Ryman Auditorium

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Additional Press Releases

APRIL 16, 2002

FUNIKIJAM AT THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) – The Ryman Auditorium will host Brian Barrentine’s FunikiJam as part of The Ryman Family Fun Series, sponsored by Bryan Foods, on Saturday, June 1 at 6:00 pm FunikiJam is Nashville’s award-winning music company that teaches children and their families to celebrate music and culture from around the world.

Gonna Be Big Productions and Brian Barrentine’s FunikiJam are dedicated to helping children, their friends, and families reach their highest potential by providing innovative programs which encourage interactive exploration of our world. Brian and his FunikiJam friends infuse global education and musical fun with a dynamic style befitting a rock concert for the whole family. Music City has embraced this innovative group with unbridled enthusiamfrom parents and children.

“More than ever before, the world needs uplifting family events,” said FunikiJam co-founder Ricky Bonilla. “The FunikiJam Roadshow provides exciting opportunities to celebrate diversity and build strong communities.

FunikiJam was founded in October 1999 to meet the growing demand for quality educational experiences for young children. The first FunikiJam classroom was a private home where a playgroup of toddlers met once a week. Together, Brian and the seven families in the playgroup embarked on an exciting musical journey. When demand for these classes grew, Brian sublet space from local athletic clubs, trained new instructors, and by June 2000, opened the first FunikiJam studio.

Now more than 1000 families are involved on a weekly basis through classes at FunikiJam World Headquarters in Nashville and school programs at Abintramntessori School, Westminster Toddlers and Two’s, and The Primrose School of Cool Springs. A Best of Parenting Winner in 2000 and 2001, FunikiJam is still growing. Thousands of families have participated in the educational and entertaining FunikiJam Roadshow, and their stop at the Ryman Auditorium should be no different.

FunikiJam utilizes all forms of media to offer engaging education and entertainment that promotes intercultural understanding and helps unify our global community. They are accredited teachers of world studies and use music as their primary method of education. Secondary means include movement and sensory stimulation.

FunikiJam musicians will create a cool music festival experience of their own through “hands on” instrument play, song, dance, storytelling and more. A global music mix, including Rock & Roll, Country, Irish, and African, provides something for everyone. These child-centered activities are designed to develop musical, cognitive, physical and social skills.

Tickets to FunikiJam are $8.00 for adults and children ages three and up. Lap tickets for children two and under are $2.00. Tickets may be picked up 14 days prior to the event.

The Ryman Auditorium, a National Historic Landmark, continues its more than 100-year music tradition by offering the best entertainment. Open daily from 9 am - 4 pm, excluding New Years, Thanksgiving, and Christmas day, the Ryman offers tours that showcase the legendary stars who have graced her stage, from country’s biggest names to Mae West, Rudolf Valentino, and W.C. Fields.

The Ryman Auditorium is a property of Gaylord Entertainment, a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. Gaylord Entertainment also owns and operates Gaylord Hotels branded properties including the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and the Radisson Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., and the Gaylord Pam Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla. The company’s entertainment brands include the Grand Ole Opry, Acuff-Rose Music Publishing, the General Jackson Showboat, the Springhouse Golf Club, the Wildhorse Saloon, and WSM and WWTN Radio. Gaylord Entertainment’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GET. For more information about the company visit www.gaylordentertainment.com.

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Ryman Auditorium

Marketing & PR Coordinator: Lisaann Dupont, (615) 458-8715 or email

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