“When they walked in, (the students) were just wondering what was going on. Some of them are non-verbal,” Henkel told News 8. She says her students loved the performance, saying music is a unique way for all of her students to connect. The longtime teacher works with students on the autism spectrum. “He responded fairly quickly, like within a day or so, and said ‘Yeah, I’m totally interested.’”Īfter a couple of weeks of working out the details and getting permission from school officials, three members of The Verve Pipe surprised Henkel’s class. You’re welcome to crash my classroom anytime you like,’” Henkel said. And I just made a reply to it and said, ‘Hey. Henkel told News 8 she was somewhat shocked when he took her up on the offer. It started a few weeks ago, when the band played a mini pop-up show at a local country club with the message: “Music can be played anywhere!” Grandville teacher and Verve Pipe fan Melissa Henkel commented on their video, saying the band is welcome to perform for her class. This week, a few members of the band, including lead singer Brian Vander Ark, stopped by a classroom at Grandville High School for a surprise performance. But all these years later, their music is still connecting with listeners. (WOOD) - Any 90’s alternative rock aficionado will tell you The Verve Pipe’s “The Freshman” was a big hit. We started putting on one-hour adult pantos in 1996 to introduce people to live performances and it’s still a popular choice for people who aren’t usually theatre goers'.GRANDVILLE, Mich. “The performances we put on are short, simple and fun. Mr Doggett, who runs the show while on tour, said: “as a company, our aim is to draw-in members of the public who don’t typically go to live shows. Tour manager Glynn Doggett said traditional pantomimes are becoming a lot ruder, but the humour in this adult panto “is a lot more blatant”. However, the fun musical shows are not always a child-friendly event.Įnter The Market Theatre, a small Hertfordshire company who are bringing their touring adult panto to Kent this Christmas.Ĭoming to Dartford ’s Orchard Theatre on January 3 and the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone on the 10th, Hansel and Gretel Go Down in the Woods is strictly 16 year and above. With songs, jokes, dancing and veiled innuendos, pantomimes get audiences on their feet and are a definite family favourite. Christmas is just around the corner and you may have already booked a pantomime in Kent for the festive season.

The Music and the Wood by G.A.A. Kent