Thursday Morning Kids Concerts Series Kicks Off June 1

From the City of Gaithersburg: The air will be filled with delightful sounds and important life lessons this summer as nine different entertainers captivate young audiences during Thursday Morning Kids Concerts, June 1 through July 27 at 10:30 a.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion. From puppets to magic to music from around the world, parents and children alike will enjoy the variety of free performances.

This summer’s lineup includes:

June 1 – Flow Circus – Circus

Flow Circus offers performances, workshops, and professional development to schools, libraries, camps, and other youth-focused organizations. Unplugged, challenging skills such as juggling, plate spinning, and flower stick twirling create a climate of playful learning. These highly interactive programs foster a culture of self-directed learning, perseverance, and success.

June 8 – Silly Goose & Val – Music/Puppet

Silly Goose & Val introduce the book and song Springtime Dance during their 45 minute program of music, ventriloquism, comedy, and 100% audience participation. Ventriloquist, musician, composer, and performer Valerie Leonhart Smalkin was a writer, performer, co-producer and head puppeteer of the Emmy award-winning television program It's Kindertime. Her book Springtime Dance took gold in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards in 2014.

June 15 - Jay Mattioli – Magic

Experience a unique combination of stunning visual magic with comedy, audience interaction, a touch of dance, and an unsurpassable style.Considered by his peers as a magic innovator, Jay creates many of his signature magic effects from the ground up, including building props, costumes, music composition, and choreography. Jay performs magic with everything from live animals to levitating microphones as well as startling effects where he vaporizes his body in the blink of an eye.

June 22 – Yosi in Concert – Upbeat Music and Dance

Yosi has created various interactive and educational themed shows that bring joy to thousands of young children and their adults at schools, libraries, and concert stages. You may catch Yosi educating kids about seven instruments from around the world, dressed in pajamas for a Get-Ready-for-Bedtime PJ Party, performing the Limbo song at the B-E-A-C-H, or at one of his various Holiday concerts! It's always a fun-filled time!

June 29 – Cantaré - Latin American Music

Cantaré, Latin American Music introduces audiences to the beautiful songs and rhythms of Latin America in an exciting interactive performance. Drawing from the musical heritage of the Caribbean, Central and South America, Cantaré performs an entertaining blend of songs in Spanish and Portuguese, while sharing the music’s cultural and historical background.

July 6 – Mark H. Rooney – Taiko (Japanese Drumming)

Mark H. Rooney, a solo improvisational taiko artist, studies, performs, and teaches taiko, a dynamic form of full-body drumming based in Japanese tradition. Mark combines this traditional foundation with a modern sensibility to create performances and classes that emphasize connection, reaction, and interaction.

July 13 – Barynya – Russian Music

The Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Gypsy Roma traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion) and balalaika contrabass.

July 20 – Mark Jaster - Mime

Mark Jaster’s diverse skills, luminous imagination and world-class training ignite in unique and engaging performances. Put aside whatever you expected from mime, and prepare to enjoy brilliantly articulated gesture, playful interaction, gentle, inclusive humor, witty musical surprises, and seasoned experience with a vast range of audiences. Piccolo’s Trunk enchants with illusions and humorous surprises, The Maestro’s audience is his hilarious orchestra, and A Fool named ‘O’ astonishes with the wordless wit of a medieval jester.

July 27 – Billy B. – Music and Science

Billy B. uses songs, dances, theatrical backdrops and improv comedy to reach and teach his audiences about the wonderful workings of our beautiful planet. Kids have taught Billy they want to do two things; move and make noise. So Billy’s live shows and his recorded music all encourage audience participation.

Enjoy outdoor entertainment and activities all summer long at the Concert Pavilion. Heat up your exercise routine as you dance to the Latin rhythms of Zumba on Friday evenings through August 25 (no class May 19). Experience uplifting Gospel music at the 11th Annual Jubilation Day Gospel Extravaganza on June 3. Develop your mind, body and spirit at Yoga in the Park on Tuesday evenings through August (no class July 4). Wind down the work day with Thursday Evenings in Olde Towne in June, July and September.

Please note parking is available in the City’s parking garage at 112 Olde Towne Avenue. A complete listing of performance dates, times and descriptions can be found at gaithersburgmd.gov. Gaithersburg’s outdoor entertainment is funded in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. For more information call 301-258-6350.

Image via Pixabay