Linda Severt’s Juggletunes

Vashon Allied Arts is delighted to be kicking off this season’s family series with Linda Severt, an entertainer of great focus and presence who also possesses the creative, spontaneous energy of ten people. On October 27, Linda’s "Juggletunes" show brings us a solo performer who somehow manages to be a circus, a complete band, a songwriter and a vaudeville act, all in one. Geared toward elementary school aged children, it’s an experience guaranteed to be loved by audiences of any age.
 
In her 26 years of family entertainment, Linda has performed in such highly acclaimed venues and events as the Kennedy Center, Teatro Zinzanni and the UMO ensemble; at international children’s festivals all over the U.S. and Canada; the Kim Tom International Clown Festival in Shanghai, and many others. She is also a highly respected multi-instrumentalist and singer who has toured with the Laura Love band, and has won awards for her CD’s of music for children. Her latest family CD of original songs, Grinning Streak, won several national awards, including a Parents’ Choice Silver Award. In the judge’s words, "…she successfully keeps so many musical styles going while singing some of the wittiest lyrics this side of Dr. Seuss."
 
Linda’s life and background are as diverse and fascinating as her performances; she was born in Burma (Myanmar), raised in Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Maryland. She was a surfer in high school who took up skateboarding later, and between 1976 and 1979, she was winning skateboard competitions all up and down the east coast.
 
"Wow! Very funny! Guitar, accordion, drums. Shades of a female Pee Wee Herman, Lily Tomlin’s "Edith," and Gilda Radner." – Sno-Isle Library Showcase
 
In addition to her stage performing, Linda is now the program manager of "Room Circus Medical Clowning," a program with the same focus as New York’s Big Apple Circus Clown Care (featured on PBS), where she spent seven years. She and her colleagues bring joy and wonder to the bedsides of kids and their families at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Linda says of the work, "We bring hospitalized children and their families into the moment and make them laugh – an intensely gratifying job."
 
It seems that joy and laughter are a constant feature in Linda Severt’s shows, whether they’re witnessed in a stage setting or one-on-one in a hospital room. This show that starts the 2013-14 family series really is one that all ages should see, if they have any desire to lighten the load of everyday troubles with pure delight.
 
"Her show had children jumping up and down and singing along, and tears of laughter were running down many grown-up faces." – Ellen Magnuson, Kendrick/Juliaetta Arts Committee – by Kat Eggleston
 
Tickets: $5 youth, $8 adults
Vashon Allied Arts, 206-463-5131. Got www. vashonalliedarts.org for tickets and information