Zany kids' musician visits Bessemer Public Library

By P.J. GLISSON

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Bessemer - In a highly communal performance at the Bessemer Public Library Saturday, children's musician Danna Banana treated the crowd to a series of high-energy songs to kick off the library's summer reading program. Armed with a guitar and part-time hat, the New York-based entertainer strolled, circled, skated, skipped and marched through his songs, sometimes crouching, reaching high and low, flapping his arms, or lying on the floor.

"I am not silly!" shouted the singer, who consistently was quite silly.

He had kids clapping, stomping their feet, flying "all over the U.P.," and graduating from a one-finger dance to a whole-body dance. At one point, they trailed him Pied Piper-style through the library aisles.

Under the musician's direction, the kids sang like buzzing bees, and participated in various, funny refrains such as "blah, blah, blah" and happy baby sounds ("goo, goo, goo") versus sad baby sounds ("wah, wah, wah"), followed by mom and dad sounds ("shh, shh, shh").

Children then learned to sing in a gentle, lullaby voice.

Maracas and colored scarves were among props used by all of the kids. A space song included a hokey-pokey rendition of a step-out, as well as a simulated "float" and a multicolored parachute under which "astronauts" Willow Dassow and Nevaeh Aufdencamp, both of Bessemer, landed on the library floor.

Danna Banana sang some of his own songs, as well as familiar tunes such as Johnny Cash's "You Are My Sunshine," which was apt on a gray day, and Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off," which of course involved a whole lot of shaking.

Surrounded by stacks of library books, the singer coached kids in how to say "Thank you, Cleveland," and assured them, "Then, you are a rock star."

The performer also slipped in somewhat serious learning opportunities, casually defining the word "crescendo" and declaring, "There's no weight in outer space! Jenny Craig would have no work in outer space!"

When toddlers Aiden Favero and Wyatt Choronzy, both of Bessemer, became a bit rambunctious, the singer included them in the act, for instance by high-fiving them and yelling, "Oooooowwwww!" several times to their delight.

"He was here an hour ahead of time just hanging out with the kids, doing rhythm exercises," said librarian Melissa Lupino, who smiled and laughed throughout the performance.

Library assistant Maryann Horswill described him even then as "very interactive."

Attendees ranged from toddlers to junior high age, along with moms, dads, and grandparents.

Older kids often helped younger ones to perfect their gestures and dance moves.

Nevaeh's mom, Germaine Withrow, of Bessemer, said all of her kids, including Trevor Withrow, and Ethan and Ayiana Aufdencamp, enjoyed the show. "They had a blast," she said.

Elliot and Cara Hoffenberg of Bessemer also were among the happy audience with their daughters, Sarah, 9, and Marjorie, 7. Cara's son Hubert, 16, worked on a computer nearby.

The special event included snacks and prizes, and the library's summer learning program also will offer kids prizes in relation to the books they read.

After his performance, Dana Banana told the Globe he originally studied opera, which he describes as "a really tough business," but he began getting increasing acclaim for kid-related performances, including work for Disney and Nickelodeon.

"I like the immediacy of the children's audience," said the performer, whose real name is Dan Cohen. "I like that energy."

He said he's been able to use his operatic background in some of his work, such as in his Halloween album Prepare to Be Scared.

Described by New York Magazine as "best party entertainer," Cohen has performed in other areas of the country but will spend this summer traveling throughout the U.P.

On Thursday, June 21, at 6 p.m., he will perform for the Wakefield Public Library in Eddy Park, and on Friday, June 22, at 5 p.m., he will perform at Carnegie Library in Ironwood. His originally scheduled June 15 performance was cancelled due to bad weather.