Now Streaming Online
Family Sensory Friendly Show
Grammy award-winning children's performer Dan Zanes and Haitian-American music therapist/jazz vocalist Claudia Eliaza have been making music with each other since the day they met in the fall of 2016. The two decided they would continue singing together and - in the spirit of inclusion and good times - would work with presenters to try and make all of their concerts sensory-friendly.
Inspired by their artful modern-day all-ages folk music and commitment to accessibility, the Kennedy Center commissioned Claudia and Dan to create a theater piece for young audiences. Their love of songs and communal music-making lead to a publishing a songbook entitled "Dan Zanes' House Party: A Family Roots Music Treasury." This has opened the doors to many new conversations with parents, educators, music therapists, and fellow musicians about how to work together to create a healthier, more musical (and ultimately, more festive), society. While taking on these projects, Claudia and Dan have continued to bring their music to family shows, school workshops, community singalongs, and folk festivals throughout the U.S. and into Canada. They take their commitment to accessibility and inclusion with them wherever they go. And - the icing on the cake - in the midst of it all they were married!
Complimentary tickets are available for those in need - please email [email protected].
SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES
Sensory-friendly performances are for everyone. We hope to have an inclusive audience of happy kids singing and dancing together at the award-winning Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza show on February 17, 2019.
In developing our sensory-friendly performing arts program, ArtsRock desires to create an inclusive arts experience in order for all audience members to enjoy the wonders of the performing arts. Our sensory-friendly performances are inclusive and open to all children and families with all abilities and challenges. They are, however, designed specifically to accommodate the needs of children with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families and caregivers. We have tried to create a space where all feel welcome and able to enjoy the show.
HOW WE MAKE OUR SHOWS SENSORY-FRIENDLY
- Lights on during the show but at a dimmed level
- Lower volume of speakers without surprising audio level changes
- Acceptance of talking and making noises during the show
- Break areas for audience members
- Acceptance of children leaving their seats and moving around theater with supervision
- Support staff onsite to answer questions and accommodate needs to the best of our ability
- Managed crowd size so as not to be overwhelming
REFUND POLICY
ArtsRock will relax its refund policy for our sensory-friendly shows. It you are unable to attend due to a medical or behavioral challenge please contact the box office for refund options or credits.
SENSORY FRIENDLY CURATOR
Jeffrey Friedberg MT-BC, LCAT is a NY State licensed creative arts therapist, a board certified music therapist and the leader of the award-winning The Bossy Frog Band. He has curated family programming for ArtsRock for 10 years. He has taken a special interest in developing ArtsRock's sensory-friendly shows and increasing access to the performing arts for all children and families.
THE SHOW
Grammy Award winner Dan Zanes and Haitian-American jazz vocalist Claudia Eliaza perform Dan's most loved songs as well as the children's music of folk icon Lead Belly which is featured on Dan's latest CD, Lead Belly, Baby! The shows are highly interactive. The audience is always invited to sing and dance along in what might be called a casual, and subversively educational, party atmosphere. The music, based in a variety of folk traditions, is homespun, sophisticated, and artful. These shows have broad appeal and the duo is adept (and well loved) in school settings. Claudia's background as a board certified Music Therapist has given the duo additional ways to find meaningful connections and grow a wider audience.
Dan Zanes - vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, percussion
Claudia Eliaza - vocals, flute, trombone, percussion, guitar
Performances usually include many of the following songs:
The Rock Island Line
Jump Up
Red Bird
All Around The Kitchen
Ha-Ha This Away
Catch That Train
Take This Hammer
Stewball
Wonder Wheel
Julie Ann Johnson
El Canario
So Glad I'm Here
Coney Island Avenue
More Yet
Skip To My Lou
Relax Your Mind
Boll Weevil
La Siren
June 3, 2023
Tony Award-winning actor Harvey Fierstein took center stage in Nyack Saturday night to kick off Pride Month. "I didn't want to be in theater, but I wanted to meet Andy Warhol," said the four-time Tony Award winner at Nyack High School during the presentation called "Harvey Fierstein in Conversation with Elliott Forrest." Forrest is the executive artistic director of the Rockland County-based nonprofit, artsrock.org.
A free, convenient service for converting that extra car, truck, or RV into a tax deductible donation benefiting ArtsRock of Rockland, Inc. You can donate online by clicking here or call 866.398.4483 to make your donation.
