Yo Gabba Gabba! There’s a Party in My CD Player!

Have you ever done a YouTube search for Yo Gabba Gabba!?  I have, and it’s adorable.  The search results reveal video after video of basically the same thing: an adorable kid watching Yo Gabba Gabba! on TV and doing some sort of delightful – yet crazy – dance.  Anyone who has ever caught an episode (or 80) knows that that’s pretty much the only reaction possible to what just has to be the wackiest kid’s show ever.

And it is wacky.  The first time I saw Yo Gabba Gabba!, I thought it was just some zany commercial.  5 minutes in it started dawning on me that this commercial seemed really long and, even weirder, my niece and nephew seemed to have it memorized.  But, I have to admit that the show was intriguing on a number of levels.  I mean, it’s got unidentifiable creatures, a DJ with a furry hat, a yellow robot, big name guest stars and music, music, music!

But, even better than lots of music is lots of GREAT music and Yo Gabba Gabba! has some of the best.  This season is shaping up with an all-star musical line-up which includes some of my favorite bands and artists, as well as some guest stars that I think parents will appreciate even more than their youngsters.  

Andy Samberg, The Roots and MGMT were among the celeb guests who appeared with the Yo Gabba Gabba! cast during the start of their new season this October (episodes will be replayed again for anyone who is kicking themselves for missing any of the above stars frolicking around on a children’s show, which includes myself).  Set your DVR or TiVo now to record the shows as they are played on Nickelodeon this Fall and Winter.  The series airs daily at 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nick Jr.

Some background on the show, courtesy of W!ldbrain: YO GABBA GABBA! premiered in the U.S. on Nickelodeon in August, 2007 and currently ranks as one of the most popular series on television with broad appeal among preschoolers, parents, teens and adults.  The award-winning series stars DJ Lance Rock (Lance Robertson) and a cast of colorful characters, including: Brobee, the little green one, Foofa, the pink flower bubble, Muno, the red Cyclops, Toodee, the blue cat-dragon and Plex, the yellow robot. Today’s most popular names in movies, television, music and sports flock to guest star in the groundbreaking show, including Jack Black, Rachel Dratch, Melora Hardin, Tony Hawk, Biz Markie, Jack McBrayer, MGMT, Mark Mothersbaugh, The Roots, Andy Samberg, Amy Sedaris, The Shins, Amare Stoudemire, The Ting Tings, Jimmy Eat World and Elijah Wood, among others.

Sounds like a good time, right?  Seriously, if I was choosing guest stars, this would pretty much be my wishlist of who I would want to appear on the show.  YGG even has a new CD with songs by some of the great artists above that enables you to take your little one’s show on the road for the first time ever.  Yo Gabba Gabba! Music is Awesome! hit stores just days ago and is chock full of bands that I love, which makes it just as much for me as it is for the kiddos. 

But, I really wish I lived in Chicago, New York or Los Angeles and could catch all this crazy cuteness LIVE when Yo Gabba Gabba! hits the stage this November for their “It’s a Party in My City” tour.  Unfortunately for me, the party’s not in my city… but maybe it’s in yours and you can surprise your little mover and groover with the best present ever – live theatre performances in an auditorium full of silly wigglers.

Los Angeles, CA – Shrine Expo Hall:
Saturday, November 14, 2009 11AM and 3PM
*AND NOW: Sunday, November 15, 2009 11AM and 3PM

New York, NY – Beacon Theatre:
Saturday, November 21, 2009 11AM – 2PM – *AND NOW: 5 PM

Chicago, IL – Rosemont Theatre:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 11AM and 3PM

NEW UPDATE!  Dallas show has been added for Nov. 28^th

Frisco, TX – Dr. Pepper Arena:
Saturday, November 28, 2009 11AM and 3PM

More details and ticket information at http://yogabbagabbalive.com/

And now for the Giveaway…

One Rave and Review reader will win a YGG! Music Is Awesome CD of their very own! To enter, just comment below with your favorite YGG! guest star, YGG! moment or something you found on the Yo Gabba Gabba! website.  

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review (1 extra entry, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway (1 entry for daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway (1 extra entry)

4) Place my logo or link in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link)

5) Share this post on Facebook (1 extra entry)

6) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc [email protected] for two bonus entries (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

7) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs: just click this link to vote daily! (1 extra entry)

On November 26th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

A wild and crazy thank you to Yo Gabba Gabba! for providing the Music is Awesome! CD and book to be reviewed, one of which we offered up for giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No other type compensation was received for this review.