EAST LANSING, Mich. — Community members are invited to celebrate diversity with the City of East Lansing at the Children’s Cultural Concert Series, which will feature three Saturdays of live musical entertainment for children of all ages.
The concerts will take place at 11 a.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC), 819 Abbot Road, on the following dates:
Saturday, March 5 – Joe Reilly
Joe Reilly’s program, titled “Let’s Be Inclusive,” is comprised of original songs that celebrate diversity in its many forms. His goal is to motivate children as a community to celebrate diversity and encourage empathy. Reilly’s warm personality and playful singing style helps add to the joyful and positive tone of this presentation. Some of the main themes highlighted in his performance are empathy, tolerance and the importance of diversity.
Saturday, March 19 – Gabriel Estrada III
Gabriel Estrada III is a mariachi singer from Kent City, Mich. He was selected as a finalist in the 11th Annual Ford Motor Company Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Vocal Competition in San Antonio, Texas, where he received 1st Place in the College/University level. Estrada believes that mariachi is the heart and soul of Mexico and enjoys representing its culture and music.
Saturday, April 9 – Matthew Ball
Matthew Ball is an internationally recognized expert in the field of blues and boogie-woogie piano playing. Ball presents programs for young families and children with his “Tunes for Tots” styled performance of boogie-woogie nursery rhymes. The interactive music performance features boogied arrangements of “Happy and You Know It,” “The Hokey Pokey,” “The Wheels on the Bus,” “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “This Land is Your Land” and more.
To make the concert series as safe as possible and to comply with performer contract requirements, attendees must wear a mask at all times during the performances. Rows of seating will be physically distanced, and attendees are asked to stay in their seats for the duration of the performance.
The concerts are free to attend, but pre-registration is required. Community members interested in attending can register by calling the ELHCC at (517) 333-2580 ext. 0 or register online at RecTrac.
Interested community members can learn more about the Children’s Cultural Concert Series at www.cityofeastlansing.com/childrensconcerts.
Pictured: Gabriel Estrada III (top left), Joe Reilly (right) and Matthew Ball (bottom left).
Photo credit for Gabriel Estrada III: Oscar Ramirez
Photo credit for Joe Reilly: Michelle Massey Barnes