STATE THEATRE’S 6th ANNUAL FAMILY DAY

New Brunswick, NJ (February 24, 2012)—The State Theatre held its sixth annual Family Day celebration on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 20, 2012. Over 6,000 people—children and their families—came to downtown New Brunswick to experience a fun-filled day of performances, workshops, interactive exhibits, and more. Featuring performances by kids’ rock band, Dan Zanes & Friends and The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Family Day was part of the State Theatre’s Hub City Carnivale winter festival—a month-long celebration of creativity and fun.
There were dozens of events to keep families busy throughout the day. In addition to mainstage performances at the State Theatre, the festival included 11 hands-on workshops led by the State Theatre, American Repertory Ballet, and the George Street Playhouse. Over 3,275 people—more than double the number at last year’s Family Day—enjoyed free performances, including storyteller Diane Macklin, Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s Bravo Percussion Trio in their “Meet the Percussion” program, the New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble, and the Philadelphia Zoo’s “Who’s Who at the Zoo.”
Family Day stretched over multiple venues: the State Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre, and United Methodist Church on George Street. Adding to the festival atmosphere was the Hub City Big Top—a huge heated tent set up on Livingston Avenue in front of the State Theatre. Under the Big Top, families enjoyed free face painting and balloon animals; live characters from popular children’s shows such as Sesame Street, Blue’s Clues, and The Backyardigan’sState Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people’s lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre’s programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. Magic 98. 3 is the official radio station of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. United is the official airline of the State Theatre.