Tweens/Teens (10 and up)

According to leading psychologists empathy, the ability to see and value what another person is feeling or experiencing, is one of the most important skills we can teach our children. Miss Sherri's "Caring" concert emphasizes the importance of this emotional skill and helps children and their families to explore its value through music and dance. "Our caring kids are the heartbeat of our community. It's important that we teach them to build close relationships and maintain friendships through their caring actions. The arts and music serve as perfect vehciles for illustrating how we can care for one another," said Miss Sherri, Honey Child Music at the Middletown Arts Center.

Special guest Albie and the Neighborhood is a band out of Asbury Park fronted by singers Albie Monterrosa and Sally Perez. Both first-generation Latino Americans, the band exhibits a naturally fiery, rhythmic and danceable energy. While always keeping true to their ethnic roots, this is a real live Rock band of electric guitars mixed with percussive groves. Venezuelan-born congero Nerio Matheus is at the percussion seat bringing out the dance. The band consists of Jersey Shore musicians Rob Tanico (Mr. Reality, Samhill, Highway 9) Tom Cottone (Brian Kirk and the Jirks, Marc Ribler) and John Bednar.

Both Albie and Sally come from very similar family backgrounds. They found that the things they were passionate about: Love, God, Spirit, Faith, Hope, and Community were the same themes they were looking to write about in their songs. The pairing was a natural coming together of two artists looking to accomplish the same things in music. During the making of the record Albie and Sally reached out to many Asbury Park musicians and songwriters to write and play on the record. The feeling of everyone coming together and surrounding the project is what lead to naming the band Albie and the Neighborhood. Albie Monterrosa is also the lead singer and songwriter of deSoL.deSoL released 3 national CDs, had 3 top 10 singles at Triple A radio format, toured with REM, Blues Traveler, The Wailers, Los Lonely Boys, Widespread Panic and performed at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and SXSW.

Concert host Sherri Ehrlich, aka “Miss Sherri”, is founder and director of Honey Child Music at the Middletown Arts Center. Miss Sherri is an award-winning singer, songwriter and educator, offering early childhood classes in the arts and music that enrich a child’s growth and development. Honey Child Music classes teach sharing, independence, confidence and team work, while emphasizing fun through a repertoire of musical activities sensitive to a child’s early development.