Ann Arbor welcomes famous band trio

The children's band Gemini plays
for about 30 people during a
Sept. 26 concert in Ann Arbor.
(Photo by Michael S. Sanders)

By Michael S. Sanders

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Weather and overcast skies, did not prevent the children’s band Gemini, from performing for Ann Arboners.

After playing ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’, one of the brothers commented,

“Hopefully we won’t see any rainbows because that also probably means we’ll get some rain.”

Ironically the area in which the band was playing was in front of a large mural with a rainbow on it. Fortunately, no rainbows ever occurred during the Sept. 26 performance.

As the trio prepares for a musical number in the Kerry Town Courtyard, people quickly gather to around to hear a band that has won numerous awards for their beloved and prestigious children’s music. As the Gemini band begins to play, a few young toddlers get up to dance along. Others boys and girls soon join in. After getting the energy out of their system, the kids settle back down to listen again.

For 36 years, the Gemini band, consisting of San and Laz Slomoviits have preformed for children. Emily, a daughter of one of the brothers also contributes to the group. The brothers have lived in Ann Arbor since they immigrated to the United States from Israel in 1973.

In a gesture of gratefulness to the city, the band even devoted a song to an Ann Arbor deli across the street from where they were performing.

“Let’s go get a sandwich at the deli, cause I’m sick and tired of peanut butter and jelly. Something to really fill my belly; let’s go get a sandwich at the deli.”

After a performance with the bones, Gemini got the audience moving again, with their song, 'You gotta sing."

The song had the audience jumping, waving, flapping their arms, hopping, waving, spinning around, and stomping.

The band then introduced a fourth member of their group, limber jack, the wooden dancing string puppet. Four young toddlers volunteered to help move limber jack. Stage frightened, one decided to sit out. The three remaining kids help move limber jack’s arms and legs as the band plays the violin.

The brothers themselves play the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, pennywhistle, harmonica, slide whistle, Native American flute, spoons, and tambourine. One instrument unique to the band is the bones. The bones, consisting of a set of two wooden sticks, are held like chop sticks. While sitting in a chair, a person raises their hand a few inches above their leg. Using the other hand, the bones are hit between the persons open hand and leg.

Finally, after more than an hour long performance, Gemini puts limber jack back in his case until the next time he is scheduled to perform.