Inside Scoop: Janie Next Door
Musician, singer, songwriter Jane Christison is also known as Janie Next Door®. Her newest musical venture is writing children’s songs and performing as Janie Next Door® in upbeat, entertaining, interactive, live musical programs for children at preschools, elementary school concerts, festivals, libraries, birthday parties and other special occasions.
GP: If you are raising KC kids, what is your favorite place to visit in KC with them and why?
Janie: I don’t have children (perhaps that’s why I’m having so much fun playing music for kids!), but if I did, I’d make sure we went to the KC Jiggle Jam Festival held on Memorial Day weekend each year at Crown Center. They have two or three stages featuring family-friendly children’s musicians with lots of activities for a fun family weekend.
GP: Favorite “only in KC” restaurant and why?
Janie: Johnny Cascone’s Italian Restaurant. Three reasons: 1) I love the food. 2) At one point in my performing career, the Cascones hired me to play my accordion table-to-table, serenading their customers. 3) Vito DiCapo, the one-of-a-kind host with the gravelly voice, who makes everyone feel welcome.
GP: Favorite autumn tradition in KC and why?
Janie: A trip to Parkville’s English Landing Park to see the fall colors and walk along the river.
GP: Favorite winter tradition in KC and why?
Janie: Viewing the Christmas lights at the Country Club Plaza. It’s like instant Christmas when the lights are flipped on.
GP: Must-see KC attraction for out-of-town guests and why?
Janie: The Hallmark Visitors Center—it’s interesting for all ages.
GP: Best-kept secret in KC?
Janie: Our beautiful neighborhoods, fountains and artwork around the city.
GP: Best date night destination and why?
Janie: Hmmm…a concert, or maybe a romantic dinner. One of the great things about living in Kansas City is that there are always so many great things to do!
GP: Favorite museum in KC and why?
Janie: Johnson County Museum. It may seem small, but it contains a lot of interesting history about this area, plus I sometimes get to perform there!
GP: Favorite tip for theater fans?
Janie: Get season tickets for New Theatre Restaurant.
GP: Best place to hear live music in KC?
Janie: The UMKC Conservatory of Music has lots of concerts, many of them free.
GP: Fill-in-the-blank bests?
Pizza: Whole Foods’ Pizza
Ice cream: Sylas and Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream, Olathe
Theater: New Theatre Restaurant
Barbecue: Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
GP: One KC thing we left off our best-of list of questions that we should've included?
Janie: I’d like to mention the monthly Wonderpalooza concert series at the Wonderscope Children’s Museum in Shawnee. I played there for the first time in May. In June they had the Grammy-winning Okee Dokee Brothers. Coming up in September will be Heidi Swedberg, whom I look forward to hearing. I think Wonderscope should be listed as a best place to hear concerts by children’s musicians.