More than 250 eager kids and parents flocked to the PNA this morning to see kid music band Caspar Babypants, led by Chris Ballew, who is better known as the lead singer of the Presidents of the United States of America.
Volunteer organizers said this is the largest turnout they’ve ever had for a music act in their three years of putting together the neighborhood entertainment series.
“There are people here I’ve never seen before who were clearly Chris Ballew fans back in the day,” said organizer Angela Fleet. ” This is definitely the biggest musical act (we’ve had), by far.”
They had to turn dozens more away when the room filled up. If you are a season ticket holder and you were turned away, contact [email protected] and they’ll make it up to you.
Here’s the overflow line of people hoping to get in:
Tickets were just $3. When asked when he last did a show for that price, Ballew grinned and said, “I can’t remember doing a show for $3.” Looking at the number of people piling in, Ballew said he found it “kind of shocking.”
As for the music, it’s bouncy like PUSA, but much less edgy. “All I’ve done is remove the outer shell of irony and now I’m working with the innocent core,” he said of his songwriting for Caspar Babypants, adding that he feels “completely fulfilled” by the freedom it gives him.
The next event in the Ridge Romp series is Valentine’s Performing Pigs on Feb. 6. Come early to get tickets for that one. Last year it sold out quickly as well.
