We’ll be doing way more about KindieFest 2010 over the coming weeks, but the short version is: Wow, that was awesome.  You guys rock.

You’ll notice some changes here.  We’re experimenting with some social networking options.  Don’t get too attached to anything you see here, but if you like something, let us know (info@kindiefest.com).

If you want to get a DVD of the panels and select performances, click on “DVD” soon — once we get it edited and ready to order, we’ll be making the order based on how many folks we’ve heard from.

Readeez creator Michael Rachap, who will be moderating our panel relating to video and TV, recorded a great song and video about KindieFest. Check it out!

We’re so pleased that KindieFest is featured in the New York Times for Thursday, April 29!  Here’s the story about us; it accompanied a great piece about Justin Roberts (who is a panelist and performing at the industry showcase).

See you all soon!

Get planning, folks, ’cause the schedule is up.

Siriux/XM Radio and the Sirius/XM Kids Place Live show will be broadcasting LIVE from our family festival on Sunday May 2nd!

Still thinking of sponsoring KindieFest? This is an excellent opportunity that you should not miss out on! KindieFest is your chance to reach not only to the performers, families, industry names, bloggers and other influencers that will be in attendance at the conference and festival, but also the entire national audience of XM Kids Place Live for an entire Sunday afternoon! Go to our Sponsorship Page for information and to contact us!

We received nearly a hundred submissions for just five open slots performing at KindieFest, and it was a tough process of selection.  Here are the artists we chose, from all over the country and many different genres:

For the Saturday evening showcase:

Jon Samson, Cocreative Music
Sugar Free Allstars
The Hipwaders

And for the Sunday afternoon festival:

The Royal Order of Chords and Keys
Clementown

We also selected a number of runners-up, listed here in alphabetical order:

• Alexandra & the Good Batch
• Big Don
• Jambo
• Dan MacKenzie
• Mister G
• The Not-Its!
• Ratboy Jr.

Congratulations to our winners and runners-up, and thanks to everyone who submitted such a great range of music for consideration!  We value your interest in this amazing scene, and hope to see you at KindieFest!

To make things a little simpler for folks who are just wanting to buy tickets to the Sunday festival, we’ve launched a ticket sales page at EventBrite.com.  You can click on “FEST TIX” up at the top, or visit our tickets page at EventBrite.

…and they’re talking about KindieFest 2010.  Check it out:

Stefan of Zooglobble.com describes his reasons for attending: “This year promises to be even better (more panels, a keynote, a chance to hear 14 different artists playing live).”  (He also talked about it here.)

Warren Truitt of About.com says KindieFest is “the best place out there for getting your music into the ears of industry insiders.”

Liz Gumbiner of CoolMomPicks.com observes, on the subject of the folks you’ll meet at KindieFest: “Besides how talented they are and how they save us from the Wiggles – they’re all the nicest people in the world.”

Jeff from Out With the Kids says “If you’re in any way associated with kid’s music – band, blogger, writer, PR rep, band manager, promoter, club owner – or would like to be involved, Kindiefest has something to offer you.  The networking opportunities alone are worth the price of admission.”

Jitterbug.tv says, “Get the pulse on the kid music community with panel discussions and hear lots of great bands performing throughout the weekend.”

Early bird registration ends on February 15, so register now!

You already know that early bird registration is open now, and runs until February 15, when prices will increase.  But what will actually be happening at the event and who will be there?  We’ve made a bunch of small announcements through our Facebook page, but check it out:

Friday night (April 30) from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm – Welcome & Keynote!

We’ll have an opening networking reception and a keynote address from Dan Zanes.  Get your badges, have a drink, meet your fellow attendees, and hear some thoughts from one of the people most responsible for today’s independent family music scene!

Saturday (May 1) from 10 am until 8:30 pm – Conference & Showcase!

We’ll have panels throughout the day. Subjects will include:

Image JP Stephens

The Future of Marketing Kindie Music – From Photocopied Flyers to Social Networking
Old School Meets New School – Bridging the Gap
Distribution in 2010 and Beyond – More Ways to More Ears
Gigs and Venues – From Libraries to Festivals and Everywhere in Between
What’s the Story? - Kitchen-Counter PR vs the Big Kid Publicists
Moving Pictures – TV, DVD, Online, and More
Recording 101 – How to Make a Great Kindie Record, from Production to Packaging

And here’s some of the people you’ll hear from (alphabetically):

Andy Adelewitz (Paradigm Agency/Publicity)
Ashley Albert (The Jimmies)
Ray Andersen (Mr. Ray)
Marty Beller (They Might Be Giants; Producer)
Beth Blenz-Clucas (Sugar Mountain PR)
Rick Chertoff (Producer)
Bill Childs (Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child)
Ralph Covert (Ralph’s World)
Darren Critz (Symphony Space)
Marty Diamond (Paradigm Agency/Booking)
Danny Fisher (Tune-A-Fish Records)
Jack Forman (Recess Monkey)
Dan Gellert (Jitterbug TV)
Liz Gumbiner (Cool Mom Picks)
Bill Harley (Grammy-winning performer)
Sara Hickman (2010-11 State Musician of Texas)
Andy Blackman Hurwitz (Baby Loves…)
Tor Hyams (Grammy nominated producer, Co-Founder, Kidzapalooza)
Dean Jones (Dog on Fleas; Producer)
Mona Kayhan (Putumayo Kids)
Regina Kelland (To Market Kids, formerly Rounder Records, Kelland Consulting)
Stephanie Mayers (Putumayo Kids)
Elizabeth Mitchell (Elizabeth Mitchell & Family)
Kathy O’Connell (WXPN’s Kids’ Corner)
Panos Panay (SonicBids)
Suni Paz (Children’s Music Network Magic Penny Award recipient)
Michael Rachap (Readeez/Songeez)
Justin Roberts (Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players)
Kevin Salem (Little Monster Records)
Stefan Shepherd (Zooglobble.com)
Laura Sullivan (Parenting Magazine)
Mindy Thomas (XM/Sirius)
Veronica Villarreal (Koch/E1)

Showcase

The day of panels will be followed by an evening of showcasing bands, networking, and fun.  Featured performances will include:

Frances England
Mr. Leebot
Rocknoceros
Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem
Rhythm Child

…and more, including three winners of our SonicBids submission process (which is open now)!

Sunday, May 2, from noon until 4 – Festival!

Sunday, the family music festival will have even more great acts, including:

Ralph Covert
Bill Harley

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Recess Monkey

…and more, including two more SonicBids submission winners!

Everything is subject to change.

Register now!

If you’re interested in playing at our showcase or festival, head on over to SonicBids now to apply – we’ve got five slots total to fill!  We’ll be taking submissions for the next month (through February 26).

But if you’re planning to attend, register now even if you are applying for a slot.  That way you guarantee a spot (space is limited) and you get our early-bird registration rates.