner
Julian Keenan
Ellen Paretti and Tim O'Connor
John Paul Uva
Paul Ruderman
Andrew Klewan

Light snacks will be served. BYOB.

Don't miss this amazing evening, last year’s Bob Dylan was a complete success! Tickets are $20 and MUST be purchased online; click HERE to purchase. Doors open at 6:30, performances starts at 7:00. Please save your email receipt, that is your ticket.

Big Mamou Live Tonight at Highland Grill

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 05:06:00 +0000

Big Mamou will bring it's blend of Cajun, Zydeco and cosmic country to Highland Place Grill in Maplewood, tonight, Thursday, January 17, at 8:30 p.m. Highland Place is located at 5 Highland Place, Maplewood.

This Saturday: Sock Monster and Chronic Pain at Tierneys!

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:58:00 +0000

Come in from the cold and enjoy a night with PWR's Sock Monster and Chronic Pain at Tierney’s Tavern this Saturday, January 12. Sock Monster will heat up the joint with their high energy mix of pop/rock classics/alt pop gems. Chronic Pain will continue the burn with their raucous roadhouse rock 'n' roll. Baby, it's hot inside! Go to Facebook to check out the Sock Monster and Chronic Pain pages now.

Show starts at 9 p.m. $5 cover. Tierney’s is located at 136-138 Valley Road.

Help Ring in the New Year with Big Mamou at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 21:08:00 +0000

Spend New Years Eve with Big Mamou at The Rock Shop, 249 4th Avenue in Brooklyn!

Big Mamou plays extremely danceable New Orleans-influenced zydeco and cosmic country. The band is led by John Sherman (accordion, vocals), and Julianne Fenhagen (vocals, harmonica) and includes Jim Fenhagen (bass, vocals) John Williams (guitar), and Billy Loos (drums).

Also on the bill, Doll Parts, a Dolly Parton cover band. Yee ha! Show starts at 9 p.m.

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 03:49:00 +0000

Montclair TV 34, Parents Who Rock, and Montclair Police Benevolent Association Local 53 are proud to present a live event to help those deeply affected by Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. Please attend Shore Aid, a benefit to help the victims of Sandy, at the Montclair Municipal Chambers, 205 Claremont Ave., Sunday, December 2, from noon to 6 p.m.

The event, which is open to the public, will feature great live music, performances, special guests and a live auction. It will be streamed live on the channel's website, montclair.peg.tv.

People who wish to help out can come to the TV34 station to make a donation or they can tweet or call the station to bid on auction items. Cash, check and credit card donations will be accepted. Checks should be made out to "Montclair PBA-Civic Association"—a fund set up by the Montclair PBA Local 53 to collect donations. Those who donate $250 or more can present their check live on TV34 at the event.

Admission is free, but sponsors ask that attendees bring a toy or gift card to help Operation Jersey Shore Santa, an organization created to bring the holidays to New Jersey families displaced by the storm.

The Montclair Recreation Department is graciously loaning 6 phones for the phone bank. The number to call to donate is 973-509-4915. The lines will close at 7 p.m. Until then, local politicians and council people will help out by handling the calls.

A full 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims in Seaside Heights, Normandy Beach, Ocean Beaches I, II and III and Ortley Beach.

This is the schedule of performances:
12:15-1 p.m. Big Mamou, Bob Cannon, Meg Beattie Patrick
1:15-2 p.m. Julian Keenan, Lesley Scammell and Chris Matthews, George Greenfield, Ed Daingerfield
2:15-3 p.m. Michael De Leeuw and the Hobos, Christine Kelly, Michael Reitman, Jason Didner and the Drive
3:15-4 p.m. The Eugene Chrysler Band, Andrew Klewan, Rostafa, Maureen Fichten with John Sontag
4:15-5 p.m. Client #9, Zara Phillips, In Motion

Please come out to help people in need on the Jersey Shore, the birthplace of some of America's favorite bands and musicians!

Come to Marvin Country! Marvin Etzioni Plays The Art Garage, Friday, Nov. 9

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:34:00 +0000

There's country, there's alt. country and there's Marvin Country! Marvin Country is a magical place, somewhere off the map, populated by back-porch philosophers, hobos, broken hearted lovers and spacemen, and presided over by the man the L.A. Times called "one heck of a songwriter" and Billboard compared to Bob Dylan and John Lennon—Marvin Etzioni, also known as the mandolin man—who will be appearing at The Art Garage on Friday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Marvin Country! is the ambitious fourth solo album by a man already revered in Americana circles, as the co-founder of the pioneering L.A roots rock band Lone Justice, writing some of its finest songs. The 19 songs on his latest CD are variously original, traditional, tender, quirky, emotional and wise. There's backporch country, barroom weepers, clapboard-church gospel, haunting folk, dusty blues and songs for which a genre's not yet been named.

Since playing in Lone Justice, Etzioni has released three other solo albums, and produced numerous artists including Toad the Wet Sprocket and Peter Case. Marvin Country! was awarded Album of the Week by BBC.

Studio Art Kids/The Art Garage is located at 211 Glenridge Ave, in Montclair. Tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door. Doors open at 7:30, performance starts at 8:00. Please save your email receipt, that is your ticket. Click here to purchase tickets.

RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 9!!!!!!!! Grab Your Guitars! PWR's Annual Backyarder is This Sunday!

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 22:28:00 +0000

Parents Who Rock's 6th Annual Backyard Music Fest has been rescheduled and is set for Sunday afternoon, September 9, at the corner of High Street and Cedar Street in Montclair, near Nishuane School. The event was moved from Saturday, September 8 due to the weather.

A long list of talented local bands and performers—PWR veterans and newcomers alike—have signed on to do 3-song sets between noon and 6 p.m.

Here's the revised schedule:

Noon: No noise

12:20: In Motion

12:40: Ellen Paretti and Tim O’Connor

1:00: Aliza Mattensen and Ciaran Kinsella

1:20: Sarah Wolman

1:40: Carol Vasquez

2:00: TNT Ramblers

2:20: Aviva Patz and David Janowski

2:40: In the Dreamlife

3:00: Christine Kelly and Dylan

3:20: George Greenfield

3:40: Rich Deans and the Rainmakers

4:00: Andrew Klewan

4:20: Dan Sheehan Conspiracy

4:40: Lesley Scammell and Chris Mathews

5:00: Ed Carine

5:20: Rob Halper

There will be many non-musical activities as well, for the whole family. from noon to 6 p.m., there will be a Stella and Dot Jewelry sale. From 2 to 3 p.m., Jacquie Ruderman will be doing kids yoga. From noon to 3 p.m., Aunt Jean's Toys and Treats will sponsor face painting.

Five Acre Farms is donating delicious milk for the event, and a shaved ice truck will be on hand selling delicious treats, with a percentage going to MESH Montclair.

In addition, there are some great raffles. School of Rock has donated a month of free lessons, the Modern Music Academy donated a $75 gift certificate, and Little Rockers is offering four cool music classes.

There's no cover, but donations are welcome. All money raised will got to MESH, to benefit those in need of food assistance.

So come on out, bring a picnic basket and chairs and a blanket. PWR provides the venue, sound, audience and performers—just come ready to have a great time.

For more information, contact Alma Schneider at alma@parentswhorock.com

Photo courtesy of Randy M. Santa Ana Photography.

Don't You Forget About The No Rehearsals at MSU's Amphitheater Before "Breakfast Club" Under the Stars, Friday Sept. 7

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 03:34:00 +0000

Parents Who Rock's No Rehearsals will be rocking the outdoor amphitheater at Montclair State University before the Montclair Film Festival’s Cinema Montclairismo free screening of John Hughes '80s classic, “The Breakfast Club” Friday night, September 7. The band will play hits of the 80s to put viewers in the mood for the film.

So bring your blanket (no lawn chairs permitted, even though back then, when the film was made, they were everywhere!), and come prepared to rock before the movie. Music starts at 8 p.m., film at 9 p.m.

PWR's 6th Annual Backyarder Set for Saturday, Sept. 8th

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 03:35:00 +0000

Musicians are signing up for Parents Who Rock’s 6th Annual Backyard Event, which is set for Saturday afternoon, September 8, at the corner of High Street and Cedar Street in Montclair, near Nishuane School.

So far, a long list of talented local bands and performers—PWR veterans and newcomers alike—have signed on to do 3-song sets between noon and 6 p.m. The rain date will be Saturday, September 15.

Here’s a partial list of who’s going to be playing: In the Dreamlife, Rich Deans and The RainMakers, Andrew Klewan, Christine Kelly and Dylan, George Greenfield, Rob Halper, The No Rehearsals, David Janowski and Aviva Patz, Sarah Wolman, Dan Sheehan Conspiracy, Ellen Paretti and Tim O’Connor, Lesley Scammel and Chris Mathews, Chris Kunstadter, Aliza and Ciaran, West Essex Chamber Players, Jefferson Newman and the TNT Ramblers. Check back, because more performers may be added when confirmed.

Other non-musical activities are planned, including face painting provided by Aunt Jean’s Toys and Treats, a kids’ yoga session, a sale of Stella and Dot Jewelry, and a shaved ice truck providing frozen treats, with a percentage going to MESH Montclair. In addition, School of Rock will donate a month of free lessons, the Modern Music Academy will donate a $75 gift certificate, and Little Rockers will donate four cool music classes.

There's no cover, but donations are welcome. All money raised will got to MESH, to benefit those in need of food assistance.

So come on out, bring a picnic basket and chairs and a blanket. PWR provides the venue, sound, audience and performers—just come ready to have a great time.

For more information, contact Alma Schneider at alma@parentswhorock.com

Photo courtesy of Randy M. Santa Ana Photography.

Musicians Wanted for 6th Annual PWR Backyarder Saturday, Sept. 8!

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:32:00 +0000

Calling all musicians! Parents Who Rock is looking for performers to play at its 6th Annual Backyard Event, which is set for Saturday afternoon, September 8.

Bands and performers will be able to do 3-song sets between noon and 6 p.m. It's a great opportunity for PWR veterans and newcomers who want to be heard. The rain date will be Saturday, September 15.

Musicians who would like to play should contact Alma Schneider at alma@parentswhorock.com.
PWR provides the venue, sound, audience and performers--you provide your own picnic, chairs and blanket.

Other non-musical activities are planned for for the whole family, and will soon be announced. There's no cover, but donations are welcome. All money raised will got to Montclair MESH, to benefit those in need of food assistance.

Photo courtesy of Randy M. Santa Ana Photography.

Sock Monster Rocks "Big" On Church Street Friday, August 17th

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:57:00 +0000

Parents Who Rock's Sock Monster will be bringing its brand of smart pop to Church Street before the Montclair Film Festival’s free screening of “Big” Friday night, August 17. The performance and movie were rescheduled after rain cancelled the originally scheduled event last Friday, August 10.

So bring a lawn chair, and come prepared to rock before the movie. Music starts at 8 p.m., film at 9 p.m.

The No Rehearsals, featuring PWR founder Alma Schneider, will be performing before September's featured film, "The Breakfast Club," when it is screened Friday, September 7 at Montclair State University. Check back for more details.

And be sure to check out Sock Monster on Facebook.

PWR's Schneider, Didner, Keenan Discuss Fighting Hunger on Local TV

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:50:00 +0000

Parents Who Rock founder Alma Schneider, along with musicians Julian Keenan and Jason Didner, were recently interviewed on TV34's Greater Montclair show.

They discussed PWR's efforts this year to raise money to help combat hunger in our community.

They also talked about an upcoming PWR show at a NJ Jackals game this Saturday, July 14. Alma's band, the No Rehearsals will be performing.

Jason Didner and the Drive will be unveiling a new Jackals theme song Didner wrote. And PWR will be collecting non perishable food for the needy. Check out the interview here.

PWR Teams With NJ Jackals to Help Relieve Hunger in NJ; Band Unveils' New Team Theme Song

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:43:00 +0000

Little Falls, NJ – Armed with baseball bats and guitars, two respected northern NJ organizations will join forces to help stock a local food pantry and publicly highlight the issue of local hunger. On Saturday, July 14, the New Jersey Jackals will host a pre-game show on the concourse of Yogi Berra Stadium at 5:30 p.m. when the gates open for the 6:35 game against the Rockland Boulders. Parents Who Rock will supply the entertainment. Fans are asked to bring nonperishable foods, cash donations, or to volunteer their time to help in the fight against hunger.

The PWR band that is headlining the show, Jason Didner and the Drive, will introduce an original Jackals theme song, "Jackals on the Prowl" in their live set during the pregame show. The No Rehearsals will take the stage first.

The new Jackals’ song is chock-full of "Yogi-isms," those memorable quotes by the stadium's namesake, Yogi Berra, that make you think twice and laugh later. It opens with "When you come to a fork in the road / Take it to the Jackals' den / It's déjà vu all over again" and keeps piling on the sayings, along with references to mascot Jack the Jackal, the weekly fireworks display, which will cap off the festivities on July 14 as well, and the trumpet player in the stands who serenades opposing batters after they've struck out.

"There's such a unique character to the combination of people and traditions at the Jackals' home games that fit very naturally into this song," said Jason Didner, who is no stranger to Yogi Berra Stadium; he sings the National Anthem at one game each year. "There's fun, family and excitement, and no one seems to take themselves too seriously."

Parents Who Rock is a non-profit association of musicians and others based in Montclair, NJ, who volunteer their time and talents onstage and behind the scenes to raise money for not-for-profit organizations throughout the community. This year, the group is focused on local hunger, and will be raising funds and nonperishable food donations for local food banks. Fans who donate a food item or money will receive their choice of a CD single of "Jackals on the Prowl" or a card enabling them to download the song.

“PWR is thrilled to team up with the Jackal's to help relieve hunger in Montclair,” said Alma Schneider, founder and director of Parents Who Rock, and singer for The No Rehearsals. “This event brings together Montclair’s proud sporting tradition, vibrant creative community and spirit of making this a better place for everyone.”

The Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair will benefit from the cans donated and will have a sign up sheet for people to buy or prepare a dinner for Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless (MESH) program one night this summer. Tickets to the game can be purchased at or by calling (973) 746-7434. Box seats are $11 each and bleachers are $9. For more information, contact the New Jersey Jackals at info@jackals.com or call (973) 746-7434.

Hot Music for a Warm Summer Night: Big Mamou, Felt at Tierney's Saturday, July 14

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:41:00 +0000

Two great PWR bands will be heating up Tierney's Tavern in Montclair this Saturday July 14.

Big Mamou shares the bill with their friends Felt, from Maplewood. Big Mamou goes on at 10 p.m. Tierney's Tavern is located at 136 Valley Road, Montclair.

Bassist Looking for a PWR Band

noreply@blogger.com (Parents Who Rock) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:06:00 +0000

Looking to play PWR gigs with those into any or all of these genres:

Classic Rock: Dead, Cream/Blind Faith, Santana, CSN, Hendrix, Airplane, Jeff Beck, Who, Stones, Tull, Zeppelin
80’s-90’s: Springsteen, Police/Sting, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Cars, Hall & Oats, Eagles, Hornsby, Joe Jackson, U2, Joan Osborne, Kathleen Edwards
Prog Rock: Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Zappa, Yes, “smooth jazz”

Thirty years experience jamming as a hobby.
Day job: college professor

Contact Dan at dlh2108@columbia.edu

(updated 7/30/12)