'Monkey Monkey' Music Makers Delight Children At Cliffside Park Library

CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ — Cliffside Park Public Library brought in guitarist Meredith LeVande on Thursday for a children’s Halloween celebration.

Meredith LeVande performs with her Monkey Monkey Music band at Cliffside Park Library.
Photo Credit: *Melissa Heule*

Maggie Ramirez, a nanny, watches the performance at Cliffside Park Public Library with 15-month-old J.J.
Photo Credit: *Melissa Heule*

Isabella Garcia, age 5 and her sister Nina, age 3 attend the Cliffside Park Public Library event with their mother, Michele Garcia.
Photo Credit: *Melissa Heule*

Melissa Heule

10/30/2015 5:30 a.m.

LeVande is part of Monkey Monkey Music, a group that is recognized by youngsters from its appearances on Kids Thirteen, NJTV, PBS, and other area networks.

The singer, songwriter, producer, and director performed with Yuka Tadano on bass, Sasha Mayman, Barbara Merjan, and Maiko Uchida -- all three of whom plays drums -- and Julia Sinclair on sub-bass.

A New York City resident, LeVande has a law degree and focused on women's studies before she pursued a career entertaining youngsters. Many children are familiar "Bubbles" and "Jump High."

“They recognize her from all of the commercials on PBS,” said Michele Garcia, who brought daughters Isabella, 5, and Nina, 3.

Children were invited to dress up for the event. Some came in princess dresses, dinosaur costumes or superhero outfits.

“We had over 50 kids registered,” said Maria Worth, the programming and public relations librarian.

MORE INFO: http://www.cliffsidepark.bccls.org

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