Concerts And Special Events

Sing, dance, laugh and play
At Philip’s concerts, whole families are energized and on their feet singing, dancing, laughing and making music together, even Grandma!  The songs are funny and the music is live, played on guitar, harmonica, dulcimer, ocarina, djembe, digiridoo and boomwhackers too.  What are boomwhackers you ask?  Book a show with Philip Alexander and find out! Libraries, schools, festivals, corporate events and birthday parties are all perfect venues for Philip and his music.  Anywhere where families and friends want to join together to sing, play, dance and laugh!

Original, traditional and international music

Philip performs a wide repertoire of music. Children love his funny originals like: The Sticky Dance, Pajamas in The Bahamas, Can’t Stop Fooling Around, and The Truck Song.   Philip also gets kids moving and singing with a generous helping of their favorite classics while parents enjoy the occasional classic rock tune in the mix! Entire audiences join in to clap and sing along with chestnuts from the American folk tradition, such as Froggy Went A Courtin’, This Land Is Your Land, and Oh Susanna.  It is quite common at a Philip Alexander show for everyone to get up off their seats, grab hands in a circle, and dance around merrily to Shoo Fly Don’t Bother Me, Jim Along Josie, or Going to Kentucky!

Music unites people, and Philip loves to include songs from around the world.  He can and does teach audiences to sing in Spanish, French, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, Swahili, and more! Children love to play games like “Un Elefante” or dance “Sur Le Pont D’Avignon” –  learning language and culture while having fun.

Stories to remember

Philip is a storyteller too!  Many of his stories have songs built in, so they fit right into a concert.  Some are told with colorful puppets, and all of them are guaranteed to make kids laugh.  Some are just plain fun, like “Abiyoyo” or “How Bear Lost His Tail”.  Others have a theme and are designed to get kids thinking:  “The Billygoat And The Vegetable Garden” (hard work/fairness) or “The Mountain of Toys” (selfishness vs. sharing).  Storytelling is a great interlude between singing, dancing and more dancing!

Strike up the Band!

Philip is available to perform solo; or as a duo with saxophonist, accordionist, or percussionist backing; or with an entire band!  These excellent musicians add even more richness and excitement to the music.  The rockin’ jazzy sound is pleasing to grown up ears, and the extra rhythm gets kids and parents dancing together. Especially appropriate for large events such as whole school functions, outdoor festivals or corporate holiday parties. Bring Philip and his band anytime you would like to make a big splash with music! 

Why should I hire Philip Alexander?

Each show is tailored to the specific event: the songs and movement activities are age appropriate, and the show is completely interactive, whether it be for an audience of 5 or 500. Kids, teachers and parents alike love the songs, stories, dances and live instruments that are part of a Philip Alexander show. Whenever children and their families are making music with Philip, they are making memories that will last a lifetime.   CONCERTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS ARE MEMORABLE, EXCITING, AND FUN WITH PHILIP ALEXANDER!

 

Accolades

"For our show, Philip Alexander performed with an accordion player and a drummer. The three kept the young crowd engaged for an entire hour! Philip encouraged lots of dancing and singing along to both traditional and original songs.  There was a wide range of musical styles and plenty of laughter!"

– Denise Shaver, Children's Coordinator
Belmont Public Library

"Philip warmed up a cold winter day at Westwood Public Library with his catchy songs that had everyone dancing and singing along. Philip had rave reviews from both children and adults who loved hearing some old favorites as well as some brand new tunes. We are still being asked for more programs with Philip."

– Loretta Eysie, Children’s Librarian
Westwood Public Library

"Philip's visit to the Goodnow Library brought a delightful afternoon of music and motion. Lead by Philip's contagious enthusiasm, children and their adults sang and danced to tunes both new and familiar.  The program was well paced and thoughtfully balanced to provide all with ‘catch your breath time’ as well as energetic ‘dance, sing, and spin time’.  Great fun for all.   We look forward to Philip's return visit."

– Barbara Gariepy, Children’s Librarian
  Goodnow Public Library, Sudbury MA 

"A huge thank you for your wonderful music on Tuesday evening! Everyone: parents, children, teachers, staff raved about your time with us. The song you chose for the parent-child song was perfect—so welcoming and engaging. And as one of the principal’s said, you were “magic” with the children. Thank you for coming on such short notice and for being patient as we figured out the schedule for the evening. We appreciated your efforts to help us make the evening so enjoyable for everyone.  Thanks again."

– Britta McNemar, Director
Waltham Family School 

"Thank you for providing such wonderful entertainment for our third annual Early Childhood Fair.  Over the course of three hours we had almost 500 people attend, half of them in the 2-5 year old range.  You and your saxophonist were delightful and  engaging!  You had the younger set up and moving around with you, and the adults smiling and tapping their toes. I appreciated your ability, energy and flexibility. I hope you can join us again next year!"

– Judy Platt, Resource Coordinator
  Framingham Public Schools 

"You continue to be a huge hit with our group’s parents and kids!"

– Amy Haelsen, Director
Dedham Parent Time 

"Philip, you were terrific!  You really engaged the children.  My own niece and nephew loved your show.  It was their favorite part of the whole day."

– Gregory G. Sullivan, Vice President of Echelon Events, Boston
Principal Organizer of Halloween Town at the Boston World Trade Center

RECENT SHOWS

Coolidge Corner Theater, Brookline, (band show)

Boston Frog Pond Opening Ceremony

Peabody Essex Museum, Salem

City of Newton Summer Concert Series

Swampscott Public Library Family Concert On The Green

Marblehead Festival of The Arts Fourth Of July

Halloween Town at the Boston World Trade Center

Regattabar Summer Kids Music Series, Cambridge MA

Public Library Family Concerts in Brookline, Belmont, Sudbury, Natick, Walpole, Westwood, Watertown and more

Big Doozie L’il Kids Show, Framingham

Southborough Santa Day

Waltham Family Festival

Framingham Early Childhood Education Fair

Medtronic Corporate Holiday Party, Danvers

Draper Laboratories Family Day, Cambridge

Appleton Street Bakery Café Annual Halloween Block Party, Boston

North End Saints Day Festival (with Gordon from Sesame Street!)

Wellesley Newcomers Club Halloween Party

Weston Golf Club Holiday Party

The Club (Brookline Country Club) Grandmother’s Tea

Boston Holiday Stroll at South Station

Polar Express Train To Gillette Stadium

Brookline First Light Festival

Winchester Town Day Multicultural Network Concert

Marblehead Halloween Pumpkin Lighting Ceremony

New England Auto Show at the Bayside Expo Center, Boston

Grand Reopening of Babies ‘R Us in Braintree, MA

City of Newton Annual City Hall Open House

Natick Moms and More Halloween Party

Catholic Charities Adoption Picnic

And many more, including...

Performances at schools all over Massachusetts!