Krewe of Kids: Mardi Gras for Children
Celebrate the Carnival season as New Orleans native Johnette Downing and Grammy winner Scott Billington bring the exuberance of Mardi Gras to Arts for Learning Massachusetts!
Did you know that Mardi Gras is a family event? Throughout the Carnival season, families dress in costume, prepare special meals, and attend the most spectacular parades in America. Music is everywhere. The Krewe of Kids presentation (named for the "krewes" that stage the parades) includes Johnette's book songs “Who Got the Baby in the King Cake?” and “Chef Creole,” in which children sing about the culinary centerpiece of the Carnival season, as well as “Bamboula Rhythm,” which teaches the rhythmic foundation of much Mardi Gras music. This culturally-immersive presentation ends with a second line parade, and the classic song “Mardi Gras Mambo.” Children dance and sing along with all the fun.
In this program, students will learn about New Orleans Mardi Gras traditions, including the rhythmic foundation of much New Orleans music (the bamboula), the parades, and the food (especially king cake). Audience members will sing and dance along with many of the songs, and will learn a Creole language call-and-response refrain, "Eh La Bas" ("Hey, Over There").
Audience Limit: 250
Curriculum Connection: History/Social Studies, Music
Single Performance: $825
Additional Performances: $660
Travel: $100 per day
Pricing may vary for weekends/out-of-school time
Processing Fee of $45 added to all contracts
Provisions:
- 1 reserved parking space.
- Projector and Screen for Power Point (optional).
- Note: performers bring their own PA system.
Performance Space: 10' x 10' performing area and room for students to dance.
Arrival time before first performance: 1 hour
Strike time: 45-60 minutes.
Time needed between performances: 15 minutes.
Please send a liaison from the school to greet artists and guide them to the performance space.
We request that all adults in the performance space model being attentive audience members for their students.
Please introduce the artists as an Arts for Learning Massachusetts ensemble.
