Some very wonderful artwork by a little buddy of mine....

Man, yesterday was one of those lovely spring days you yearn for all winter:  mild weather, green grass, lovely families gathered together at a local event and, of course, the opportunity to place a frog on your head and have an obscene amount of fun!   Yes, opening day at the Carousel for All Children was wonderful in so many ways, and it reminded me yet again why I love performing for families and bringing a laugh to people's lips.  Check out these snaps for a peak at some of the fun we had.

When I was a kid, the library was a no-talk zone, where stern old librarians preyed upon anyone foolish enough to utter a sound among the stacks.  Today?  Well, I'm happy to be part of the new model of library-as-important-community-hub, where we make music and laugh and, of course, read.   #LibrariesRule

This weekend I provided the entertainment at the Staten Island Zoo's Eggstravagant Feast With The Easter Bunny, and, man, it was fun!  Lots of lovely families, children playing along on drums with me, plenty of animals to pet, tons of yummy food, Staten Island Chuck and, of course, that Original Gangsta, the Easter Bunny.   I even got a chance to pet Waffles the tree sloth, who was so cuddly and cute.   Check out this link for more pics and press coverage: SILive.com

On Tuesday, February 13, I had the privilege of attending a Valentine's Day party run by my friends Elaine and Lisa for families who are served by Project Hospitality, a local and really vital human services organization here on Staten Island.   The beats were thumping, the snacks were yumming, and I had a chance to share live music with many wonderful new friends, many of whom don't get many chances to experience live music.   Don't know who had a better time: me or the children!

It sure was a cold morning, but with freezing fingers flailing, Mr. Mikey and I managed to once again bring the tunes as Mr. Staten Island Chuck made his predictions at Groundhog Day 2018 at the Staten Island Zoo.  He called an early Spring, much to the delight of the assembled crowd.  And in case you're wondering what Chuck thinks of the prediction by that "other" groundhog, the impostor named Phil over in PA, he summed it up with three succinct words: "fake news, folks!" 

Last night I had the opportunity to perform onstage at Staten Island's treasure, the St. George Theater.   It was "Frozen Family Movie Night," and, boy, was it fun!  A little bit of a silly sing-along, followed by a duet with Anna from Frozen and a huge parade around the theatre with adorable children, many of whom were dressed in costume.  Loved every minute of it!

Absolutely wonderful time playing Christmas tunes for a group of lovely families the other night, and this little fella and I hit it off big time!   He sang the Itsy Bitsy Spider in Spanish for the crowd and danced, sang and entertained everyone.    Humor and music cross so many barriers: cultural, language: just about anything you can imagine.   So glad to be able to meet such amazing people.

Last week the legendary Miss Janet of Music Together of Staten Island reached out and asked if I wouldn't mind filling in for a couple of upcoming classes; it had been a while - almost six years - but I agreed.  Well let's just say that a wonderfully fun time was had by all, and although my resting tones were a bit off - whose aren't - and my rhythm patterns sounded like buffalos on parade, the laughter and pure anything-can-happen spirit of making music - and using humor - with families abounded.   A big thank you to Miss Janet for having me back.   (musictogetherofstatenisland.com is the place to register for their wonderful classes, btw.)

This past Wednesday as I walked through a parking lot on my way to play for children at an after-school program for kids both on and off the spectrum, a woman stopped her car next to me, rolled down her window and said, "Whatever you're gonna do with those instruments, be amazing!" and drove off just as quickly as she'd arrived.   It was a the sort of random act of kindness that keeps me going and makes me realize in my bones that musical instruments are magical objects: they have the ability to summon a power that is at once joyful and mysterious.  (Even when the music is as simple as "The Itsy Bitsy Spider")  That chance encounter spurred me to do exactly what she'd said: be amazing.  Based on the children's reactions, I'm pretty sure it worked....for all of us.   Thank you, kind lady, for taking the time to spread some happy in this world: we sure need it!

We 70s children well-recall the straight-from-the-box, plastic-smelling, rubber band-sporting Halloween costumes of yore, don't we? Here's yours truly circa 1975, looking every bit the superhero. (Bat Man wore plaid long sleeves under his costume, too, right?) What was your favorite costume back in the day?

Another Staten island Zoo Spooktacular has come and gone, and this year may very well have been the best ever: great families and staff, fun activities, and the costumes.....well, let's just say we hit a new level of silliness with those this year.   Don't believe us?  See for yourself!