Music is a special thing to share with children, but an even greater gift is to invite them to join in on the music making. Local educators and performers Nina Ryne and Jan Grigsby will be performing a free kids concert at the Toy Zoo, where they’ll not just perform, but will invite kids to join in on the fun.
“The concert is for children and families,” Ryne said, “and it’s an interactive performance of songs and storytelling.”
Ryne, who teaches guitar at San Luis Obispo High School, has a background in theater as well as music, and will be incorporating her talent for storytelling into the program. The performance will include holiday-themed stories along with the songs that encourage kids to dance or sing along.
“We live in a society where we just put music on the iPod and music programs are being cut from schools,” she said. “I think it’s worth taking your kids down to a live performance with human beings in the room actually making the music.”
Ryne is joined by fellow teacher and musician Jan Grigsby, who teaches a kindergarten through first-grade class at Ralph Dunlap school in Santa Maria. Grigsby uses music his classroom every day to help his young students learn.
“For me, music and movement in the classroom is such a powerful tool,” Grigsby said. “I use the music and movement in relation to whatever we are learning, and it really helps the kids.”
Ryne and Grigsby will be joined at the end of their program by Grigsby’s class, who will be singing along. This is the third year Ryne and Grigsby have performed along with Grigsby’s class at the Toy Zoo.
“Marc Canigiula at the Toy Zoo has been very gracious to let us come in and use his facility for a concert—especially a concert that is not just for the community, but a chance for my class to perform,” Grigsby said.
The duo has been collaborating musically for seven years now. Ryne plays guitar and sings, while Grigsby joins in on mandolin, banjo, viola, or the cajon, a box drum he often invites kids to play. They’ve released an album for adults titled Lost and Found, which has influences from folk music, which they also use in their performance for children.
“It is a folk-based style for sure,” Ryne said, explaining that electronic music doesn’t always invite participation. “That’s why it’s called folk music, because it’s given from person to person.”
The philosophy of Ryne and Grigsby’s performances for kids has everything to do with sharing; the sharing of songs, sounds, stories, and ideas invites the kids to be listeners as well as contributors.
“They are getting the ability to perform, but also to sit and watch and see adults and friends doing it,” Ryne said. “So there is a lot of sharing going on, and it is between the kids and the performer, the family, and the community.”
Grigsby’s students will be singing some holiday favorites, including one song that will feature the kids using sign language while they sing the words. Ryne’s storytelling style will also often reach into the multicultural and multilingual spheres.
“We will be singing songs that include a phrase in several different languages,” she said. “I think it’s important for kids to be aware that we live in a large world with a lot of different people.”
“The other part of kids performing,” Grigsby added, “is the parents’ pride in watching their kids do that. It’s such a powerful experience for the whole family.”
Holiday harmony
The Allan Hancock College Concert Band, directed by Greg Stoll, presents a free holiday concert featuring selections from Anderson, Jager, Nestico, Henderson, and others on Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 2970 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria. Free. More info: 922-6966, Ext. 3252, soglesby@hancockcollege.edu, or hancockcollege.edu.
Pick up wine and music
Lucia’s Wine Co. holds a wine club member pick-up party on Dec. 1 featuring live music by local favorites Louie Ortega from 1 to 4 p.m. and Michael Nunez from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lucia’s Wine Co. Tasting Room, 126 East Clark Ave., Orcutt.
Music that pops
The Lompoc Pops Orchestra presents a concert of holiday favorites on Dec. 2 at 4:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 925 North F St., Lompoc. Cost is $15, $5 for students. More info: 735-6463 or connieatthepops@aol.com.
Relaxing melodies
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “Wine Down Wednesdays” featuring live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 400 E. Clark, Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or Bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Get down at the 510
The 510 Event Center presents a live blues jam featuring local musicians led by Juan Marquez and Sangria Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. DJ Orlando entertains Thursday nights starting at 10 p.m. (dress code enforced). DJ Orlando also spins for “Margarita Night” every Monday from 9 p.m. to midnight. Saturdays feature an open mic from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday nights are Latin night featuring live norteño and banda music. Call for times. The center is at 510 South Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: 928-5510, 510eventcenter@gmail.com, facebook.com/510eventcenter, or 510eventcenter.com.
Keeping music live
The Radisson Hotel presents live music every Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. with Juan Marquez and Sangria. Sunday brunch with guitarist Mike Tibault is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Ready to jam
The Santa Maria Inn presents live music by Ghost Town Traffic Jam on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Tap Room, Santa Maria Inn, 801 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: 928-7777 or santamariainn.com.
Maverick music
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including live country music by Dusty Jugz on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” with John Lyle is Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 6, 2012.