Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra

One of Charlotte’s favorite holiday traditions is returning to City of Kannapolis “Celebration Of Lights” this holiday season.

The Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra is one of eleven sets of animatronic bear orchestras that were born of the concept and creation of Paul Lawrence, a long-time friend of current owners Todd and Jessica Alexander of Spintastic Sounds. “These bears were everything to Paul,” stated Todd Alexander, “I worked alongside him programming and perfecting the bears. All of the bears are named after jazz legends–Paul was a huge fan of jazz music and a drummer himself–and made me work to get the Gene Krupa drummer bear to be perfectly on beat.”

A lot of work, and a lot of love, has gone into preparing the Christmas Bears for the holiday season. Before their hiatus that began in 2020 due to Covid, the Christmas Bears were a Greater Charlotte holiday tradition. As a result, many area families have grown up watching the bears perform over the holidays. “My favorite part of the holiday season is watching the children’s faces light up when the bears start to sing and play–those smiles filled with wonder are the tradition that Todd and I want to continue,” says Jessica Alexander. 

Both Todd and Jessica Alexander of Spintastic Sounds have been caretakers of the bears for the past ten years after Mr. Lawrence’s retirement. Since the sad news of his passing this year, the bears have become a legacy to a man whose greatest joy was spreading the warmth and love of the holiday season through the music of his Christmas Bears.

The Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra comprises 18 animatronic bears who sing and play instruments for a 45-minute program. The bears banter back and forth between songs, including 36 traditional Christmas favorites, melodic instrumentals, and Hanukkah music. The Chuckles Quartet, starring Chuckles, Grizzly Gus, Blu, and Honey, is a lively band that plays a 35-minute program of Christmas favorites with a more fast-paced and upbeat groove.

For more information please contact us and we will be happy to discuss the possibilities of "Tha Bears" for your next Holiday Tradition.