Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band Promises an Interactive, Child-Friendly Performance

Local Scarsdale musical troupe, Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band wins the heart of children with their interactive songs and musical games. As the band’s website promises, “Everyone’s invited to go hoppin’ and a bobbin’ and be a part of the act at all of the Lend Me a Hand Band shows. The magic of music and imagination will transform you from people to rabbits to penguins then back again in a flash.”

The "Lend Me a Hand Band" is the brain child of Scarsdale resident Gigi Keeffe Schwartzman. Gigi is a professional vocal career and children’s music teacher whose early childhood guru, Bev Boz, lit a fire under her dreams after she heard Boz speak at a Westchester Association for the Education of Young Children (WAEYC) conference.

Boz’s ideas on music and art during the early childhood mind is what inspired Gigi to start writing her own songs. “I wanted every child to feel that they were part of the creation through actions, words and ideas – wherever they were most comfortable,” said Gigi. Her band, said Gigi, is meant to be “a form of inclusion at whatever level of comfort.”

Gigi knew her band made a positive impact when parents began to request Gigi’s original songs for their children. Reaffirming the praises she received from the parents, family friends Michael and Ann Cefola loved her music as well and encouraged her to start a band and record a demo.

All Gigi needed now were more musicians to complete the band. She looked towards fellow Scarsdale residents to recruit: Michael “Meteor Mike” Cefola joined as the electric guitarist, Gigi’s husband, Larry “Mr. Bassman” Schwartzman plays the bass and Guy “Jam-master G” Elluzzi took over the role of drummer. Paul “Uncle Paul” Rutkowski became the band’s saxophonist, and lastly, Gigi’s mom, Frances “Granny Franny” Keeffe, helmed the keyboards. Gigi’s son Evan, also known as “The Boss of Bass,” occasionally joins in on the bass or drums.

The band receives major support from their wives, as well as the children, who  make up the Lend Me Hand Bandits. The band also has an "Action Leader," Patty Elluzzi, who ensures that the band's shows are interactive for children. 

“We love what we do. It is never the same,” Gigi said. 

Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band first performed as a fundraiser for the Scarsdale Congregational Church Nursery School (SCCNS). Since then, the band has grown in popularity and repertoire. After all, how many bands can say that the kids are the stars of their shows?

“I am usually out in the audience or up front with the kids, and I include their ideas in everything,” Gigi explained.

The children contribute to songs performed by the band. During a Halloween performance, “one child popped up with the idea ‘platypus eyeballs’ as an ingredient for our Halloween stew,” said Gigi. “The entire tent howled in laughter and enjoyment. I had the audience ‘Lend him a Hand’ and applaud a brilliant idea for the stew.”

Audience children also participate in the band's shows by playing along with the band on decorated wooden spoons. At the end of a song, the children stand up and take a bow with the band.

The band’s goal during a performance is to create a comfortable environment so that the children do not feel self-conscious or inhibited. “We want them to shine, enjoy themselves and know that they and their contributions are really and truly appreciated by all of us,” Gigi said. 

“Our shows are a true family experience," Gigi added. "We are family, and I always thank everyone for sharing their family with ours.”

If your child has yet to lend a hand or wants to play along again, then visit the Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band website for a listing of upcoming shows. The band also performs for birthday parties, festivals and in classrooms, along with venues including the Bendheim Performing Arts Center and the Scarsdale Public Library.