The Fofer Show at Northstar

There will be a rare evening performance of The Fofer Show for a grown-up audience at Northstar Music Cafe in Portland this Saturday, October 3 at 8pm. Shana will perform with Plains.

President Obama goes to Alaska

Prepared to face the whipping winds and frigid temperatures of the Last Frontier, “President Obama goes to Alaska” is a 21 inch handmade doll created by Maine artist and musician Shana Barry. Wearing a soft and warm parka, furry pants, mittens, and boots of wool lined with fur, this Obama doll would fare well even in the harshest weather. Here’s a link to more pictures.

The Bollard Review

Here’s another excellent review of A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree, Shana’s family album.

Gwendolyn: A new doll

This is Gwedolyn, a 10-inch doll I made last week for Sue.

A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree is reviewed

Shana Barry’s family album A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree has been receiving some really great reviews. Here’s what people are saying:

“A beautiful, quiet, mysterious album that honors kids by challenging their perceptions and vocabularies.” – Kids Music that Rocks more

“One of my favorite things about this music is its ability to calm my children…That is a wonderful feat in our crazy, busy, go go world.” – Eco Child’s Play more

“Beautiful, weaving tales…songs that are chock full of wild imagery and ideas…reminiscent of acoustic Jewel, the soft guitar is all that is needed to provide a musical foundation for Barry to tell her creative stories. – The Opinionated Parent more

Other reviews: The Portland Phoenix, Out with the Kids, Zooglobble

President Obama, Hawaii in the news

Nancy Arcayna of the Honolulu Star Bulletin wrote a great story about the Obama dolls. Read it here.

Shana Barry’s new family album

The Shag Gallery, in conjunction with Shana Barry Music, is excited to announce the release of A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree, a family album of Foferific folk songs about the Fofers.

The multi-colored furry Fofers (rhymes with gophers) live on the special secret island of Fof and enjoy many great adventures. They climb trees into the clouds and ride their bikes on Rollercoaster Road. They row their boats across the bay and explore the forest, meadow and shore, befriending the plants and animals who share their magical island.

Visit fofers.com, Shana Barry’s new website, to discover this imaginative world of music, art, nature and fun. You can download, for free, printable coloring pages of plants and animals, whimsical paper dolls and cut-outs and illustrated sing-along lyrics. Watch animated music videos and purchase CDs and MP3s of A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree.

Here’s what people are saying about the album:

Our family has sung, danced, fallen asleep, crafted, baked, traveled
and snuggled with A Pink Whale, creating a space of peacefulness
and beauty around us. Shana’s music has sparked many conversations from my three year old about colors, islands, emotions, whale blow holes and tea parties! This is truly a family album. D.H. South Portland, Maine

I put A Pink Whale on, lay down on the couch and was taken away to my childhood island. Then I fell into a very deep and magical sleep. I awoke more rested and content than I’ve been in ages. A.R. Monmouth, Maine

My daughter listens to A Pink Whale every time she sleeps, which has greatly helped the whole routine become a lot less stressful. She quiets down and falls asleep listening to Shana’s big words and ideas. D.R. Duxbury, Massachusetts

I like the way Shana’s songs tell real stories. Lily, age 9

A Pink Whale is just so beautiful. It’s just fantastic. Beatrix, age 7

President Obama, Hawaii

A flower lei welcomes a very special visitor to the “Paradise of the Pacific” where a colorful shirt is a must. Flip-flops are the footwear of choice on sandy beaches. Warm turquoise waters beckon and a gentle breeze carries the scent of hibiscus blossoms. Aloha, Mr. President. Aloha.

“President Obama, Hawaii” is the latest 21″ one-of-a-kind Obama doll created by Shana Barry. Click here for more information and photos.

“President Obama, Hawaii” moved to New York.

News Story Features the Obama Dolls

Photo by Gabor Degre for The Bangor Daily News

Jessica Bloch of The Bangor Daily News wrote a great (front page!) story featuring the Obama Dolls. Click here to read.

The Presidential Couple at the Inauguration

These one-of-a-kind dolls by Shana Barry were created in honor of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama and are ready to dance the night away at all the Inaugural balls. The nineteen-inch Michelle wears a shimmering red dress with a delicate strand of pearls. The twenty-inch President Obama dons a dashing custom tailored tuxedo. See more photos of the Obamas and more President Obama dolls, plus learn how they might dance into your life here.