By Staff
Singer-songwriter, storyteller, performance artist and puppeteer, Susan Harrison of Kalamazoo, will present children's stories and sing-a-longs at the upcoming Dowagiac Fun Fest, which opens downtown on Thursday, July 28.
Harrison, who has worked with many creative teachers as a performance artist for Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through The Arts and VSA Arts of Michigan, is one of several new entertainers that will be featured at the three-day summertime bash of Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.
Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) who coordinated the 20th-annual celebration, said Harrison's appearance is being underwritten through a fine arts grant the DDA received from the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation.
The foundation serves Cass and Berrien counties and is sponsoring the festival's new Children's Entertainment Tent.
Harrison will present two, free one-hour performance workshops on Saturday, July 30, from 1 to 2 p.m., and from 3 to 4 p.m.
Phillipson described Harrison as a versatile children's performer with more than 25 years experience.
The Kalamazoo resident, whose stage name is PALamazoo, has produced two original award-winning children's CDs, including the movement-inspired "Jungle Jamboree" and the literary-based "Once Upon a Rhyme."
Harrison said she's been singing ever since the day her Aunt Florence's dog, Buddy, confirmed her talent when he joined her in song under the dining room table.
Harrison, whose first guitar was a ruler with rubber bands, attended her first music festival, Woodstock, at an early age and continues to seek out inspirational opportunities.
Harrison's interactive concerts showcase her high-spirited humor, energy and award-winning songs, which have made her an audience favorite among the young and the young at heart.
Youngsters are sure to enjoy her hands-on instrumental workshop, as she introduces children to Gibby, her six-string Gibson, and Guilda, her 12-string Guild, along with Deilia-the-Dulcimer and other percussion pals.
Children who attend the storytelling and sing-a-long workshop at Fun Fest will be introduced to a multi-disciplinary approach to active learning, incorporating music, movement, drama, puppetry and storytelling into lesson sthat enhance learning. Harrison said her activity-filled session showcases story-songs as a teaching tool.
Harrison has shared her children's songs and sing-a-longs with families at festival sites throughout the Midwest. This summer she performed at the Blues Fest in Kalamazoo, the Thurmbfest in Lexington, the Wheatland Music Festival in Remus and at community events in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Holland and Big Rapids.
Phillipson said this is the third year for the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, located in Buchanan, to provide grant funding to the festival through its Youth Advisory Council and the Youth Endowments.
In addition to the performance workshop by Harrison, the $2,130 grant will also fund other children's entertainment and educational workshops that feature on Thursday, July 28, the Curious Kids Museum of St. Joseph, Roots Rock Society and Jo Hobo the Magical Clown.
On Friday, July 29, children will enjoy the Michael McGivern Magic Show; Steven's Puppet Show "Beauty and the Beast;" the interactive workshop and performance by the Deep Fried Pickle Project, as seen on the PBS Kids channel; and the interactive and educational workshop presented by the Potawatomi Zoo of South Bend, Ind. In addition to Harrison's performance, youngsters on Saturday, July 30, will enjoy children's entertainers Ronald McDonald, who will present a magic show; Stephanie Johnson, who is a ventriloquist; with Jo Hobo the Magical Clown returning for an encore performance.
In addition to Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, Fun Fest is underwritten by the following corporate sponsors: Drs. Charles Burling and Jonathan Gillesby, Creative Vinyl Signs, Felpausch Food Center, Franklin and Son, Leader Publications, Mennel Milling Co. of Michigan, Southwestern Michigan College, St. Denys Foundation and Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co.
This year's Fun Fest features approximately 45 hours of live vocal and instrumental music; amusement rides and midway of Family Fun Tyme; Starwalk children's games; the Vertical Challenge Climbing Wall; summer sidewalk sales with community, commercial and craft booths; festival food court; and the 31st anniversary of Steve's 5K and 10K Run, 5K Walk and its Children's Fun Run. New this year, with Dowagiac Little League hosting the Senior League State Boys Baseball Tournament that weekend, the opening ceremony and dinner for tournament families will be held at the festival site on Thursday evening, July 28.