Take kids to music and theatre performances?

journaldelaware · #1 07-10-2008, 02:37 PM

Do any of you take your kids to live music, theatre and dance performances? Where did you begin, with local kid-friendly venues (like Delaware Children's Theatre, Del Symphony's Lollipops???) and then move on to regional performances in Phila (like Old World Cafe, Merriam, Walnut Street Theatre, etc.) or NYC (what about Broadway???)?

I am a Delaware-based journalist currently writing an article on how to make the most of live music, theatre and dance performances when taking children and am looking for a few families who are willing to share their experiences: what they've done to prepare their kids for the performances, how their children reacted to it, and if they've followed up with discussions and/or activities with their kids--that kind of thing. Thoughts?

Tracy · #2 07-10-2008, 11:38 PM

Not sure how much help I would be to you, but in the future, I plan to take my daughter to the children's opera at Opera Delaware

wendy · #3 07-11-2008, 05:57 AM

I used to take my kids to the local children's theaters and Three Little Bakers. We all enjoyed it but we grew out of it. I think the biggest problem was finding time to go when there were performances that we were interested in. I guess it also could have been attributed to lack of knowledge about what was going on and where. I do remember hearing about some events after the fact and being disappointed that we missed them.

__________________
W~

"The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists intact is to realize that two out of three ain't bad..." FOB

hockey · #4 07-13-2008, 06:04 PM

I've been to hundreds, maybe even thousands of concerts. I worked for a large music company and most of my concerts were freebies and such. I love live music. I'm also a fan of theatre.

I took my daughter to her first concert when she was 9.... she is/was tall for her age which is important at concerts where everyone stands. She loves music (almost) as much as me. We are a music family... we rarely watch TV beyond local sports and I was excited to teach my daughter the proper concert going techniques.

I like to think of myself as a "professional" concert go-er. (yeah, I know...lame but I did see the Grateful Dead 72 times so I think I qualify a little bit). I don't go to tailgate and get shit faced drunk then pass out in the middle of the second song. No way... I drink water and prepare for concerts like an endurance challenge, especially for these summer concerts.

I figured the best way to get my daughter into the scene would be a pair of reserved lawn seats to one of our favorite bands...DMB (like you couldn't have guessed). She did great and loved every second, she even knew every song. The only drawback was when a 20-something girl in a tank top stumbled towards us and falls just short of my daughter. She fell face first into the ground.... I grabbed my daughter and we ventured back to safer ground. (I wasn't sure if medics would be notified or if the rest of the nearby drunkards would utilize her body for a better view.)

A few songs later...my daughter leaned in and asked why that girl had died. I felt so bad and explained that the girl was fine...just drunk and over heated. A good first hand lesson in what NOT to do!

I've since taken Audrey to 2 Jack Johnson concerts, 4 DMB shows and she's gone with her cousins to various concerts like the Q102 a few months ago. She is now 13 and already knows what to do and what not to do. She has learned how to maneuver the crowd and she even wandered down to the front row long enough to see her favorite Q102 act's entire performance before heading back to her row N's. She successfully snuck in her camera and got awesome pics too

. (not easy in Camden)

As for theatre.... I've taken her to 3 Broadway shows (Wicked, Beauty & the Beast- freebies in the front row and Mama Mia - also front row dead center), The Blue Man Group in London, and The Reduced Shakespeare show here in Wilmington. We'll do Spamalot and Young Frankenstein soon.

I love taking kids (teens) to concerts... I want to teach them how to act...that screaming is for emergencies (like if you get stabbed) only. That you should listen, enjoy and put the bleeping cell phone away. I had four teens with me at one of the Camden DMB show this past June.... we had a blast, even while waiting for the ferry in the rain. My "kids" behaved a thousand times better than any of the college idiots there that night.

BTW- My sons first concert was Jack Johnson (he was 6) and he sang along with every song. It was hysterical.

We'll all be heading back for another Jack Johnson show Aug 7th.

Don't be afraid to take kids... just don't plan on getting drunk. It changes the experience as you become a huge example and protector. Plus, I'd rather have it that way for every show, any time!

Tracy · #5 07-14-2008, 12:04 AM

that is too cool dmb.....I'd like to take my daughter who's eight to a concert, I'm just waiting for the right one. I tell her all the time that she already went to her first one (I went to see REM when I was pregnant with her)

hockey · #6 07-14-2008, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeCurlyGirl

that is too cool dmb.....I'd like to take my daughter who's eight to a concert, I'm just waiting for the right one. I tell her all the time that she already went to her first one (I went to see REM when I was pregnant with her)

Oh...I didn't even think of all the concerts I went while I was pregnant. I know I saw tons that year b/c I was worried that I wouldn't be able to go any after she was born. I know I saw DMB at the Stone Balloon, The Grateful Dead...and a whole bunch more while I was preggos.... I'll have to go through my ticket drawer.

Take kids to music and theatre performances?

Family & Schools