Laurie Berkner and The Laurie Berkner Band

Legendary children's musician Laurie Berkner and The Laurie Berkner Band will bring two performances of their "Greatest Hits Halloween" concert to DC area families.

"I’m so excited to be coming back to GMU with the whole band!" says Laurie Berkner. "We had such a fantastic time last year, and I can’t wait to swim like fish, jump like Harry the Chipmunk, and march like dinosaurs with all the kids and families there once again!"

A true pioneer in children's music, providing a soundtrack to childhood and memories that last a lifetime, Laurie Berkner and her band will perform songs from a career spanning more than 25 years in the entertainment industry, including such well-loved hits as "Victor Vito," "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)," "Pig On Her Head," "We Are The Dinosaurs," "Rocketship Run," and "The Goldfish (Let's Go Swimming)," and more recent fan favorites like "Superhero," "Waiting for the Elevator," and "Chipmunk at the Gas Pump." Setting the stage for Halloween, Laurie and the band will also offer songs from their album, A Laurie Berkner Halloween. Laurie's concerts showcase an array of tunes that encourage kids and grownups alike to get up and dance. Kids should plan to bring their dancing shoes and a stuffed animal (for their heads).

The Laurie Berkner Band features: Laurie Berkner, vocals/guitar; Leslie Mendelson, keyboards; Winston Roye, bass; and Bobby Golden, drums/percussion.

About Laurie Berkner:
Laurie Berkner is a singer, songwriter, lyricist, author, and founder of Two Tomatoes Records, LLC. With more than 1.7 billion total streams, an average of more than 22 million monthly streams, more than 535 million YouTube channel views, and millions of albums, songs, and DVDs sold, Laurie’s songs have become beloved classics for children worldwide.

What many people don’t know is that Laurie spent years as a preschool music teacher (ultimately teaching more than 25 classes a week) before turning to full-time performing. Laurie’s children’s music originated directly from her work as the music specialist at Rockefeller University’s Child & Family Center, their Infant/Toddler Center, the West Side YMCA, and several other NYC preschools. The children Laurie taught were the inspiration for many of her best-loved songs, and Laurie’s early childhood classroom experience has, in fact, informed her music and the choices she has made throughout her career.

Business Insider dubbed Laurie “the gold standard of the children’s music world.” As a leader and innovator in children’s music and entertainment for more than 25 years, Laurie has released 17 bestselling, award-winning albums, was the first recording artist ever to perform in music videos on Noggin, appeared regularly on the network's Jack's Big Music Show, and helped develop the short form animated musical preschool series Sing It, Laurie! on Universal Kids (f0rmerly Sprout TV). She has made multiple appearances on national TV shows such as Today, Good Morning America, Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Tamron Hall Show, and more. Laurie’s 17th album, Laurie Berkner Greatest Hits, was released in May 2025.

Laurie has authored several picture books based on her songs and has created two Laurie Berkner's Song and Story Kitchen series with Audible Studios, who released them as 10-chapter audio books through the Audible Originals brand. She has written the music and lyrics for three Off-Broadway children's musicals originally produced by New York City Children’s Theatre and now presented regionally. Laurie has performed at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the White House, among many other prestigious venues.

Laurie Berkner has received tremendous critical acclaim. USA Today named Laurie "the undisputed queen of kindie rock." The New York Times lauded Laurie as "the Adele of the preschool crowd." The Wall Street Journal called Laurie "one of the most popular children's performers in America ... her music is distinctive because it speaks to kids without talking down to them, charming youngsters without boring grown-ups." NPR's All Things Considered declared, "Laurie Berkner is like a goddess to these children.”

ADMISSION: $20 - $40, plus applicable fees. 

MEET AND GREET (Add On): $60/group (up to 4) 

Enhance your visit with a post-performance meet and greet with Laurie Berkner and members of her band. The package includes a commemorative band postcard and the opportunity for autographs and/or additional photos with the artists.

The $60 Meet and Greet package is per group, four people within a group, and must be purchased separately from the performance ticket. Limited Meet and Greet packages are available.

Tickets to the Meet and Greet are not available to purchase as part of a subscription package or at a discount. Subscribers may purchase the Meet and Greet as a Special Event add on, which must be ordered after becoming a subscriber.

TICKETS: Visit the Center for the Arts website HERE.