Youngsters ages 3 to 12, their parents and grandparents are invited to participate in a free Deane Little Beans event at noon next Saturday, Nov. 29 in the lobby at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. Featured will be Ron Bianco, who has lived in Wellsboro for the past 18 years as well as in Greenville, South Carolina.

Born and raised in Rhode Island, Bianco began performing at the age of 5 when his mother would have him sing for family and friends. He joined a band in high school, then another that performed doo-wop and 1950s rock and roll. A one-time high school drop-out, he worked as the operator of a printing press and later earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and took a job in that field. 

It wasn’t long before he realized his passion was performing and entertaining. He is still musically active with a 24-track recording studio in Wellsboro.

For decades, Bianco has been performing as a solo guitarist and singer at festivals, clubs, and colleges throughout the country from Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut to New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, South Dakota and California. Prior to his solo career, he was in several bands, both on the East Coast and in Los Angeles.

He has also been an opening act for national bands and TV show performers, for both children and adults. “Being an entertainer is one of my strongest and best abilities as I go beyond performing as a singer and guitar player into a very exciting, unique, participation show.”

At one point, he added Bilbo, a stray labrador-pitbull mix that “sang” while Bianco played. “Eventually I was the warm-up act and Bilbo was the star,” he laughed.

“I’m excited about this upcoming performance at the Deane Center. It will be a family-oriented musical show that will involve adults and their children”,he said.

And what a “show” it will be. An assortment of percussion instruments for children and adults to play will be provided to audience members. Among the instruments will be accordions for children, along with bongos, tambourines, hand bells, maracas, claves and washboards for children and adults. Those attending are also welcome to bring their own percussion instruments.

There will be a second microphone for children and adults who wish to join in. Parents are encouraged to get their kids ready to do their own thing.

His repertoire will include a variety of songs, which will invite participation. One of the songs is titled ‘Show Me Your Smile’ during which Bianco will have the children and adults show him the many faces people all have … such as a smiling face … a sad face … a laughing face … a grouchy one … an angry face … a sleepy face …  a pouting face … a silly face. So many faces.  As each face is mentioned, some audience members may get to show theirs to everyone. “So practice,” he said.

“I will also be doing Christmas songs,” said Bianco.

“Come one, come all, for a most enjoyable time for kids and adults.”
 Registration is not required. Just show up for this one-hour Deane Little Beans program. 

For more information, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220.