Dan Zanes and Friends to Perform at The Wallis This Weekend

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (aka "The Wallis") is proud to present Grammy Award-winning Dan Zanes and Friends on Sunday, October 19 at 11am and 2pm. Dan Zanes, whose innovative, modern and multicultural music integrates the unique spirit of American, West Indian and English folk music with the inspiration of early soul and rock-and-roll, is recommended for audiences of all ages.

Dan Zanes occupies a unique place in American music where sea shanties, English music hall, North American and West Indian folk music, play-party songs, the spirit of early rock-and-roll and soulful originals collide. With his band, Dan Zanes and Friends, he has toured the world sharing 21st century social music with enthusiastic crowds of kids and kid sympathizers.

Zanes was a member of the hit 1980's band Del Fuegos ("Don't Run Wild"). In 1994, he released a solo CD, Cool Down Time, shortly after which he moved to Brooklyn, New York and released Rocket Ship Beach (2000), which became an immediate hit with families around America.

Guest vocalists on Zanes' albums include the Blind Boys of Alabama, Sandra Bernhard, Matthew Broderick, Roseanne Cash, Carol Channing, Sheryl Crow, Philip Glass, Deborah Harry, Kronos Quartet, Aimee Mann, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lou Reed, Loudon Wainwright III, Bob Weir and children of the South Africa Agape Orphanage. His widely acclaimed music has been featured on Sesame Street, Playhouse Disney, Nickelodeon, HBO Family, Hear Music at Starbucks and Sprout.

The New York Times says Dan Zanes and Friends offers "true children's music, but executed with such sweet (and un-gooey!) humor, casual multiculturalism and shambling groove that you can call it your own." Claims Rolling Stone, "Wry, rootsy, real American folk music - songs that twist a little plangency into the sweetness of a melody, songs that feel like life...."

The Wallis' Managing Director, Tania Camargo, said, "Time and again, research has shown the positive impact that arts education has on children's academic achievement, social and emotional development, and civic engagement, as well as fostering equitable opportunity. This year, The Wallis is proud to further its commitment to education by providing tickets and transportation to 'Theater for Young Audiences' productions to 6,500 students, many of them from underserved Los Angeles schools and communities. We believe all students deserve to experience world-class performances in theater, dance and music, and are gratified to continue to offer this valuable program."

Patricia Wolff, interim artistic director, said, "We designed 'Theater for Young Audiences' to transcend the traditional definition of 'children's theater' and were dedicated to crafting a season that would be compelling to both young audiences and adults alike. Our first show, 'The Man Who Planted Trees,' imparts a critical environmental message as it entertains, while the Grammy Award-winning Dan Zanes will have everyone who listens enthralled and on their feet. These are just two examples of a rich and joyous season of which we are extremely proud."

Tickets for Dan Zanes and Friends are available by visiting www.thewallis.org, in person at the Box Office at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 and by phone at 310-746-4000.