Welcome the New Year with the family, when the North Carolina Symphony performs its first Young People’s Concert of the new year, Happy Feet to a Latin Beat on Saturday, January 4 at 1pm and 4pm. Held at Meymandi Concert Hall at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh, this interactive show will have audiences jumping to their feet and dancing down the aisles to the rhythms of Latin America!

Presented by Platypus Theatre, Happy Feet to a Latin Beat tells the story of energetic but impulsive young Max, who makes his way onto the stage to “help” the orchestra. Soon he is on a whirlwind adventure to the vibrant lands of Latin American culture where—with the help of Mambo the dog, the orchestra, and the audience—Max learns the magic of Latin rhythms and how to dance with the music.

The 1pm show will be a sensory-friendly performance, designed to be welcoming to those with autism and sensory sensitivities and other disabilities. Among other accommodations, audience members will be welcomed to move out of their seats, sing along, or talk. Noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, or other items needed to create a comfortable environment will all be permitted in the concert hall. In line with established practices for sensory-friendly performances, the concert hall will remain partially lit, and a designated “quiet space” will be provided for any individuals who need a moment to step out of the concert and relax in a private area. Materials that detail the concert experience from start to finish will be distributed in advance of the concert day to prepare audiences for what to expect at the Symphony. Wheelchair seating, ASL interpretation, and Braille and large-print programs will be available.

Pre-concert fun will take place beginning one hour before each performance, including an Instrument Zoo where children can try out instruments of the orchestra, face painting, and a craft activity with Marbles Kids Museum.

About the North Carolina Symphony

Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony (NCS) is a vital and honored component of North Carolina's cultural life. Each year, the North Carolina Symphony’s 300 concerts, education programs, and community engagement events are enjoyed by adults and schoolchildren in more than 90 North Carolina counties—in communities large and small, and in concert halls, auditoriums, gymnasiums, restaurants, clubs, and outdoor settings. The Symphony’s full-time professional musicians perform under the artistic leadership of Music Director Grant Llewellyn.