Luke's Entertainment
Storytelling: Pepito & The Trash Cans
Giant Bubble Wand
Unicorn Face Painting
Homemade Ukulele
Shanita the homemade cello
A really big pan flute
The Bottlephone
Music with upcycled materials
Creative musical experience
Homemade Instruments
Music for kids
Educational Entertainment
Musical Storytelling
Pepito & The Trash Cans
Flip Flop's Homemade Ukulele
Anything your kid can think of
Dalmatian
Balloons Included
By request, a brown and green dinosaur
Butterfly
Unicorn
Ladybugs and butterflies
Giant Bubble Wand
Overview
- BILINGUAL MUSICAL STORYTELLING! Pepito & The Trash Cans is a story about a kid who learns to make music with upcycled materials. Luke plays an array of homemade instruments throughout the story.
- CONCERTS! Luke's original songs and/or instrumental 432 hz music all played on homemade instruments.
- STORYTELLING! short stories from the book Johnny's Little Adventures, told in a dynamic storytelling fashion that keeps the kids engaged.
- FACE PAINTING, making it a fun and exciting experience for each child. Ready to paint whatever those creative minds come up with. Balloon twisting included.
OTHER OPTIONS:
Balloon animals
Giant bubbles
Glitter tattoos
Fairy hair
Reviews
20 reviews
Denisse H.
June 2, 2023Loved by children of all ages!
Our school just hosted a small event where we had Luke come in and speak to our friends about stage fright and how to over come it. The songs were original and very catchy. All our friends loved having Mr. Luke come sing and show off his handmade instruments. We cannot wait to have Mr. Luke come back to our school to perform.
Hired as: Children’s Music, Educational Entertainment, One Man Band
Luke's Entertainment
It was an honor to tell my story of stage fright and play a few of my songs. The cards the kids gave me at the end were so sweet. Can't wait to go back. Thank you!
Molly S.
May 21, 2023Awesome entertainment!
We were so happy with the entertainment at our party! Luke Is multi-talented everything from ukulele to face painting and it was just perfect for our children's party. He hven accompanied happy birthday with the ukulele. Highly recommend his talents to anyone-- He would be great at all different types of functions!
Hired as: Children’s Party Entertainment, Face Painter
Luke's Entertainment
Thank you Molly. I think the giant bubbles were a hit. It was pleasure to participate in the festivities.
Alice D.
February 28, 2023SO much fun!
The kids had a great time. Wonderful addition for our multicultural day!! Incorporated props, song, and Spanish!
Hired as: Educational Entertainment
Luke's Entertainment
The kids were great and I always love the chance to tell stories and show off some Bolivian culture. Thank you!
Rishi K.
September 8, 2025Truly excellent
I would highly recommend Luke for any party. Total pro, everyone was very happy.
Hired as: Face Painter
Natalie K.
August 1, 2025Luke was awesome!
Luke was fun and engaging, would hire him again. He seems like he has musical talent running through his veins! Would definitely hire him for another event!
Hired as: Balloon Twister
Booking information
Price range: $100 and up
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Commercial General Liability
What to expect
- Reliable and timely, I arrive early and will be set up with time to spare.
- Rain or shine.
- Flexible, able to adapt to different environments and needs.
- Cheerful, radiating love and joy is part of my service.
About
Luke Vandergriff is a genre-bending storyteller, musician, and visual artist who transforms everyday objects into instruments and turns stages into playgrounds of rhythm and imagination. Drawing from his 15 years living in Bolivia and travels to 18 countries, Luke crafts performances that weave wild true stories with soulful songs, spoken word poetry, and a captivating array of homemade instruments—built from bottles, cans, and upcycled furniture.
Whether he's looping a groove on a kitty litter jug, pulling haunting tones from PVC flutes, or sharing a tale of resilience in the face of hardship, Luke’s shows are immersive, heart-opening, and unforgettable. His work celebrates play, passion, and purpose—inviting audiences of all ages to find music in the mess and meaning in the moment.
Luke has performed for audiences ranging from Sudanese refugees in Egypt to children in wildfire-devastated Bolivian towns, and his shows are as moving in a theater as they are electric on a festival stage.
Additional booking notes
FACE PAINTING/BALLOONS
We bring our own table and chairs unless otherwise specified.
We can bring a canopy/tent if needed.
If the gig is at night, lighting is helpful.
Pepito & The Trash Cans (Musical Storytelling)
10 ft by 10 ft area to set up instruments.
1 hour set up time and 30 tear down time.
An electrical outlet is appreciated but not necessary, we have batteries.
We have speakers, microphones & everything necessary for the performance whether inside or outside.
We can bring a canopy/tent if needed.
Help to transport equipment is greatly appreciated.
Johny's Little Adventures (Storytelling)
No particular technical requirements.
Services offered
Upcoming booked events
December 2025
07
Sunday
Children’s Birthday Party
1:30pm - 2:30pm
•
Chapel Hill, NC
Past booked events
October 2025
24
Friday
Halloween Party
5:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Cary, NC
September 2025
07
Sunday
Children’s Birthday Party
11:00am - 12:30pm
•
Carrboro, NC
July 2025
12
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
11:00am - 12:30pm
•
Durham, NC
10
Thursday
Festival
10:00am - 11:00am
•
Cary, NC
June 2025
20
Friday
Nonprofit Event
6:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Mebane, NC
May 2025
03
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
11:30am - 12:30pm
•
Apex, NC
March 2025
15
Saturday
Festival
10:30am - 11:15am
•
Emerald Isle, NC
January 2025
21
Tuesday
Retirement Community Event
12:30pm - 1:00pm
•
Raleigh, NC
October 2024
12
Saturday
Corporate Event
11:30am - 3:30pm
•
Moncure, NC
August 2024
25
Sunday
Children’s Birthday Party
10:00am - 11:30am
•
Rougemont, NC
02
Friday
Corporate Event
10:30am - 1:30pm
•
Henderson, NC
June 2024
27
Thursday
School Assembly
10:00am - 11:30am
•
Raleigh, NC
21
Friday
Nonprofit Event
6:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Mebane, NC
02
Sunday
Children’s Birthday Party
11:30am - 12:30pm
•
Durham, NC
April 2024
26
Friday
Corporate Event
5:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Raleigh, NC
07
Sunday
Festival
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Apex, NC
06
Saturday
Grand Opening
10:00am - 2:00pm
•
Garner, NC
March 2024
03
Sunday
Children’s Birthday Party
11:00am - 11:45am
•
Cary, NC
February 2024
17
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
4:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Raleigh, NC
December 2023
16
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
11:30am - 12:30pm
•
Zebulon, NC
November 2023
02
Thursday
Pepito and The Trash Cans
11:00am - 12:00pm
October 2023
30
Monday
Halloween Party
12:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Durham, NC
27
Friday
Corporate Event
4:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Raleigh, NC
September 2023
23
Saturday
Festa Italiana
11:00am - 7:00pm
August 2023
27
Sunday
Children’s Birthday Party
3:00pm - 4:30pm
•
Raleigh, NC
05
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
11:30am - 1:00pm
•
Cary, NC
July 2023
27
Thursday
Campus Event
7:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Durham, NC
June 2023
30
Friday
Children’s Birthday Party
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Chapel Hill, NC
03
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Durham, NC
03
Saturday
Festival
1:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Wilson, NC
02
Friday
School Assembly
10:00am - 11:30am
•
Raleigh, NC
May 2023
27
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Durham, NC
20
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
12:00pm - 1:30pm
•
Raleigh, NC
06
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
3:00pm - 4:30pm
•
Raleigh, NC
April 2023
29
Saturday
Festival
2:00pm - 4:00pm
22
Saturday
Festival
11:00am - 2:00pm
21
Friday
Nonprofit Event
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Rolesville, NC
01
Saturday
Birthday Party
3:30pm - 5:00pm
01
Saturday
Festival
11:00am - 2:00pm
March 2023
25
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
3:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Burlington, NC
February 2023
25
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
6:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Apex, NC
25
Saturday
Campus Event
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Raleigh, NC
17
Friday
Children’s Birthday Party
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
New Hill, NC
05
Sunday
Birthday Party
4:30pm - 5:30pm
January 2023
21
Saturday
NC State
3:00pm - 5:30pm
14
Saturday
PNC Arena
5:00pm - 8:00pm
14
Saturday
The Melody Maker
4:30am - 8:30am
December 1970
31
Wednesday
Pepito and The Trash Cans
7:00pm - 7:00pm
Set list
Lovers of Leaving by Luke Vandergriff
The Beauty of Life by Luke Vandergriff
Dandelion Seeds by Luke Vandergriff
Under the Wonder by Luke Vandergriff
Make Me Come Alive by Luke Vandergriff
Awake In You by Luke Vandergriff
Got This Melody by Luke Vandergriff
Keep Your Head Up by Luke Vandergriff
One Man's Trash by Luke Vandergriff
Bottles Only by Luke Vandergriff
Peace Love & Joy by Luke Vandergriff
Straightjacket Embrace by Luke Vandergriff
Instrumental Improve
Influences and inspiration
Stomp
Bob Marley
Joel Mckerrow
Mike Love
Songs of Water
Setup requirements
Outlet