|
|
| The Arts
|
|
|
|
|
| Minis get a kick out of the Kennedy Center / Susanne Seidman |
| Sep 18,2008 |
 |
Email |
|
 |
Print |
|
 |
Share |
|
Del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Technorati
|
 |
Comments |
|
|
|
| Kennedy Center Open House Arts Across America 2008 |
 Loading..
|
|
|
|
|
Susanne Seidman
Style Editor, Local Kicks
Saturday’s open house at the Kennedy Center went beyond family friendly.
The performing arts center threw open its doors to more than 5,000 of its friends and families for a hands-on, all-American open house to kick off its “Prelude 2008: Arts Across America” celebration of master artists and innovative new talent, which runs through early October.
There was something for every lover of the performing arts, ranging from free performances of The Suzanne Farrell Ballet to the wildly dressed musicians the Hungry Marching Band of New York.
With venues on the plazas and inside the legendary theatres, the entire complex showcased what the upcoming entertainment season has to offer.
While headliner Dan Zanes and Friends brought folksy rock families out in blazing, sunshin-y heat to jam and enjoy drippy popsicles, cooler heads sought air conditioned entertainment inside this national landmark.
For active and engaged school-age children, the Family Theatre is a perfect venue to comfortably introduce your minis to live performances.
Truly family friendly with an easily accessible restroom, a roomy elevator and a place to park a stroller, you can rest easy about the logistics and enjoy the show. Plenty of leg room and comfortable seats help young viewers learn and listen without the common pitfalls that can stress parents and frustrate active children, like kicking the seat in front. A reasonable dimming of the lights did not frighten even the littlest ones in the audience.
Circus style artist and physical comedian Jamie Adkins kept parents and children laughing out loud with his visual antics as he teetered on chairs, juggled ping pong balls, and caught oranges with a fork in his teeth tossed from eager volunteers.
Jamie’s easy urban street performer style and look is a fresh update on the old fashioned scary makeup clown vibe. Like a cool uncle, his zany facial expressions and body language will keep kids giggling, especially during a dress and undress routine. Catch this unique act when it returns in spring 2009.
On hand with character Maestro Mouse was Alexandria’s own resident children’s author Cheryl Barnes, who signed books and introduced guests to the lovable rodent conductor who moves through the orchestra to find his missing baton.
The hands-on National Symphony Orchestra petting zoo proved to be a show-stopping crowd pleaser for excited minis and camera-ready parents. Staffed by patient volunteers, the excitement was nearly as grand as the noise.
To take advantage of the Kennedy Center’s Prelude 2008: Arts Across America line up view the full calendar and performer break down by state at www.Kennedy-Center.org
Susanne Seidman reminds you not to try circus style food catching tricks at home. You can catch her at SSeidman@LocalKicks.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
The Arts Archives |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
