Contact us if would like to speak with a reference, to get info about our fees, or if you need anything else.
LADYBUG ONE
Equipped with a hula hoop, a ukulele, some face paint, and a suitcase full
of simple props and instruments, The Harmonica Pocket explores a world of
bugs and nature in their program Ladybug One. Children (and their adults)
are invited to be a tree on a windy day in One Tree Said, and to
sing along to gentle acoustic songs like Firefly, Spiders in
my Breakfast, the super catchy Ladybug 123, or the fingerplays
of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Music, Dance, and Imagination Games are mixed up into a gigglish program that gets the audience singing and moving in their seats. Books like One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish are brought to life by setting the texts to original music and singing them with the group.
SINGING THANKSGIVING
Equipped with some hula hoops, a ukulele, and a suitcase full of simple
props, The Harmonica Pocket celebrates the holidays with their program:
"Singing Thanksgiving."
This interactive 45-minute set gets young and old alike singing American Folk tunes including Over the River and Through the Woods, Turkey in the Straw, and She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain. Audience members are invited to co-create and improvise lyrics on a Harmonica Pocket original song Give Thanks, and will meet Mr. Sniffles -- a beautifully-nosed fellow who can smell books! Dance, fingerplays, a waltz with a pumpkin, and zany skits tie this program up into a thoughtful, playful package.
GET LOOSE WITH SEUSS
Dr. Seuss, born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield Massachusetts, is an American
Icon. Through setting a handful of his famous, as well as some lesser-known
books to music, we get to know Theodor Seuss Geisel. Audiences are invited
to sing the words to Dr. Seuss's ABCs, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish,
and other selected books. Using theater, we learn the history behind the
creation of some of his best-loved stories. And of course, to celebrate
what would have been his 106th birthday, we sing Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss.
Contact us for specific dates and availability.
WATER RHYMES
From the drinking glass to oceans and rainbows, The Harmonica Pocket explores
the poetry of water.
Children’s books and water stories are brought to life with hulahoops, a ukulele, and story-telling folk songs. Children (and their adults) are invited to learn dance moves and fingerplays, flex imagination skills by making up lyrics to songs, and to open up their mouths and sing! Music, Dance, and Imagination Games are mixed up into a gigglish program that gets the audience singing and moving in their seats.
To cultivate respect for books and reading, all children leave the program
with a free Harmonica Pocket bookmark. 
HANDS-ON HULAHOOP WORKSHOP
Hula Hooping isn't only fun, it's good for you too. Hooping improves coordination,
flexibility, and concentration, and anyone can learn to hula hoop, young
and old. This workshop is suitable for all ages, all levels, and all
movement styles. Come prepared to sweat and have some good times.
INTRO TO HULAHOOPING:
Part I (optional*): We begin in the first hour with participants building
hoops of different sizes. This is very hands-on with students cutting, joining,
and taping PVC sprinkler hose into loops of various lengths. Our cutting
tool is very safe, but needs supervision for extra small people. (*Part
I is optional and the materials fee described in "Requirements"
below will apply. As an alternative, we can provide rental hoops for
this workshop, however students do not get to keep their hoops.)
Part II: We get down to learning the basics of hooping, including beginner tricks. Depending on group size, age, and ability, we play a handful of hulahoop games. This is med-high energy cardiovascular activity.
ADVANCED HULAHOOPING:
For students aged 12 and up, we build on previous skills, introduce advanced
tricks, stalls, and illusions using our hoops. Students begin linking moves
together into an improvised dance. We discuss and practice making up original
dance moves and "choreographed" sequences. We finish the class
with an open-play session where students can freely explore working with
their hoops.
* REQUIREMENTS:
1/ Large, open, indoor space with sufficient room to move. In warm
weather a dry, grassy outdoor space can work.
2/ Group size limited to 30 students.
3/ A materials fee will apply to cover PVC rolls, joiners, and tape (approximately
$5.50 per hoop). Alternatively we can provide hoops for the duration of
the class. If we are making hoops with students we also need access to hot
water (~180 degrees) for the hoop joining process, or electricity to run
our electric teapot.
4/ For school groups, additional support of at least one supervising adult.
Here is the extended play version of testimonials. If you'd like to read about our recorded music, check out the reviews page.
"Imagine a beatnik Mr. Rogers who plays beguiling, Dr. Seuss-ian songs while a female Cirque du Soleil escapee hula hoops and mimes the story lines. The duo gently bridges the generations as their astute songcraft reminds adults that the reverie of their childhood is still close at hand. Their wide-eyed, wise and witty observations from a perch on the back steps of a new century, is cause for celebration: A fresh new family act has arrived!"
--Lisa Lepine
Booking Agent, Bite of Oregon (Portland, OR)
"Clever."
-Parenting Magazine
"It is our pleasure to recommend The Harmonica Pocket to anyone interested in excellent children's music programming. They are a fantastic group that mesmerizes their audience. We have observed with astonishment the ways they hold their audience without creating a hyper atmosphere."
-Diann Wiklund
Director of Cross and Crown Preschool (Renton, WA)
"The Harmonica Pocket is one of the best up and coming artists in the country. We highly recommend you consider The Harmonica Pocket for any opportunities you have. They have proven themselves as accomplished and developed performers."
--Josh Wendell, Director of Independent Artist Regristry
"Just when I was beginning to think that the world of potential library programmers had been reduced to storytellers, magicians, puppeteers and the occasional theatrical troupe, Harmonica Pocket breezed onto the stage and hula hooped their way into our hearts.
With uniquely refreshing combinations of whimsy, playful interaction and genuine enthusiasm, The Harmonica Pocket easily captivated and held spellbound two large audiences.
Dr. Seuss would be green with envy to hear his books so lovingly rendered and musically adapted. And Nala Walla may well be on her way to creating a whole new generation of hula hoopers!"
-Pat Timko
Children's Librarian (Marysville, WA)
"Magical! A perfect literacy program for libraries! Highly recommended for those looking for fresh new talent."
-Jean Tarascio
Youth Services Librarian (Port Townsend, WA)
"Wonderful to work with, we can't wait to have The Harmonica Pocket back."
-Jennifer Sullivan
Children's Librarian (Snohomish, WA)
"The Harmonica Pocket bewitched me the moment I first stumbled upon them: Keeth's warm, playful smile, his unstrained, pitch-perfect voice and impish delivery, his goofy clothes and fanciful facial hair. He played each instrument with panache and aplomb: the guitar, the ukulele, the didgeridoo. He was part elf, part kid-show host, part balladeer. He was confident and generous and inventive. The guy was good.
Meanwhile, Nala Walla mesmerized the young audience, and their adults, with acrobatics, contortionism, pantomime, and vibrant costumes. She even sang the ABC's on a Vietnamese jaw harp. I was an instant fan.
This is music for kids that strikes just the right note: cherubic without being cloying, silly without being insipid, accomplished and playful, direct and fresh, earnest and hopeful, concerned and cheerful. It's pluperfect music for the preschool set, and older."
--Patrick Jennings author of "Faith and the Electric Dogs" and other young adult titles
....We promise to contact you as soon as we get home from our picnic.
contact: Keeth Apgar
email: greenbanana
(at) harmonicapocket.com
phone: (206) 355-8239
web: harmonicapocket.com
