A drippy faucet. A toddler’s giggle. A hand swooshing in the wind out a car window. Where do you hear music? Where do you see music? Where do you feel music?

Kids hear and see and feel it everywhere—unless we stop them! They explore with gusto. They don’t care what sounds right or wrong—they play the rhythms of their feelings.

Our tips for musical fun? Anywhere. Anytime.
No rules. No talent required. B. You!

• Forget what you think you know about music as an adult.
• Ignore what other grown-ups might perceive as “noise”
• Brush aside those fears about being “good” at it. Or doing it the “right” way.
• B. musical — in whatever way you wish. Anything can be an instrument.
• Close your eyes (even your ears) and FEEL it.

Share. Repeat. Often. Especially with kids.

As the arts in our public schools suffer cuts, it’s vitally important for us to remember something young singer songwriter Jewel said best: “Some people think music education is a privilege, but I think it’s essential to being human.” All of us at B. deeply believe that. Some of our favorite creations are musical and thus in our B. lively category. We’re breathing the rhythm of life into brand new toys due out later this year.

And on that note (pun intended!) we feel the tingle in our fingers and the tango in our toes whenever we think of the upcoming concerts with our friend band Rabbit!. Rabbit! is touring the USA on a mission to raise awareness about the continuing cuts in arts and music budgets in schools, by promoting community programs that are finding alternative solutions from Florida to California. UnB.elivably, Meowsic is tagging along on their national tour and will be joining Rabbits Ashton, Devin, Emma and Yara on their “Everything’s a Possibility” song—LIVE! And the band will be giving out free ParumPumPum bee maracas at every stop. And promoting their new “Go For It” full-length album.

If you happen to be a beantown family, pleeease join us at two fabulous Boston area events on July 15!

• First at 10:30am in the morning at fabulous independent publisher’ Barefoot Books magical Concord studio. “Live Barefoot” is their motto—surely in part so they can toe-tap along to infectious ditties like their jaunty Portside Pirates tune!
• And then in the evening at 6:30pm at the grand old firehouse that houses ZUMIX’s performance venue where youth are empowered to use music to make strong positive change in their lives, their communities, and the world. In songs like “I Promise” the power of young voices is poweful indeed.

This la-la-la-la love fest would not be possible with out the band—the fabulous, generous, loving, inspiring band that is Rabbit! Just listen here to their song Pea. And tap along. Hear it. See it. Feel it. We dare you not to smile. And sing along.

—Gisela