BY JESSE SCOTT

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Parents can deny it all they want.

When Mr. Steve (Steve Roslonek) pops up on PBS' preschool programming block, the kids aren't the only ones singing along to his seemingly elementary yet infectiously complex tunes.

It's a complete family sing-a-long.

The lovable, award-winning children's musician will rock three different shows at Jammin Java in Vienna on Saturday. The shows are slated for 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and Roslonek will be accompanied by a full band.

"Parents sing along to all the words and do all the hand motions at our shows," said Roslonek in a phone interview from Connecticut. "When they really get into it, they are setting a great example for their kids. The kids can look at their parents as role models for learning and having fun."

Roslonek has become quite the institution in the children's entertainment realm over the last 15 years. Currently, he is the co-host for PBS KIDS' popular programming block that consists of "Curious George," "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood," "The Cat in the Hat Know That" and many other educational shows.

In between the PBS shows, Mr. Steve provides musical entertainment, typically armed with a red shirt and an acoustic guitar. From songs about shapes and colors to animal noise melodies, Mr. Steve knows exactly what it takes to get preschoolers moving and learning at the same time.

If you're looking for a fun day with your preschoolers, this is it. Take the youthful energy from Mr. Steve's televised segments and add a quirky and unique band, and you have the SteveSongs live experience.

"One of our band members does vocals, drums and bass all at the same time," said Roslonek. "You don't realize that the bass is actually coming from his voice until we point out the amazing things he's doing onstage."

The Jammin Java show is billed as a pre-release show for SteveSongs' latest album "Orangutan Van." Roslonek describes the band's first full-length CD in nearly six years as "cohesive and meaningful" with songs about Martin Luther King Jr. and superheroes.

"Orangutan Van" also features the creative concepts of two very special people in Roslonek's life.