Kidspace Celebrates Martin Luther King Day with Interactive Concert

 

Kidspace Children’s Museum celebrated Martin Luther King Day yesterday with an interactive music performance by Rhythm Child, a percussion music group focusing on inspiring, motivating and entertaining people of all ages, they are what would happen if Bob Marley sang on Sesame Street.

Children were encouraged to sing and play along with the band’s upbeat music and catchy drum beats. Some of Rhythm Child’s originals include “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Jammy Put On” and “Bird and The Dragon.

The band has become so popular with both children and adults that they were invited to play at the White House. The reason for their popularity is the band’s interaction with children. Lead singer Norman Jones invites children from the audience to sing-along with him and other participants from the crowd are given hand-held drums to play along with the band.

“I feel like my music offers that same kind of appeal and people appreciate the simple honesty. For me, it’s not just about making music for kids that parents can tolerate; it’s about making music for parents that kids can understand,” Jones said.

“If my music can allow parents to forget for a moment that they are listening to their child’s CD yet it still encourages their kids to stay engaged emotionally with the songs then I am truly a fulfilled artist,” he added.

Rhythm Child has become a regular fixture over the past several years at the Kidspace Museum and is now a part of their traditional Martin Luther King Day celebration, said Kidspace’s marketing manager Tim Scheidler.

“They’re the Kidspace’s favorite group. We really enjoy working [with them],” Scheidler said.

The Martin Luther King Day celebration, Scheidler said, predates the museum’s move to their current location in Pasadena.

“The best of Martin Luther King Day is the activities. It’s something that we want to continue to celebrate,” Scheidler said.

This year’s celebration is extra special as the museum celebrates its 35th anniversary, Scheidler added.

Rhythm Child has won several awards and has been recognized several times for their work with children, including an Academics Choice Award, a John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize, a National Parenting Publication Gold Award and a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles.

Kidspace Children’s Museum was founded in 1979 by members of the Caltech community and the Pasadena Junior League. The programs and exhibits at Kidspace are designed for children ages 1 to 12 years old.

The museum is located at 480 North Arroyo Blvd. Free parking is available in the Rose Bowl Parking Lot I. For more information, call (626) 449-9144 or visit http://www.kidspacemuseum.org.