Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Kicks Off 2008-2009 Family Series with Dan Zanes & Friends, Saturday October 4

Grammy Award winner and Disney Channel sensation creates musical adventure for children and their families

BSO adds Family Fun Zone to pre-concert lobby activities

Baltimore, Md. (September 4, 2008)-The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will present Grammy Award winner Dan Zanes & Friends on October 4 at 11:00 a.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The bluegrass-style group, made popular by the Disney Channel, has been making music for children and their families since 2001. Led by Dan Zanes on vocals and banjo, mandolin and guitar, the ensemble is rounded out by accordion, spoons and upright bass. Hit songs include "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," "Mariposa Ole," and "Let's Shake." Most recently, Dan Zanes & Friends released their highly anticipated Spanish-language album, ¡Nueva York! to rave reviews. Please note: the BSO does not perform on this program. See below for complete program information.

Formerly the lead singer of the garage-style pop band, The Del Fuegos, Dan Zanes has changed his tune. Performing year-round for sold-out houses across the country, The New York Times praises Dan Zanes & Friends as "true children's music, but executed with such sweet (and un-gooey!) humor, casual multiculturalism and shambling groove that you can call it your own." Their album, Catch That Train! won a Grammy for Best Musical Album for Children in 2007. Dan Zanes & Friends have collaborated with Sheryl Crow, the Kronos Quartet, South Africa's Agape Orphanage and others to produce innovative, danceable, multicultural music for all ages.

New this season, the BSO has added the BSO Family Fun Zone to all Saturday morning Family Concerts. Beginning at 10:00 a.m., the Meyerhoff lobby will be abuzz with several free, age-appropriate pre-concert activities, including Port Discovery Children's Museum's interactive World Rhythm Drum Circus, the Maryland Zoo's ZOOmobile, an instrument petting zoo and face painting.

Dan Zanes
Dan Zanes, the former lead singer and songwriter for the legendary rock and roll band The Del Fuegos, and his band perform exuberant, handmade music for enthusiastic crowds of kids and kid sympathizers. Filled with irresistible grooves drawn from a wealth of musical traditions, Zanes, his Brooklyn-based band and his surprising and eclectic special guests, create a rollicking "Woodstock for Kids" including American traditional songs, dance classics and smart, inventive originals. The audience is invited to "sing along with gusto" before things heat up and ultimately dissolve into an all-ages dance party.

In 2007, Dan Zanes & Friends won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children for their album Catch That Train! featuring the Kronos Quartet and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Their latest album, ¡Nueva York! celebrates songs from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.


COMPLETE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Musical Adventures: Dan Zanes & Friends
For children ages 3-6 and their families

Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.- Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Lobby opens at 10:00 a.m. for Family Fun Zone.

Please note: the BSO does not perform on this program.

Tickets for this program range from $11 to $20 and are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 410.783.8000, 877.BSO.1444 or BSOmusic.org.

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