Robbi K. & Friends Perform for North Hempstead Kids

There was music in the air inside the recreation center at  on Tuesday morning. As part of 's summer concert series, more than 500 children got their groove on at Robbi K. & Friends performance.

Voices echoed out into the parking lot carrying musical melodies. For campers from local school summer programs such as New Hyde Park, East Williston and Herricks along with non-for-profit programs, some described it as "their favorite fieldtrip."

Despite the late arrival of Robbi K. herself, her “friends” carried the show with high levels of enthusiasm and loads of energy. This wasn’t the first time Robbi K. & Friends took the stage in the Town of North Hempstead. Even after returning to North Hempstead for many summers, it still remains a highlight for the kids. This time around with a guitar, drum set and a vibraphone, Robbi K. & Friends put on a fast-paced and interactive show.

For over an hour the band encouraged audience participation by dancing with the children and celebrating everything that music has to offer. They sang “call and response” songs about “how music makes them feel”- whether it was happy or sad. The catchy tunes made it hard not to sing along. Each song shared a similar message to “keep the unity while celebrating the present.”

“We want to put on a stress-free show where kids can have fun,” said Hasan Bakr. “We hope through music, kids can learn and understand that everyone is the same.”

Popular kids’ music was injected with culture and soul. Instead of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” they sang “Mbube,” which means lion in Zulu and “Hokey Pokey” with a flavor for Samba rhythm from Brazil.

As for the kids, the consensus was unanimous, “I want to play the drums just like them,” said a group of boys quick to answer.

And that is what Robbi K. & Friends hope to do -- “teach children that no one person is more important and everyone should follow their inner drive to reach your dreams.”

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