Sing along with Steve
Sure, Steve Roslonek might entertain millions of children with his band SteveSongs and as PBSKids’ guitar-playing host Mr. Steve. But that doesn’t mean his own kids always want to hear Daddy sing.
"On and off, sometimes they love it and sometimes they say, ‘OK, stop singing, Daddy,’" Roslonek said via phone from his studio in Old Saybrook, Conn. "My daughter said that to me when we’re playing my own album. I’ll be singing along and she’ll say, ‘Stop singing, I want to hear it.’"
A favorite among children and parents alike, Mr. Steve will be making his third appearance at the Hawaii Book and Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center grounds and Honolulu Hale. The Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner will be performing three times each day on the Keiki Stage.
While he does what a good children’s musician is supposed to do — teach and entertain — Roslonek stands apart from the Barneys and Wiggleses of the world. His music has a more modern take, sounding more like contemporary pop hits than the mind-numbing, lyrically bland norm.
That’s not by accident. Music has always been a hobby for Roslonek, who started his career in 1997 when his brother, a first-grade teacher, asked him to write a few songs for his class. Then he recorded some tracks with friends who were in a rock band.
"None of us had kids, but we all remembered ‘Sesame Street’ and ‘Schoolhouse Rock’ and certain things we really liked as kids," recalled Roslonek, who worked as a business consultant before entering the world of children’s entertainment. "We kept on asking ourselves questions like, Can you put a bridge? How complicated can you make the song? But then we just kept on doing what we thought we’d like if we were kids or if we were parents.
"We really tried to make it something enjoyable for the whole family."
In addition to the cool sound, Roslonek also inserts some clever humor aimed past the preschool crowd. For example, his latest hit, "Song Without a Rhyme" is exactly what it sounds like — a kids song that’s funny because it tries hard not to rhyme. The humor’s not something most 5-year-olds would pick up on, but their parents will probably crack a smile.
The song is off SteveSongs’ latest album, "Orangutan Van," released last year. The album also includes a couple of songs that feature Roslonek’s son, Josh. The 6-year-old aspiring drummer — "He’s got really great rhythm," Dad says — performs a rap in the track "Flat Stanley" and wrote the lyrics for the song "Someday I," which is about all the things he wants to do when he grows up.
As he did last year, Josh will be accompanying his father to the festival.
"It’s such a great celebration of two of my favorite things: books and music," said the elder Roslonek, who’s also bringing along his father, brother and nephew.
For his Hawaii performances, Mr. Steve will debut an ukulele-accompanied science song called "7 Forms of Energy." He will also bring children up on stage and teach them dances.
The Keiki Stage also will feature local storytellers like Jeff Gere and Moses Goods on Saturday and several theater performances on Sunday, including Kennedy Theatre’s "The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip" and Diamond Head Theatre’s Shooting Stars.
Stefanie Nakasone, Star-Advertiser
Children’s Day festival will deliver cultural fun
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii is presenting its Kodomo no Hi: Keiki Fun Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
The free festival offers fun for all ages, with food, cultural and martial arts demonstrations and hands-on activities based on Japanese traditions.
Razor Sports is sponsoring a kendama tournament open to children ages 4 to 18, with an entry fee of $5 per contestant. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii is at 2454 S. Beretania St. Call 945-7633 or visit www.jcch.com for more information.
Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser
Competition newcomers can get their feet wet in keiki surf contest
Young surfers can get their day on the Waikiki waves May 17 and 18 at the 17th annual T&CSurf/SurferMagazine Grom Contest.
Entry-level surfers ages 3 to 12 are invited to compete in the contest, which is aimed at introducing young surfers to competitive surfing in an inclusive, low-intensity environment. Only surfers who have not participated in competitive events, such as through the Hawaii Surfing Association or National Scholastic Surfing Association, are allowed.
The contest added a kokua event in recent years, allowing adults to join the lineup to help keiki surfers ages 3 to 6. Adults can participate in an Expression Session in which they surf tandem with a child, but hurry if you want to compete in that event — entries are limited to 10.
Older competitors compete in shortboard, longboard and bodyboard, time and conditions allowing. Surfers may compete in only one division to allow for more kids to participate.
All contests will be held at Queen’s surf break, behind the Duke Kahanamoku statue in Waikiki.
The event is presented by T&C Surf, Surfer Magazine and Chili’s Grill & Bar. Surfing-product vendors also will be on hand, along with food and entertainment.
Cost is $25, and a portion of the proceeds from contest T-shirt sales will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii.
Entries are due Friday. Forms are available at T&C Surf locations and online at TCSurf.com/grom14 and www.facebook.com/TCSurfGromContest. Call 483-8711.
Steven Mark, Star-Advertiser
