Vote Today to help Pacha’s Pajamas win Best Children’s Album 

Pacha’s Pajamas joins more than 300 exceptional self-released and independent label artists as Nominees in The 12th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.

Pacha’s Pajamas is one of five nominees in the Children’s Music Album category.

Representing the broad spectrum of today’s global independent music scene, the Nominees in over 80 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories were culled from thousands of submissions from North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, Greenland and Europe.

Winners will be determined by a panel of influential artist and industry judges including Tom Waits, Ziggy Marley, Meshell Ndegeocello, McCoy Tyner, John Medeski & Chris Wood (Medeski, Martin & Wood), Judy Collins, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Arturo Sandoval. The results will be announced in May 2013.

In addition to industry-determined Winners, music fans from around the world have until
Friday, July 19, 2013 to cast their votes at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected program winners.

We are super excited to have this opportunity to break some precedents with an album with 55 artists spanning four generations, being high in diversity, featuring children and a concept album that is framed in a musical story. Please vote for Pacha in the Vox Pop! ~  Pacha, Dave and Aaron, Pacha’s Pajamas

Vote for Pacha’s Pajamas Now

On April 22, 2013, the “Heal Our World, Heal Ourselves” campaign launched with over 30 celebrities including stars from Dance Moms and Glee and over 50 organizations signatories including the Hip Hop Caucus and the Sierra Club calling for more uplifting Children’s Entertainment.

Produced by BALANCE Films. Sponsored by A Foever Recovery and Best Drub Rehabilitation.

Music: “Nature Superhero” featuring Lil JaXe, Milo McFly, Ariana Hernandez and A-Natural. From the Pacha’s Pajamas album.

It began when we entered the Neonatal ward at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance (near Los Angeles). There was a palpable silence; the heavy breathing of sick babies drew us in like a clarion call for service. Our hostess, the nurses and our band looked at each other with jaws almost dropped. I could feel tears welling. “This is the domain of angels!” someone seemed to be saying in my ear.

Hearts wide open, for the next hour, we presented acoustic songs/prayers in the children’s ward for a dozen children and in the pediatric waiting area. We also gifted our first large donation of albums and books to the hospital! The experience with the newborns was particularly touching; the nurses asked us to play a couple extra lullabies for the lil babes … a simple dosage of singing and toning with a dab of positive energy to bring smiles to these children’s dreams. One grandmother  pulled me aside, and whispered “You don’t know how IMPORTANT this is … THANK YOU & WE LOVE YOU!”

Later that evening, there was much ado about the Imagination Heals Launch event at the Beverly Hilton. We had a packed house with the 300-person Wilshire Room transformed into Pacha’s dreamworld; life-size characters from the greatest festival on earth PACHA JAMMA, a stage powered by electric eels and celebrity rock-rock stars on the red carpet. We featured ten youth stars as part of the Pacha’s Pajamas musical. Lil Jaxe and Milo McFly flew like nature superheroes. Moni Burkhardt opened hearts as the 5th Beetle singing “Imagine.” Jaheem Toombs sang “I Want You Back” for all the mushroom ladies out there. The Agape Youth Choir brought the house down with the legendary Rock-Soul singer Lester Chambers. And even some Disney kids joined in the zany theatrical experience! The Pacha’s Pajamas story came to life in a miraculous display of magic, with resounding applause, launching a beautiful program going out to children in hospitals across the nation.

The evening also featured an opening ritual by Mona Pollaca of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, our hostess with the mostest Genevieve Goings of Disney’s “Choo Choo Soul”, Kendall Schmidt of Nickelodeon’s “Big Time Rush”, Olympic Gold Medalist and actress Cathy Rigby, and the Imagination Heals award ceremony honoring the pioneering Children’s Arts organization Discovery Arts and Lester Chambers. Finally… we had arrived in Hollywood — well, actually next door in Beverly Hills! But despite all the hype, it was those children in the hospital which lit up our hearts, giving purpose to this work beyond what any press, media or celebrity could ever do.

Aaron Ableman (aka A-Natural) is an entertainer, author, and ecologist. He grew up under the guidance of a farmer/author (his father) and a public health care nurse (his mother), studying with Hopi elders, Oxford Rhodes scholars and various spiritual leaders. He has worked with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Cypress Hill, Raffi, K’NAAN, Joan Baez, amongst many others. From India to Haiti, he has produced educational entertainment programs for at-risk children and youth. His life and work have been heralded in publications such as the Los Angeles Times, CNN, New York Times, Montreal Mirror and San Francisco Examiner. Twitter: @ablemantra

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Grandpa Bear backed by some lil bear cubs and bumblebees – belts out the tune Wake Up Everybody. Featuring the legendary Lester Chambers and the Agape Youth Choir.

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On September 26, 2012, the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales spoke about the meaning of December 21, 2012 at the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations. In it he proclaimed the end of Macha (Selfishness/Imbalance) and the beginning of the age of Pacha (Brotherhood/Love/Nature). Check out the video clip of that moment. Below is the English translation his remarks in their entirety as presented by Indian Country Today Media Network.

I wish to take this opportunity to announce an invitation to an international meeting on the 21 of December this year. A meeting closing the age of non-time and receiving the new age of balance and harmony for Mother Earth. It would take so long to tell you about the knowledge of our indigenous brothers in Mexico, in Guatemala, in Bolivia, in Ecuador, but basically we are issuing this invitation to hold a virtual debate, and also in person, on the following topics:

Number 1: Global crisis of capitalism

Number 2: Mold of civilization, world government, capitalism, socialism, community,
 culture of life

Number 3: Climate crisis, relationship of the human being with nature

Number 4: Common energy, energy of change

Number 5: Awareness of Mother Earth

Number 6: Recovery of ancestral uses and customs, natural cosmic calendar

Number 7: Living well as a solution to the global crisis, because we affirm once again that one can only live better by plundering natural
resources. This is a profound debate that I would like to have with the world.

Number 8: Food sovereignty of course, security with food sovereignty

Number 9: Integration, brotherhood, community economy, complementarity, right to communication, community learning for life, the new holistic human, the end of patriarchy, awakening of self knowledge, and of course health which is so important.

And I would like to say that according to the Mayan calendar the 21 of December is the end of the non-time and the beginning of time. It is the end of the Macha and the beginning of the Pacha, the end of selfishness and the beginning of brotherhood, it is the end of individualism and the beginning of collectivism – 21 of December this year. The scientists know very well that this marks the end of an anthropocentric life and the beginning of a bio-centric life. It is the end of hatred and the beginning of love, the end of lies and beginning of truth. It is the end of sadness and the beginning of happiness, it is the end of division and the beginning of unity, and this is a theme to be developed. That is why we invite all of you, those of you who bet on mankind, we invite those who want to share their experiences for the benefit of mankind.

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According to our contact at the hospital, the Pediatricians are very excited about us coming in for a series of live shows. She told them about us last week:

They immediately searched Pacha’s Pajamas on the internet and are eager to have you come to the Hospital. The entire month they are giving gifts to the children with appointments, and would love to hand out some of your books/CDs. We are always handing out age appropriate books. There is also an Adopt a Family Program (gifts for the holiday) and I am happy to add a book/CD.

Imagination Heals! Program

Last year, we donated 50 books to Children’s Hospital and this year, with your help, we hope to do even more. Imagination Heals! is a charitable giving program that delivers books, CDs and live shows for children who are hospitalized. We work with both individuals and corporations to give 10-10,000 gift books and CDs to local and national hospitals serving children in need. Together we can uplift the spirits of thousands of brave children – through this holiday season and beyond!

Help Now: Donate 7 CDs to sick children now!

For more information, contact info@pachaspajamas.com.

Pacha joins the Gangnam Style craze. Check her out

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Ron Roecker thinks so. And he should know.

The President and Chief Brand Navigator of the Enfluence Group – widely recognized as THE go-to Grammy and music industry expert – has been a featured industry insider on everything from Access Hollywood,Entertainment Tonight and Extra to CNN, MTV and E! Entertainment; and has worked with such industry giants as Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Mary J. Blige , Kanye West and Roberta Flack. Check out his blog at BeDifferently.com.

Pacha’s Pajamas is a Children’s Pop Musical that inspires kids to be superheroes for the planet and the first Green Pop Musical soundtrack album ever. Roecker, declares that the project — featuring such incredible talent as Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), Cheech Marin, rapper Talib Kweli, R&B legend Lester Chambers and the Agape Youth Choir — is, in a word, amazing!  Roecker continues:

When you look at franchises such as Sesame Street or Dora, you see how powerful they can be in educating by entertaining. However, that’s an incredibly difficult balance to strike and every aspect of it has to line up.

Editors Note: Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer made $1B in the past nine years. While Dora is certainly edutainment, teaching a handful of Spanish words is not transformational entertainment in the way we think of it. ~ Melia’s Papa

When I was introduced to Pacha’s Pajamas, the franchise potential of this engaging environment-focused children’s property was so obvious. The multi-cultural, global resonance and the diversity of artists involved set this up to be the new form of children’s edutainment.

It ranks amongst the highest caliber of product out there in this genre and should get a great deal of recognition. The theme, the execution and the passion of its creators make Pacha’s Pajamas and its important message is something that everyone should support.

The tale — narrated by Yasiin Bey and interspersed with rocking songs featuring Talib Kweli, Lester Chambers, the Agape Youth Choir and a host of up and coming young stars — follows a little girl named Pacha, who through her dreams becomes a superhero for nature, joining with plants and animals to bring balance to the planet.

In its first incarnation as a children’s book, Pacha’s Pajamas had already received the support of such heavy-hitters in their fields as renowned spiritual leader/motivational speaker, Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith and Vandana Shiva, environmental leader and adviser to the International Forum on Globalization.

“Pacha’s Pajamas will open the minds and hearts of countless children, introducing them to the magic of Mother Nature in all her wondrous manifestations as plants, stones, animals,” says Beckwith, who was featured in the film, The Secret and has been a frequent guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

“Pacha’s Pajamas presents unheard voices, songs and stories of nature,” adds Shiva, “calling forth empathy for all beings and engaging young people in a conversation about the future. I am excited to share this story about Pacha, a little girl with big dreams, who calls on us all to live our dreams of a world that honors balance, unity and the beauty in all of Nature’s children.”

Produced by the Oakland, CA–based organization, Balance Edutainment – a company committed to providing ecological education through entertainment and story –Pacha’s Pajamas is a labor of love for the company’s founders, Dave Room and Aaron Ableman.

Though posited as “A Story Written By Nature,” Pacha’s Pajamas is Ableman’s brainchild.  His passion for the planet’s well-being comes naturally. Growing up under the mentorship of Hopi Elders and children’s musician, Raffi, Ableman has been working as a superhero for the planet his entire life.  An acclaimed musician/rapper Ableman has worked with on behalf of the environment and ecology with the likes of Dead Prez, Ozomatli and Joan Baez.  He’s implemented eco-arts programs from India to Haiti, is the Executive Producer for the Clean Energy Tour and has been featured in such publications as the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, San Francisco Examiner, Montreal Mirror and on CNN.

“I’ve done my best to create opportunities for children and families to sing and dance their stories. As an educator and artist, I believe we need a revolution in learning, using storytelling and edutainment to stay fresh for the next generation. I wrote Pacha’s Pajamas as a prayer that we will all awaken to the power of our dreams and realize our oneness with nature.”

Stephanie DuBois is a freelance journalist who worked for 30 years as an entertainment writer for Beck/Smith Hollywood, Creator’s Syndicate and Tribune Media.

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