Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande — whose music videos are seen multiple times daily between PBS KIDS children’s programs on NJTV and many other public television stations across the country -- plans a very special, free family show for Monday, August 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kearny Public Library, 318 Kearny Ave., Kearny, NJ. The theme of this show will be “One World, Many Stories.”
New Jersey native Meredith LeVande says, “I’m so much looking forward to playing for families in Kearny! We’ll have fun dancing together and singing plenty of old favorites, plus lots of songs from my CD, What Are the Odds? Kids and their adults should be ready to ‘Jump High,’ play ‘Air Guitar,’ and ‘Shake it Loud.’ We’ll use instruments and bubbles, and I’ll perform my original book, In the Garden. All monkeys are welcome!”
With a clear delivery that’s filled with expression and charm, Meredith LeVande brings elements of traditional children's music to her original songs, which range from the knock-knock joke-filled, “Who’s a Knockin?” to the wordplay and animal noises in “Silly Animal Friends” to “Guess What I Am?,” a “slowing down” song that’s jam-packed with riddles. Her “Air Guitar,” “Shake It Loud,” and “In the Garden,” are guaranteed to get kids up and moving.
Drawing from her expertise in a variety of disciplines, Meredith Levande could well be termed a "Renaissance woman of children's music.” She brings to her work a strong academic background, having earned a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and English from the University of Rochester, a law degree from Brooklyn Law School, and a master’s degree in music from SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory. Yet to experience Meredith’s music is by no means an academic abstraction. Her songs are joy-filled expressions of pure, childlike fun. One listening is all it takes to recognize that Meredith really loves being around children.
In Meredith LeVande’s work, this musical and emotional link to children comes through loud and clear. From the beginning of her career, Meredith LeVande has garnered exceptional recognition. Her debut album, 2004’s Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande, was in regular rotation on Sirius Satellite Radio for several years. What Are the Odds?, a CD released in 2010, gained praise as “brainy and brilliant” and “pure preschool gold.” Several music videos based on songs from Meredith’s albums have been featured on Comcast’s Kidz Bop Preschool On Demand channel, and a DVD compilation of music videos, 2010’s Monkey Monkey Music: The Videos with Meredith LeVande, garnered a NAPPA Honors Award. And now, with her music videos airing on public television stations throughout the U.S, Meredith stands on the cusp of nationwide recognition.
WHAT: Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande!
WHERE: Kearny Public Library, 318 Kearny Ave., Kearny, NJ
WHEN: Monday, August 22. 6:30 P.M.
TICKETS: Free of charge
INFORMATION: (201) 998-2666. http://www.kearnylibrary.org
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