Local singer-songwriter Tom Irwin will be performing “Songs for All Ages – A Sensory-Friendly Event” at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, in the UIS Studio Theatre and will be joined by Amy Battles on vocals.
The performance is designed for individuals with sensory needs. With a relaxed environment — featuring no sudden lighting changes or loud noises — audiences of all ages are welcome to enjoy and engage at their own pace.
Irwin, who was voted “best songwriter” by Illinois Times readers in the 2026 Best of Springfield, has been taking experiences, turning them into songs, and giving those songs life through performances and recordings for more than 40 years.
Irwin’s most recent album is One for the Kiddos, and the audience will hear and join in on tunes from that kid-friendly album as well as other songs from his broad repertoire.
“Several of the songs on One for the Kiddos were written for my eldest son, Owen Irwin, when he was a toddler back in the early ’90s,” said Irwin, noting that Owen played electric guitar on the recording. “So I like to say these songs were tested on real children.”
Irwin said the performance will include a wide range of music styles.
“I rewrote the words to “Diggin in the Dirt,” a popular song of mine since the mid-’90s, to be a gardening song. There will be dance tunes, singalongs, ones we can make up the words for and quiet songs like the lullaby Amy and I wrote called “Baby Goodnight.”
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In this relaxed performance, audience members can stand up, walk around and dance, vocalize and come and go as needed. During the performance a quiet room and an active room will be available to all audience members as needed.
“I’ve been playing children’s shows most of my career — doing libraries, schools, church parties and the like — plus entertaining my own kids with songs and, as a songwriter, just making some up. Younger folks are generally so open and engaging; they just do what they want and seem freer to sing along or dance or just say funny things,” Irwin said. “It always makes for a different experience each time. The sensory-friendly atmosphere allows for us to be in the moment, but also be mindful of responses and interactions.”
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance through the UIS Performing Arts Center website.
