Symphony Space?s Just Kidding series (http://www.secretagent23skidoo.com/) kicks off in October with a cornucopia of family-friendly performances. Every Saturday from October through May, Symphony Space continues their tradition of offering New York families ground-breaking programming from around the country. This year, the Upper West Side cultural mecca will host more than 28 family-centric performances and 62 films during a season that is as diverse as it is unique to New York.
Since ?Just Kidding? programming began in the 1990s with performances by Tom Chapin and other family music stars, Symphony Space has launched the New York careers of such artists as Ralph?s World and the Sippy Cups as well as solidifying the fan base for a number of artists including Dan Zanes. This season, favorite artists Elizabeth Mitchell, Gustafer Yellowgold, Randy Kaplan and Justin Roberts return to Symphony Space, and a host of intriguing performers will make their New York debut.
New this year at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre is the Fresh Sounds Showcase featuring innovative artists from the burgeoning independent family music genre, with tickets at the value price of just $ 10. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, a nationally acclaimed family-friendly hip hop artist, performs on October 16th; NPR-acclaimed indie rock band Lunch Money performs on January 29th; and Washington DC?s favorite kid music group Rocknoceros arrives on April 2nd. Also new this season are Farmer Jason, offering alt.country tunes; Recess Monkey, a Seattle based trio of teachers who offer hilarious kindie rock; and the Sugar Free Allstars, who bring their funky, dance-happy tunes to the Leonard Nimoy Thalia.
?There are a lot of great kids? acts from around the country whose ability to perform outside of their own region is reliant upon national exposure on Nick Jr. and other TV shows.? says Darren Critz, Director of Performing Arts Programs, who scoured the country looking for diverse and unusual performers. ?Our goal this season is to remove this hurdle and bring these groups here for New York audiences to discover and enjoy. This family season will combine these brand new artists in music, dance and theatre, representing over 25 percent of the 50 states, with some of the most well-known artists in the industry.?
Critz curated the Just Kidding series carefully to ensure that each performance would bring something special and unique to New York?s discerning family audiences. The season?s talent ranges from trapeze artists to Native American dancers, Latin American music to traditional folksingers. ?We put a lot of consideration into developing a season that will provide a wealth of educational and entertaining experiences for kids and parents,? notes Cynthia Elliott, Executive Director of Symphony Space.
In addition to the music, dance and theatrical shows, Just Kidding offers showings of more than 62 films appropriate for children of various age levels. Symphony Space?s Thalia Kids? Book Club series presents lively discussions between children?s book authors and their fans on selected Sundays. Each event includes a creative writing project, a free-wheeling discussion and a book signing.
October 2010 Just Kidding Performances
October?s lineup includes nationally acclaimed family music artists, zany sketch comedy and breath-taking acrobatics as well as screenings of a Wallace and Gromit movie over Halloween weekend:
The Story Pirates ? Leonard Nimoy Thalia, Saturday, October 2 at 11am ? Jon Stewart is a fan, and Larry King chuckles at their humor. This zany-smart group creates musical sketch comedy for the kids comprised entirely of stories written by kids. The award winning show has been described as ?Monty Python meets Schoolhouse Rock.? Based in New York, the Story Pirates has entertained and engaged the creativity of hundreds of thousands of children across the country. (http://storypirates.org)
Randy Kaplan ? Leonard Nimoy Thalia, Saturday, October 9 at 11am and 2pm ? A former New Yorker who now hails from Los Angeles, Kaplan?s styles range from folk and pop to Tin Pan Alley gems, Broadway hits and Delta blues. His original songs offer quirky and hilarious lyrics about spotless ladybugs, rare insects and exotic fruit. Nickelodeon's Parentsconnect has chosen Kaplan?s new CD The Kids Are All Id as a "Parent Pick" for 2010, and CoolMompicks calls him ?the thinking kids? musician.? (http://www.randykaplan.com)
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo ? Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, Saturday, October 16 at 11am ? One of the hottest acts in kindie rock, this North Carolina based ?kid hop? artist makes his Symphony Space debut. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo combines happy hip hop music with awesome storytelling about dragons, mermaids, robots and sea monsters. 23 and his crew will perform their hit song ?I Gotta Be Me? and original tunes from their new release, Underground Playground. This show is part of the FRESH SOUNDS SHOWCASE. All Tickets only $ 10. (http://www.secretagent23skidoo.com)
Circurious ? Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, Saturday, October 23 at 2pm and 5pm ? This collective of NYC based circus, acrobat and variety performers bring the WOW factor of the circus tent into one fantastic afternoon of aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, illusionists and indescribable feats! As David Letterman says, ?This IS something!? (http://www.circurious.com)
For Halloween weekend, Symphony Space has cooked up a not-so-scary family film adventure with three screenings of Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit (Leonard Nimoy Thalia, Saturday, October 30 at 11am and 1pm; Sunday, October 31 at 11am). The beloved cartoon heroes must capture a huge, veggie ravaging beast before it?s too late in this fun, spooky film, just right for Halloween.
Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Symphony Space offers ?create your own? subscriptions to the 2010-11 Just Kidding series. Additionally, members of Symphony Space enjoy up to 40 percent in discounts on ticket prices. To learn more about this season?s performers, play songs, watch videos and get updates about the Just Kidding series, visit http://www.symphonyspace.org/justkidding. The box office line is (212) 864-5400.
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