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Arts & Entertainment

Kids Use Imagination to Learn About Environment at John C. Hart Memorial Library

Musician Eric E. Everett uses imagination and fun to help teach children an ecological lesson.

Little ones of the community were invited to take an impromptu trip around the world last night, starting at the John C. Hart Library in Shrub Oak. The catch- they did it all using their imaginations.

Led by musical artist Eric E. Everett, the children before long were tapping their feet and jumping up and down at the Animal Party, a whimsically educational tool designed to raise children's awareness of the environment and raise money to protect it.

For the 45-minute long adventure, the group trudged through fictitious jungles, scorching deserts, and even the deep sea led by Everett, or "Triple E," who plays guitar. While in these exotic locations, the kids were told they could be whatever creature they chose. Then, they were asked to imitate the animal sounds as best and as enthusiastically as they could. Soon, there were cats, snakes, lizards, zebras and even dogs in attendance. and even little fishes speaking to each other in the language, "Pssssst..Pssst!"

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Asked how he got started performing "Animal Party" for children, Everett said it began as something to do for Earth Day with the theater students of the school where he had previously taught. Since then, his repertoire has expanded to create an Animal Party CD, following live performances, and a video.

 "It's a great way to teach kids and fun way for them to learn," he said.

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A fun aspect of the performance was its interactivity for the younger audience. For children of the ages the artist works with, it is easy to lose their attention at a moment's notice. To combat this obstacle, Everett integrates fun games such as "freeze-dance" and also calling up kids from the audience to stand up in front of the group for demonstration.

"They're a very honest audience, the children of this age," he admits. "If they're bored and aren't paying attention to you, they'll let you know!"

As the show ended, the young pretenders made their final stop into ocean. There, the kids impersonated little fish. Their leader encouraged them to speak to each other in the language, "Pssssst..Pssst!" while he sang a rousing rendition of Yellow Submarine by The Beatles. As the group arrived home in Shrub Oak at the end of their imagination adventure, they were a little worldlier and a lot more environmentally aware.

In Everett's future, the musician hopes to create a television show in the near future as means of getting his ecological message across through the Party.

As for the John C. Hart, the next enthusiastic and interactive show is with Jim McClenahan, entitled The Magic & Comedy of Jim. The show, recommended for children over three years, will be taking place Thursday, July 15 at 7 p.m. Free tickets are now available.

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