The ‘3 Dreidels’ perform for Chanukah

Michelle Bitran, Intern, Thursday, November 17, 2011
http://www.cjnews.com/news/arts/%E2%80%983-dreidels%E2%80%99-perform-chanukah

This Chanukah, there will be three spinning dreidels that you won’t want to miss.

The festival of lights will bring the first-ever collaboration of children’s entertainment duo Sonshine and Broccoli and children’s singer Kayla for a holiday concert and party. The three have named themselves “The 3 D’s,” with the “D” standing for dreidels.

Lisa Sonshine and Brock (Broccoli) Burford have been performing together for about eight years, and Kayla has been a children’s entertainer for more than 20 years. They met at a concert of children’s entertainers a year ago and almost immediately came up with the idea to collaborate.

“Beyoncé would collaborate with Celine Dion, why wouldn’t Sonshine and Broccoli collaborate with Kayla?” said Sonshine, laughing.

She added that she and Burford are thrilled to be working with Kayla, a pioneer of the children’s entertainment industry in Toronto. “Kayla started this all,” she said. “She started children’s music and sing-along circles in Toronto.”

Though their singing styles are different – “a lot of Kayla’s songs are more storytelling, and a lot of Sonshine and Broccoli songs are more rocking out,” said Burford – they worked to create a cohesive show, combining their different styles. “It’s not my show, your show – it’s our show,” said Kayla.

The three settled on a Chanukah show to give Jewish families a fun activity at a time of year when many children’s shows tend to be Christmas-themed. “There’s not so much out there for Jewish kids around the holiday time,” said Sonshine. The last time Sonshine and Broccoli had a Chanukah show was three years ago, and they felt they were long overdue for another one.

The three entertainers regularly perform for different communities, but the idea of a special Chanukah performance was an exciting prospect for them. “Being Jewish, it gives us an opportunity to share our heritage, our roots,” said Kayla.

The Spinning Tops Chanukah Concert and Party features the trio, as well as a full band, a DJ from Superfly Entertainment and a balloon maker. “It’s a family event – there’s really something for everyone,” said Kayla.

Sonshine, Burford and Kayla have decided to donate partial proceeds from their ticket sales to Three to Be, a charity that supports research for treatments and therapies for childhood neurological disorders. Supporting a children’s charity was important to the three artists, as they perform mainly for kids.

For Sonshine, the best thing about performing for children is not just the delight it brings them, but the fun in creating the material. “It’s the biggest joy to be able to get into the mind of a child,” she said.

Since announcing their collaboration, The 3 D’s are finding that young fans and their families are counting the days to the big event. Sonshine said she and Burford have been stopped several times by eager parents and kids while they were out running errands. “The feedback I’ve gotten so far is that people can’t wait. They’re so excited!” she said.

For tickets to the Chanukah concert and party, on Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. and at 4 p.m., at Bayview Glen Upper School, call 1-800-838-3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/208208. For more information, visit www.sonshineandbroccoli.com.

Children’s entertainers to launch new CD

“Strap on that guitar/ Strum a little beat/ Let your hands go crazy/ And stomp your feet/ It’s the Broccoli Jam!”

Singing along with children’s entertainers Sonshine & Broccoli is fun for kids and the young at heart. Playing together for six years now, Lisa Sonshine and Brock Burford are known by fans for their catchy nicknames, creative lyrics, rocking tunes and energy.

"Lisa has always been called Sonshine, and I have always been called Broccoli," says Burford. "It just goes together. Sunshine makes broccoli grow!"

Sonshine & Broccoli is set to release their second CD, Feel the Beat, at a concert at 3:30 p.m. at the Al Green Theatre in the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre on Nov. 22.

"[Feel the Beat] is the real deal," said Burford. "We now have a drummer, a bass player, a fiddle player and a flute, whereas [on our debut] it was just guitar. We’re taking it to the next level."

The duo met at Sheridan College, where they were both enrolled in a musical theatre program. They bonded over their common interests and quickly became the best of friends. When Sonshine’s aunt suggested she use her talent to start a sing-along group for children, Sonshine said it was only natural for her to turn to Burford for help.

"In the beginning, we did circle sing-along groups with about eight to 10 kids in a parent’s basement," said Sonshine. "It was very interactive and full of movement. Things just grew from there, a crazy domino effect that became our full-time job."

Sonshine and Broccoli released Sonshine & Broccoli Jam, their debut album, in 2007. The 12 songs were written by the partners in coffee shops and on subways. Each song has a different theme – from playing dress-up and the environment to working as a team.

Sonshine said her two passions in life have always been kids and music, so putting the album together was an easy process. "To get into the mind of a kid and be a child again is so thrilling. I wish I was three and could get excited about something as simple as seeing a fire truck drive by!"

Sonshine & Broccoli launched their first CD two years ago on Israel Day at Mel Lastman Square. "We had no idea what to expect, and it was unbelievable. The people just went nuts," said Sonshine. The concert was such a hit that the duo have since performed all over the city, at many events, and for many causes.

"We had a concert last year at Beth David, a Chanukah concert last winter at the Leah Posluns Theatre, we branched out to Regent Park for Fun Day this year, and the list goes on," said Sonshine. "We perform at a lot of schools, including underprivileged schools where the children would not normally be exposed to our kind of music. It’s very rewarding, and we now have very dedicated followers!"

Aside from being successful at a job they adore, Sonshine and Burford said they are most delighted at witnessing the joy that their fans experience through their music. "These young boys come out to our shows and know all the words to Broccoli Jam. It’s mind-blowing! Their parents say they’re so shy in school, and then they transform into mini rock stars belting out the lyrics! They line up beside me holding their little red guitars, like I’m their role model. It’s adorable," Burford said.

Sonshine said parents are constantly approaching her and Burford with positive feedback and words of encouragement. "They come up to us every day and say things like, ‘If your CD is not in the car, my kid won’t get in’ or, ‘They won’t go to bed if you’re not playing at night.’"

Sonshine said parents have even admitted to her that they continue listening to the CD when their kids have left the car. "The dads love it because it’s very musical – thanks to Brock, with his guitar-playing skills and rock ’n’ roll edge. The moms love it because they like hearing good vocals, my Broadway-style voice."

Tickets for their CD launch concert can be purchased by calling 416-924-6211, ext. 0.