One Big Smile's Party Page

2006-04-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

Once Upon a Time

2006-04-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

The moment we walk onto the school grounds chaos erupts in the form of children. Kids call our names and come running up for hugs. They tell us about their days, request songs, and clamor over who is going to get to carry our instruments. One sneaks a tambourine out of the bag and begins a percussion mayhem of jangling, clapping, and singing.

Once we are in the classroom, we sing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' as if it were an aboriginal punk song, and work through a couple of exercises rhythm and dynamics. Then we have the kids make up their own verses to 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight', and perform a musical reinvention of 'I'll Love You Forever' by Robert Munsch that has a couple of the teachers in tears.

How To Live Happily Ever After

2006-04-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

After years of experience playing fundraisers, parties, picnics, schools, and for children with special needs, John Lloyd and Kera Willis of One Big Smile have decided to publicly offer their talents as entertainers.

Brightly coloured and endlessly joyful, the duo will arrive with animal balloons, mandolins, a bag of percussion equipment, and a deluge of songs including Disney themes, old childrens' favorites, ethnic and folk tunes, Beatles classics, and their own original material. They will lead the audience in a spontaneous musical adventure that is often led by the children themselves; as their reactions and interactions determine where the song list goes, and how each child gets to participate within it. Some children want to come up and sing in the microphones; others want to request a song; some are content to sit quietly and stare with fascination at the tambourine they were handed. Besides being entertained, each child will have the chance to experience being a creator in the art of making music, and last but not least, have a lot of fun in the process!!

Testimonials

2006-04-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

For the past three years, my students have danced into the classroom Friday mornings singing 'music today!' or 'today John will be here!'. The students eagerly gather on the carpet ready to sing, talk about music, and hear stories about musicians... [John and Kera] help develop the skill sand musical knowledge of my students and are encouraged to sing, create rhythms, and experiment with sound.

- Ruth Stewart-Verger, grade 2/3 teacher, Grant Alternative School

Rates

2006-04-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

Rates will be posted shortly!!