Thank you to all the performers! The Topanga Children’s Festival’s biggest heroes have generously donated their time and talent for this special event.
www.tenwest.net
Photo: www.blakegardner.net
Peter Alsop - Is a nationally known singer-songwriter, educator and humorist,
Peter Alsop has produced 19 audio recordings and seven videos and DVDs. He consistently wins “Best Children’s” awards from Parents’ Choice and the Association for Independent Music. His songs are used daily by thousands of parents, educators and professionals to help families discuss sensitive issues.
His “Wake Up” video with John Ritter helps families prevent child abuse and abduction. He’s acted on stage and television, and directed a feature film. He has
a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Columbia University’s Teachers’ College. Always busy, Peter performs extensively at conferences, festivals and concerts throughout the US and Canada. He lives in Topanga with his wife, actress/director Ellen Geer and their two daughters, Willow and Megan.
www.peteralsop.com
Peter Alsop has produced 19 audio recordings and seven videos and DVDs. He consistently wins “Best Children’s” awards from Parents’ Choice and the Association for Independent Music. His songs are used daily by thousands of parents, educators and professionals to help families discuss sensitive issues.
His “Wake Up” video with John Ritter helps families prevent child abuse and abduction. He’s acted on stage and television, and directed a feature film. He has
a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Columbia University’s Teachers’ College. Always busy, Peter performs extensively at conferences, festivals and concerts throughout the US and Canada. He lives in Topanga with his wife, actress/director Ellen Geer and their two daughters, Willow and Megan.
www.peteralsop.com
Flatbed Vinyl - Is Topanga’s very own surf band playing classic renditions of 60’s instrumentals like Pipeline, Apache, Miserlou, Wipe Out and others. It’s fun music with a beat! Members Chris, John, Oscar & Scott can be contacted at P.O. Box 546 Topanga, CA 90290.
Melanie Kareem - Topanga’s very own belly dancers! Beloved in the canyon and beyond, Melanie’s Middle Eastern Dance School students dress in bright colors, veils, bangles and jingle bells, performing this ancient, female dance form. They
are always a joy to behold!
www.melaniekareem.com
are always a joy to behold!
www.melaniekareem.com
“The most exciting, entertaining and effective theatre for a young audience that I have seen in years.” – Kappy Kilburn, Associate Director of Development, Pasadena Playhouse.
www.kitetheatre.org
Creative PlayGround, is a not-for-profit arts organization that develops and performs interactive, literaturebased theatre for family audiences. Started by co-artistic directors Karen Hardcastle and Elizabeth Tobias and utilizing the talents of a diverse company of professional performers, Creative PlayGround can be seen as part of Family Fundays at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum as well as at various festivals, schools, libraries and private events throughout the greater L.A. area. With over seven shows available, including The Velveteen Rabbit, Aesop’s Fables, The Legends of King Arthur and more, Creative PlayGround is committed to bringing to life the stories of many cultures for children of all ages and backgrounds. They believe that theatre for children should be accessible, an extension of their own play, focusing on creativity and encouraging their audiences to help build the world of the story with their own imaginations. They seek to spark in their audience a love of literature, a love of theatre and a love of the magical world of their own creative energy. They believe that a shared theatrical experience strengthens both the family and the individual by raising questions that inspire dialogue.
www.creativeplayground.org
www.creativeplayground.org
Fleuris! French Language School in Topanga is a place where children learn French and life in a new way. Through storytelling, theatre, creative projects, music, inner journeys, world traveling, cooking, tasting and exploring everything in a sensorial way, the children of Fleuris! expand their knowledge and wisdom and learn to see the magic of life. They also learn French! Fleuris! has now reached out, and through children’s art, is helping South African children have a better chance at life. Coco Blignaut, founder and teacher, has traveled to many places on this planet, visiting and playing with the children of the world. She brings her passion to the children of Fleuris! Call (310) 455-2007.
Bienvenue!
www.fleuris.org
Bienvenue!
www.fleuris.org
Organic Jam - the funky Woodland Hills-based quintet, is composed of 15-year-olds heavily influenced by Hendrix, Parliament/Funkadelic, Jamiroquai, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead and other funk and rock pioneers. They bring originality that you are sure to enjoy.
IF... - is comprised of Chaise Levy - Guitar, Gabe Polky - Guitar and mandoline, Lorenzo Levy - Bass, Luca Brown - Drums, Maya Bon - Vocals. These young and talented Topanga-grown musicians have joined forces to bring you the Rythmic Rockin’ sounds that only Topanga kids can bring. Now known as IF...
Polsky Family Band - plays traditional American music—old time and bluegrass. Gabriel is 14, and plays the mandolin. Forest is 9 and plays the fiddle. Clara is 4 and doesn’t really play anything but likes to pretend to play either fiddle or ukulele, and mostly likes to talk into the microphone.
Sherie Davis and Mark Alciati
Sherie Davis started writing songs four years ago. She is originally from Boston and has been living in L.A. for the past 10 years. Sherie took 9 years of flute lessons and 5 years of guitar lessons as a kid. Her music has been described as free-spirited, acoustic folk-inspired, organic, uplifting, light, fun, joyful, comfortable, spiritual and renewing as well as “sweet, kind music for a cruel world.”
www.myspace.com/sheriedavis
Sherie Davis started writing songs four years ago. She is originally from Boston and has been living in L.A. for the past 10 years. Sherie took 9 years of flute lessons and 5 years of guitar lessons as a kid. Her music has been described as free-spirited, acoustic folk-inspired, organic, uplifting, light, fun, joyful, comfortable, spiritual and renewing as well as “sweet, kind music for a cruel world.”
www.myspace.com/sheriedavis
Mark Alciati puts people in two groups: children or “former children.” He has found that both groups equally enjoy music stories and fun. Mark has brought his music to audiences of all ages for more than 2 decades. As a Speech Pathologist, he has incorporated music in his work with preschoolers, skilled nursing facility residents and pretty much every age in between. Mark also frequently plays his original acoustic folk music for “grown ups” at coffee houses and singer-songwriter showcases in the Santa Barbara area. As part of his work for Santa Barbara County schools, Mark conducts weekly music and communication groups with young elementary and Special Education Junior and Senior high school classes in Santa Barbara and Goleta, California. Mark’s children’s performance repertoire ranges from rock and roll oldie classics, some updated children’s favorites and original songs. He might even write a song on the spot! Whatever he is playing, Mark is sure to put a smile on the faces of children and former children alike. Some of Mark’s acoustic folk music can be heard on his website.
myspace.com/markalciati
Rick Ellis - is a local Topanga musician who is currently finishing his second CD. Rick has toured in the US as well as Europe and has performed locally at Topanga Days, Earthday, the Katrina and 911 Benefits, and at the Topanga Elementary School morning concert.
Even - Storytime & Pinata. Even Barret-Caston has been storytelling with young children for more than ten years. He has performed in theatrical productions, fronted a band, ridden his bike across a snowy New York (had it stolen) and run out of gas in nowherelandWyoming with a pregnan wife and a five-month-old labrador. Even dances, sings, bakes bread, plays and gets serious with the Co-op kids every day as their teacher and the school’s director.
Ty Stoller - leaps out with his debut children’s album, “Monkey Jungle.” He was born in Chicago but pretty much is a native to the Los Angeles area since he was raised here from a very young age. He immersed himself with training in the arts at the prestigious and courageous California Institute of the Arts (CAL-ARTS), a school conceived and built by Walt Disney to develop and nurture budding artists. He’s done plenty of children’s theatre and organizes children’s activities for corporate family picnics while traveling down his acting career path. He’ll be performing songs from the “Monkey Jungle,” which is available on iTunes or the “Monkey Jungle” website.
www.themonkeyjungle.com
www.themonkeyjungle.com
