Do you know a child between the ages of 4 and 8 who would enjoy ballet and hip hop classes but can’t afford them? Take a minute to nominate a deserving child for an 8-week dance and fitness scholarship at Anatomy Fitness Studio in Highland Park. The first session will start April 4, 2011 and the program will be ongoing every 8-week session. Anatomy is located at 5215 York Blvd., L.A. 90045.

“We love our neighborhood and hope this is a way we can give back,” says Jeff Cole, owner of Anatomy with wife Amy Cole.

Popular for its adult fitness and dance classes, few are aware that Anatomy also offers dynamic children’s dance classes. Anatomy is known for top notch instructors, and the kids’ dance teachers are no exception. Ballet on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. for 4-8 year olds is taught by Star Peterson and and Hip Hop on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. for 4-10 year olds is taught by Arlene Yuan.

One family very familiar with Anatomy kids classes is that of Patty Whong, previous L.A. Kid Stuff winner of 8 ballet classes at Anatomy. “We love Anatomy and the ballet classes that we won from L.A. Kid Stuff,” says Patty, whose 5-year-old daughter attends classes. “Amy always greets us with a smile. After the first class, my daughter asked me if we could go every day. Another amazing plus is that the classes are very affordable, especially compared to many other ballet classes. The more you buy, the more you save. And they don’t charge you for the classes you don’t attend. If you buy 12 classes, you actually get to attend 12 class that they keep track of with a punch card. Most ballet classes run consecutively and if you miss a class, you do not get to do a make up class. In tough financial times, with the flu season just behind us, this was especially helpful!” Patty has already signed her daughter on for another 12 classes.

To nominate a child you think would enjoy and take advantage of these classes but who normally wouldn’t be able to afford it, email Jeff Cole at info@anatomyla.com by April 1, 2011 with the requested information below. Anatomy will choose a lucky child via random drawing of qualifying submissions. The lucky winner will be announced and notified on Saturday, April 2, 2011. A different child will be sponsored every eight weeks.

Share the lifetime benefits of fitness and the arts with a deserving child! What you have to do:

1. Email info@anatomyla.com with the child’s name, age and family contact info (email, phone #)
2. Include the child’s story and why he/she should be considered.

What the child will receive:

1. FREE HIP HOP AND BALLET CLASSES on Mondays and Wednesdays for 8 consecutive weeks!

Call (323) 259-5356 for more information or questions. Good luck!

Plus a chance to win 4 tickets to their show at the GRAMMY Museum on Saturday, February 12, 2011

A little L.A. Kid Stuff factoid: During our BLAK (before L.A. Kid) days, this L.A. mom and her sister L.A. aunt, big fans of the group oZomatli, were compelled during a Hollywood Bowl concert to start a conga line and pick up more than a handful of Ozo fans along the way. Ah, memories!! So, how excited we are as moms to hear that oZomatli, a group of former L.A. kids themselves, are bringing their brand of music, “a notorious urban-Latino-and-beyond collision of hip hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East LA R&B and New Orleans second line, Jamaican ragga and Indian ragas,” straight to the little ones!

With a new CD set for release this summer, oZoKidZ is busy developing characters, songs, dances, and languages that fit into oZoWorld. “We’re always looking for the best way to connect to the kids starting at their level and then take it from there to another place,” says bassist Wil-Dog Abers. With most members of the band being dads to kids ranging in age from 2 to 13 years old, we’re pretty sure oZoKidZ will resonate loudly with the youngest of generations.

Ozomatli will appear at the Grammy Museum in L.A. on Saturday, February 12 at 11 a.m. as part of the Grammy Family Musical Series. Read below to see how you can enter to win 4 tickets to the show. L.A. Kid Stuff recently caught up with Ozomatli to learn more about oZoKidZ.

L.A. Kid Stuff: Congrats on Ozokidz! Ozomatli has always had an intergenerational reach, but what inspired you to create specifically for the younger set?

oZoKidZ: Thanks so much!!!
Ozo has always played for and connected to young people. Over the past 16 years we’ve performed for countless schools , orphanages & youth centers of all ages. We also always invite the youngest members of our audience (under 12) up on stage to play percussion and jump around with us during the last song of the set.
Mario (ozo’s drummer for 7 years) has saying for years that he thought that it would be a cool idea to make a kids record although it wasn’t til last year in Feb that we decided to actually do it. We were playing at the HOB in Chicago late on a Tuesday night and we couldn’t figure out why there weren’t more people coming to the show. Wil-Dog put out a blast on FB and Twitter. The response was interesting.  Most people were saying things like “I’d love to come but I can’t find a sitter” or “why are you guys playing so late on a weeknight? I’ve got kids!”.  Then we realized that making a kids CD was imperative.

L.A. Kid Stuff: How would you describe the Ozokidz sound and album?

oZoKidZ: We’re developing the sound as we speak and right now we’re doing trial and errors with our new songs in front of a live kids audience to see which ones connect with them the best.

L.A. Kid Stuff: What are some of your favorite songs on the new album that fans can look forward to?

oZoKidZ: The Piranha song which is about a father and his child encouraging the child to jump into he water. The parent reassures the child that there is nothing in the water that will hurt them and the father will protect them. It also encourages the child to learn how to swim.

We have a song about putting your thumbs up while taking pictures – it’s called “Cheesy Thumb”. We’ll also have some Ozomatli classics about animals that fit into the set really well.

L.A. Kid Stuff: Any plans for touring this album?

oZoKidZ: Yes. Big plans! We’ll be playing all over the states this year doing family shows.

L.A. Kid Stuff: What role did or will the kids in oZomatli’s life play in oZoKidZ?

oZoKidZ: Asdru’s (singer and trumpet player) daughter is actually singing on the Piranha song and Will-Dog’s daughter is currently working on a character that will be at our live show. It’s an Ozomatli bird named “Dozer”. All of our kids are a definite inspiration and our guinea pigs to see what will work before jumping into a live audience.

L.A. Kid Stuff: What’s in store for the future of Ozokidz?

oZoKidZ: A CD, a DVD, a book, a TV show and a fully realized Ozo world for kids!

oZoKidZ
Grammy Museum
800 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90015
Saturday, February 12, 2011
11 a.m. (doors open at 10:45 a.m.)
Ages: All (Best for ages 5 and up)
Cost: $10 (includes admission to the cool museum!)

TO ENTER the four-pack of tickets giveaway drawing to see Ozomatli at the Grammy Museum, make a comment on the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Giveaway Contest post HERE and tell us why you want to go to the concert. Comments accepted until midnight, Wednesday, February 9. Winner chosen randomly and announced Thursday, February 10. One entry per person. Winners of L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contests within the last 90 days are not eligible to participate. Good luck!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, L.A. Kid Stuff is giving away a Children’s Music Basket filled with some of our favorite musical goodies for your child! The basket includes:

1) Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band CD Luckiest Adventure!

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band is a hip-shaking, head-bopping, Silverlake-based explosion of fun on the kid’s music scene! Lucky Diaz caters to the cool family crowds that yearn for quality music for their youngest members. With an audience base growing by the second (and we don’t just mean in height!), the Lucky Diaz Band is inspiring dance parties around the city! Acclaimed musician and songwriter, Lucky Diaz, is accompanied by the be-bopping beats of Theron Derrick, and the perky personality of Red, Alisha Gaddis. Together, the trio turns kids’ music into music loved by all!

Learn more about Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band on their website HERE. “Like” them on Facebook HERE.

2) The Hollow Trees just-released latest CD Wacky’s Tackle and your child’s very own Hollow Trees kazoo!

The Hollow Trees play what they call “Folk Music for Families.” It’s high energy acoustic Americana music played with passion, skill, and humor. They combine the musical styles of bluegrass, country, folk, blues and jazz and put their stamp on many traditional folk songs as well as original compositions.The Hollow Trees’ universe revolves around the Hollow Tree and it’s resident Nelson. The Hollow Tree grows in the middle of a magic meadow, hidden inside an enchanted forest which is located on the outskirts of the town of Nelsonville. Many of the Trees’ original songs tell stories about Nelson and his friends and fellow residents of Nelsonville, and Nelson himself is known to make appearances at Hollow Trees’ shows.

Learn more about The Hollow Trees on their website HERE. “Like” them on Facebook HERE.

3) Kid’s band Milkshake’s GRAMMY-Nominated Great Day CD, Screen Play DVD and Play Comic Book!

Milkshake is a band on a mission: to create great rock music for kids. Led by singer Lisa Mathews and guitarist Mikel Gehl, whose songs for grown-ups have been featured in movies and prime-time television, Milkshake has won over preschoolers without compromising songcraft, stagecraft or their authentic rock & roll spirit. The release of their fourth studio CD, Great Day, earned a nomination for a 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children. Produced by music veteran Tor Hyams (Joan Osborne, Edwin McCain), the disc features a dozen Milkshake originals, plus guest appearances by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer and Rodney Henry (former front man of the legendary kings of the Baltimore hard rock-garage-rockabilly scene, The Glenmont Popes). The songs on ‘Great Day’ touch on issues of friendship, inclusion, family, self-esteem, goals, and material desires – issues that really matter to a 6 – 10 year old. But like all Milkshake CDs, the music really transcends age, and both younger and older fans will enjoy this album!

Learn more about Milkshake on their website HERE. “Like” them on Facebook HERE.

To Enter to Win this prize:

1) To qualify to enter, simply “LIKE” the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Page HERE.

2) Comment on the Facebook post for this prize. Comments must be posted before midnight PST today, December 13, 2010.

3) Today’s winner will be chosen randomly and announced tomorrow morning. One entry per day per person. You must not have won an L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contest within the past 90 days to enter this contest.

4) Good luck and have a great day in L.A.!

On the tenth day of Christmas, L.A. Kid Stuff is giving away an Eight-Pack of Kids Hip Hop and/or Ballet classes at Anatomy Studio in Highland Park! Give your kids the best gift of all: an opportunity to learn something new and exposure to art forms that will keep them in shape and stay with them a lifetime! Suitable for children ages 4-8, the class passes are redeemable starting the week of January 3, 2011.

Today’s giveaway is yet another one of our favorite this Christmas season! Why? Because we at L.A. Kid Stuff have had positive personal experience at the awesome Anatomy Studio! Our own 4-year-old L.A. kid has incorporated hip hop moves learned from classes at Anatomy into her regular free dance routines, whenever the music moves her. She loves it! And this L.A. mom has Anatomy (well, and some of my own sweat and tears) to thank for getting (almost completely) back into pre-pregnancy shape. You mommies out there know what I mean…but YES, it is attainable!

Family-owned and operated by Jeff and Amy Cole—two of the most genuine people who could own a boutique fitness studio, you’ll always be greeted by name and meet some cool new friends along the way. Anatomy offers fitness and kickboxing classes for adults in addition to hip hop and ballet for your kids. Visit the Anatomy website to see the selection of classes for the whole family!

Anatomy L.A.
5215 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 259-5356
WEBSITE

To Enter to Win an Eight-Class Package of Kids Hip Hop or Ballet Classes:
1) To qualify to enter, simply “LIKE” the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Page HERE.
2) Comment on the Facebook post for this prize. Comments must be posted before midnight PST today, December 10, 2010.
3) Today’s winner will be chosen randomly and announced tomorrow morning. One entry per day per person. You must not have won an L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contest within the past 90 days to enter this contest.
4) Good luck and have a great day in L.A.!

On the ninth day of Christmas, L.A. Kid Stuff is giving away a Family Four-Pack of tickets to any performance of Disney Live! Presents Mickey’s Magic Show at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. Performances are Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 16, 2011 at Noon and 3 p.m. (winner must notify L.A. Kid Stuff of desired date and time of attendance within 48 hours of contest notification to ensure seat reservations)

In a captivating combination, Master Magician Mickey Mouse and the always-dazzling Minnie join forces with professional illusionists for a magical production on stage. Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show features grand illusions and favorite Disney characters, including Donald and Goofy; Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother; Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter; and beloved Disney princesses Jasmine, Belle and Snow White.

From the breathtaking levitation of Minnie and Jasmine to the transformation of Cinderella’s rags into riches in a split second, Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show gives families a whole new way to experience Disney Magic. Adults and children alike will delight in this stunning spectacle that will keep them in awe from opening to curtain call.

Disney Live! Presents Mickey’s Magic Show

Citizens Business Bank Arena
4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway Ontario, CA 91764
Saturday, January 15th: 3:30pm, 6:30pm
Sunday, January 16th: 12:00pm, 3:00pm
Ticket Prices: $60.00 / $36.00 / $25.00 / $20.00
To order tickets by phone: 800-745-3000 or ONLINE HERE or at TICKETMASTER

TO ENTER TO WIN FOUR TICKETS TO THIS SHOW:
1) To qualify to enter, simply “LIKE” the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Page HERE.
2) Comment on the Facebook post for this prize. Comments must be posted before midnight PST today, December 9, 2010.
3) Today’s winner will be chosen randomly and announced tomorrow morning. One entry per day per person. You must not have won an L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contest within the past 90 days to enter this contest.
4) Good luck and have a great day in L.A.!

Posted December 9, 2010

On the eighth day of Christmas, L.A. Kid Stuff is giving away Mr. Toast Kaleidoscope Book and plush dolls of Mr. Toast and friends Joe the Egg, Clem Lemon and Shaky Bacon! A five piece set!

Created and self-published by Los Angeles artist Dan Goodsell, Mr. Toast’s world consists of adventures with all of his friends, Joe the Egg is Mr Toast’s best friend. He lives in a treehouse in Mr Toast’s backyard and they are always going on adventures together. Kaleidoscope Book is the new Mr Toast and friends book. Hardback and 64 pages, it is packed with comics, photos, paintings and general Mr Toast goodness. 6 1/4×7″.

This prize is courtesy of Monkeyhouse Toys, a family-owned establishment offering the most unique toys, artwork and home goods for cool kids and families!

TO ENTER TO WIN THIS PRIZE:
1) To qualify to enter, simply “LIKE” the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Page HERE.
2) Comment on the Facebook post for this prize. Comments must be posted before midnight PST today, December 8, 2010.
3) Today’s winner will be chosen randomly and announced tomorrow morning. One entry per day per person. You must not have won an L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contest within the past 90 days to enter this contest.
4) Good luck and have a great day in L.A.!

Monkeyhouse Toys

2874 Rowena Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039
WEBSITE

Posted December 8, 2010

On the seventh day of Christmas, L.A. Kid Stuff is giving away a complete 12-piece set of Ugly Dolls Action Figures Series 2!  No collecting necessary here as you’ll receive all the characters!

If you haven’t heard of the Ugly Dolls that first took L.A. by storm in 2001 then went on to win Toy of the Year at the New York Toy Fair in 2005, today’s your lucky day! “Ugly” characters that belie their name hail from the Uglyverse, a universe where UGLY means unique and special!  This Series 2 Set includes Uglydog, Big Toe, Poe, Trunko, Uglyworm and Peaco, each offered in 2 colors.  Each doll is 3 inches tall and is suitable for ages 4 and up.

This prize is courtesy of Monkeyhouse Toys, a family-owned establishment offering the most unique toys, artwork and home goods for cool kids and families!

TO ENTER TO WIN THIS PRIZE:
1) To qualify to enter, simply “LIKE” the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Page HERE.
2) Comment on the Facebook post for this prize. Comments must be posted before midnight PST today, December 7, 2010.
3) Today’s winner will be chosen randomly and announced tomorrow morning. One entry per day per person. You must not have won an L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contest within the past 90 days to enter this contest.
4) Good luck and have a great day in L.A.!

Monkeyhouse Toys
2874 Rowena Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039
WEBSITE

Posted December 7, 2010

On the sixth day of Christmas, L.A. Kid Stuff is giving away a 30-minute photo session and 8×10 photograph from the session with professional photographer Courtenay Fletcher! One of our favorite Christmas giveaways, this prize will allow you to capture memories of your family or children through the eyes of a pro and then take home a complimentary 8×10 photo for you to keep!

Besides shooting book covers for publishers in New York, Courtenay also photographs families, infants/newborns, and lots of kids. She also does headshots, a not uncommon need for many Angelos.  She usually shoots at a location of the client’s choice to take advantage of natural light, which is the most flattering and interesting.  Courtenay’s style is photojournalistic, focusing on capturing the personality of her subject or subjects, especially when they are playing, acting goofy, pouting, etc.  Far more interesting than standard posed portraits!

L.A. Kid Stuff has had personal experience with the talented Courtenay as she photographed our L.A. kid’s fourth birthday party.  All we can say is that everyone who saw the photos reacted with nothing less than glowing compliments! And Courtenay was not only professional, but so pleasant to work with.   She was more like a friend, a guest with a camera, than someone coming in to document the event!  We are so pleased that Courtenay is donating her service and talent to L.A. Kid Stuff’s friends and members.  Thank you, Courtenay and good luck L.A. Kid Stuff members!

TO ENTER TO WIN THIS PRIZE:
1) To qualify to enter, simply “LIKE” the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Page HERE.
2) Comment on the Facebook post for this prize. Comments must be posted before midnight PST today, December 6, 2010.
3) Today’s winner will be chosen randomly and announced tomorrow morning. One entry per day per person. You must not have won an L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contest within the past 90 days to enter this contest.
4) Good luck and have a great day in L.A.!

Posted December 6, 2010

On the fifth day of Christmas, L.A. Kid Stuff is giving away a family-four pack of tickets to Cinderella Panto: A Modern Musical at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 3 p.m.!

Southern California families looking for fun and entertainment during the holidays are in for a real treat with the wild and wacky British Panto version of Cinderella!! The focal point of a Panto is how it brings together the family unit by way of entertainment. Whether you are young or old, a Panto is enjoyed by all members of the family with its interactive nature and audience participation throughout the performance.

This production stars FREDDIE STROMA (HARRY POTTER) as Prince Charming, JERRY MATHERS (Leave it to Beaver) as Cinderella’s Father, and Broadway sensation Jennifer Leigh Warren as The Fairy Godmother. Also starring sixteen year old Malibu resident Veronica Dunne as Cinderella.

The CINDERELLA production will run at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood Now through December 19, 2010. For more information and tickets for the production of CINDERELLA go HERE.

Cinderella Panto

El Portal Theatre
5269 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Now Playing through Sunday, December 19, 2010

TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS:
1) To qualify to enter, simply “LIKE” the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Page HERE.
2) Comment on the Facebook post for this prize. Comments must be posted before midnight PST today, December 5, 2010.
3) Today’s winner will be chosen randomly and announced tomorrow morning. One entry per day per person. You must not have won an L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contest within the past 90 days to enter this contest.
4) Good luck and have a great day in L.A.!

Posted December 5, 2010

On the third day of Christmas, L.A. Kid Stuff is giving away an Officially-Licensed M.C. Escher Large Lizards SoftPuzzle, valued at $50.

Ideal for children, puzzle buffs or art aficionados alike, this officially-licensed M.C. Escher Large Lizards SoftPuzzle will offer enjoyment and fine art appreciation all at once! The Lizard SoftPuzzles has been carefully designed to capture the beauty and intricacies of Escher’s breakthrough original work. The 15 extra large foam black, white and gray Lizards connect together smoothly to form a never-ending puzzle. Add more sets to create larger and more complex patterns. The Lizards can be used to introduce children to Escher’s art and demonstrate the ingenuity of Escher’s artwork, which is based on the geometry of symmetry and the repetition and rotation of identical figures.

Courtesy of Monkeyhouse Toys, a family-owned establishment offering the most unique toys, artwork and home goods for cool kids and families!

TO ENTER TO WIN THIS PRIZE:
1) To qualify to enter, simply “LIKE” the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Page HERE.
2) Comment on the Facebook post for this prize. Comments must be posted before midnight PST today, December 3, 2010.
3) Today’s winner will be chosen randomly and announced tomorrow morning. One entry per day per person. You must not have won an L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contest within the past 90 days to enter this contest.
4) Good luck and have a great day in L.A.!

Monkeyhouse Toys
2874 Rowena Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039

http://www.monkeyhousetoys.com