Children's entertainers to perform in benefit

Oncor Entertainment will present Mr. Scott, "The Music Man," and nationally recognized and award-winning children's entertainer Yosi in a children's concert to benefit Parents of Autistic Children (POAC).

The charity performance is scheduled for April 21 at the Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center, Lincroft, to help commemorate Autism Awareness Month. Shows will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Mr. Scott, "The Music Man," is a music and movement teacher at preschools statewide. He will be performing for the first time as a concert headliner. He will be introducing his new group of professionally trained musicians called the Stinky Socks Band. He also plans to roll out a new assembly of talented young movers and shakers named the We Can Dance Tie Dye Steppers.

Opening the show is the whimsical, creative and popular award-winning composer and performer Yosi. The innovative artist has received six national awards which include the National Parenting Seal of Approval, NAPPA Honors award (for music for ages 4 and up), Adding Wisdom Award, the Parenting Media Award, the Dr. Toy and Smart Play Smart Toy awards, all for his 2004 album "Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella," and the Children's Music Web Award for Best Song of the Year, "Stinky Blues."

Sherri Vanderspiegel, technical coordinator at the Brookdale Performing Arts Center, said, "After meeting with [Oncor Entertainment CEO] Ross LaTerra and Gary Weitzen [POAC president], the students of the Brookdale Theatre Club unanimously decided to work with Oncor Entertainment to help POAC to continue on with their tremendously informative, educational and compassionate labors."

According to a press release, the Centers for Disease Control has just this year raised the statistical information regarding autism.

In a report released in February, the number of children born with autism in the United States today is given at one in every 150. The report also suggests that New Jersey's ratio is even more devastating with one in every 94 and one in every 60 boys, making the state the highest documented rate in the country, according to the press release.

POAC, which provides scientifically based training to parents, teachers, law enforcement and related personnel who provide direct services to children with autism, hopes to raise funds through ticket and concession sales, donations through an ad journal to be distributed that day, and a raffle for a new Ladies Trek Land Bicycle that has been donated by Beacon Bicycles of Freehold.

Tickets for the April 21 concert are $15 for adults and $12 for children. Tickets may be purchased by calling (732) 792-3281 or online at www.oncorentertainment.com.

Arrangements have been made for special seating for families with autistic children and those individuals who need wheelchair access.