The Fresh Beat Band

It wasn't easy finding a kid's show that wasn't painful.  Upon first glance, the Fresh Beat Band seemed just as annoying as those other shows that you come across.  However, when you sit and watch it and appreciate the music and the dancing, and the talent of the young cast, it's not half bad.  Hell, I'd say it's actually pretty good!

The Fresh Beats have become quite popular these days.  CD's, merch, big guest stars on their show...a tour would just make sense.  Well, imagine our (my) delight when a tour was announced and they would be coming to my hometown of New Brunswick!!  Santa got Jack, Emma, Greg and myself tickets to the show, really decent seats, too.  So, last night, our time had come, and we would be going to see the Fresh Beats.

We took Jack and Emma out to dinner first.  It was funny walking the streets of New Brunswick sober with my children.  We went to a local pizza place...so did what seemed to be everyone else going to the show.  The poor servers probably had no idea what hit them!  After dinner, we trekked over to The State Theater.  We were a little early, but that didn't matter.  We found our seats, and watched the kids faces as they looked around the theater, spotting Twist's mix tables and Shout's keyboard.  

More people began to trickle in (it was a sold out show) and the kid's were so excited, they were practically vibrating.  Well, 6:00 hit.  No Fresh Beats.  6:05.  6:10.  Nothing.  6:15.  A room filled with hundreds of 3-7 year olds and they're going to be LATE?  Are ya kidding?  An announcement came on at about 6:20 and they started shortly after.

Jack hadn't been as excited as Emma about this concert.  Well, once the music hit, he went WILD!  Cheering, and singing at the top of his lungs.  Priceless would be the only word I could use to describe the expression on his face from beginning to end.  Emma freaked out at the noise.  It wasn't the noise of the music, it was the people cheering.  To be expected from the Queen of Drama, I 'spose.  So, she cried a bit, and whined into her chair most of the show.  She would look up and smile this huge smile and wave at the Fresh Beats and then go right back to being miserable.  

It was a quick show, an hour or so.  They sang all of their songs from the CD, and a 'special' song for the parents.  The award for most crowd friendly goes to my man, Thomas Hobson (Shout).  He was in the audience, picking up kids, sitting down with them, giving them high fives.  Jack was waving like a fiend to him, and Thomas looked right at him and waved back.  He may or may not have waved to me, as well, because I may or may not have been waving just as frantically as my son.  

The famous choreographer, Chuck Maldonado, a New Brunswick native, was there.  He choreographs the tv show and also the tour.  He also has done work on So You Think You Can Dance, so it was cool to see him.  His son actually got to go on the stage and don the 'famous' "Rockstar Jacket" during "Like a Rockstar".  Jack was secretly hoping he would be picked.  I was secretly hoping I'd be picked.

I was impressed.  Impressed by the quality of the show.  The singing and dancing was on point.  I was impressed by all of the cast members, "New Marina" the most.  She kicked butt.

All in all, it's an experience I know they won't forget.  I'm so glad we were able to attend.  I'm so glad they had so much fun.  It's these life experiences that I know they will appreciate when they get older.  

Jack and Emma, I hope you enjoyed your very first concert.  it was so much fun to watch your faces.  I love you both!

(I didn't bring my camera, so I give you crappy cell phone pics!!)