FUNIKIJAM'S HOLIDAY BEAT: Family Musical Lights Up Off-Broadway With A Global Celebration For Kids

Holiday traditions in New York are as diverse as its residents, but only one Holiday show gives audiences the chance to see so many celebrations in one place. Part live concert and part stage show, FunikiJam's HOLIDAY BEAT is New York City's only Off-Broadway show this season to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Shichigosan - for kids! Opening on Friday, November 23rd at Actors Temple Theatre, the show will play a limited engagement through December 30th.

Creator and performer Brian Barrentine says, "Children are naturally curious about other cultures, and living in New York, they see diversity all around them. FunikiJam's HOLIDAY BEAT opens the door for families to talk about diversity, learn about other countries' meaningful holidays, and most importantly, have fun together. It's a show that unites our audiences and reminds us of all we have in common as citizens of the world."

ABOUT THE SHOW: When young Bahjat fears that his Holiday Party will be a disaster - because "everyone celebrates something different" - Captain Jam and the Agents of Jam embark on special mission to explore holiday traditions from around the world. But they can't do it alone. They need New Recruits and Junior Agents (audience members) to sing, dance and play along with the globe-spanning musical adventure and help complete Special Mission: HOLIDAY PARTY.

FunikiJam's HOLIDAY BEAT is the latest offering in FunikiJam's Off-Broadway season of musical adventures and the capstone of its all original programming which includes weekly classes, music in the park, school programs, and birthday parties. Uniquely blending rhymes, chants, songs and stories with indigenous music from around the world, FunikiJam's mission is to empower global citizens to reach their highest potential through its trademark "music exploration for the next generation" classes, live shows, musical recordings, film production, and teacher training.

FunikiJam was founded by Brian Barrentine in 1999 to meet a growing demand for quality education and entertainment programs for young children and families. Starting with a weekly audience of just six families, the program quickly became so popular that Barrentine began training teachers, opening new locations, recording the music, and touring live shows to schools, music festivals and lofty venues like the Historic Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Now based in NYC, FunikiJam has evolved into a landmark early childhood education and entertainment organization with an annual reach of over 70,000 patrons.

FunikiJam's HOLIDAY BEAT performs on the following dates at 11:00 am: 11/23, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 12/23, 12/30 at Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47th St., between 8th and 9th Avenues. Tickets at $30 are available through www.funikijam.com. Running time is 60 minutes and the show is most appropriate for children ages 4 to 10. For more information, visit www.funikijam.com.

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