It's a given when I play at outdoor public events that I'm going to see kids completely intrigued by the music. They're usually dragged away by their parents who don't even notice that their kid is completely focused and interested in the music. They always are looking over their shoulder with eager eyes until I am completely out of sight. All the while they are clumsily stumbling over their own feet trying to walk sideways to get a better view, despite their parent's death-grip. It's actually comical to see the whole thing play out.
I remember two performances ago at Kaleidoscope. There was this family running by with a whole bunch of party supplies. Apparently they had just had a birthday celebration. Next thing I know in the middle of one of my songs this little girl, who couldn't have been more than 10, trotted awkwardly towards me with a large tray where 2 pink frosted cupcakes rested. In her excitement, I thought she was going to trip over her feet and send the tray flying, but she managed to get to the table. She left the entire tray on the table next to me. In a single hop she made a 180, and pleased with herself she bounced all the way back to her father. He was waiting for her with a grin on his face and whispered something to her when she arrived. At that she looked a little alert and confused. At this point her bigger sister took her by the hand and led her back to the table. Halfway there she got the idea and picked up the tray, whirled back around and began to march back to her father. Her sister whispered in her ear again. At this point she stuttered in her actions, until she pick one of the cupcakes up and placed it dantily on the table top. After this display of acheivement she looked back at her dad for approval. When he gave her an approving nod, she skipped back to her family. I thanked them over the mic. I'll tell you what, the night was fantastic, but that cupcake topped it all off!
Tonight at Borders another kid had me cracking up. I was a fourth into a song when outta nowhere this kid, clad in pink from head to toe, came bounding in out of nowhere!! She just started busting a move right there in the middle of the walkway. Everyone was watching and she kept right on. She was SO excited! Put her whole heart and soul into those tiny dance moves that were frantically exploding all over her make-shift dance floor! Kids are uncoordinated in the first place, so as you can imagine her limbs were shooting out every which way. Just complete expression and energy. She had us all sold on it though. She was dancing! Just as quickly as she appeared she disappeared in the bookshelves. I was routing for her during the tune. A few songs later, the same little girl, pulled up a chair and walked it straight over to me. She plopped it down not more than 5 feet in front, sat herself in it, and just stared with an excited grin on her face. Within a minute though I saw her expression completely change as if she had just grown aware that she was sitting in front of a complete stranger with no familiar faces within 15 feet of her. She darted up, put the chair back in it's spot and that was that. I couldn't help but laugh at how random and uninhibited it was. It's always such a nice change of pace to see things like that. I asked all the adults over the microphone then, "Did you all see that? That was awesome! What happened to us older folk just sitting down to ourselves with our face in a book or on our iPhones!? We use to be like that!" They all just laughed.
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