By Bill Kaufman
STAFF WRITER
When Fran Capo talks at warp speed, her message to children at Long Island schools is still eminently clear: "Turn up the music, turn down the drugs. "That's the motto of "Skoolapalooza," an anti-drug show that is touring Nassau and Suffolk schools.
Stars of the 30-minute production are Ten Feet Deep, a rock band made up of teenagers, and Capo, a veteran stand-up comic, actor and motivational speaker. Capo's manner of speaking at chosen moments is unique, since she's been dubbed everything from "Motor Mouth" to "Fast-Talking Fran, Extraordinaire." Capo
is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest-talking female. It reports that she has been clocked at 603.32 understandable words per minute. Capo's speedy syntax is a tool to persuade students to stay away from substance abuse. She emcees the band and uses her motivational speaking techniques to
captivate the audience, which also participates. For example, during three separate performances at Sachem North High School
in Lake Ronkonkoma, after a brief normally paced discussion dealing with the hazards of substance abuse and tobacco risks, she wandered into the audience and selected a few children.They were challenged to repeat "Turn up the music, turn down the drugs" three times as rapidly as possible. As always, the flubbing students received gales of laughter while Capo then demonstrated the slogan withrapid-fireunderstandability.Iftimepermits,aquestion-and-
answer session is also on the program. "Hopefully the memory trick will stay with the kids as a reminder about what
we're trying to achieve," said Capo, who lives in Howard Beach, Queens. Capo has been on more than 250 television programs, including "Good Morning America" and "Larry King Live." She also plays nightclubs and had a cameo role in Spike Lee's film, "Lonely in America." The musicians compare themselves to groups that appeal to young fans such as Counting Crows and the Dave Matthews Band. "We sincerely do believe in the message," said Michael Leff, 18, the band's percussionist. Asked what inspired the name Ten Feet Deep, Leff, of Bedford, chuckled and said it came about because the band's first gig together was performed from the bottom of an empty swimming pool at someone's house. Leff added that the youthful musicians, who all live in Westchester County, write and rehearse in the basement of his home.
"Skoolapalooza" was put together by Ken Franklin of Manhattan, who runs RadioActive Talent Inc., a Manhattan booking and management firm. "It originated as a dream I had to use music as a means to reach kids to convey important messages regarding destructive decisions they might make," explained Franklin. A former radio personality in Texas and onetime music director
of the now-defunct Radio Free New York 105.9/FM, an alternative music station, Franklin grew up in Lawrence and graduated from C.W. Campus of Long Island University. "Since music helped me find myself and the direction I wanted to go in my career," added Franklin, "I felt that kids would be more apt to also get the
lesson, and hear the message: You don't have to take a wrong turn in life."After he booked the show at his alma mater, Lawrence High School, Franklin received a letter from Steven Kussin, its principal, saying in part, "It was great having an alumnus return to sponsor an event that sent out a great message with its anti-drug, pro-music campaign." Franklin noted that the five Long Island high schools booking the show during its current tour are receiving a bonus; it's free to them.He said the corporate client who had promised to sponsor the Long Island tour backed out at the last moment, but "I wanted to fulfill my commitment to the
schools." His firm is covering the cost of the tour. During the summer,Franklin said, the show is booked by various children's camps.Chris Henaghan, a special education teacher at Sachem North High School whocoordinated the production's visit there, said it was "a really big hoot for the kids." He said the anti-drug message was "cleverly placed into the contextof a fun time for them." The message and the music worked well together, some students said. "I thinkthe music was awesome," said Joanna Selock, 17, a senior. "I think what some of the band said about drugs made made sense." Brian Smith, 18, a senior, thought speed-talker Capo was "cool." He added the lead singer "said some important things about how drugs can ruin your life."
Smith noted that he performs in a band named Masonic (which has nothing to do with the fraternal organization) with five buddies and he envied the visitors. "We're struggling to get ahead," he said.
More information on "Skoolapalooza" is posted on its Web site, www.radiotv.com.Copyright (c) Newsday, Inc.