Friday, April 22, 2011

Everything's Coming Up (Bread &) Roses!

We've been having some great shows lately.  I believe it's due to the re-newed energy we're feeling from making our new album.  We're very excited about it and it's giving us confidence in our performances.  Here's a review of a recent show we had for the non-profit benefit, Bread & Roses. The best part of the day for me was at the end of the show when a little girl asked me to write a song about "saving the planet".  When I found out her name was "Gaia" I was impressed and the next day quickly wrote a song about a girl named Gaia who's trying to save the planet.  "Thank you" to my young muse! 

The Hipwaders at Fairfax/San Anselmo Children’s Center *
Date: 4/5/2011
Host: Debbie Matson
 
Essence Story by Debbie Matson:
(With additional details from Lisa Starbird)

Today I walked into San Anselmo/Fairfax Children’s Center thinking I would be hosting a typical children’s show, which are usually great, but the attention span of the audience is usually around 30 minutes. Was I in for a big surprise today, as the Hipwaders lit up the room with electric excitement and tons of fun for all ages nonstop for over an hour. Their business card has a perfect description of what the band plays – “hip music for kids”. There was rock, pop, folk, reggae, and even disco songs performed for the enthusiastic crowd.  The band played both originals the kids could relate to like “The Messy Room Song” and covers of such favorites as the Sesame Street and Sponge Bob songs. One of the staff mentioned that they should be on the Disney channel. Every song was high energy, had a great beat, and fabulous singing.

When the band first started, the smallest children were up right away hopping and dancing with giant smiles on their faces and squeals of delight. As the music continued, the older children quickly joined in, but it did not stop there. Many of the adults, including teachers and even the head of the facility were up dancing and shaking their stuff right in the middle of the dance floor. Even the shy kids eventually got on their feet.

There were young girls up in the front the entire time that asked for autographs after the show. There were “cool kids” who started by tapping their toes, and next thing the “too cool for it kids” started a congo line that moved around the room and then wrapped itself onto the dance floor. Another boy had a big group around him imitating his every dance move and his hand movements - like the jerk, which went on for a few songs. And when one mother came to pick up her son, he said, “No way, I’m not going now.”

Something very special happened today in Fairfax, and I am grateful that I was able to be part of it!

Lisa Starbird
Bread & Roses
Program Assistant



 

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