Dan Zanes caters to all at holiday concert

Grammy Award-winning artist Dan Zanes, along with Claudia Eliaza and Pauline Jean, performed two holiday singalong concerts Sunday at James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.

"We are doing what I have been doing since I was kid in New Hampshire and we are going to have a holiday singalong party. Come as you are," said Zanes during his performance. "Get up and dance whenever you want or come down here on the floor and listen to the songs. It's a sensory friendly show. Opening the doors as wide as we can and everybody is welcome."

The shows were designed to be relaxed, inclusive and sensory-friendly so they could be inclusive to concertgoers on the autism spectrum or with other special needs. Audience members were encouraged to bring their own comfort and support objects to the show and the Lumber Center staff had earplugs and stress-reducing toys to offer as well.

During the first show, about 50 people sang along as the group played holiday music with favorites such as "Deck the Halls," "Holiday Time in Brooklyn," "Feliz Navidad" and "Nowel."

"We have been to a bunch of Dan Zanes' shows. He is fantastic. She loves Christmas songs and she loves Dan Zanes," said Canice Neary of Vernon Hills, who danced with his daughter, Sydney, during the show. "It's one of those things where it's music that kids and parents can listen to."