MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

SUMMERFEST FAMILY THEATRE BEGINS JULY 10th
FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS!

Big names in entertainment for little people are coming to Frederick, Maryland this summer! It’s all part of the 13th season of Summerfest Family Theatre, a series of FREE shows in Frederick’s Baker Park Bandshell. The season begins on July 10th and continues for seven consecutive Saturdays through August 28th. Each show begins at 7 PM with a local act opening the performance and the entire series offers a variety of entertainment sure to please all ages. Two NEW elements have been added to the entertainment line-up this season: an afternoon Kids Improv Workshop and a Children’s Carnival! Following is a list of what’s in store for this year’s series:

July 10th
Flumpa and Friends Live!
Musical Science Adventure
The series kicks off with nationally acclaimed, award winning, high energy, interactive musical science adventures with Flumpa and Friends Live! Flumpa, the wide eyed adventurer, and Wendy will have everyone spinning, traveling on a rainbow, flying through space, cheering their favorite reptiles and amphibians, stompin’ through swamps and hopping like frogs! Full of energy and fun, this interactive show will blast off at the speed of sound delivering a unique blend of rock, jazz, swing, and hip-hop with a twist of science for a captivating exploration of our Earth and the universe beyond.

July 17th
Catoctin Zoo presents Habitats of the World
Interactive Animal Edutainment
Animals from the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo will take over the Bandshell in “Habitats of the World,” an interactive show which will allow the audience to discover the unique features animals have to help them survive. The audience will explore habitats, including rainforests, deserts, savannas, marshes, and woodlands. Creatures such as a spiny-tailed lizard, alligator, chinchilla, parrot, and hedgehog will be featured.

July 24th
Mock Turtle Marionette Theatre
Tinker, Tailor, Puppet-Maker!
Join one of Pennsylvania’s most popular marionette companies for an interactive tale of a puppet master turned puppet maker. A fanciful autobiography of Mock Turtle member Doug Roysdon, the story is an intimate and moving account of how a puppeteer began making his own wooden creatures. The show celebrates the love and challenges that go into making things, while inspiring and encouraging children to honor their own need to create with their hands. Speaking of things to do with your hands, don’t miss the opening act, courtesy of the Thomas Johnson High School juggling club!

July 31st
Laurie Berkner
Musical
Parents and children won't want to miss award-winning singer Laurie Berkner on July 31st. Currently seen on the Noggin channel, Laurie is the #1 best-selling children's recording artist in the country right now.  Over the past several years, her "alternative" style as well as her inventive, playful, and well-crafted songs, have garnered legions of young AND grownup groupies, and received rave reviews from critics: "One of the hippest children's artists" (Family Fun); "Families pack her concerts" (The New York Times); "Our editors (and their kids) can't get enough of Laurie Berkner's wonderful children's music" (Parents Magazine); "A Sheryl Crow for kiddies" (Baby Talk).  Make sure to get there early so you get a seat!

August 7th
Tom Lilly & Beowolf T. Wonderbunny
Books are a Blast
Enjoy a performer who combines magic, juggling, fire-eating, and balloonacy with loads of audience participation to produce a show that leaves all ages laughing and wondering. Already in demand on the birthday party circuit, Tom was soon a featured performer on the family stage at the Baltimore City Fair and at Cloisters Children’s Museum. Books Are A Blast is the show Tom designed to tour libraries throughout the mid-Atlantic. Combining magic and Tom’s keen interest in reading, the show has introduced thousands of children to the world’s fastest bookworms, Tom’s take on Lady Liberty and Uncle Sammy, Seemore the Psychic Snake, and Beowulf T. Wonderbunny appearing in his very own bookmobile.

August 14th
The Mom & Me Show
Musical
The Mom and Me Show features Rosanne (the Mom of “Mom and Me”), six year old Megan (the Me of “Mom and Me”), and the lovable cartoon character Dennis the Duck in a musical show especially designed for young people that reinforces the values parents work so hard to instill in their children. The show is a fast paced variety show and has received national recognition as a “Finalist” for the Children’s Music Web Awards 2003 “Best New Artist for Preschoolers”. The songs are fun to learn, easy to sing-along, and recommended for all children ages 1-8. Even parents find singing along fun!

August 21st
Walt Frasier & Laurice Fattal from Eight is Never Enough
Improv for Kids with an Afternoon Kids Workshop
Registration Required, Ages 4 to 11
The workshop is from 4-6 PM with the children featured in the 7 PM program
This show lets your child be the star! Children will attend a two-hour workshop on basic acting/performance, improvisation and improv games taught by members of the Eight is Never Enough comedy company of New York City. After a short break, the students become the stars as they take the stage to perform a comedy and games show hosted by their teachers. To register, please call the City of Frederick’s Office of Special Events at 301-228-2844.

August 28th
Summerfest Carnival
Featuring Shazam Magic
New this year is the Summerfest Carnival from 5- 7 PM, featuring amusements, pony rides, face painting, balloon sculptures, crafts, wandering entertainers, and costumed characters (some activities charge a small fee). The Carnival is followed by Shazam Magic at 7 PM on the Bandshell stage.
At age 5, Peter Wood, the founder of Shazam Magic, began performing magic shows for his mother and professionally. In 1995, Peter’s friend Greg Schinner began helping him as the official “rabbit wrangler” and now, along with Casper the Bunny, the show is a hit, with over 300 magic shows performed since 1994. During the mid-90’s, Peter saw the merits of incorporating balloon sculptures with magic. Come experience an action packed show with Shazam Magic!
The 2004 Summerfest Family Theatre Committee is a sub-committee of Cultural Events for Educating Frederick, Inc., which is supported financially by the following community-minded businesses: Gold Sponsors -Ausherman Homes, BB&T, Bechtel Foundation, COMSTAR Federal Credit Union, Farmers and Mechanics Bank, and Sandy Spring Bank; Silver Sponsors - Bank One, CitiMortgage, and The Frederick News-Post; Bronze Sponsors - Cellular One, Chessie Federal Credit Union and the Frederick Arts Council.
For more information, please call The City of Frederick Office of Special Events at
301-600-CITY (2489) or visit www.SummerfestFamily.com