Here are some things you might not know about the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your NEIGH-bor-HOOD!

Actually, here are some things you might not know about the people in the most famous neighborhood in the world - that would be Sesame Street.

- Once upon a time, Oscar the Grouch was orange and actually fell in love - with the Wicked Witch of the West, of course.

- Mr. Snuffleupagus used to be Big Bird's imaginary friend. Only Big Bird and a few other characters could see him. Adults always heard about him but never actually saw him until the mid 1980s. His first name is Aloysius, by the way.

- Elmo was, once upon a time, just a background character. He didn't become a featured character until Season 12 and is now one of the more popular Sesame Street characters. He even testified before Congress in 2002, asking for more funding for music programs.

- The name of the street references the "Arabian Nights" phrase "Open, Sesame!" Writers thought it gave the show an adventurous, magical kind of feel.

- The popular children's series will turn 48 this fall.

- Carroll Spinney has performed the role of Big Bird since the beginning of the show. He wears a harness with a video monitor inside the costume so he can see what's going on around him.

- Bert has an identical twin brother named Bart.

- Ernie's Rubber Duckie song made it to No. 16 on the Billboard Top Singles chart in 1970.

You also might not know that Sesame Street Live is headed to town. It will be at Kay Yeager Coliseum for two shows March 29, at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The show, called "Elmo Makes Music," finds Jenny, an enthusiastic new music teacher, arriving on Sesame Street only to discover her instruments are missing. Jenny's new Muppet friends come to the rescue and learn about instruments they didn't know could be instruments, such as rubber duckies, trash can lids and cookie jars.

Like all Sesame Street shows, this one aims to teach children some valuable lessons, which this time is about patience, acceptance and teamwork, though, of course, they'll also be entertained with plenty of high-tech scenes and music, such as "The Hustle," "You Should Be Dancing" and "Rockin' Robin."

Nearly two dozen songs are featured in the show.


What: Sesame Street Live, "Elmo Makes Music"

Where: Kay Yeager Coliseum, 1000 Fifth St.

When: 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. March 29

Tickets: $20 and $25. A limited number of $35 Gold Circle Seats and $55 Sunny Seats are available. Prices include a facility fee of $3. Additional fees may apply. The Sunny Seats package features premium show seating and a preshow meet-and-greet with two Sesame Street Live characters, including Elmo.

Information: or 716-5555, or go to

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