This mall is a zoo

The hairiest, smelliest barn animals are typically included in a petting zoo, but on Sunday, the Americana at Brand will host a more brassy, stringy zoo of instruments to pet instead.

The Pasadena Symphony Assn.’s Musical Circus for children ages 3 to 8 is a free event and a symphony tradition that brings kid-friendly classical music to families.

The Musical Circus is presented one week before the symphony’s classical music concert performance at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. In the past, the Musical Circus was held at the auditorium, and this is the first year it will take place outdoors at the Americana, officials said.

The idea originated when officials with the Americana and Pasadena Symphony Assn. decided to join together and bring more family events to the Americana, said Jennifer Gordon, senior vice president of events and public relations for Caruso Affiliated.

“We always, as a company, try to embrace the community,” Gordon said. “Pasadena Symphony is such an important part of the community and area. We’re very family oriented, so I thought it would be a great fit for both of us.” Each month, the Musical Circus event is tied to the symphony’s classical concerts, said Clay Campbell, director of education and community engagement for the symphony.

“It’s a fun and easy way for parents and children to understand music,” Campbell said. “I’ve had a lot of people at these events ask me, ‘Where can I get lessons for my child?’ Or, ‘How old does my child need to be before he can start [learning an instrument]?’”

Campbell often helps parents take the next step to teaching their children music by connecting families with local music teachers.

“I love anything that brings classical music education to as wide an audience as possible,” he said.

“We’re about creating accessibility to provide a great music experience to people, no matter where they are in their life. Having these type of events is an important part of that process.”

The first Musical Circus will feature Richard Perlmutter, the creator and performer of Beethoven’s Wig, a children’s music series.

The event, themed “Mozart’s Effect,” will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and includes an instrument petting zoo and performance by Perlmutter.

Perlmutter’s solo performance will feature silly lyrics to the greatest hits of classical music. Funny takes on classical music is something he knows plenty about as a Grammy nominee for his work in Beethoven’s Wig, a troupe of classical performers that travels the country playing with symphonies and on their own.

“The thing that is really cool about it is a lot of people think that when they go to a classical music concert it’s going to be stuffy, but since we add lyrics to the music, there’s a lot of energy," Perlmutter said.