Mission Valley Live brings music experiences to children
Karen Peterson
Band members dance with children at the show.
Karen Peterson
John Roberts performs for the children.
Karen Peterson
Boys & Girls Club kids dance to the beat in a conga line.
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
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RONAN – Kids bounced, dipped, and twirled to live music with high energy levels at the new location for the Boys & Girls Club on Thursday.
“It felt so happy,” said Kyri Uhrich, 11, of the fast-moving beat.
Mission Valley Live brought the music to the club and to a few schools in the area to let kids experience the performing arts. Several years ago, MVL hosted a community concert series, but in the past three years they’ve changed their vision.
“We realized schools no longer have the money to bring musicians in for students to have that experience,” said Tricia Campbell, MVL member. “So, we started working with schools in an outreach program to help make sure the kids get to hear great music.”
MVL brings in artists to perform music for children. They also organize an evening show for adults and kids, and the ticket sales from those shows help support the program. They also receive grant funding. Grant writer Trish Rodrique volunteers to help the program.
“This is so important because music broadens a child’s horizons and gives them a new world experience,” she said.
John Roberts Y Pan Blanco was the featured artist children experienced this time around. Roberts grew up on a ranch in Montana without a television. He turned to music for entertainment. Roberts ended up getting a degree in music and moving to Los Angeles to continue his education. Recently, he has been touring and recording music. He also teaches music at Montana State University.
The music Roberts and his band played for the kids originated from countries all over the world including Africa, Cuba, and Mexico.
While performing, he encourages kids to get up and dance and have fun.
“I want them to step outside the box and maybe hear a new kind of music with American funk and soul,” he said.
During the performance, he stepped away from the microphone and danced with the kids for a few moments. He also mixed in a little Spanish language lesson while the band continued to play. “Como estas: how are you?”
The music continued with an occasional cowbell beat in the new club, which was opened just for this occasion. The rest of the facility isn’t yet remodeled. Club Director Aric Cooksley is still collecting donations so he can start the project.
Oliver Medias, 9, stopped dancing for a moment to say he “loves the sound.” Liam Mejias, 9, was inspired to dance. “I’ve never done anything like this,” Mejias said.
Mission Valley Live’s next concert series can be found on their website at missionvalleylive.com.
