When Eric Krupkin was in school, one loudspeaker announcement would make him happy. 

“There’s going to be an assembly today.” 

To young Eric, that meant “it was going to be a big deal, and it would be entertainment. It was going to be exciting.” 

Out of college, he found jobs as a “mad scientist” for a kids’ entertainment group and with the former Zany Brainy toy store. When Zany Brainy closed its doors, he realized it was time to launch his own venture. Today, as Eric Energy, the Maryland-based Krupkin is the one who brings surprise, awe, and delight to assemblies and parties, and Voyage Baltimore recently named him one of Baltimore’s “Most Inspiring Stories.” 

For The Library, Eric Energy kicked off the Summer Reading Challenge entertainment series by creating weather phenomena, from fog rings to floating clouds, right before the eyes of dazzled children (and adults, too, judging by the rave reviews). 

What do libraries mean to the kids you entertain and educate? 

I admire libraries for reflecting the technology of the day and really promoting that aspect. You still have the throwback of reading a book, but you can also have a venue for interactive performances. And in my business, if I’ve got a long layover, the first place I go to is a local library because they always have free wi-fi and comfortable seats for me to enjoy. 

What are you reading? 

I like to read music biographies. I recently read the Lenny Kravitz memoir, Let Love Rule. I also have read Dave Grohl’s recent book, The Storyteller. I really enjoyed Ready Player One, the sci-fi book. 

Why do you read music biographies? 

It’s fascinating to me how someone gets to that level and is able to share their talents with the world. I’m a big concert fan. I have seen Lenny Kravitz live. I have seen the Foo Fighters a number of times. My boys are big rock stars. One is a freshman in high school, and he’s a guitarist and singer. The other is in middle school, and he’s a drummer. They’re in a rock band called The MVPs. They play about 12 times a year, through SoundCheck Rock Academy. 

Do you try to pass on lessons learned from the bios to your boys? 

Always, but my wife says, “You’ve got to be quiet. If you’re into it too much, they won’t be.”