Sugar Free Allstars stretch to kids musical performances

Successful bands are similar to thriving businesses: Once you find your niche, you stick to it. The members of metro funk duo Sugar Free Allstars found their target demographic when fans started noticing their children responding to the high-energy organ-based tunes.

A few one-off kids' performances quickly turned into lengthy library tours; 2007's full-length album, "Dos Ninos"; and a new DVD titled "Gettin' Funky with the Sugar Free Allstars."

"Bigger than The Wiggles " that's our goal!" lead singer Chris Wiser said. "We've already played a family music festival in Kansas City with They Might Be Giants, so more of that would be awesome."

LIVE PERFORMANCE
The DVD features a live performance filmed at the City Arts Center, with an interactive set list including "Banana Pudding," "Tiger in My Backyard" and "It's Okay (The Spider Song)." Cutaways show the duo pal around with kids or replicating the fast-speed, room-hopping scene from "Scooby-Doo" cartoons, but Wiser said the disc was meant to give pint-sized fans a way to enjoy the show at home.

"The songs on our CDs are fun, but when we do them live, we change them a bit to involve the crowd a lot more," he said. "This way, kids " and parents/grown-ups " can join in the fun whenever they want!"

Sugar Free Allstars haven't forgotten older listeners and still book bar shows, but Wiser said lots of adult fans come out to the kids' shows, with or without children.

"The shows are always a blast, and we've had more success in a shorter amount of time than when we were doing just shows for grown-ups," he said. "Plus, we're getting older, and the idea of playing music during the daytime hours is becoming more appealing." 

The band performs 11 a.m. Saturday at the Midwest City Library, 8143 E. Reno, and will rock out atop a float at the Gazette's Ghouls Gone Wild Halloween Parade, starting 7 p.m. that night. The DVD is available at shows or online. "Charles Martin

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