We live in San Diego and many of the cities and communities around here have summer concert series in local parks. We have attended random ones in the past with our playgroup when the kids were younger and we'd all dance and sing and have picnic dinners together. Summer before last, we all followed one particular local band around all summer long. 
Last year, we only made it to two concerts I think, one of which was that same band.
This summer, I looked up all the various concert series online and decided we (DH & I) needed to begin exposing our DD (age 9 now) to a variety of music. I don't actually care if she "enjoys" it or "likes" it, that isn't a very realistic goal IMO. But, I do want to expose her to a greater variety of music styles and I personally always enjoy live music more than the radio/CDs/etc. I pretty much have us booked for one free concert every single week starting three weeks ago up through the end of September. We bring a meal to the ones that occur during our usual mealtimes and we bring books to read when it is just going to be our family. We hit the library the day before or make it a fun event by visiting a new library in the same area as the concert. She is a complete bookworm and really LOVES libraries!
To kick off this adventure, we attended the first concert right here in our community and walked there. Lots of school friends and Girl Scout friends were there and it is a fundraiser for the local Catholic church, so we purchased locally made Filipino food (from friends of DD's) for dinner and game tickets. She got to run around with her friends playing games while us grown-ups ate more leisurely and danced to the band we really love.
The next weekend we went to the beach in Coronado, then attended a panel discussion on the fishing industry (DH & I paid attention; DD read a book quietly) and picked up dinner on the walk to the park for a local jazz band. We read our books after we ate our dinner.
Last week we visited Balboa Park and enjoyed classical music being played on the largest outdoor organ in the Americas. It used to be largest in the world, but now there is a bigger one outside a castle in Austria that can be heard for five miles! Then, we walked through the international cottages donating a dollar here and there and tasting international foods and drinks while admiring each country's decor.
In all cases, DD was far more interested in the "other" activity rather than the actual music. We've invited friends to each event, but this is a busy time of year and no one has been able to join us the last two weekends. I am curious what will happen when there isn't another activity as part of the experience. Would you just keep up the music exposure regardless OR would you work harder to find something else to do each day we attend the concerts?
It was easier when she was younger for several reasons. Friends were less busy and we'd always meet people there, so she had a friend to play with and dance with. She was easier to entertain then. Just being outdoors was fun, KWIM? My goal this summer is variety and certain people are resisting this idea (grandpa and certain friends who otherwise love outdoor music). Honestly, this attitude is making me want to dig in my heels and keep it up regardless of anything else.
If you have any stories to share ...regarding outdoor concerts and/or exposure to variety and/or going against "popular" opinion..., I'd love to hear them! I could use a pep talk that this is a good idea and/or some support.
Thanks!
Last year, we only made it to two concerts I think, one of which was that same band.This summer, I looked up all the various concert series online and decided we (DH & I) needed to begin exposing our DD (age 9 now) to a variety of music. I don't actually care if she "enjoys" it or "likes" it, that isn't a very realistic goal IMO. But, I do want to expose her to a greater variety of music styles and I personally always enjoy live music more than the radio/CDs/etc. I pretty much have us booked for one free concert every single week starting three weeks ago up through the end of September. We bring a meal to the ones that occur during our usual mealtimes and we bring books to read when it is just going to be our family. We hit the library the day before or make it a fun event by visiting a new library in the same area as the concert. She is a complete bookworm and really LOVES libraries!
To kick off this adventure, we attended the first concert right here in our community and walked there. Lots of school friends and Girl Scout friends were there and it is a fundraiser for the local Catholic church, so we purchased locally made Filipino food (from friends of DD's) for dinner and game tickets. She got to run around with her friends playing games while us grown-ups ate more leisurely and danced to the band we really love.
The next weekend we went to the beach in Coronado, then attended a panel discussion on the fishing industry (DH & I paid attention; DD read a book quietly) and picked up dinner on the walk to the park for a local jazz band. We read our books after we ate our dinner.
Last week we visited Balboa Park and enjoyed classical music being played on the largest outdoor organ in the Americas. It used to be largest in the world, but now there is a bigger one outside a castle in Austria that can be heard for five miles! Then, we walked through the international cottages donating a dollar here and there and tasting international foods and drinks while admiring each country's decor.
In all cases, DD was far more interested in the "other" activity rather than the actual music. We've invited friends to each event, but this is a busy time of year and no one has been able to join us the last two weekends. I am curious what will happen when there isn't another activity as part of the experience. Would you just keep up the music exposure regardless OR would you work harder to find something else to do each day we attend the concerts?
It was easier when she was younger for several reasons. Friends were less busy and we'd always meet people there, so she had a friend to play with and dance with. She was easier to entertain then. Just being outdoors was fun, KWIM? My goal this summer is variety and certain people are resisting this idea (grandpa and certain friends who otherwise love outdoor music). Honestly, this attitude is making me want to dig in my heels and keep it up regardless of anything else.
If you have any stories to share ...regarding outdoor concerts and/or exposure to variety and/or going against "popular" opinion..., I'd love to hear them! I could use a pep talk that this is a good idea and/or some support.
Thanks!
