Back by popular demand is the amazing Christina Zagarino, our own CMA secretary and content producer for speakaboos.com. I wanted to be at this event but I was trapped under something heavy (bonus points for those who get the reference). So take it away, Christina!
Have you ever been to a Dan Zanes and Friends concert? Don’t even think about sitting down! With kids rocking a kiddie mosh pit up front and parents dancing throughout the aisles, this kind of show more closely resembles Woodstock than Rafi Plays Radio City.
When Mr. Zanes himself introduced his new short film Dan Zanes and Friends at its premiere, hosted by CMA at Little Airplane Productions on May 9th, he discussed his motivation for making the film (to be split into interstitials and hosted on his website www.danzanes.com). The purpose was to find a new way for his audience to get to know him and his band on a more personal level. There’d be “no plot. no drama. just songs, snacks, and homespun fun,” according to Zanes. There was a lot of fun and snacks, but this tagline sells itself short (though it may also be a funny acknowledgement to how a network executive could respond).
The story follows Brandon and Lola, two urban kids on the precipice of pre-teenhood looking for fun on summer afternoons. Once Brandon’s mom announces her new job, tour manager for Dan Zanes and Friends, the fun begins!
The film itself flows, and the moments of transition to each of the three interstitials is clear, though not disruptive. Each interstitial is comprised of several features:
-Brandon and Lola always open the interstitial
-Brandon’s mom collaborates on plans for the day
-A snack is made (ants on a log, guacamole and corn chips, cheese and crackers)
-Music is sung
I couldn’t help but find the strong moments of plot that support music arts education. When thinking about arts education, I always refer to the trusty New York City Blueprints for the Arts. In this case, the Music Blueprint http://schools.nyc.gov/offices/teachlearn/arts/Blueprints/MusicBP08.pdf is a suitable curriculum guide for Zanes’s music teachings.
How does this show teach music? Zanes calls out the name of each instrument as he introduces it (e.g., guitar, drums) supporting music instrument literacy for the viewer, he explains the historical context of the folk songs that he shares (including “Pay Me My Money Down”), he creates instruments from household objects that the viewer can make at home (spoons) and teaches the viewer how to make music with them, and discusses how the chords on a piano go together. Bonus points for talking about a music tour: what one has to do to prep for a tour, and the routine once one is on the road!
The film is refreshingly suitable for kids a little bit older than preschool (my guess is best for kids ages 6 to 8), and takes place in a pretty average-looking neighborhood. With scenes inside Brandon’s house, visits to Dan Zanes’s studio, and visits to a local music shop, this live-action film has a neighborhood feel to it reminiscent of a certain Mister R. That intimate neighborhood, friendly feeling is at its core, and I can imagine kids itching to jump through the screen and join in the fun!
Zanes is no stranger to finding unique ways to interact with his audience. In addition to his countless albums http://shop.danzanes.com/releases.html/, live recordings, a DZ ukulele, and music videos, Zanes recently collaborated with beloved New York City-based dish company Fishs Eddy http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,121.html. Check out these awesome kid-sized dishes featuring Zanes’ signature instruments. I’m debating a small collection for parties to serve (what else?) snacks on!
Special thanks to the always fabulous CMA events team and Dan Zanes and Friends for the thematic snacks and lively entertainment!
***This post was sponsored in part by Fishs Eddy, who has kindly donated a Dan Zanes dish set to be raffled off at the 2013 Children’s Media Association Holiday Party. Stay tuned for more details on how to win!