Taking tots to shows

[Heffernhyphen]

When he was just a little guy, ds joined us for his first, and probably last, Dave Brubeck (jazz piano) concert. More recently, we rounded his musical exposure with a Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson show. Since all these guys are in their 70s or 80s, time was of the essence.

The crowd at Brubeck were a little apprehensive about sharing the venue with a potential crybaby, but they were surely impressed by his perfect jazz manners. As for the Dylan crowd, they were tickled to see a little fan in their midst.

Anybody else taking their little ones out to experience live music?

[FeministFatale]

We've brought both of our girls to shows, punk shows and indie rock. Actually we just brought our baby (who is now 9 mo.) to a Sleater-Kinney show last month, it was her first. And in a week we are going to see LeTigre. The people at the show always think it's really cool. They always smile at us and the girls and comment on how cute they are and how great it is that we bring them to shows. They, of course, both have ear plugs during the show. And this time I'm going to invest in some headphones for them both since we always end up losing the ear plugs and having to buy more.

[Doodlebugsmom]

We recently took the kids to see Dave Matthews, who dd just loves, so how could we not take her? We took her to see Radiohead when she was about 18 months. We're all going to see Coldplay next month. Dd is now begging to see her new favorite, The Pixies.

[MamaBug]

We don't really go to concerts but I would love to let ds's go with dh to see some of his favorite rock bands. At what age do you need a ticket for a child, or does it not matter they all need one?

[quelindo]

I'd love to take my baby to see shows (when he comes out and isn't so little anymore, of course) but where I live you can smoke in pretty much every venue. I wouldn't subject my kids to that.

And I LOVE Sleater-Kinney, by the way. I wish my parents had been cool enough to take me to see bands. I had to figure it out on my own!

[marieangela]

We've taken our ds to outdoor shows. Don't want to deal with smoke or music being too loud at indoor venues. The only acception that I might make would be if Jack Johnson came to town. Ds really loves him. We missed Dave Brubeck (whom ds also likes), but got to see Sonny Rollins (free! and outdoors) when ds was just a wee one.

[Doodlebugsmom]

Yes, we only go to outdoor shows because of the smoke and also the noise. We always use ear protection though. The amphitheatre where we see most of the shows has a gated area for families on the lawn. There is no smoking or drinking allowed in there. We've not had to buy tickets for the kids yet.

[momto l&a]

OHHHHH I am jealous about hearing Dave Brubeck in person. I have heard records of his music. My mom I am sure has heard him as her first husband was a jazz muscian and his father.

My mom always belived in me hearing music and widening my horizens so she took me to concerts from the time I was a very young child.

I soooooo very much enjoyed that memories of hearing all that wonderful music.

I do wish they still did comunity concerts in our area so I could take my children.

[mermommy]

We don't take DD ( 2 ) to shows yet - becuase she doesn't have the tolerance for standing/ sitting ( or even dancing) in one area for a while and tends to express herself with loud outburts and headbanging. When she's a little older and more interested then we'll take her.

[Fiercemama]

Yes, we take our 3+ yo to live concerts. That is our preferred form of entertainment, and especially now that all the summer festivals are happening, its easy to get some music in. As long as you go with a relaxed attitude, ready to change your plans and leave if its not working out, its great.

We took her to see Bobby McFerrin at a concert hall. She was so-so about it, but napped and nursed quietly through a lot of the show. We got to see the whole thing. Also saw Bela Fleck with Jean Luc Ponty at a jazz festival. Unfortunately there was a so-so opener and they came on so late that we kinda lost DD and only stayed for about 4 songs of the headliners. But you never saw a kid so excited to go to a jazz festival - she was talking about it all day long at daycare!!! It was a ticketed concert in a tent, but there is a good space outside for free where we could hear, sorta see and DD and some family friends could run around, splash in a fountain and dance.

[FeministFatale]

I guess it's different in different states, but in CA there is no smoking in clubs, bars, and restaurants so we don't have to deal with the clubs being smoky.

My girls haven't ever needed a ticket, they always get in free.

My dad would bring my brother and I to shows as kids. I went to see Boingo when I was under a year old, I also saw David Bowie and the B-52s.

[bobica]

we've taken dd to outdoor stuff & to an indoor Dan Zanes & Friends show. She seemed kinda confused at the DZ show- i think she had a tough time connecting the music she knows with the people on stage : we definitely plan on trying more!

[Heffernhyphen]

Originally Posted by momto l&a

OHHHHH I am jealous about hearing Dave Brubeck in person. I have heard records of his music. My mom I am sure has heard him as her first husband was a jazz muscian and his father.

My husband will smile when I tell him you drooled over his hero. The man is pretty amazing. He's like 1000 and still totally grooves. (okay, maybe 89?) Anyhoo, we drove 10 hours to see the show, got all dressed up, even ds, who was about one at the time and got to the theater. The usher took my ticket, looked at the other usher and said, "Do we let children in?" I said, "Yes, you do."