Top kid-friendly musicians will take the stage of the museum's Playhouse on each weekend between January 30 and February 28. Kids will also learn a bit of jazz history by taking in a Please Touch Playhouse performance of “Scat Cat's Junior Jazz Jamboree." This interactive show tells the “tail" of an everyday alley cat who happens upon “Max Roach," who teaches her the history of jazz. Max also introduces her to some of the well known artists who made it popular Stingray Charles, Bunny Goodman, Louie Arm and Hammerstrong and Piggy Lee. “Scat Cat's Junior Jazz Jamboree" will be on the Please Touch Playhouse stage weekdays February 1-26, with performances Mondays- Fridays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free with museum admission.
Special Performance Schedule
Performances take place Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and are free with museum admission. Schedule is subject to change. Free with museum admission.
Saturday, Jan. 30 and Sunday, Jan. 31
Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble
One of Philadelphia's most innovative and progressive jazz groups, Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble has been a favorite fixture of the Junior Jazz Festival for more than a decade, introducing young children to jazz with fun, interactive performances.
Saturday, Feb. 6 and Sunday, Feb. 7
University of the Arts School of Music
This student jazz ensemble is one of the finest on the East Coast, performing the music of jazz greats like Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Maynard Ferguson.
Saturday, Feb 13, Sunday, Feb. 14 and Monday, Feb. 15
Louie Miranda, a Please Touch Museum favorite, is an amazing guitarist who performs Latin jazz in highly interactive family-oriented concerts that blend sophisticated rhythms with inspiring lyrics to create music that teaches as it entertains.
Monday, Feb. 15 (Presidents Day)
Mike DeCastro Trio
24-year-old drum aficionado Michael De Castro makes his Junior Jazz debut in 2010, adding Memorial Hall to a list of landmarks where he has performed, including The White House, The Lincoln Center in New York City, and The Kennedy Center. DeCastro performs styles including Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop, Latin, and Gospel.
Saturday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 21
Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble
Arpeggio returns for a second weekend fun, interactive performances.
Saturday, Feb. 27
Francis Coates Ensemble
Making its debut at the 2010 Jazz Festival, this young ensemble adapts jazz standards for both parents and children to enjoy.
Sunday, Feb. 28
Putumayo
Making its debut at the 2010 Jazz Festival, Putumayo Kids is sure to entertain with fun music that educates, while inspiring cultural curiosity.
Big Band Swing Dance Party
Noon and 2 p.m.
Under the direction of Matthew Schwartz, the St. Joe's Prep Jazz Band will have all our little jazz cats swingin' to the music as we hold a Big Band Swing Dance Party in Hamilton Hall to end our Junior Jazz Festival in style! Four swing dancers will also take the floor and demonstrate their moves to all the junior dolls and daddy-os.
Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park is dedicated to enriching the lives of children by providing learning opportunities through play. Recognized locally and nationally as one of the best childrens museums, Please Touch is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. -5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and children age one and over. Children under one are free. For more information, please call 215-581-3181, or visit us on the web.
