All entries filed under Dave Fry Elementary Assembly

Friday, July 13^th, 2018

Marvine Summer Slide

I had a great session with the small group of kids at Marvine this morning. This was the second of four sessions and one somewhat removed from my last one. It was good to reconnect with the teachers and kids. We were all excited.

I have some things up my sleeve from some other SS’s I’ve been doing and it’s nice to not to have to rely on some of the same old same old tools. I brought out Rosalie, Where Are You Going to develop some individual performance skills in front of their friends and it was mildly productive. We worked on Bear Hunt and they came up with “volcano, hot lava volcano with a nice leaping movement. It also formed the basis for an idea I used later.

I brought out the scarves for a session, using some techniques I’ve used recently. We used the scarves to “disappear” (a nice way to provide some ‘self-safe space’) and explored some facial emotions. Some great stuff came up, including the teachers input. We then did some scarf writing, doing the alphabet (ABC’s) and then went into Jelly in the Dish with some controlled tossing in the air (great visuals), free form dancing and singing, as well as trading scarves with each other. It’s turning out to be a wonderful performance piece.

At the end, I acted on my instincts about scarves/fire/volcanoes. We formed a tight circle with our scarves and formed a cauldron of boiling scarves, with occasional flame-ups with a big explosion of scarves in the air at the end. Bam.

As I left the school, I thanked Cesar for the opportunity and he wants me to do some steady afterschool work during the school year with the K’s. The work seems to be spreading out. Every gig creates another future gig.

Sunday, June 10^th, 2018

BeSafe program in Bushkill Township

It’s been a busy end-of-the-school year and I picked up a small “afterschool” gig north of Nazareth on Friday afternoon. There were only 40 or so kids and a few teachers/counselors on hand for this. We wet up in the gym (glad to have my small system with me) and off we went. The kids were into it as were the adults. There were two high school girls who were helping out so I picked on them to get them involved, and eventually got them up for Thunder Tubes on Giants. It was fun to see them loosen up, for them and the kids, too.

It was a splendid June day and the drive up into the PA hills did my spirit well.

Wednesday, June 6^th, 2018

Calypso Time

This was the last school gig of the year for me and it was a good one, returning to this West side school I’ve performed at consistently. In fact, I wrote a song with some of the kids two years age – Hey, Ho, Calypso.

Since these kids were pretty familiar with my stuff, I started off with Tropical Vacation and got the kids up and hulaing right away. I followed with Tutti Tah, I Wanna Be a Dog, The Cat Came Back, PB and J, Giants and finished up with All Around the Kitchen. The energy was up and several teachers came up and thanked me. Even the custodian and the departing lunch room ladies said it was a good time.

What a bonus to perform only a mile from home, drive to my local bank and deposit the check. That’s good stuff.

Monday, June 4^th, 2018

Moravian Academy Lower School on Monday

It’s been a while since I’ve done this end-of-the-year assembly for the kids at the private school on the Northside of Bethlehem. And that turns out to be okay. There were a lot of new faces in the faculty and the kids, and my show has (apparently) some new wrinkles so there were lots of good moments in a show that I’ve crafted.

I did The Cat Came Back and the 5th graders jumped on it right away, leading the rest of the younger kids to join in immediately. I picked out one kid who was somewhat bored with the “kids” stuff I was doing to play Thunder Tube and he turned out to be a wonderful foil during Giants. All Around the Kitchen had the kids up, dancing and singing and I was disappointed that I had to close the show earlier than I had wanted. Even the older security gent who chased me down as I drove into the parking lot hung around for the show and complimented my energy. And that’s the beauty of what I do – teachers, kids, school secretaries and security guards have a good time.

A great gig a mile from home. Yo!

Friday, June 1^st, 2018

Holy Infancy in the afternoon

After a successful paying gig this morning, I returned to my SouthSide neighborhood for my annual end-of-the-year benefit gig at Holy Infancy. We usually go out on the Greenway behind the school and play. Since the kids are really familiar with my material they don’t hesitate to yell out their favorites: Cat Came Back, Giants, Bear Hunt, Tutti Tah and even All Around the Kitchen (an obscure one, but a good one). Even the older kids enjoy the tunes they grew up with.

I had the chance to write a song with them three years ago that incorporated the school’s mission statement: Love, Justice and Peace. I was able to recall it during my set up time and pulled it off to the delight of the teachers and kids. It involves sign language and I got some help on the nice Peace move. I initially called up one girl who I count on to do the movements. Several others came up and joined and then I invited anybody who wanted to come up.

There was a tsunami of kids, but since I do not fear chaos, it turned out to be a highlight of the show. The kids took ownership.

We did all the favorites and finished with All Around the Kitchen with the kids coming up with a fistful of current dance moves, some familiar (The Dab, The Dental Floss…) but some really quite new and wonderful. Again, when I open it up to the kids who are comfortable with me, they respond in spades.

I returned home a block away, drenched in sweat but feeling good about my place in the neighborhood.

Friday, June 1^st, 2018

Hopewell School on Friday morning

It’s been years since I played at this rural school in Center Valley and it was cool to run into several teachers who were fans (and helped me get this gig). We set up in the gym and met some of my old teaching connections. We talked about doing Baby Shark, a tune I’ve haven’t done in a while due to my hip problems. This seemed to be the time to resurrect it and we planned to do it at the end with one teacher coming out in his shark costume!

The show was great with some of the kids primed on Cat Came Back and others by their teachers. All the little performance devices worked marvelously and the teachers unfamiliar with me and the show were laughing and having a great time. Nice to play for a new audience.

As I did Keep a Knockin’ with the full gym shakin’ and bakin’, I nodded to the shark teacher to go get in his costume. I had to start it up without him in sight but as we got 4 verses in, he made his appearance in the back and cruised his way through the crowd to the front of the stage. Both kids and teachers went bonkers. A truly memorable moment for us all. Looks like I’ll be back on a regular basis.

It was a hot day. I loaded up and drove off to Bethlehem, satisfied but a little beat from the heat. I have another gig at Holy Infancy later today and I’m glad it’s only a block away.

Friday, June 1^st, 2018

Lion King opener on Thursday afternoon

We gathered our 5th graders to perform our Names To the Animals song, opening for Marvine school’s Lion King production. We practiced on Wednesday and wrote a final verse for the song. Things were semi-chaotic but good natured. We got together about 20 minutes before the show and the kids were animated.

The show was pushed back when the sound and mikes for the show didn’t work and the Zollner Center at Lehigh stepped up big time to supply the equipment. It’s nice to have the big boys step in and help out the grade school. Very fine! But the time dragged by and finally the kids came in for the show. I wasn’t sure we’d have enough time, but Ms. DeStasio said we’d fit it in.

The rambunctious fifth graders, for the most part, froze up in front of the rest of the school. Very un-animated and very quiet. I tried to pump them up in the process but didn’t succeed. It shouldn’t be a surprise though. We ran through it and the audience liked it. I packed up my small system and snuck out the back door as the Lion King production took off. They did a great job on it, with lots of costuming, big cast, good movement, etc. Ms. DeStasio and the other teachers did a great job putting it together and I’m sure they were relieved when it was done.

This was part of the SouthSide Children’s Festival, a program of arts in Bethlehem schools, put together by my friend Doug Roysdon. I did a preliminary session in the fall which wasn’t successful and this was the way I could return, link up with the show and do some songwriting. All in all, it was pretty good, the kids were creative in the classroom and it turned out to be fun.

One girl really rocked with her interpretation of the Gangsta Bandana that we included it the Hyena verse. She was a hoot.

I had gotten paid in the fall, so there was only a small delayed monetary gratification. So it goes.

I saw an animal in the rain forest canopy (wave at the tall trees)

Juggling bananas, swinging from tree to tree.

He likes to break-dance and moonwalk real funky.

I think I’ll call this animal a monkey. (monkey sounds)

I saw a wild dog loose in the savanna:

A savage predator with a gangsta bandana (wrap hands around forehead and pose).

It likes dance the hula and the Macarena,

I think I’ll call this animal a hyena. (everyone laugh)

I saw an animal with four boney tusks (fingers to face) ,

It has a disgusting snout and a stinky musk.

Living the life wallowing in a dark bog, (show satisfaction).

I think I’ll call this animal a wart hog. (snort)

I saw an animal that stalks its prey.

You can hear its roar from 5 miles away,

It’s proud of its mane; it’s his royal bling,

I think I’ll call this animal the Lion King.

Saturday, May 19^th, 2018

Long day on the road

I had an early 9 am gig at a Montessori school in northern NJ so I left around 6:30, hit the usual traffic in central Jersey but made it to the school by 8:30 as the parking lot was congested with parents dropping off children. I set up a small sound system in the gym for the estimated 90 kids. I was glad I did because I needed the vocal support in such a noisy venue and with my gravelly voice from the previous day.

The kids were enthusiastic as expected, intelligent but somewhat “entitled” – meaning difficult to quiet down after an active session. Not quite the discipline that I’m used to, but understandable with the Montessori system.

This was the first time this school had tried something like this and they were quite pleased with my work. I broke a sweat.

Off to CT.

Wednesday, May 9^th, 2018

Lakewood, NJ Primary school on Wednesday

I wish I could do these primary schools all the time. I had two morning assemblies in Lakewood, NJ, about 2 hours from home with about 250 kids and teachers at each show. We were in the gym.

I got there later than I wished (missed an exit on the GS Parkway in the morning sunshine) but knew I could launch on time. Lauren, the art teacher, was my liaison for this school and also was the person who moved the show back from three weeks ago (I was laid up with the hip). A most gracious woman.

These shows were for preschool, Kindergarten and First Grade, right in my wheelhouse. I really haven’t played a large solo assembly in a while, but I went with the strong stuff – cause it works. Sometimes this age group has never sung along, so I do my best to get them to sing – and, in a big gym, there’s less pressure to do so, especially when they hear the big sound of lots of kids singing. I had to pick on some of the teachers, though, to clue them in on the process.

There was a 90% latino group here in the heartland of NJ. Both groups responded wonderfully and the teachers were crowing on the performance. I get ’em riled up and active – just what this age group needs.

I chatted with the art teacher’s class (they were there for both shows) and asked what song they liked and they came up with You Are My Sunshine, one I wasn’t expecting (thinking they might say Cat Came Back from the previous show). Seems they just sang it at the school assembly a few days before. So they sang it, and I went back and played my guitar with them. It was then that I figured I would feature them in the second show.

You Are My Sunshine is the perfect example of what a folk song is. They knew it well and had sung it on stage. So, after my usual opening songs, I started it out on the guitar and the entire first grade sang it with gusto. I then got them to stand up and sing it again. The energy level in the room was incredible, especially seeing the music teacher go nuts. (I found out he is a notable sax player with some pop star band experience – that’s why I enjoyed his reaction.) It was an inspired addition to the morning, thanks to being open to chat with the small class between shows.

It was a long drive, and the first large solo assemblies I’ve done in weeks. I’m pretty satisfied with my physical recovery, and glad to be able to perform well again. There’s still some weakness in the hip (5 weeks out) but, with a stool, I can get up and down for different songs.

It’s good to pay for play again, too.

Sunday, March 18^th, 2018

Doubleheader on Friday – Kendall Park ES in the morning

I had a mid-morning assembly in central Jersey for a large K – 5 school (450 kids) in the gym. This was a show that had been cancelled 10 days ago for one of the nor’easters that had come through. We got an inch in Bethlehem but they got a foot. I’m always glad that these always get rescheduled. And I was glad it wasn’t a ‘crack o’ dawn’ gig for me; I could leave at a reasonable 7:30 am.

The principal knew me from a school had played nearby so that was good to hear before the kids came in. She knew what she was getting. And the show went swimmingly.

I’ve been dealing with my left hip, soon to be repaired in a couple of weeks, so I have to give thought to working with a stool, a chair or standing up. With so many kids, I knew I had to be visible and moving in order to reach the large audience. I had a stool nearby and used it for a couple of songs in the second half of the show, but actually did okay standing for most of the show. (I can’t wait to fix this thing, aware of how much better I felt when the right hip was replaced two years ago.)

I finished with All Around the Kitchen with kids coming up on stage to share their dances and finishing up with four teachers doing theirs. 500 kids and teachers singing and dancing in front of me, and even the fifth graders were in the moment, having a great time. This is powerful stuff.

Back in the car by 11:15 and headed back to PA.

Tonight, St. Peter’s Bakery.

Wednesday, January 17^th, 2018

Primary assembly in Monmouth Jct., NJ

A rare Young Audiences solo gig today at a K and 1st grade school in Monmouth Junction, NJ at a small, older school that I’ve played many times before. It was supposed to be a 9:30 morning show but the threatening snow storm moved it back to 1 pm. (It’s never a good idea to decide at 6:00 am if we want to cancel the show.) As it turned out, the snow in PA was only a few inches and Jersey got very little. I’m glad we went ahead. “A gig played is a gig paid.”

This was a group of 200 or so kids of little kids, mostly Indian and Pakistani children, a warm and involved principal and some good teachers – you can always count on K and 1st grade teachers to be loose and open for some fun.

It’s been a while since my last kids gig so I was a little rusty on a couple of tunes, but there was room for some experimentation. Lately, I’ve tried to end up the gig by asking the kids to share something from the show with their parents, and I also try to ask them to reflect on what we did, so that some of the activities can be fortified. A couple of kids mentioned singing, Bear Hunt, Cat Came Back but a couple of kids raised their hands but couldn’t say anything. I choose not to press it too far, but give them the opportunity to access what we did.

I left a couple of CDs with the principal, packed up my gear and headed back to Bethlehem.

Thursday, January 12^th, 2017

Penn Valley ES on Thursday

It was great to be ‘back in the saddle’ today with two large assemblies with K, 1, 2 and then 3, 4, 5 grades. 750 kids all together. When I got there a half-hour early, as I approached the main door, I was met with two concerned parents who were in charge. They thought that I needed an hour to set up, but I quickly calmed them down and we got things set up with time to spare. I usually phone the school if I’m running late, and I should have let them know my real time of arrival.

The first set was with the wee kids, all sitting in bouncy auditorium seats and off we went. I usually prefer a gym floor for the sake of dancing, but with their small bodies, there was lots of room. The principal, a Moravian grad and Quakertown resident, was particularly fun, doing the Tutti Tah, generally being engaged. Always a good sign for the quality of the audience and the gig’s success.

I surprised myself when I forgot part of the second verse of the Cat Came Back, a song I’ve been doing for decades. These mind spasms always creep up on me in unexpected places, in songs I am genetically programmed by now to do. Anyway, I was able to not sing the words, played the chords and then hit the chorus early. It was fine, but I put a check mark on that one for next time.

The second show was for a bigger audience, individually and collectively, and I still wonder how to connect with the older fifth graders, since they are the mature ones in the building. I really shouldn’t worry – they are still kids, enjoy the humor and the movement.

I did The Cat Came Back for the second set and I continue to explore the performance possibilities by having each class stand and sing the chorus for the rest of the crowd. I then, of course, have the teachers stand and sing (opera-style), and then get the kids to sing the last one, while I remove my voice from the mix and let them hear the hall ring with their own voices. It’s pretty subtle but powerful, as well. It’s satisfying for me as the artist in the house.

The Home and School folks loved the shows and were quite gracious in allowing me to show up that close to start time.

The weather was in the mid 50’s as I headed out, packed up the car and drove back to the Lehigh Valley, feeling the boost I always get from playing for 750 kids in the morning.

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