All the way from San Francisco, Alison Faith Levy, formerly "Sippy Alison" of legendary kindie trailblazers The Sippy Cups and the songwriter behind such Sippy hits as "Magic Toast" and "Move Your Pants," is set to rock the Big|Brave Apple with her Big|Brave Time Tot Rock Band in their NYC debut at 11:30 a.m. today, October 11 at The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd Street, NYC.
Fresh off the release of her latest album for kids, The Start of Things,
Alison Faith Levy and her band are thrilled to bring their '60s-style sound and whimsical vibe to NYC. They'll deliver a high energy, interactive show for the entire family, featuring favorites such as the inevitably crowd-pleasing "Like A Spinning Top," "I Love The Rain," and "Baby Anteater," which invite kids to lace up their sneakers and spin, jump, wiggle, sing, scream, drive their imaginary cars, take a 30-second nap, and even turn the whole venue into a zoo full of animals. Themes of self-expression and self-acceptance are woven into numbers like "Pull Your Weeds," "The Start Of Things," "Are You Happy?" and even a lovely, wistful cover of
Cat Stevens' "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out." Add a couple of classic sing-alongs to complete an unforgettable
Alison Faith Levy and her
Big|Brave Time Tot Rock Band experience.
Says Alison Faith Levy, "I haven't performed children's music in New York since my days as a Sippy Cup, when we played to sold out houses every time we came to town. I'm excited to reconnect with NYC Sippy Cups fans and make new friends! I'm also proud and honored to have been invited to perform at The Jewish Museum, which feels like coming home because I teach music in a Jewish preschool and perform regularly at many Jewish venues in the Bay Area. I can't wait!"
After spending five years crisscrossing the country with the psychedelic rock 'n' roll circus that was The Sippy Cups, performing in such venues as
Symphony Space in NYC, Lollapalooza, House of Blues,
Central Park Summerstage, and Austin City Limits,
Alison Faith Levy took a break from performing for children and found success with her "grown-up" Americana band, McCabe &
Mrs. Miller, with songwriting partner
Victor Krummenacher (of Camper Van Beethoven).
However, Alison missed performing for children and opted to start a "music time" at a San Francisco bookstore. A few months down the road found the place packed to the rafters every week. Kicking things up a notch, Alison formed the
Big|Brave Time Tot Rock Band and began booking performances at libraries, museums, music venues, and outdoor festivals. She was also writing new songs for kids, which led to two highly-praised solo albums, World of Wonder (2012) and this year's The Start of Things. Alison is currently adapting World of Wonder into a full-length stage musical for families.
Enthused noted music journalist Paul Myers, "I only knew singer/keyboardist
Alison Faith Levy from her work in more alt/rock settings such as The Loud Family (with
Scott Miller) and McCabe &
Mrs. Miller (with Camper Van Beethoven's Victor Krummenacher), but in this [kids' music] milieu, we really get to hear her voice, which recalls the great girl group singers like
Ronnie Spector."
In addition to The Start of Things and World of Wonder,
Alison Faith Levy can be heard on The Sippy Cups' albums The Time
Machine (2009), Electric Storyland (2006), and Kids Rock for Peas (2005). She also appears on the band's DVD, Electric Storyland Live at the
Great American Music Hall (2007). As one half of McCabe &
Mrs. Miller, she is heard on Time for Leaving (2009). Earlier in her career Alison released two solo albums for adults and recorded two albums as a member of The Loud Family.
WHAT: Direct from San Francisco! Alison Faith Levy and her Big|Brave Time Tot Rock Band Rock the Big|Brave Apple in their NYC Debut
WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128
WHEN: 11:30 a.m., Sunday, October 11.
ADMISSION: $13 children. $18 adults. Jewish Museum members: $11 children. $15 adults.
INFO: 212-423-3200 or the Jewish Museum website
