Chuck Cheesman, beloved local kids’ musician and creator of the “Dancing with No Shoes On” children’s music and movement classes, has completed his first quarter of free live music and movement education in all of the local Head Start classrooms. This week, each participant in the program received a free tee-shirt to commemorate their involvement. According to teachers at the Federated Church, the kids ask for Cheesman every day.

The classes consist of more than just listening to music; each session is interactive. Kids dance, sing, play basic percussion instruments, say their ABCs backwards and learn to count in Spanish, among other activities. “This is the kind of whole mind-body activity that really helps these kids develop, and have fun” says Kate Beles, the Community Liaison for Bookmans in Flagstaff. “I hope we’ll be able to continue this program, and expand it to other markets.

Watch-out for the Kids Winter Jamboree, January 23, from 2-4PM at Bookmans in Flagstaff. The Jamboree will feature music with Chuck Cheesman, coupons for kids, raffle prizes, snacks, and all kinds of other fun, and will be a great celebration of the program. Participating kids, families, teachers and the general public are all welcome to join the jam!