Fun Memories of Sharing Music with young and old to enliven life ... with the "Man With The Yellow Hat" Curious George Theme Costume.
“Keith, that's great that you brought your guitar to play for John Paul's Birthday … but I have a another favor to ask of you …” Angela said to me a few years ago in the fall as I had just entered her house carrying my 12 String Fender Guitar.
“Sure, Angela … what ya need,” I responded wearing my regular dapper hat that I had gotten from Paris for next to nothing euros that summer on my first European trip.
“As you know this is a Curious George themed party, but I can't get anyone to dress up in this 'Man With The Yellow Hat' costume??? … Would you do that for me???”
“Are you sure, Angela???” I retorted ... “What about Neal, your hubbie … he won't do it, either???”
“Nah,” Angela noted … “I can't seem to get anyone to do it for JP ...”
“It would actually be cool to be the first to have a 'Guitar playing Man With The Yellow Hat,' I think!” I blurted out! … and I can put dat Yella Hat right on top of mine!””
So then Angela, beeming with a smile from ear to ear handed me a brown bag with the costume and I made my way to a nearby bathroom - after greeting some mutual friends of ours who were also at the party.
As I was making my way to get dressed up, I passed a sharp looking elder man whom I thought I knew but couldn't remember his name, so I just smiled, shook his hand and said, “Hello!”
It was kinda hard getting my legs into the pants … I almost fell into the shower as I was draping myself … but quickly caught on to the grab rails to break this neophyte Man With The Yellow Hat's first outing!!!
As I put the Yellow Hat onto my head, I felt a transformation taking place … like anyone dressing who has fun at Mardi Gras or Halloween … you feel a little inhibition giving way … like after a beer or glass of wine … and found myself more cheerful and with much levity!
Next, for a brief moment, I had a sudden flashback to all the wonderful Curious George books we used to read to all of our now grown up kids … and I relished the memories of those stories that juxtaposed the normal inquisitiveness of kids to the boundary setting of parents … like Yellow Hat always wonderfully shared with George, the affable and lovable monkey.
Then, I had to briefly take off the Yellow hat in order to get my guitar strap over my shoulder … and then quickly re-topped my head.
So I come out and started doing good oldies and kids songs like “Old McDonald Had A Farm” and “I Love You,” from Barney … and had another sudden flashback to when our sons joined their buddies and eventually changed that dreaded song for them to the opposite words (Ouch – LOL!)
It was so much fun getting down on my knees and singing randomly to different boys and girls, including “Eli,” who at first was shy but loved when I also put my hands together and made the “Cho-Cho” sound to the tune of “I've Been Working On The Railroad,” much to the delight of his mother, Trina, who introduced herself and Eli to me.
And it was cool to engage some reserved looking adults and elders who were there with family, as they responded so well to Yellow Hat Man!
Before gathering all together for singing Happy Birthday to John Paul, I happened to come upon that familiar face I had seen earlier and realized that it was former Governor Edwin Edwards, whom had stepped outside earlier … it was his son Eli whom had so much fun with Yellow Hat Man!
Edwin was so kind and friendly and he allowed me to take a selfie with him!
Since JP's Birthday Party, I have been blessed to borrow that Yellow Man costume from Angela for many other occasions, including with “LSU Elvis at the annual Hat Run Skin Cancer Awareness gathering (won the contest the first time I ran with it!, presentations with and at a Roast for Smiley Anders, assisting Dana Terito's presentation about “Music and Dementia” with Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area, many other races, the office parties, Assisted Living and Nursing Homes, etc.
So as we get ready for Mardi Gras, I guess I don't have to tell you what I'll be wearing … with some modifications … maybe I'll catching many bananas at parades to Yellow Hat Man to give Curious George!
Keith John Paul Horcasitas, LCSW, MHA, 1133 Knollhaven Drive, BRLA 70810, khorcasitas.yahoo.com, December 15, 2018.
As I started reading I was struggling to remember who Curious George was, in my memory, but off the radar. Later, you filled me and that he was a monkey in books for children. It would have helped had you indicated what birthday it was for John Paul. Initially, I thought the party was not for a kid.
But I'm so glad that you were able to easily move into the part and entertain the kids so well. And then, adopt the costume for other events making use of your guitar playing and singing talent. Events are always livelier when people are willing to step up and add to the entertainment… Especially when it's for charity or just for fun.
“Keith, that's great that you brought your guitar to play for John Paul's Birthday … but I have a another favor to ask of you …” Angela said to me a few years ago in the fall as I had just entered her house carrying my 12 String Fender Guitar.
