Business Details
41 Years
experience
Educational Kids Music & Eco-Friendly Entertainment
The Banana Slug String Band has been captivating audiences for over 40 years with our unique blend of educational music and live performance. Our team of passionate musicians and educators combines folk, rock, and reggae to create engaging experiences that inspire children to explore science and environmental stewardship. Through original songs, interactive characters, and curriculum-aligned workshops, we've reached over 2 million children across 40 states and 5 countries. Our award-winning CDs and live shows integrate hands-on science with theatrical elements, making complex concepts accessible through music. With backgrounds in outdoor education and environmental advocacy, our members bring decades of experience to every performance.We specialize in creating thematic units that align with school curricula while maintaining our signature playful approach. Our commitment to quality has earned recognition at major festivals including Strawberry Music Festival and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. From classroom workshops to large-scale concerts, we maintain rigorous educational standards while delivering entertainment. Our team continues to develop innovative programs that address contemporary environmental challenges through music. This combination of expertise, creativity, and educational focus defines our enduring impact on children's learning.
Services
Live Performances
School Assemblies
Teacher Workshops
Music CDs
Educational Merchandise
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of experience creating educational children's music
- Our performances integrate science curriculum with interactive learning
- We provide teacher workshops aligned with classroom educational standards
- Our eco-conscious message promotes environmental stewardship through music
- We've reached over 2 million children across 40 states and 5 countries
Services
Live Performances
Our live shows combine music, theater, and environmental education through original songs and interactive characters. Performances feature full-body costumes, audience participation, and educational themes about nature and sustainability. Each show delivers science concepts through catchy musical styles while maintaining entertainment value for family audiences.
School Assemblies
Curriculum-aligned programs bring science education to life through music and theater. Assemblies cover topics like ocean ecosystems, recycling, and watershed protection using original songs and interactive demonstrations. Each presentation meets educational standards while engaging students through musical storytelling and character performances.
Teacher Workshops
Hands-on training sessions help educators integrate music into science instruction. Workshops provide strategies for creating thematic units and using songs to reinforce scientific concepts. Participants learn classroom activities that combine music, drama, and hands-on experiments for grades Pre-K through 6.
Music CDs
Award-winning albums deliver educational content through diverse musical styles. Our collection includes themes about pollinators, ocean life, and environmental stewardship. Each CD combines entertainment with learning through original compositions that reinforce science concepts for children.
Educational Merchandise
Songbooks and educational materials extend learning beyond performances. Products include curriculum resources, activity guides, and music downloads that support classroom instruction. All merchandise reinforces environmental education themes through engaging, music-based content.
People
Doug Dirt
Musician/Educator
Co-founder with 40 years experience creating educational music. Combines environmental expertise with musical talent to develop curriculum-aligned content that engages children through interactive performances.
Airy Larry
Musician/Educator
Key performer and educator specializing in classroom workshop development. Brings scientific concepts to life through music and theatrical presentation, with extensive experience in outdoor education programs for elementary students.
Marine Mark
Musician/Educator
Environmental specialist and administrator with deep expertise in outdoor education. Develops science curriculum content for performances and workshops, ensuring accurate educational messaging through musical presentation.
Solar Steve
Musician/Educator
Educational director combining musical talent with environmental advocacy. Focuses on creating engaging learning experiences that connect ecological concepts with interactive musical performances for school audiences.
Questions
What age group are your performances designed for?
Our shows work best for children ages 3-12, with content adaptable for preschool through 6th grade audiences during school performances.
Do you offer virtual performance options?
We primarily offer live in-person performances, though we provide digital resources including song downloads and virtual workshop materials for educators.
How do your shows align with educational standards?
Our content aligns with Next Generation Science Standards, covering topics like ecosystems, environmental science, and life cycles through music and theater.
Can we customize performances for specific curriculum needs?
Yes, we collaborate with schools to tailor content focusing on specific science topics or environmental themes to match current classroom curriculum.
What equipment do you require for performances?
We bring our own instruments and sound equipment, needing only basic stage space and electrical access for our live performances.
Videos
