A Party for Laureen
This is the review that Laureen Manino, a Brooklyn mom, wrote after I performed at her son's birthday party. It was originally posted on GoCityKids.com.
Our family absolutely adores Ivan's musical performances! We booked him two years in a row for my sons's first and second birthdays (one at a restaurant, other at home). I was a little nervous because I had a wide range of ages infants to 9 year olds to please, BUT IF I TELL YOU... IVAN HAD NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER ENCHANTING THE WHOLE LOT OF 'EM (not to mention us adults)! (Read on if you want my ample details.) Perched on a chair, trademark hat on, guitar in hand, as the kiddies gather 'round on the carpet, he ever-so-gently eased them into songs new, old and in between. Whether anyone knew the song to begin with or not, it was mere seconds before everyone was singing along with ease! Ivan's musicianship is supreme and his performance is sweet with well- timed silliness and rambunctiousness. His act is VERY PARTICIPATORY — includes talking and singing TO the kids, with ample opportunity for them to shout answers or fill in the song blanks. (Even the shy kids will yell out in spite of themselves!) I'm a sucker for theme parties, so last year we had a Firetruck theme and Ivan graced us with his amazing (and original) children's anthem, "Firetruck!!" (we also have the book/cd of that song). This year we had a ChooChoo Train theme, so Ivan threw in a handful of train songs (I've Been Workin' On the Rail Road, Down By the Station, etc.). For birthday's, Ivan will have one or two final songs about "someone having a birthday" and then end with Happy Birthday (which is mom's cue to bring out the candle-lit cake). THE WHOLE THING WAS JUST PRECIOUS! The first year, we had the party in a restaurant's private party room and Ivan was great. This year we had the party at home, and having Ivan perform in the relaxed, intimate setting of our relative-crammed living room was AWESOME! Everyone young and old had a blast! By chance, before Ivan began, some of the kids pulled out my son's basket of instruments (shakers, little drums, etc.) and began playing. To my surprise, IVAN SEAMLESSLY JOINED IN and so began his performance. His "rhythm section" played all through his set, with adults hornin' in on the act! Even the relatives who spend the whole party smoking cigs on the terrace we're lured inside to hear the living room jam! I first learned of Ivan when he used to perform at my daughter's preschool (she's 19 years old now and still loves Ivan). When I had my son two years ago, I was compelled to find Ivan again — which I thankfully did! Ivan has a CD out with many great ol' songs and his original "Firetruck", which my 2 year old loves. Yet, this pales in comparison to Ivan LIVE AND IN PERSON! We can't wait for my son's 3rd birthday party next year because you-know-who will be singing! I WHOLE-HEARTEDLY RECOMMEND THE MUSIC AND MAGIC THAT IS... IVAN.
