Kids move with the music at Vannie

Guitarist Steve Bloom strummed the notes of Jaco Pastorius’ song “Come On, Come Over” to an audience mainly filled with babies in strollers, young children sitting on a adult’s lap, pre-teens in day camps and families lounging on blankets on the basketball court at Van Cortlandt Park’s Classic Playground.

Todd Rollé sang: “Come on, come over /The pleasure is all mine/Music’s playin’, the door just opened/You don’t have to stand in line.” It was the first song to kick off a nearly hour-long show, during which Mr. Rollé told the audience to expect a hand clappin', hand raising, sing-along and dance-along experience.

SummerStage Kids: Kids Day Out is a performing arts festival of free music, dance and theater shows in parks across the five boroughs. The July 7 event that featured Mr. Rollé and Mr. Bloom brought together children ranging in age from 2 to 12. The artists described the show as an interactive way to listen and experience classic children’s songs and folk music – an experience that both said is being lost to today’s technology.

“One thing I want them to take away is that they have access to this kind of thing. That it’s not something that happens somewhere else and it happens in their neighborhoods,” said Mr. Rollé. In addition to singing, he played the djembe, a West African drum.

“You saw the group when we first started. They were polite and watching TV [on mobile phones] until I encouraged them to get up and move. And then, it transforms the experience for them,” said Mr. Rollé. “It’s not just about we watched or heard some musicians. It was: we are at a concert in the park.”

“I think a lot of kids don’t see live music anymore, not like they used to. Music has become devalued in society overall,” added Mr. Bloom.

The duo first met at the Central Park East 1 Elementary School, where Mr. Rollé taught classes in theater and movement for more than 15 years and Mr. Bloom is a parent volunteer who also teaches the school’s guitar club.

The two decided to form a music band. SummerStage was their first official show. Encouraging attendees to clap, raise hands, sing along and dance seemed to have struck the right note with kids and parents.

When the duo played “Morrison’s Jig” as part of the show, everyone danced in a circle.

“It was beautiful and nice,” said 3-year-old Patrick Santana, who was there with his grandmother, twin sister Penelope and a friend, Greyson Jones.

“My favorite part of the show was dancing,” said 4-year-old Greyson. “I love all the songs.”

The event also sparked a conversation with Mr. Rollé and 11-year-old Taylor Rodriguez, who wanted to learn about the djembe.

“After the show, I started asking them questions,” she said. “They allowed me to play the drum a little bit. And I also liked the Irish gig. I think it’s called ‘Morrison’s Jig.’” The name is correct, Mr. Rollé told her. Now, Taylor wants to learn more about drums and guitars.

For one family, the day was a chance to come out and support a friend. “I was familiar with Todd Rollé and Steve because Todd taught movement at my daughter’s school,” said Kenya Dilday. She came with her husband and daughter.

“He’s amazing with the children. He’s an amazing music teacher and this was great. This is one of the few music concerts I’ve seen where you bring together music and movement,” continued Ms. Dilday. “That is their real skill and talent.”

“I love their singing and I love the inclusion of the children. I love to see the children outside and listening to live music,” said Ben Raikes, Ms. Dilday’s husband. “It’s a very high quality of musicianship and very life affirming songs and very appropriate for all ages, especially for younger children.”

The show also received the thumbs up from their daughter Etta, who could not decide which part she liked best. However, when asked what she enjoyed most, the 7-year–old paused and said: “Everything.”