Portland Children’s Museum Launches Building Bridges Family Music Festival, September 21 – 22
NW Kids is a Sponsor of a New Portland Music Tradition at the museum.
Portland is truly a city of music, and the kindie scene here has been a beacon to touring musicians as well. Seeking to build connections through play and music, Portland Children’s Museum will present the first annual Building Bridges Family Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, 2019, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. NW Kids magazine is a sponsor of this community-building, tune-filled weekend designed to build bridges in peace and friendship. Live performances and dozens of hands-on activities, plus food and beverages, will be part of the indoor-outdoor fun all weekend.
The festival is being planned not only by Museum staff but also by local Portland music scene makers Andy Furgeson (aka Red Yarn) and Aaron Nigel Smith. Confirmed musical acts include DJ Lance Rock (Yo Gabba Gabba), Caspar Babypants, Jazzy Ash & Leaping Lizards, 123 Andrés, Oregon Koto-Kai, Red Yarn, Aaron Nigel Smith, Painted Sky Northstar, Alphabet Rockers, DJ Anjali & Incredible Kid, Mo Phillips, Bravo Youth Orchestra, Kaleinani o ke Kukui, Okaidja Afroso, and DJ Action Slacks.
In addition to world-class performances, there will be opportunities to play and engage with music in various ways, including DIY instrument-building, merch-making, fashion design, and an instrument petting zoo. And of course, lots of dance parties!
Smith has released five children’s albums and will perform with members of the Portland Peace Choir and his 1 World Chorus. He previously presented Rox in Sox festivals in the metro area. He is excited about Building Bridges, saying, “We will feature some of the biggest names — including Grammy winners and nominees — in the children’s music space. A variety of genres will be represented, from hip hop and Latin pop to American folk songs and reggae. We hope to draw a diverse crowd from all over the Portland metro area. When people from different walks of life come together, it creates opportunities for building empathy and promoting unity.” In keeping with the spirit of Building Bridges, Smith plans to close out his set with the Bob Marley classic “One Love.”
Furgeson, who draws hundreds of wee ones to his interactive family folk concerts including the popular Fambly Ramble series, adds, “For as long as I’ve been aware of the amazing talent out there in the national kindie music scene, I’ve been invested in bringing more out-of-town bands to Portland for local families to experience, and I was really inspired by Aaron’s Rox in Sox.” Furgeson adds that because Portland has such a thriving kindie music scene locally, many families don’t realize the wide variety of national family music talent that’s available. “Portland families will be blown away by the diverse array of artists, as well as the activities, partner organizations and inclusive community vibe.” Red Yarn and Miss Jessie will bring their band to perform a lively mix of folksongs from their five albums, plus some newly developed “critter skits” tackling important issues like body autonomy, safe space, inclusivity, and activism.
Jeremiah Sazdanoff, Director of Museum Experience, says, “The power of music is truly magical, whether it’s creating sounds, listening to high-quality performances, or dancing to a favorite song with a friend. We believe every child deserves the right to these types of transformative experiences, and we’re excited to offer this yearly festival to the city.”
Details:
The Portland Children’s Museum is in Washington Park, across from Oregon Zoo at 4015 SW Canyon Road, Portland, 97221.
DAILY FESTIVAL ADMISSION $4 for Members; $14 for Non-members; $3 Access Admission per person for up to 5 people (to qualify, families must receive some form of public assistance; proof of eligibility required). Children under age 1 are free. Tickets are available now athttps://www.portlandcm.org/events/building-bridges-family-music-festival
CONTACT 503-223-6500 | portlandcm.org | facebook.com/portlandcm | twitter.com/portlandcm | instagram.com/portlandchildrensmuseum.
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