Tunes for Tots

Seven musical events for kids that won’t make you claw your ears out.

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By: Lenore Moritz |   May 2010   |  From the print edition

Seven musical events for kids that won’t make you claw your ears out courtsy of super-blogger Mom Culture.

The Current’s Wonderground Radio and Rock the Cradle
Everyone wants to raise cool kids, but what are you actually doing about it? Let The Current help you. Stream their Wonderground Radio, which plays “non-commercial music for kids and their grown-ups.” Also, don’t miss Rock the Cradle, which happens annually at the MIA in January.

Cedar Cultural Center’s “Cedar Family Presents”
They recently presented Ralph’s World, a group The New York Times called “a rock ‘n’ roll headbanger for the kindergarten set.” Sign me up! The caliber of musician playing these family shows is always great. Check the site for upcoming shows.

Flint Hills International Children’s Festival
This is one of the coolest things I’ve done in the Twin Cities with my kids. It’s non-stop action for kids of all ages. There’s a wide range of music and other offerings, some ticketed but much of it free. A multi-cultural, multi-sensory experience not to be missed! This year’s festival is June 1-6 in St. Paul’s Rice Park and surrounding venues. ordway.org/festival

Minnesota Sinfonia
What a treasure! Minnesota Sinfonia’s mission is to break down barriers that keep people from live orchestral music (e.g. cost, location). These very accomplished musicians bring the music to the people free of charge and welcoming to children, leaving no room for excuses not to attend.

Local “Kid” Bands: Okee Dokee Brothers, Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Bunny Clogs, Clementown and Sweet Colleens
The “kid” music these groups put out is so great I fear I might want to listen to it long after my kids outgrow the tunes. From rock to bluegrass to hip-hop to cool and dance-y, it’s all a great time. People of these benevolent bands, listen up: From the bottom of our parental eardrums, we thank you.

MacPhail’s KidsFest
A mallet plus a marimba=fun! Kids love this annual event, which gives them free range (more or less) to try a wide variety of musical instruments. Usually in summer, date tba.

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Saturday-morning SPCO concerts are now free thanks to “Target Free Family Music.” There’s no better way to help your kids understand that classical music isn't just for fancy car commercials.