List your services
Log In
Dheejay Nhel
(33)
-
Springfield, VA -
DJ
-
67 Verified Bookings
Hallie T. said “The DJ provided a whole other level of fun to our fall party.”
Back to Children’s Music
Overview
An appearance by Mr. Gabe is the highlight of any birthday party for children, ages 1 to 5, and adds something special to your day care/preschool program or library program for young children. I provide a highly interactive form of musical entertainment that engages your kids from start to finish. I have a large repertoire of nursery rhymes, finger plays, movement games, traditional sing-alongs, family-friendly pop songs and originals -- once the show is under way, time just flies by!
"Dear Mr. Gabe - huge thanks for your outstanding performance at Ellen’s birthday party … Ellen asks at least once a day where you are and when she can see you play again."
--Alison M., Washington, DC
12 Reviews
Megan L. •
October 7, 2024
Mr. Gabe was a huge hit at our annual preschool fall festival. He was engaging and energetic. We hope to have him back next year.
Hired as:
Children’s Music
Children’s Music
Response from Mr. Gabe:
Thanks, Megan! I had a great time and would love to come back next year.
All the best,
Mr. Gabe
Marisa T. •
June 21, 2024
Mr. Gabe was amazing - he played for 15 kids in our small back patio in some pretty strong heat and everyone had an incredible time. He played 15 songs I had selected from his set list and was great and emceeing/hosting with fun tidbits between the songs. Lots of parents were asking me for his info afterwards! We'll definitely call him again for another fun gathering.
Hired as:
Children’s Music
Children’s Music
Response from Mr. Gabe:
Wow! Thank you, Marisa. I had a great time. Hope to see you and your family again soon!
Mr. Gabe
Kathryn L. •
April 6, 2024
Very communicative and nice guy. Entertaining for the age group we request.
Hired as:
Children’s Music
Children’s Music
Beena P. •
November 19, 2023
We had Mr. Gabe perform for my 3-year olds birthday party. The kids were super engaged, loved singing along and jumping/dancing. The set was highly engaging, the kids were entertained and happy! I would highly recommend!
Hired as:
Children’s Music
Children’s Music
Response from Mr. Gabe:
Hi, Beena. I just saw the review you posted. Thank you so much!
It was a pleasure to perform at Mila's party. Happy holidays to you and your family!
Mr. Gabe
Photos from this event
Joyprada S. B. •
November 13, 2022
Mr. Gabe went with the flow and adjusted his show for my birthday girl. He was easy to communicate with and has a fun repertoire. Thanks Mr. Gabe!
Hired as:
Children’s Party Entertainment
Children’s Party Entertainment
Sarah Y. •
November 7, 2022
We had Mr. Gabe join my son's 4th birthday and he was a huge hit...with the kids AND the adults :) He was very easy to work with and did a wonderful job keeping the kids entertained. Highly recommend. Thank you Mr. Gabe for everything!
Hired as:
Children’s Party Entertainment
Children’s Party Entertainment
Photos from this event
Sophia C. •
October 30, 2022
Mr. Gabe is the best children’s musician I’ve seen the in DMV! He set up incredible audio which I was not expecting. He was very engaging with the audience and the crowd loved him! Everyone asked where the world did you find him?! Thank you so much Mr. Gabe! You truly made our son’s Birthday party so special!
Hired as:
Children’s Party Entertainment, Children’s Music
Children’s Party Entertainment, Children’s Music
Josephine J. •
August 23, 2022
The children loved Mr. Gabe! It rained but Mr. Gabe was able to continue entertaining our children!
will definitely book again!
Hired as:
Children’s Music
Children’s Music
Ivie B. •
May 25, 2022
Mr. Gabe was awesome! He was the really the star of the show. I can’t wait to book him again!
Thanks,
Ivie
Hired as:
Children’s Music
Children’s Music
Response from Mr. Gabe:
Thanks, Ivy! I had a great time at your event. I look forward to working with you again.
Madeleine •
May 17, 2022
We invited Mr Gabe to play for my son and niece's 3rd birthday party in a neighborhood park in DC. Mr. Gabe is talented, kind, intuitive, and attentive. His songs were fun and silly, and perfect for our group of 3 - 6 year olds. The couple under 3s and over 6s loved him, too! Mr. Gabe was incredibly responsive during the planning phase and was flexible on start time and challenging weather projections. He was super prepfared, arrived early, helped us move the part along, and then stay after his set to play to the birthday boy and girl, and a special friend we had with us. The party for our three year olds was a success because of his presence and contributions - very grateful! Like I say in the headline, I would book Mr Gabe for a party tomorrow, if we had one to plan!
Hired as:
Children’s Party Entertainment
Children’s Party Entertainment
Eli K. •
April 25, 2022
For those who don't know, Mr. Gabe is a really outstanding children's musician in Takoma Park, MD. He has two children's albums of original songs and draws hundreds of kids and families to his concerts. I emailed him about our 4 year-old's birthday on a lark, thinking he wouldn't be available, but to my surprise he responded and was available for our party and for a reasonable price. Mr. Gabe was thorough in his communication before the party. The event was a blast, the kids had so much fun dancing and singing to Mr. Gabe's music--it was the best party we've thrown for our kids yet. We received a lot of comments from family about how wonderful and professional Mr. Gabe was. I highly recommend him.
Hired as:
Children’s Music
Children’s Music
Kara S. •
April 9, 2022
I can’t recommend Mr. Gabe enough! He made my son’s 2nd birthday so memorable and is an absolute professional. He asked for favorites songs and played such great choices, everyone was dancing, parents included! Fabulous communicator, came early and didn’t mind that we were running a bit behind, really went above and beyond to make my sons day. Entertained 15 toddlers and older siblings for over 30 minutes - my son danced and laughed the whole time, thank you again Mr. Gabe!
Hired as:
Children’s Music
Children’s Music
Booking Info
Price Range: $150-$250
Gig Length: 30 - 50 minutes
Languages: English, French, German
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Commercial General Liability
What to Expect
When you hire me, you get an entertainer who is a master at engaging his audience. Recognizing that even among the very young one size doesn't fit all, I usually try to find something out about my audience beforehand and tailor my set accordingly. Then, depending on what the audience shows me, I'm able to improvise and make changes on the fly, relying on a large repertoire of songs and activities and the experience of hundreds upon hundreds of children's shows.
About
A former stay-at-home dad, Mr. Gabe has been delighting young audiences in the DC area for over ten years with an interactive style of musical entertainment that inspires kids to use their bodies and their brains. He has performed at libraries, day cares, cafes, festivals, and LOTS of birthday parties, relying on a large repertoire of nursery rhymes, folk songs, and modern favorites (such as “Yellow Submarine” and “La Bamba”), as well as originals from his two Parents' Choice award-winning CDs. He lives in Takoma Park, Maryland.
“Listening to Mr. Gabe sing is like hearing an old friend telling stories on the front porch swing.”
— Ashley Jo Farmer, Parents’ Choice Foundation
Additional Booking Notes
My basic requirements are a patch of level ground for a stage and a nearby electrical outlet that can be reached with a 50-foot extension cord. That's so I can set up my PA, which I like to use for most shows. (I can make it quite small, using just a single speaker tucked under a chair, if necessary.) Having at least some amplification helps save my voice (and also sounds better); however, if the audience is small and the performance area contained, I'll consider performing unamplified. (I've done it many times.)
Upcoming Booked Events
| December 28, 2024 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Senior Show |
| January 04, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| January 17, 2025 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Senior show |
| January 18, 2025 • 11:00am - 2:00pm | Birthday Party |
| January 24, 2025 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Senior show |
| January 29, 2025 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Senior show |
| January 31, 2025 • 9:15am - 10:15am | Day Care Visit |
| February 01, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| February 02, 2025 • 4:00pm - 5:30pm | Birthday Party |
| February 14, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| February 21, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| February 21, 2025 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Senior Show |
| February 28, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| March 07, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| March 14, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| March 21, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| March 28, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| April 04, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| April 11, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| April 25, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
Past Booked Events
| December 19, 2024 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Senior Show |
| December 15, 2024 • 11:00am - 12:00pm | Holiday party |
| December 11, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| December 07, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| December 06, 2024 • 4:00pm - 5:30pm | Senior Show |
| December 04, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| December 03, 2024 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Takoma Park Library |
| November 23, 2024 • 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Senior Show |
| November 22, 2024 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Senior Show |
| November 20, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| November 18, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:30am | Preschool visit |
| November 16, 2024 • 3:30pm - 4:15pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| November 16, 2024 • 11:15am - 12:45pm | Birthday Party |
| November 13, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| November 11, 2024 • 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Senior Show |
| November 10, 2024 • 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Birthday Party |
| November 09, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| November 06, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| October 30, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| October 27, 2024 • 11:00am - 12:30pm | Birthday Party |
| October 26, 2024 • 11:45am - 1:15pm | Birthday Party |
| October 23, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| October 21, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:30am | Pre-K Visit |
| October 20, 2024 • 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Senior Show |
| October 16, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| October 13, 2024 • 4:00pm - 4:30pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| October 11, 2024 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Senior Show |
| October 09, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| October 06, 2024 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Takoma Park Street Festival |
| October 05, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| October 04, 2024 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Festival |
| October 02, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Music Class |
| September 28, 2024 • 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Senior Show |
| September 23, 2024 • 10:30am - 11:30am | Funday Monday |
| September 21, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Community Event |
| September 16, 2024 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Senior Show |
| September 15, 2024 • 12:00pm - 2:00pm | Torpedo Factory Art Center |
| September 12, 2024 • 10:30am - 12:00pm | Fair Hill Shops |
| September 08, 2024 • 2:00pm - 5:00pm | 868 Estate Vineyards |
| September 07, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| September 06, 2024 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Day Care Event |
| August 17, 2024 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Sully Histric Site |
| August 17, 2024 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
| August 17, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Mason District Park |
| August 16, 2024 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Senior Show |
| August 12, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Preschool visit |
| August 10, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am | E. C. Lawrence Park |
| August 09, 2024 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Senior Show |
| August 03, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Burke Park |
| June 29, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Wakefield Park |
| June 22, 2024 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
| June 19, 2024 • 8:00am - 9:00am | Children’s Birthday Party |
| June 16, 2024 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Adult Music Gig |
| June 11, 2024 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | Duncan Library |
| June 01, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| May 19, 2024 • 10:30am - 11:30am | Community Fundraiser |
| May 12, 2024 • 12:00pm - 3:00pm | Adult Music Gig |
| May 05, 2024 • 10:00am - 3:00pm | Earth Day Event |
| May 04, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| April 27, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Spotlight on the Arts |
| April 16, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Preschool |
| April 13, 2024 • 11:00am - 12:30pm | Birthday Party |
| April 06, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| April 05, 2024 • 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Fundraiser |
| March 31, 2024 • 11:00pm - 11:30pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| March 26, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| March 24, 2024 • 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Birthday Party |
| March 19, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| March 17, 2024 • 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Birthday Party |
| March 17, 2024 • 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Birthday Party |
| March 12, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| March 10, 2024 • 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Birthday Party |
| March 10, 2024 • 10:30am - 12:00pm | Birthday Party |
| March 05, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| March 04, 2024 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Glenbrook Coop. Nursery School |
| March 03, 2024 • 10:00am - 12:30pm | Birthday Party |
| March 02, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| February 27, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| February 24, 2024 • 11:00am - 12:30pm | Birthday Party |
| February 20, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| February 17, 2024 • 11:30am - 1:00pm | Birthday Party |
| February 13, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| February 11, 2024 • 11:00am - 12:30pm | Birthday Party |
| February 06, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| February 03, 2024 • 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Birthday Party |
| February 03, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| January 30, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| January 24, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:30am | Day Care |
| January 23, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| January 16, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Music Class |
| January 14, 2024 • 12:00pm - 2:00pm | Birthday |
| January 06, 2024 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book |
| December 23, 2023 • 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Birthday Party |
| December 10, 2023 • 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Birthday Party |
| December 10, 2023 • 11:00am - 12:30pm | Birthday Party |
| December 05, 2023 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Takoma Park Library (public show) |
| December 03, 2023 • 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Birthday Party |
| December 02, 2023 • 10:00am - 10:30am | People's Book (public show) |
| November 18, 2023 • 11:30am - 12:15pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| November 11, 2023 • 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Birthday party |
| November 05, 2023 • 9:30am - 10:00am | People's Book (public show) |
| October 28, 2023 • 4:00pm - 4:45pm | Halloween party |
| November 23, 2022 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | School Assembly |
| November 21, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Funday Monday |
| November 12, 2022 • 4:30pm - 5:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| November 12, 2022 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Birthday Party |
| November 07, 2022 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Cox Farms Fall Festival |
| November 05, 2022 • 5:00pm - 5:30pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| November 04, 2022 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | CMUC Montgomery Village |
| October 29, 2022 • 11:30am - 1:30pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| October 24, 2022 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Cox Farms Fall Festival |
| October 16, 2022 • 4:00pm - 5:30pm | Birthday party |
| October 16, 2022 • 10:30am - 12:00pm | Birthday Party |
| October 15, 2022 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Birthday Party |
| October 03, 2022 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Cox Farms Fall Festival |
| October 01, 2022 • 11:00am - 11:45am | Noyes Library for Young Children |
| September 18, 2022 • 2:30pm - 5:30pm | Friends of Sligo Creek (private) |
| September 18, 2022 • 10:00am - 11:30am | Birthday Party |
| September 17, 2022 • 11:00am - 11:45am | Falls Church Festival |
| September 10, 2022 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm | Birthday Party |
| September 10, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Takoma Park Gazebo |
| September 09, 2022 • 7:00pm - 7:30pm | Bender JCC |
| September 09, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Lively Arts for Little Ones |
| August 09, 2022 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Takoma Park Child Development Center |
| August 03, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Takoma Park Maryland Library |
| July 31, 2022 • 11:00am - 12:30pm | Birthday Party |
| July 30, 2022 • 11:00am - 11:45am | Noyes Library for Children |
| July 25, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Funday Monday |
| July 19, 2022 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Takoma Park Child Development Center |
| July 17, 2022 • 11:00am - 12:30pm | Hamm Party |
| July 16, 2022 • 3:30pm - 4:15pm | Birthday Party |
| July 16, 2022 • 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Festival |
| July 12, 2022 • 10:00am - 10:45am | Duncan Branch Library |
| July 10, 2022 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | Hook Hall (Family Funday) |
| July 06, 2022 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Waltonwood (Senior show) |
| July 06, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Takoma Park Maryland Library |
| July 03, 2022 • 11:00am - 11:45am | Lubber Run Amphitheater |
| June 14, 2022 • 3:00pm - 6:00pm | House Party |
| June 14, 2022 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Takoma Park Child Development Center |
| June 12, 2022 • 10:30am - 12:30pm | Bender JCC |
| June 11, 2022 • 12:00pm - 12:45pm | LakeFest 2022 |
| June 08, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Takoma Park Maryland Library |
| May 25, 2022 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Main Street Pearl |
| May 22, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:30am | Nonprofit Event |
| May 18, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Takoma Park Maryland Library |
| May 17, 2022 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Takoma Park Child Development Center |
| May 15, 2022 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | Birthday party |
| May 12, 2022 • 9:30am - 10:00am | Noyes Library for Young Children |
| April 27, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Library |
| April 26, 2022 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Day Care |
| April 24, 2022 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
| April 24, 2022 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | Birthday Party |
| April 23, 2022 • 2:30pm - 4:30pm | Birthday Party |
| April 09, 2022 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | Birthday Party |
Set List
NURSERY RHYMES & FINGER PLAYS
B-I-N-G-O
Baby’s Ball
Brush Your Teeth
Dancing Hands
Do Your Ears Hang Low?
Five Little Monkeys
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
I’m a Little Teapot
Johnny Hammers
Open, Shut Them
The Grand Old Duke of York
The Hokey-Pokey
The Itsy, Bitsy Spider
Milkshake
Two Little Blackbirds
Where is Thumbkin?
Who’s Got a Nose?
SONGS
All Around the Kitchen
Banana Boat Song
Boo-boo Blues*
Brian the Lazy Lion*
Do Re Mi (from “The Sound of Music”)
Down by the Bay
Down on the Corner
Erie Canal
Five Little Pumpkins
Fly to the Moon*
Frère Jacques
Frog Went A-Courtin’
Going for a Ride in the Car
Good Morning (from “Singin’ in the Rain”)
Here Comes the Sun
If I Were a Builder*
I’ve Been Working on the Railroad
It’s a Shame to Get a Haircut on a Sunday
I Wanna Be a Garbage Man*
Kalinka
La Bamba/Twist & Shout
La Cucarracha
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Medley: Baa Baa Black Sheep/ABC Song/Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Metro Train*
Mr. Spaceman
Mr. Sun
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
Octopus’s Garden
Oh Susanna
Old McDonald
On Top of Spaghetti
Pirates*
Rock Island Line
Sambalele
She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain
Skip to My Lou
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Take this Hammer
There’s a Hole in My Bucket
This Land is Your Land
This Old Man
Tingalayo
We All Like Trucks*
What a Wonderful World
The Wheels on the Bus
Wimoweh (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)
Yellow Submarine
You Are My Sunshine
You’ve Gotta Sing (When the Spirit Says Sing)
*Original song
Influences & Inspiration
For children's music: Pete Seeger, Raffi, Trout Fishing in America, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Arlo Guthrie
Other influences: The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Merle Haggard
Setup Requirements
A chair to sit on during the quieter moments of the performance.
That's really all. I usually bring the rest.
Similar Listings
Bridgette and Dawn
(11)
-
Annapolis, MD
-
Children’s Music
-
12 Verified Bookings
Kelly M. said “Our children really enjoyed their program. They had fun grooving to the cool music”
The AXperience with Robert AX Adams Jr
(24)
-
Silver Spring, MD
-
Guitarist
-
19 Verified Bookings
Sarah N. said “Presentation of familiar children’s songs, with fun twists. Made everyone feel welcome and involved. Sing Happy!”
Alison Thoms Music
(11)
-
Baltimore, MD
-
Singing Guitarist
-
36 Verified Bookings
Melissa S. said “Alison did a company event for us and despite TERRIBLE weather, she made the absolute best of it! I highly recommend her, the kids LOVED her!”