LEOMINSTER / HARVARD — Families looking for an afternoon of music, laughter and audience participation can catch the Toe Jam Puppet Band during two upcoming library performances.
The popular children’s entertainers will perform at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, at the Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., and again at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at the Harvard Public Library, 4 Pond Road.
Known for blending live music, puppetry, storytelling and comedy, co-founders Vinny Lovegrove and Tom Poitras have been entertaining children and families for more than two decades with energetic, interactive performances.
“Our shows are lively, high-energy and a little rowdy,” Lovegrove said. “The kids are involved from start to finish — they even get the chance to toss laundry.”
The duo performs throughout New England several times each week, appearing regularly at libraries, festivals, schools, learning centers and community events.
The Toe Jam Puppet Band was created in 2001 after Poitras, a former singer with the punk rock band The Gluons, began writing songs for his infant son. Around the same time, he met Lovegrove, who had been performing with his Miracle Fish Puppet Theater since 1994. Together they combined music and puppetry to create the family-friendly act.
Their debut recording, “First CD,” sold more than 1,000 copies and was followed by “Toe Jam Dance Party” in 2003 and “Toe Jam in Outer Space” in 2008.
The band has also supported children’s causes through its partnership with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Proceeds from the sale of its first album benefited the organization, which also awarded the group a grant for its Creative Arts Playgroup.
As for the unusual name, Lovegrove said it was chosen with children in mind.
“We wanted kids to know right away that we were going to be silly and even a little gross,” he said with a laugh.
Lovegrove said performing for young audiences gives the pair the freedom to be imaginative while creating memories for families.
“Bring your family and friends, and come enjoy an afternoon of laughs with us,” he said. “We’re sure you’ll leave with a smile.”
For more information on each performance, visit the library’s websites at leominsterpubliclibrary.org and harvardpubliclibrary.org. For additional information on the Toe Jam Puppet Band, visit toejampuppetband.com.
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