List your services
Log In
Kenny Warren with Leroy Cool
(3)
-
Brooklyn, NY -
Ventriloquist
-
9 Verified Bookings
Denisse B. D. said “I received positive feedback. Thank you!”
Back to Ventriloquists
Silly Goose & Val
- Cockeysville, MD
- Ventriloquist
- Travels up to 90 miles
- $500-2000
Overview
Award-winning artist, Valerie Leonhart Smalkin and Silly Goose present a fast-paced, humorous 40-minute musical treat with puppets, ventriloquism, dancing, singing, and 100% audience participation. Her Parents' Choice award-winning songs and her Maryland State Arts Council award-winning solo performance are guaranteed to delight tots, tweens, and teens...and the timeworn, as well! She has toured California, Texas, Belgium, and France, but her home is in Maryland and she ours!
"The Maryland Zoo loves Silly Goose & Val." - Colleen Stein, Events & Community Relations Manager
23 Reviews
Linda D. •
December 12, 2021
Val and silly goose and her other puppets were AWESOME!! i have an annual christmas party for my grandkids and have had various entertainers but Val was by far the most fun and entertaining!!
My grandkids are grown now, 14-22 but they loved loved loved this show. she included everyone in the audience and so much interactions. and we all loved her reindeer marianetts She also asked prior to her coming to give facts about those in attendance, like funny stories etc. and made a personalized song that made everyone laugh i would highly recommend Val she is very talented and fun and knows how to get people involved and laughing. she is a great ventrilaquist
Hired as:
Ventriloquist
Ventriloquist
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Thank you, Linda! Your family was and is a delight!
Val
Darlene F. •
June 5, 2021
Val and friends are phenomenal! Our class was engaged. We laughed, we danced and we sang along! Our program was presented on Zoom and we had so much fun. We can’t wait to see Silly Goose and Val LIVE!
Hired as:
Children’s Music, Ventriloquist
Children’s Music, Ventriloquist
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Thank you Darlene! It was great fun singing and playing with you and your classes!
Bolaji •
February 6, 2020
The event was great.
Hired as:
Children’s Music, Ventriloquist
Children’s Music, Ventriloquist
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Thank you Bolaji! You and your family, especially your Mom (Sola? Soli) were a joy to behold.
Val Smalkin
Lauren •
December 16, 2019
Silly Goose and Val put a smile on all the families faces. She was entertaining, engaging, and silly!!
Hired as:
Children’s Music, Ventriloquist
Children’s Music, Ventriloquist
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Thank you, Lauren. You and your teachers are wonderful caretakers of children. It was a pleasure working with you.
Val Smalkin
Nadia V. •
March 17, 2019
We just saw Val and Silly Goose at the Albany Public Library. The act was Phenomonal!! I don’t know who had the most fun- my kids or me. I wish we were on the east coast so I could get her for my kids birthdays.
Hired as:
Children’s Music, Ventriloquist
Children’s Music, Ventriloquist
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
How kind of you to post a review here! As an audience you Albany, CA folks rocked! I did not need to coax any of you into singing or dancing. It was my pleasure. <3 If your kids' birthdays are between June 26 and July 9, it could work? I'll be on tour in CA again between those dates.
Sue W. •
November 27, 2017
Val was very entertaining. She was loved by both the kids & adults and got everyone involved. I will definitely pass her name on............she & Silly Goose were wonderful!
Hired as:
Children’s Party Entertainment, Ventriloquist
Children’s Party Entertainment, Ventriloquist
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Thank you Sue! I had a great time at the Dallastown Volunteer Fire Department's annual Christmas party!
Luis E. •
August 16, 2017
Val was GREAT and a hit with parents and children! She was simply amazing!!!!! So happy to have had her at our children's bday party!
Hired as:
Children’s Party Entertainment, Ventriloquist
Children’s Party Entertainment, Ventriloquist
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Thank-you! You and your family are great as well! It makes all the difference in the world!
Diamond J. •
April 27, 2015
We booked Val for a "Take Your Kids to Work" Day event in April 2015.
She was supremely awesome! An absolute professional at the highest degree.
All of the parents were absolutely amazed when our normally shy children glued to her. Our general manager thought it was impossible for her son to detach from her. However, almost ten minutes into Val's performance he went to the front row!
She is absolutely amazing and we're ready to book her again!
Hired as:
Children’s Music, Children’s Party Entertainment
Children’s Music, Children’s Party Entertainment
Daneilia P. •
November 21, 2013
Val provided the entertainment for my daughter's 1st birthday. I know what your thinking...really...a 12 month old but the kids at the party ranged in ages 3 to 7. My guest are STILL talking about how much fun they had...adults and kids! Val not only put on a great show but she really participated and assisted in every aspect of the party. Thanks so much for helping to make such a memorable day for my family!
Hired as:
Ventriloquist, Children’s Party Entertainment, Puppet Show
Ventriloquist, Children’s Party Entertainment, Puppet Show
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
And your family was the best! Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins all ready to have fun. I'm still laughing about the Dino Dance Chorus lead by Granddad! Love meeting you all!
Heidi R. •
July 10, 2013
Val did a program at library and 2 adults and 2 children stopped by the next day to say how impressed they were with the silly goose program--Raves
Hired as:
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Oooo...raves! Love that!
Ellen K. •
July 8, 2013
For our daycare/summer camp, Val kept EVERY child's attention throughout the entire hour she was entertaining us. She was silly, fun, excellent with the kids, and even involved the teachers. The teachers were just as entertained as the children. We HIGHLY recommend silly goose and val to anyone that is looking for great, quality child entertainment!
Hired as:
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music, Puppet Show
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music, Puppet Show
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Aww - thanks! I had a great time with you as well!
Val
Makeba S. B. •
April 21, 2013
We couldn't have asked for a better act to set the tone for Family Entertainment at the 11th Annual Annapolis Book Festival. With their hand-clapping, cheerful songs, Silly Goose & Val had the audience dancing, laughing, and singing from beginning to end!
Consider yourself lucky to have Silly Goose & Val perform at your next event. Val is a gifted entertainer who is sure to please!
Makeba B.
2013 Annapolis Book Festival Entertainment Chair
Hired as:
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music, Puppet Show, Singer/Songwriter
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music, Puppet Show, Singer/Songwriter
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Oh! Oh! Thank you...how nice!
Celia B. •
October 16, 2012
We booked Val for my son's 10th birthday party. He loves ventriloquism and Val brought a dummy just for him to see and use. She even gave him some tips about using puppets with ventriloquism. Val brought many other puppets too and each child got to participate in a puppet show. It was a great time! The children loved her show and so did the parents. I would definitely recommend Val.
Leslie H. •
July 31, 2012
Not only was the Silly Goose & Val show enjoyed by the children of Antioch Child Care Center, but the staff as well! Vals excitment and genuine love for children was exemplified through her performance and made for a memorable experience! Our children are still raving about the "silly lady with the puppets". THANK YOU VAL!
Lisa D. •
July 13, 2012
Silly Goose & Val's performance at our Family Fun Night was pure energized fun and completely brilliant! Parents and children were up to dance, sing, and play along. I received numerous positive comments and will be happy to invite Silly Goose & Val back!
Hired as:
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Thank you! i enjoyed your families as well!
Danny C. •
June 7, 2012
Silly Goose & Val performed as part of our church's concert series last season and it was an OUTSTANDING event! Both Val and Silly Goose brought us outrageous fun, madcap fun, riotous laughter, zany antics, and contagious energy! We were all on our feet, couldn't sit down...couldn't make a frown. Lively songs and smiles galore...we love Val!
Hired as:
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music, Comedy Show, Musical Comedy Act, Puppet Show, Singer/Songwriter
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music, Comedy Show, Musical Comedy Act, Puppet Show, Singer/Songwriter
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
I blush, sir!
Laura G. •
June 4, 2012
Silly Goose & Val not only held a successful event at our Church, but the quick response in getting questions answered, booking the event and confirming the date went very smoothly. The age range at our Church family event went from birth thru adult and we all had a FABULOUS TIME. Many of the kids would like to see Silly Goose & Val once again.
Hired as:
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music, Children’s Party Entertainment, Puppet Show, Singer/Songwriter
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music, Children’s Party Entertainment, Puppet Show, Singer/Songwriter
Response from Silly Goose & Val:
Aw! Thank you. I had a great time at your church as well! I'll come back anytime. Oh! I have a great Christmas program!
Kathy C. •
July 15, 2011
We scheduled Val for several of BCPL branches this spring. She is a delight to work with and presents a very entertaining program. Her original songs get the audience up and moving. Silly Goose, and her other furry and feathered friends, add additional charm to Val's program. This program is a winner!
Hired as:
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music
Ventriloquist, Children’s Music
Cheryl U. •
July 6, 2011
On May 16, fifty-eight lucky children and adults had the privilege of watching as Val Smalkin and Silly Goose performed. Ms. Smalkin wowed the audience with her songs, puppets, dances and ventriloquism. This interactive program had the kids on their feet and the adults laughing. An absolutely charming program!
Maya N. •
July 5, 2011
val is a sincere performer and gives her best irrespective of the number of people in the crowd. she has always been patient with my little girl and indulged her with silly goose antics.
would highly recommend.
Melissa H. •
July 1, 2011
Val and Silly Goose were loved by all the children at our preschool! They had a great time dancing and singing along. Even our smallest students really enjoyed the entertainment.
Hired as:
Children’s Party Entertainment
Children’s Party Entertainment
Stephanie D. •
July 1, 2011
I have had the pleasure to work with Silly Goose & Val on a number of occasions over the past several years, and I would absolutely recommend her show to any organization! She is energetic, great with kids, friendly, easy to work with and knows how to draw a crowd!
My only regret..not having a reason to book her even more often! she's great!! Come see her at the Zoo this fall/spring!
Stephanie Drummond
Events & Community Relations Manager
MD Zoo in Baltimore
Hired as:
Children’s Party Entertainment, Puppet Show
Children’s Party Entertainment, Puppet Show
N W. •
July 1, 2011
Silly Goose and Val were a joy to work with. Very professional and easy to work with. The show was a delight for children and their families. Hope to have them back in Gaithersburg again.
Booking Info
Price Range: $500-2000
Gig Length: 30 - 50 minutes
Languages: English, French
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Commercial General Liability Coverage: Each Occurrence $1,000,000 General Aggregate (Other than Products–Completed Operations) $3,000,000 Products-Completed Operations Aggregate $1,000,000 Legal Liability to Participants $1,000,000 Damage to Premises Rented to You $300,000 Medical Expense (other than participants) $5,000 Medical Payments for Participants $5,000
What to Expect
In a children's show audience members will laugh, sing, and dance along with Silly Goose & Val and their assorted friends: Rufus, the Reluctant dragon; the Pink Flamingo Can-Can line; Cyleena, the Sloth; Tingalayo, the Donkey. Val's fresh material, high level of energy, and musicality will delight young and old alike. As one first grade student in Cape May, NJ said, "This was the funnest day!"
In an adult show audience members will laugh, sing, and dance along with Val and her more sophisticated friends: Lola, Katerina Collageenyva, the Pink CanCan Flamingos, and more! As one Rotary Club Member said, "This was the funnest night!"
About
Ventriloquist, musician, composer, and performer Valerie Leonhart Smalkin was one of the writers, performers, and co-producers as well as the head puppeteer of the Emmy award winning television program "It's Kindertime" on Baltimore’s ABC affiliate WMAR-TV 2.
Val’s CD, "A Gentle Halloween," received a Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff award in 2015, and in 2016 her follow-up CD, "Sing! Sing! Sing!...and Dance!," garnered a Parents’ Choice Approved award. Her current CD, "Love Bug!" received a Parents’ Choice Recommended award. “Brave Little Seed”, co-written with Marla Lewis, won Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting in the Great American Song Contest in 2019.
Her book "Springtime Dance" took gold in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards in 2014. As a recipient of a Maryland State Arts Council grant for solo non-classical performance in 2015, and for solo theatre performance in 2016 and 2019, Val continues to perform and compose music designed for the 2 to 10-year-old set. As a ventriloquist, Val performs for family and educational events in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York City, California, Cap d’Antibes, France, and Brussels, Belgium.
Val has recently stepped down as President of The Children’s Music Network made up of 400+ performers, teachers, librarians, music therapists, parents, and children from around the world who celebrate the positive power of music in the lives of children by sharing songs, exchanging ideas and creating community. She is also the Maryland Governor of the Indie Collaborative, a networking association for industry musicians and professionals.
Additional Booking Notes
Val brings her Bose sound equipment with her which can handle a room of 20 or an amphi-theatre of 600. She asks only that her equipment be shaded because electronics and the hot sun to not get along very well. Thank you.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| August 22, 2022 • All-day event | School |
| August 11, 2022 • All-day event | School |
| August 09, 2022 • All-day event | School |
| August 04, 2022 • All-day event | School |
| July 28, 2022 • All-day event | School |
| July 25, 2022 • All-day event | School |
| July 23, 2022 • All-day event | Party |
| July 22, 2022 • All-day event | School |
| July 14, 2022 • All-day event | School |
| July 12, 2022 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
| July 12, 2022 • 9:00am - 6:00pm | School |
| June 30, 2022 • 9:00am - 6:00pm | School |
| May 14, 2022 • 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| January 28, 2022 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Retirement Community Event |
| December 11, 2021 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | House Party |
| December 04, 2021 • 11:30am - 12:30pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| August 11, 2021 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | Camp Event |
| June 04, 2021 • 10:00am - 10:45am | Nonprofit Event |
| February 20, 2021 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Children’s Birthday Party |
| January 23, 2021 • 11:30am - 12:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| April 24, 2020 • 9:00am - 9:45am | School Assembly |
| February 02, 2020 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| December 14, 2019 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | Christmas Party |
| September 19, 2019–September 22, 2019 • 9:00am - 2:00pm | CMN Conference |
| April 19, 2019–April 21, 2019 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Bunny BonanZoo |
| April 04, 2019 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Ridge Ruxton |
| March 03, 2019–March 17, 2019 • 9:00am - 4:00pm | California Tour |
| March 02, 2019 • 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Port Discovery |
| February 23, 2019 • 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Port Discovery |
| January 27, 2019 • 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Port Discovery |
| December 02, 2018–December 16, 2018 • 9:00am - 5:00pm | Europe Tour |
| November 24, 2018 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Dallastown Christmas Show |
| November 16, 2018 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Christ Lutheran |
| November 12, 2018–November 13, 2018 • 9:00am - 4:00pm | Havenwood |
| October 22, 2018–November 03, 2018 • 10:00am - 4:00pm | California Tour |
| October 09, 2018–October 15, 2018 • 10:00am - 9:00am | Children's Music Network |
| September 27, 2018 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Ridge Ruxton |
| September 22, 2018 • 10:00am - 2:00pm | Durant Arts Center |
| September 02, 2018 • 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Party |
| August 24, 2018 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Pediatric Specilists, Lancaster PA |
| August 23, 2018 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Columbia Academy |
| August 22, 2018 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Columbia Academy |
| August 21, 2018 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Columbia Academy |
| August 20, 2018 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Columbia Academy |
| August 17, 2018 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Parents of Pre Schoolers |
| August 16, 2018 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Judy Foundation |
| August 15, 2018 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Celebree |
| August 13, 2018 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Goddard |
| August 09, 2018 • 10:00am - 2:00pm | Silly Goose & Val |
| August 08, 2018 • 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Silly Goose & Val |
| August 06, 2018 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Silly Goose & Val |
| August 04, 2018 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | School Assembly |
| November 25, 2017 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Holiday Party (Christmas) |
| August 12, 2017 • 1:30pm - 2:15pm | Birthday (Child) |
| November 16, 2016 • 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Holiday Party (Other) |
Set List
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS INCLUDE
INTRODUCTORY SONGS: Bumpa Bumpa Bump My Fist – Val makes eye contact with each audience member as they bump fists to say hello.
MEET SILLY GOOSE: Itsy Bitsy Spider, or Little Miss Muffet, or another nurseryrhyme that Silly Goose gets entirely wrong, much to the audience of all ages’ delight.
ACTION SONGS- Every other song is a movement song such as:
1) Dino Dance – 3 or 4 adult audience members volunteer to be Val’s back up singers, while the children are the Dinos.
2) Springtime Dance - Everyone dances to Val’s award winning song “Springtime Dance.”
3) Love Bug! - A dance for children and their adults. Everyone gets up to dance.
4) The Slip - Another parent/child dance song.
5) and many more
SONGS WITH PUPPETS & VENTRILOQUISM - Every other song is one with a puppet such as:
1) Share With Me – Silly Goose and Val give a humorous presentation of things you do and do not share.
2) Rufus the Reluctant Dragon - Rufus, a very shy dragon who is afraid of children learns to trust them.
3) Willie the Worm - a character from Val’s Award winning book “Springtime Dance” sings and informs children about the importance of earth worms.
4) Pink Flamingo Can Can - Four parent volunteers man the Pink Flamingo Marionettes for the Can-Can based upon Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld.
5) Cyleena, the Three –Toed Sloth – Cyleena, who channels Billie Holiday in her bluesie song, laments that she is the only three-toed sloth, or at least the only one she can see.
SPECIALTY SONGS:
1) This Grandma and Your Grandma - 2 or 3 Grandmothers from the audience join Val to dance and sing along with this Omage to Grandmoms.
2) Owl Moon - a beautiful song written by Bruce O’Brien that Val uses to teach sign language .
3) Runoff - A song that teaches the importance of using water carefully and not letting chemicals, trash and other detritus flow down to the bay with rain water.
4) Fall is Coming - All about animals and events in the Fall.
5) Reindeer Dance - Five 3-foot tall reindeer marionettes are operated by adults in the audience all to humorous lyrics written by Val to the Nutcracker Suite.
6) and more, including songs crafted specifically for YOUR company, family, or event.
ENDING SONGS
Hop Silly Goose - Val’s signature puppet, Silly Goose, leads an action song hopping, jumping,
nodding, and pecking on Val’s head, ending only when Silly Goose finally
goes to sleep.
Goodbye My Friends
ADULT PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
What Ever Lola Wants
All of Me
Fever
A Good Man is Hard to Find
Big Spender
You Gotta Have Skin
Other Jazz standards...
Influences & Inspiration
Shari Lewis (of course!), Martha Raye, Ella Fitzgerald, Carol Burnett, Oscar Peterson, Mr. Rogers, Sesame Street, Della Reese, Jay Leonhart, and Patti Page!
Setup Requirements
A stage with steps is preferable, but not required.
Water, please!
Similar Listings
John Pizzi
(5)
-
New York City, NY
-
Comedy Magician
-
3 Verified Bookings
Thomas B. said “Everyone enjoyed the show”
Steve Brogan & Company, Inc.
(0)
-
Charlotte, NC
-
Christian Comedian
Steve Brogan is a career Comedian/Ventriloquist/Speaker and a major success in his profession. A versatile entertainer, Steve has the unique ability to script his…
Mlanjeni Magical Theater
(99)
-
Philadelphia, PA
-
Storyteller
-
238 Verified Bookings
Sarah S. said “Mlanjeni Magical Theater always puts on a fantastic show. The kids are always engaged and laughing! He even had the parents laughing, too!”