Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix was born out of a chance meeting of Dick and Mike Mendyke at a Malibu coffee shop. "I can't think of a better example of being in the right place at the right time," says Mendyke. "When you get an opportunity like this, you have to grab it with both hands."

The group started "just for fun," gathering weekly for pizza and singing around Dick's piano, and soon built up an impressive repertoire of children's songs and standards. The two others in the group are Bryan Chadima and Eric Bradley.

After their first casual performance during the wrap party for Dick's mystery TV series Diagnosis Murder, the group began to get requests to appear at charity events and benefits. They have performed at the City of Hope Hospital, the Beverly Hilton for the Society of Singers Concert honoring Dame Julie Andrews; the Hollywood Bowl as part of an evening of TV theme songs; the D23 Expo; the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament, and at the awarding of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Rose Marie.

They have also had several television appearances which included the TV Land Awards, Larry King Live, and The Bonnie Hunt Show, as well as a performance of the National Anthem for the NBA Playoffs and others.

One of the group’s highlight performances was for President and Mrs. Obama at a televised Ford’s Theatre Fourth of July event.

The Vantastix

The group continues to perform at benefits and children's events, and has a children's album of all new recordings of some of their favorite children's songs and standards.  

Dick’s wife, Arlene, also joins the group from time to time on a couple of numbers!

Singing the National Anthem for the LA Lakers