Humor, Music And Puppetry All Part Of Act Foote Discovers Perfect Mix To Help Entertain Children

Children’s entertainer Norman Foote wanted to be a musician all of his life, but started out in the entertainment business doing puppetry. Now, he’s found a way to combine both and mix in humor to liven things up.

Billed as a musician and visual comic, Foote writes and performs songs that delight children and adults alike, then adds huge props into his shows for that extra comedic edge.

Foote is one of four performers scheduled to appear as part of the Summertime Music Festival at the new Pavillion Park Amphitheater at Liberty Lake. Foote will kick off the series with his performance at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

He’ll also perform at the American Music Festival in the Clocktower Meadow at Riverfront Park on Friday at 1 p.m.

The Liberty Lake pavillion is being funded with local money raised by the Friends of the Pavillion and matching funds from a state grant. The stage was finished two weeks ago, and playground equipment, picnic tables and benches will follow. Built with the neighborhood in mind, the pavillion is linked to nearby residential areas with a trail system.

Foote’s shows specialize in interaction with the audience, including drafting an audience member to assist with the larger-than-life prop Foote calls the talking head.

“The audience is part of the show from the very beginning,” says Foote during a telephone interview from an airplane somewhere over the Midwest.

If the talking head is taking a break, a velcro head comes on to perform from a perch on a guitar.

Foote changes its hairdo and facial expressions to get the most out of his music.

“One of my hooks, really, is my visual props,” he says. “The audience really seems to like it a lot.”

The audience is very important to Foote. Since he does mostly family concerts, he avoids negative humor. He looks at the crowd before each show to see how old most of the kids are and plans accordingly.

“If the audience is very, very young, you kind of have to go with that,” says Foote. “A lot of the stuff I use is universal. It’s as big a kick for the adults as it is for the kids.”

Foote, a Canadian, is well known in the United States after putting in a four-year stint with Disney Records. He had several music videos, including “The Man Who Ran Away With the Moon,” that appeared on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. His latest album, “Pictures on the Fridge,” will be available from Young Heart Records in September.

The second concert in the summer series at the pavillion will feature folk musicians Brewer and Shipley at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 19.

Country music singer Dan Seals will perform at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 27.

The Boxtops will be the featured performers at 7 p.m. on Aug. 2.

All shows are free and will be preceded by opening acts of local entertainers one hour prior to the main concert.

The get to the pavillion, take the Liberty Lake exit off I-90, head south and follow the signs.