Big With the Small Crowd

Children’s music artists don’t have the record company clout or nationally promoted high profile of rock and rap stars, so when a handful of the best get together for a concert, it might not seem such a big deal.

But if any children in your life have even a passing acquaintance with the top talent scheduled to perform in the fifth annual “Sunday Funday” musical blowout Sunday in West Hills, you’ll know it’s a rare opportunity to see a stellar lineup.

The concert festival, held this year at the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Center, features Joanie Bartels and her Freeway Philharmonic Band (Bartels’ winning mix of joie de vivre and golden rock oldies has earned platinum-record status); the Richard Brautigan-inspired, odd-couple folk and country-blues duo Trout Fishing in America (guitarist Ezra Idlet is 6 feet 9, Keith Grimwood, who plays upright bass is 5 feet 5); and multi-award winners Jessica Harper and Craig ‘n Co.

Harper, an actress recognizable from several big-screen roles in the 1980s (“My Favorite Year,” “Stardust Memories,” “Pennies From Heaven”), with silky-smooth vocals and a stunning gift for wordplay and harmony, has become one of children’s music’s most creative voices; Craig ‘n Co., “Sunday Funday’s” producer, has been winning fans for a dozen years with its trademark supercharged rock ‘n’ roll sound and original parent- and kid-savvy songs.

“It’s an eclectic group of artists,” said Craig Taubman, who heads up Craig ‘n Co. “And it’s a real festival. We will also have face painters, clowns, magicians, balloon people, a climbing wall, food carts, and the Zimmer Discovery Museum will have on-site, hands-on exhibitions.”

Ty, the makers of the ubiquitous Beanie Babies and one of the event’s several sponsors, is donating 6,000 of the toys for festival-goers--”everybody gets a free Beanie Baby,” Taubman said, “and Disney’s given us tons of stuff to give away.” To allay concerns about the summer sun, the outdoor festival activities will be shaded with canopies and tents, and the indoor concerts will be air-conditioned, he said.

Taubman, a veteran songwriter for television, including 15 episodes of HBO’s “Happily Ever After” series, is hoping the event will heighten awareness of the existence of quality children’s artists. To further broaden that exposure, he is also producing a new compilation CD series for Zany Brainy, the concert’s title sponsor, with the cooperation of several independent children’s music labels. The series, featuring songs as well as background information on the artists, will include those performing on Sunday, as well as Tom Chapin, Taj Mahal, Peter Himmelman and others.

“The idea is to introduce as many people as possible to great kids’ music,” Taubman said. “These are people who have fan bases nationally but are still not that well known.” Without radio and television exposure, or major record industry promotion, he noted, there’s little high-profile recognition to let parents know just how much good music is out there for young listeners.

Referring to the limited Grammy Award nominations for best children’s recording, for instance, he said, “There’s no critical mass in kids’ music. The only thing that people are aware of are the things that get huge exposure, and those are generally the soundtracks to major movies.”

The concert festival is not a kids-only event, Taubman stressed.

“I write without question for adults as well as kids. It has to be palatable and appropriate for a child, but [also] accessible to an adult. What has made these artists successful to one degree or another is that they write and produce quality music. And the best of kids’ music is like any music: It’s international; it knows no gender, no age limits. Great music is great music.”

BE THERE

“Sunday Funday,” Bernard Milken Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5-$7. Parking and shuttle available at the Fallbrook Mall. (818) 464-3230.

Stringing Along: The String Family Players, an unbuttoned, kid-friendly string quintet, launches the second annual “Concerts on the Green” family music series on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena.

Presented by the Pasadena Symphony and led by David Young, the String Family Players serve up Bach and Mozart, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and audience-participatory musical games. Concertgoers are welcome to picnic on the lawn and visit Kidspace between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Upcoming concerts include bluegrass on Aug. 6 and flamenco music and dance on Aug. 20.

BE THERE

“Concerts on the Green,” Kidspace Children’s Museum, 390 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. $5. Picnic dinners from Bristol Farms may be ordered, but must be reserved by today. (626) 449-9144.