Kids' Arts Bash Takes Over Burlington
If you were to learn that Grammy Award-winning and nominated artists were gathering to entertain and educate your children, what might you think? Time to buy a ticket, right?
Well, you are in luck because you can see these award-winning artists for FREE at the upcoming Kids’ Arts Bash in Burlington, New Jersey, on April 18th from 12 PM to 5 PM!
For the fourth consecutive year, Arts Guild New Jersey’s Burlington City Arts Collaborative presents a community event designed for kids and families to explore their creativity and artistic spirit. Thanks to the A.R.T Phase II Grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), this will be the biggest bash yet!
Among the featured performers at this year's bash will be Grammy-winning music and social justice artist, Fyütch, Grammy-nominated children’s artist DJ Willy Wow!, and Grammy and Latin Grammy nominee Flor Bromley! Two of a Kind will present concerts for families and children of all ages using puppets, movement, and stories designed for audience participation whereas Alpha Bugs offers another interactive opportunity where original music combines with a presentation of the book, “Insects and Me A to Z.” The Global Orchestra is an international network of culture-bearing musicians who will teach kids and their communities everywhere about the wealth of world cultures.
And those are just some of the musical options!
Families can also consider seeing Shelli Buttons, a talented aerialist and circus artist who captivates audiences with her high-flying, awe-inspiring performances.
Or perhaps a performance by Enchantment Theatre Company, which offers puppetry, masks, and interactive elements for families. This year’s show will be “Mommy’s Khimar,” based on the book by the same title, wherein a young Muslim girl takes one of her mother’s headscarves (or khimars) and, with the power of imagination, uses it to dream about what she may become.
Nettie Nana and Friends is an NJEA award-winning puppet company that educates and entertains children through the wacky and wonderful world of poets.
Chad Juros, magician extraordinaire, will perform a kid-friendly magic show with additional performances by Strawbitty Yops, Michael from Michael & The Rockness Monsters, The Big Idea Committee, and Tim Hoh Music for Kids!
Special care has been taken to create a safe space for those with sensory needs as well. Christine Petrini, Arts Administrator at Lyceum Hall, explains that “the Linda Colaguori Library for the Arts here at Lyceum Hall, on our first floor, will be designated as a sensory-friendly space. There is very calming lighting in there, tons of books about the arts, and we have two teaching artists with early education degrees or backgrounds working with us. One of them works very closely with our Pre-K theater program here, and the other works with the autistic community, children in particular, in a therapeutic setting.”
Petrini adds that with the additional grant funding from the NJEDA this year, the bash is able to expand from a 500-attendee max to closer to 1,000. The outdoor spaces and stages allow for more community fun.
Speaking for the team at Lyceum, Christine asserts that it is important for children to “experience live theater and live arts of a professional quality that are designed specifically for them so that they can see the possibility as you continue your life as an artist. Additionally, that is why [we] do a Theater for Young Audiences musical here every year, and why we have an event like Kids’ Bash, designed for families and kids to come and experience music, theater, puppetry, and more, where you can engage in the arts in a meaningful way.”
Interactive participation is the heart and soul of this event. Children are encouraged to experience the arts in a visceral way that will, with any luck, instill a lifelong appreciation and respect for the field if not a career path. Whether it be participating in the all-day karaoke, cookie decorating, face painting, community mural, or the dramatic play photobooth, there are unique opportunities for all young folks. Perhaps they already know what they like and will spend all day with the balloon artist, or better yet, they will get a taste of everything and discover a new niche.
While we’re on the subject of taste, let’s not forget that refreshments will be available all day thanks to local vendors. Not Your Mama’s Tacos, Ummm Ice Cream, and Evermore Coffee will be present to please the palate.
With all of this overwhelming talent on display and exciting interactive opportunities to enjoy, this is an event that both kids and families will not only relish but look forward to for years to come.
