HOT PEAS 'N BUTTER Play Brooklyn Center 1/29

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College's 2011-2012 Target FamilyFun series continues with the return of children's musical group, Hot Peas 'N Butter, on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 2pm.

Hot Peas 'N Butter was founded in 2000 by Danny Lapidus and Francisco Cotto, childhood friends who studied music together at New York City's High School of Music and Art. Recipients of three Parents' Choice Awards, the group combines an interactive, invigorating approach to performance with mature, multicultural music, incorporating elements of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazz, R&B, folk, and rock into their inspirational family concerts that strive to reach kids through music without lowering musical standards. Hot Peas 'N Butter has launched five CD's and multiple videos, with a sixth CD called Peas Go To Sleep, featuring a collection of lullabies and an accompanying children's book, soon to be released. Their videos "Number 1" and "Deep Down" have been seen on both Noggin's Jack's Big Music Show and Nickelodeon's Move to the Music, and can also be found on Noggin's Videos on Demand.

Danny Lapidus was born in Belgium, but his family soon returned to the U.S. and settled in Brooklyn, NY. His connection to kids' music stretches back to the early days of his childhood, when Danny's father sparked his son's musical interest by filling the house with the tones of folk, jazz, blues, and bluegrass guitar. Danny was also inspired by his Dad's friend Professor Louie, a pioneering professional children's musician who taught him about music's power to not only reach children, but to teach them as well. He attended the High School of Music and Art and earned his undergraduate degree at Binghamton University. As a professional musician, he has performed with Dominico, Wendy Star, Zoot, The Skadanks, and Oliver Lake, and has been featured as a vocalist on various commercial recordings. As a composer, he has scored music for radio, film and television. His own rock band, Daruma Shakes, has opened for national acts like Stroke 9.

Francisco J. Cotto was born in Cidra, Puerto Rico and came to New York at the age of seven, settling with his family in the Bronx. He was first exposed to music in a Pentecostal Church in Harlem, where - at only nine years old - he became a member of the church band. A friend later convinced him to audition for the High School of Music and Art, where he was immersed in all genres of music, but found himself particularly drawn to jazz. After graduating from high school, he continued his musical training at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, and later at Lehman College. As a professional musician, Frank has recorded and performed with Lew Soloff, Bernard Purdie, Jimmy Cobb, Brian McKnight, The Hansons (dance remix), Paquito D'Rivera, and others. Frank's own band, Vaya, regularly performs its eclectic mix of Latin rhythms with contemporary blues and rock throughout New York.

In addition to Mr. Lapidus and Mr. Cotto, the band includes bassist Bernie Minoso (Tito Puente Orchestra and Paul Simon's The Cape Man) and guitarist Oz Noy (Harry Bellafonte Orchestra and Richard Bona).

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2011-2012 Target FamilyFun seriesis sponsored by Target.

About Target FamilyFun series
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College will once again partner with Target® to bring quality, affordable, and family friendly performing arts programming to the diverse cultural communities of Brooklyn. For the past 26 years, Brooklyn Center has presented weekend matinees specifically chosen for families with children ages four to twelve. Renamed the Target FamilyFun seriesin 2008, the series is designed to provide parents the opportunity to introduce their children to live music, theater and dance at affordable prices. Allseats for Brooklyn Center's 2011-2012 Target FamilyFun series are $7.00-$10.00.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2011-2012 Target FamilyFun seriesalso includes John Steptoe's Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale (April 22, 2012 at 2pm) and American Family Theater's Cinderella (May 20, 2012 at 2pm).

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn's diverse communities, at affordable prices. Brooklyn Center's presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 70,000 people to the 2,400-seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season, and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving 46,000 schoolchildren from over 300 schools annually with its SchoolTime series. In recognition of its commitment to quality family programming, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts has been voted Brooklyn's Best Theater or Theater Group for Kids as part of Nickelodeon's 2009 Parents Connect Parents' Picks Awards. This award follows Brooklyn Center's selection as Brooklyn's Best Place for Family Bonding in 2008.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,750 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.com/hereforgood.

Hot Peas 'N Butter
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 2pm
Recommended for ages four and up
Tickets: $7

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College
2/5 trains to Brooklyn College/Flatbush Avenue

Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org
Box Office: (718) 951-4500, Tuesday - Saturday, 1pm - 6pm
Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-5000, ext. 3326
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