On June 25, the Park Ridge Park District is launching a new concert series geared toward families and children who are 2 to 10 years old.

Mary Bart, the event organizer, said the series will feature a concert once a month over the summer in June, July and August with a new children's entertainer at each event.

The series also will feature Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans on July 23 and Istvan & His Imaginary Band on Aug. 27.

The June 25 event will start at 2:30 p.m. at Prospect Park with a 45-minute performance by Jamie Martin, a local children's performer known as Miss Jamie. Martin said that she loves Park Ridge and looks forward to seeing her fans there.

She said that music has always been a part of her life. She got into children's music four years ago after her daughter, Taylor, was born as a way of staying close with her while also putting her music skills to use.

"I noticed how the children were so taken by singers and people doing children's music classes," Martin said. Martin was raised on a farm in Austin, Texas so creating a country character seemed like a good idea to her.

Bart said that she got the idea for the program from the existing summer concert series and thought about how all of the music was geared toward adults. From there, she decided that she would create a series for younger kids to enjoy.

"We have an entertainment series for adults, and the kids come to it and love the music, but it's basically for adults. And I really wanted something that brought the families together with music for the children," Bart said.

"It gives them something else to do as family on a Sunday. During the summer, we're going to the pool all the time, or to the parks to play, but it's something different," she added.

Bart said that if it rains, the concert would be moved inside at Prospect Park.

Martin will be preforming songs like "Farm Hokey Pokey," "Wheels on the Tractor" and "You Are My Sunshine," as well as some originals. Martin said that she will also try to teach the kids positive messages through her songs.

"I want to impart lessons onto them through my music like eat healthy, exercise, work hard, be patient, be loyal, be friendly, and be nice to those around you," Martin said.

Martin also said that she tries getting the kids up and dancing during her performances so that they're exercising while also having fun.

"There's lot of music, lots of fun, dancing, singing along, and laughing and having a good time," Martin said.

Martin said that she enjoys performing because she loves to "do something that really bring parents and their children and their parents together in a way that's wholesome and healthy."

"I love it when kids come up to me and tell me that they read my books at night before they go to bed and they play my CDs every day in the car," Martin said.

Bart said that every family should take advantage of the free family concert.

"If you're looking for a fun and relaxing evening, enjoy our weather out here before the cold winter days come," Bart said. "Take advantage of listening to our music or our movies in the park with your families. It's intergenerational: for grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, moms, dads."

beberle@chicagotribune.com

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Park Ridge to launch concert series geared toward young children - Chicago Tribune