PS21 is initiating a series of Friday afternoon performances for kids and their families.  

Friday, July 12, 1:00 pm
STORYTELLER ESHU BUMBUS
Eshu Bumpus captivates his audience with the telling of African, African-American and World folktales leavened with music, humor and mystery. He is a renowned storyteller, an accomplished jazz vocalist and a master at physical characterization weaving music and drama to bring age-old tales to life.

“Eshu changed our lives for the few days he was here... He is the best storyteller I have ever heard."  - Susan Friend, Cultural Arts Coordinator and Teacher

Tickets: $10 adults/$5 youth 18 and under

Click here for the Eshu Bumpus website

Friday, July 19, 1:00 pm
OFF LEASH FOR KIDS
A family version of Walking the dog Theater’s hilarious and imaginative improvisation performance where the audience gets involved in getting the actors thinking on their feet! Actors use audience suggestions to shape the performance as they create dialogue, setting, and plot right in front of you.

Tickets: $10 adults/$5 youth 18 and under

Click here for the Walking the dog Theater website

Friday, July 26, 1:00 pm
JAMAL JACKSON DANCE
Jamal Jackson and the young dancers participating in his week-long intensive workshop will present a program of African, African-American, and African-inspired dance accompanied by an African drum line. The Jamal Jackson Dance Company explores the connections between African and American cultures with energy, joy, and dedication.

“...brilliant display of  vivacious musical interpretation." - Brooklyn Eagle

Tickets: $10adults/$5 youth 18 and under

Click here for the Jamal Jackson Dance Company website

Friday, August 2, 1:00 pm
NATURE EXPLORATION
The Columbia Land Conservancy’s educator, Jenny Brinker, will lead the children on an exploration of the wonders of the natural world resident in PS21’s beautiful apple orchard.

Admission is free.

Click here for the Columbia Land Conservancy website

Friday, August 9, 1:00 pm
VANAVER CARAVAN SUMMERDANCE ON TOUR
From Flamenco to percussive/rhythm tap and clog dancing to Bulgarian and contemporary dance/theatre the Vanaver Caravan's SummerDance on Tour will take you around the world and back again! Vanaver Caravan SummerDance on Tour are students with musicians and special guests. The Vanaver Caravan has received warm receptions for performances at the PS21 Tent in the past two years of World dance and music and a Tribute to Woody Guthrie.
2012 PHOTOS  2011 PHOTOS

A wonderfully fresh open-air performance by The Vanaver Caravan, …that connected clogging (in particular), tap, soft-show, barefoot and acrobatic idioms to reveal American folk lines in movement.” Alistair Macaulay, New York Times

Tickets: $10 adults/$5 youth 18 and under

Click here for the Vanaver Caravan website

Friday, August 16, 11:00 am
YOUTH THEATER CELEBRATION
Young actors from Chatham will present a mini-festival of plays they have created themselves from scratch during their theater workshops at Chatham Kids Club and the Chatham Recreation Department’s summer camp. Come celebrate the imagination and skill of the young people in our community!

Admission is free.

Please note the morning show time for this event!

Monday -Friday, July 22-26, 9:00-10:30am and 11:00am-12:30pm (two separate classes)
JAMAL JACKSON YOUTH DANCE WORKSHOP
Two dance workshops exploring African and African-American dance culminating in dance pieces to be performed on Friday as part of the Just for Fun Performance Series at the PS21 Tent (see listing above). Participants in Jamal Jackson’s dance workshop last summer were transformed by the experience. They were delighted to find they could learn so much in such a short time and worked hard to put on an incredible performance for the public! For ages 9 to 18. All levels of dance experience accepted.

Enrollment is by application only. Contact PS21 for an application form at 518-392-6121 or ps21@fairpoint.net.

Fee: $75/$65 members – Scholarships available

SUMMER THEATER ARTS WORKSHOPS
PS21 is collaborating with the Chatham Kids Club and the Town of Chatham’s Recreation Department to offer theater arts workshops for kids ages five to twelve. Registration for these programs is through the Chatham Kids Club (518) 392-9848 and the Recreation Department (518-392-0337). Classes are taught by Emilia Teasdale and Nancy Rothman. The workshops will conclude with a celebration in which the children will share what they’ve learned with each other and their friends, families and neighbors as part of the Fun for Kids Series at the PS21 Tent (see schedule above).

Click here for the Town of Chatham Recreation Department