Doors! Circus Family Hootenanny sets up at Magic Stick

     DETROIT -- Grab the kids and get ready for one of the greatest shows on earth as the Circus Family Hootenanny comes to town. The family-friendly event brings music, circus performers, DIY crafts and more to the Magic Stick 2:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25.

     Entertainment includes all-mom band the Mydols, as well as Almond Joy from the Candy Band with Mr. Seley.

     Kids can hoop it up as Hoopin’ for the Hood demonstrates their unique brand of extreme Hula hooping. Also on tap are face-painting, popcorn, jugglers, balloon animals and other circus-themed ballyhoo.

     The Circus Family Hootenanny is the latest in a series of events and CDs organized by Detroiter April Boyle to celebrate children’s music and activities that appeal to parents as well. Boyle brought together Detroit musicians to stage the first Family Hootenanny at Xhedos coffeehouse in Ferndale in 2001.

     “I really didn’t want to sit through Barney and Disney music all the time,” said Boyle, a mother of three and wife of Brian Boyle, a founding member of local Alt-Country band  Blanche. “I wanted my kids to be exposed to real music, something fun and cool that I could enjoy too.”

     Since then, she has organized Hootenannies twice a year at various venues. Acts have included Dan Miller of Blanche, Pas/Cal, Alicia of Slumber Party, The Sirens, Loretta Lucas, Jawbone, Bambi (lead “dad” Jimmy Ohio and his daughters), along with special guest and  favorite kids musician Liz Mitchell.   Boyle has also performed with her band The Aprons.

     The concerts gave rise to two critically-acclaimed compilation CDs, “Detroit Family Hootenanny: Detroit Folks Playing Old and New Music for Kids” in 2006, and “Holiday Hootenanny” in 2007.

     For the first time, Handmade Detroit will bring a DIY craft show and sale to the event.

     The Circus Family Hootenanny will take place Sunday January 25th at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48201. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance; $10 at the door; and free for children 12 and under. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/thefamilyhootenanny. For tickets, visit www.TicketMaster.com.

     Hoopin’ for the Hood (Stevie Ramasocky, Micha Adams and Shawn McCarthy) makes, distributes, and teaches hula hoop dance as a form of physicial fitness to disadvantaged and at-risk kids in metro Detroit. Visit www.hoopin.org.