It's a dance party at Viking Park

Everywhere in Viking Park, children danced as they played tambourines and listened to the music of Istvan & His Imaginary Band.

The Gurnee Park District sponsored Tuesday's performance by the Chicago-area band as part of its Children's Concert Series for the summer at the Viking Park Bandshell.

"What I do is really meant to be a rock concert," lead singer Istvan Balazs said. "I'm trying to keep people involved and having fun throughout. Subtly, I'm trying to teach them about instruments and teach them about working together."

About 150 children, parents and caregivers watched band members as they began the show by handing out tambourines and having kids dance near the stage.

"It's really fun and it's been great," Amanda Mishork of Gurnee said after dancing with her 3-year-old daughter, Brielle. "I love the tambourines and the bubbles. It's really interactive for the kids."

The band brought children on stage to participate and play a musical instrument called a theremin and to sing along to songs, such as "Germs" and "Possum is My Friend." Later, a bubble machine created bubbles that surrounded the kids near the stage.