![The Laurie Berkner Band returns to Princeton with Full Band "Greatest Hits" Show and a Solo Show](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2023/McCarter-Dec13.jpg "The Laurie Berkner Band returns to Princeton with Full Band "Greatest Hits" Show and a Solo Show")
Photo by Jayme Thornton
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Legendary children's musician Laurie Berkner and The Laurie Berkner Band are thrilled to return to Laurie's hometown with a "Greatest Hits" concert for families on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the McCarter Theatre Center (91 University Place) in Princeton. Showtime is 3:00pm.
Laurie will also give a special solo, sensory-friendly, "relaxed performance" on January 20 at 11:00am.
"I am thrilled to be coming back to my hometown yet again to perform two of my favorite kinds of shows!," says Laurie Berkner. "I love the more intimate experience of a 'relaxed show' AND the joyousness of getting to play a second show with the entire band - especially in such a beautiful venue as McCarter Theater."
A true pioneer in children's music, providing a soundtrack to childhood and memories that last a lifetime, Laurie Berkner will perform songs with The Laurie Berkner Band from a career spanning more than 25 years, including such well-loved hits as "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)," "Victor Vito," "We Are The Dinosaurs," "Rocketship Run," "The Goldfish (Let's Go Swimming)," "Waiting for the Elevator," and "Pig On Her Head," along with some of Laurie's newest singles like "My Bunny Goes Hop" and "Wash It." Laurie's concerts showcase an array of tunes that encourage kids and grownups alike to get up and dance. Kids should plan to bring their dancing shoes and a stuffed animal (for their heads).
At her solo shows, in addition to familiar hits, Laurie Berkner performs songs that don't always fit with a full-band performance: tunes with simpler arrangements, hand motions, and a cappella singing, like "One Seed" and "Drive My Car."
For her sensory-friendly, "relaxed performance" in Princeton, Laurie Berkner will perform solo in an environment that has been adapted to provide a welcoming atmosphere for individuals with autism, learning differences, or other sensory and communication needs, so that they and their families may enjoy Laurie's live show together. At a sensory-friendly performance, the concert is performed at the same high quality as always, with the light and sound levels adjusted slightly to create a more sensory-sensitive environment. These performances are "shush-free" zones where patrons are free to talk and leave their seats throughout the show, as well as bring their own snacks, fidgets, and communication devices with them to their seats.
Most of all, a sensory-friendly performance is a judgment-free environment, where all are welcome to enjoy the show in whatever way make the experience work for them.
Recognized as “the queen of kids’ music” by People magazine, Laurie Berkner is a singer, songwriter, performer, author, and founder of Two Tomatoes Records, LLC. With more than 1 billion total streams, an average of more than 22 million monthly streams, more than 350 million YouTube channel views, and millions of CDs and DVDs sold, Laurie’s songs have become beloved classics for children worldwide.
Laurie is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her sophomore album, Buzz Buzz. This past October, a remastered, hi-res edition of the album was released, digitally, on CD, and on vinyl.
Business Insider dubbed Laurie “the gold standard of the children’s music world.” As a leader and innovator in children’s music and entertainment for more than 25 years, Laurie has released 15 bestselling, award-winning albums, was the first recording artist ever to perform in music videos on Nick Jr., appeared regularly on the network's Jack's Big Music Show, and helped develop the short form animated musical preschool series Sing It, Laurie! on Sprout TV. Laurie also created two Laurie Berkner’s Song and Story Kitchen series with Audible Studios, who released them as 10-chapter audio books through the Audible Originals brand.
Laurie has authored several picture books based on her songs, the most recent of which were published by Simon & Schuster, including the enormously popular We Are The Dinosaurs. She has also written the music and lyrics for three Off-Broadway children's musicals produced by New York City Children’s Theatre. Laurie maintains a busy, nationwide touring schedule, both solo and with The Laurie Berkner Band, and has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the White House, among many prestigious venues.
Laurie Berkner has received tremendous critical acclaim. USA Today named Laurie "the undisputed queen of kindie rock." The Wall Street Journal called Laurie "one of the most popular children's performers in America ... her music is distinctive because it speaks to kids without talking down to them, charming youngsters without boring grown-ups." NPR's All Things Considered declared, "Laurie Berkner is like a goddess to these children.”
An independent not-for-profit performing arts center located between New York City and Philadelphia – and on the campus of Princeton University – McCarter is a multi-disciplinary creative and intellectual hub offering theater, music, dance, comedy, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages. Celebrated for developing new work and winner of the 1994 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, world premieres include Christopher Durang's Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike (Tony, Best Play), Tarell Alvin McCraney's The Brother/Sister Plays, and Emily Mann's Having Our Say. Equally revered for presenting renowned global artists on its stages, some of which include Alvin Ailey, Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, David Sedaris, Hasan Minhaj, Terence Blanchard, Roseanne Cash, the rock band Lake Street Dive, Audra McDonald, and more. McCarter connects with the community year-round and offers on-site classes and in-school residencies. McCarter and Princeton University share a long history of unique partnerships and creative collaborations.
