Photo Op: 500 Local School Children Will Boogie as UAB’s Alys Stephens Center Presents Free Zydeco Music Show for Kids

UAB’s Alys Stephens Center will present a free show for students, “Creole for Kidz,” by performer Terrance Simien as part of its Arts in Action education program. At least 500 students from around Birmingham will come to the center to see the multicultural, informational performance. The students are from schools including Washington, Barrett, O’Brien, Jackson and Holy Family elementary schools, as well as Everest and Parkway Christian academies.

   May 5, 2010

Creole for Kids.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB's Alys Stephens Center will present a free show for students, "Creole for Kidz," by performer Terrance Simien as part of its Arts in Action education program. At least 500 students from around Birmingham will come to the center to see the multicultural, informational performance. The students are from schools including Washington, Barrett, O'Brien, Jackson and Holy Family elementary schools, as well as Everest and Parkway Christian academies.

Students will learn about the indigenous zydeco music of the French-speaking Creoles of South Louisiana and the instruments used to make the sound. The kids will interact with Simien and his band during the performance. This unique program has informed and engaged young and family audiences across the United States, in Australia, Mali, Paraguay and all over Canada. The music is from Simien's "Creole for Kidz" CD.

The even will take place Thursday, May 6 at 10:30 a.m. at UAB's Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South.

Grammy award-winning Simien and his eclectic Zydeco Experience bandmates have toured the globe from Cuba to Brazil and Finland to the Seychelles. Simien just received huge recognition for his song on Disney's film "The Princess and the Frog" soundtrack. He has performed and recorded with Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, The Meters and The Dave Matthews Band.

Simien also will perform Thursday night at "Live on the Plaza," a fun, funky new outdoor series at UAB's Alys Stephens Center. Each event will begin at 6 p.m. and include free dance lessons followed by live music from the evening's featured band. Enjoy cash bars, food for sale, prize giveaways and contests at all "Live on the Plaza" shows. Tickets to each show are $15 in advance; $20 day of the show. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.