Entertainment
Dan Zanes is bringing his family music show to Ridgefield
By Ridgefield Playhouse
Sep 8, 2008 - 12:34:21 AM

Two things to know about Dan Zanes, who is bringing his musical friends to The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts on Friday, October 10 at both 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. One is that he is making homemade family music and encouraging similar behaviors in friends and neighbors. Second, he is the guy who is always interested in singing along with people—people everywhere. Produced by Crothers Entertainment & Production, this is a show for families and people of all ages.

Take, for example, Dan Zanes and Friends’ “Catch That Train!” the 2007 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Album for Children. It brings together the Kronos Quartet, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Father Goose, Dan’s mother-in-law, and the children of South Africa’s Agape Orphanage to sing Zulu folk songs, a song about the joys of farming the English countryside, and, of course, a few train songs—all in an instrumental mix that highlights cuatros and lap steels and does not in any way discourage the use of trombone.

Dan’s latest album is “¡Nueva York!” or what he is often heard calling his "pro-immigration CD." While the debate about who is eligible to live in the United States rages on, Dan has been having a rocking time with new musical friends from the Latino world, celebrating some of the vibrant culture that comes with immigration. The result: a collection of songs from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and other parts of the Spanish-speaking Americas.

For tickets ($27.50 in advance; $30 day of show) or more information, call the box office at (203) 438-5795 or go to www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge, which runs parallel to Main Street.

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