Tips for Taking Your Kids to Shows
by Theresa Carpine3/25/2008 8:31:35 AM
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On the list of reasons why Bellingham is a great place to raise a family, I place exposure to the arts toward the top. Not only are there some great local programs that can get kids involved in theatre and music, as we’ll discover later this week, but there also are plenty of theatres, concert halls and other venues which showcase the performing arts in Bellingham, from classical ballet to local folk ensembles and more.
Bellingham is a town with lots of opportunities for kids to participate in the arts.
But before buying your tickets, here are some things to be prepared for when you start taking your kids to shows.
Age Appropriate
Obviously, you’re not going to be bringing your kids along to the Jazz Happy Hour at the Wild Buffalo or any of the other bars in town that have live music. But even looking for the term “all-ages” isn’t always helpful. When it comes to musical concerts, “all-ages” usually refers to venues where patrons don’t have to be 21. For example, the concerts at the Underground Coffeehouse are “all-ages,” but since the UC is on Western’s campus, it’s definitely a college-crowd. Maybe not the ideal setting for you and your preschooler. And there are plenty of cafes that have Open Mic nights, which everyone is welcome to attend, but since the content isn’t always screened, some of the poetry may be for adults only. One way to help determine if a show is family-friendly is by checking the start time; if it’s in the afternoon, it’s probably okay for kids. And while it’s important to judge the appropriateness of content and the location of an event, you also need to decide if your child is at an age where they can handle sitting quietly in a seat for at least an hour. Is this a realistic expectation for your child?
You Get What You Pay For
When you’re looking for family-friendly concerts and shows, look for activities that are free first. Are you prepared to spend over $20 for a ticket to a show when your child might not even make it past the opening act? When you test them out at a free show at the Whatcom Museum or the Bellingham Public Market, you have nothing to lose when you need to leave early if the kids start fussing after one or two songs. And since these settings are a little less formal, other patrons are likely to be more accommodating of crying kids than in a more structured setting, like the Mount Baker Theatre.
Outdoor concerts are great for introducing kids to the arts in our community.
Take It Outside
Another great opportunity to get kids excited about the performing arts is to take them to outdoor concerts, so they have plenty of space for exploring. During the summer, live music can be found in downtown Bellingham and on the Fairhaven Village Green.
How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? Practice!
Practice makes perfect. If you want your kids to be excited about attending concerts, you can help them know what to expect by having a "Family Concert Night" at home. Get everyone in the family to prepare something to perform. It can be playing a song on the piano, making up a dance, or telling a joke. You can also do duets, just as long as everyone in the family has their moment in the spotlight. While everyone performs, the kids can practice quiet and attentive listening. This will help kids see that if they expect others to listen respectfully during their performance, they need to be respectful too. Also, discuss what the concert will be like in advance and emphasize things they might look forward to, like loud music or colorful costumes.
Make trips to the theatre special activities that your family can enjoy together.
There are almost no hard and fast rules when it comes to parenting, and determining if your kids will be able to handle a night out at the theatre is no different. Luckily, no one knows your kids better than you do. You know what they’re ready for and you know how to get them excited. Don’t let them feel like sitting through a show is a form of punishment. Going to concerts as a family should be a positive experience, it’s something that they get to do! If you embrace that kind of excitement, your kids are more willing to cooperate and put on their best behavior every time you make plans to see a show.