One of the most exciting parts of being a parent is to imagine the possibilities. Could you have the next Truman Capote, Jackson Pollock or Beyoncé on your hands? That may be a bit of a stretch, but the good news is that there are many ways to expose your children to arts programming, making it easy to foster their lifelong love of the arts. There aren’t any guarantees that you’ll end up with a New York Times best-selling author or the queen of show business, but you can be sure that you and your kids—from infants to teens—will have a little fun along the way.
MUSIC
Free Indoor Concerts at the Edinborough Park Amphitheater
The free concerts at Centennial Lakes Park have moved indoors for the winter, and from September through May, that means you can bring the family to the Edinborough Park Amphitheater to listen to Twin Cities-based bands playing jazz, big band and more. The Thursday concerts at noon are aimed at young children, but don’t rule out Sunday performances at 7 p.m. Your children are bound to enjoy the shenanigans of a 45-minute concert from Edina’s own 45-piece First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, which plays once a month in the concert series. Conductor Scott Crosbie describes it as more of a show than your typical band concert, with a peanut man throwing out bags of peanuts to the audience, constables dressed in London bobby uniforms, turn of the century costume and paper airplanes. Music ranges from popular marches to circus numbers. Seating is first come, first served. (All ages)
Target Free Family Concerts at Orchestra Hall
Next season, the Minnesota Orchestra marks its 100th year of offering Young People’s Concerts. In 2006, it launched Target Free Family concerts, offering varied programs designed to introduce young listeners to the wonder of symphonic music. “By removing all potential price barriers to these concerts, Target has provided a remarkable opportunity for our orchestra to reach out to new audiences,” says Minnesota Orchestra President and CEO Michael Henson. So while it might take a bit more effort to pack up the family and head downtown, seeing your child’s face light up in response to a concerto for violin and tabla (Indian hand drums) or a classical ballet score, in a world class listening environment, is well worth the trip. Tickets for the concerts are issued through a random drawing. To find details about the 2011–2012 season and enter yourself in the ticket lottery, visit minnesotaorchestra.org/target. (All ages)
DANCE/THEATER
Hip Hop Dance Classes at DanceXchange
Little dancers can start as early as 18 months of age at DanceXchange, but because of the technical skill required, the studio had been offering hip hop instruction only to kids ages 6+. When studio owner Karla Palmersheim realized how much interest parents had in hip hop dance for younger kids, however, she was prompted to add classes for 4–6 year olds, and the response was overwhelming.
In addition to hip hop, the studio offers dance at recreational and competitive level classes in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, kickline and combos like ballet/tap. All dancers participate in one or more recitals at the end of the school year. Tots can begin with the creative movement class, for ages 18 months to three years, in which they start learning ballet basics by the end of the school year.
Though some classes may be full, it’s not too late to sign up for this season. The studio accepts late joiners until the end of October and if there’s a long enough waiting list, will add classes to the curriculum. (Ages 4 and up for hip hop; 18 months–adult for full studio schedule; see class descriptions for specific age ranges)
High School Dance Team Prep Classes at Victoria Dance Productions
Victoria Dance Productions is made for kids who want to perform live—with a combination of singing, acting and dancing—be it on the stage or on the court. This class prepares students for their auditions at the high-school level, with dancing and choreography work. The program attracts many teens at Edina High School.
Overall the studio offers ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop and modern. Little ones can start as young as 2 years old in the creative movement class. The studio also draws students that are active in other sports, offering dance that improves coordination, strength and balance for soccer players, hockey players and gymnasts. Instruction is offered at recreational, pre-competition and competition levels, and late joiners might be accepted through the end of December. (Ages 2 years–adult for full studio schedule; see class descriptions for specific age ranges)
Acting Classes for Kids and Teens at Hennepin County Libraries
Hennepin County Library has teamed up with the Guthrie Theater to present a series of acting classes for kids and teens with funding. The class “Acting Games for Beginners” will be offered at Southdale Library to grade-school-aged kids on October 11. With the guidance of theater professionals, kids will explore topics like how to ramp up your creativity or how to become a compelling storyteller. For teens, children and adults, classes like “Intro to Shakespeare,” though not currently being offered at Edina or Southdale Library, may be found elsewhere in the Hennepin County Library system.
If you’re interested, register soon because the classes fill up in a hurry. Check the schedule throughout the entire Hennepin County Library system and register for classes at hclib.org/pub/events. (Ages 7+)
VISUAL ARTS
Drawing Classes at Edina Art Center
Your kids can learn everything from clay pottery to painting to photography at the Edina Art Center. The drawing classes are consistently popular, starting at the preschool level and moving forward from there. Classes offer a balance between learning basic skills and allowing a child’s creativity to enter his or her work, according to Program and Gallery Coordinator, Ann Spooner. The fall session begins September 12.
Another program, the Art Academy, runs for the entire school year for students in second through 10th grade, and explores various mediums. Seasonal workshops cover topics like pumpkin decorating or dreidel making. (Ages 4+ for seasonal classes; infant through adult for full class schedule; see class descriptions for specific age ranges)
Messy Art from Abrakadoodle
Kids are born to love the sensory experience of getting dirty, it seems. If you’re a bit apprehensive about cutting them loose in your own home, try the Messy Art class for 2–5 year olds at Abrakadoodle. They’ll throw paint like Jackson Pollock, create their own masks, do sand painting and more. Classes are offered in the Edina Community Education Center.
The youngest class offered is “My First Art Class,” a parent-child class for children age 20 months through 4 years. Many grade-school-aged themed offerings can be a godsend during school breaks like NEA, but not surprisingly, they fill up fast. Themed classes range from “Princess for a Day” to holiday gift making to “321 Blastoff,” a camp that’s all about outer space. (Ages 2–5 for Messy Art; 20 months–10 years for full class schedule; see class descriptions for specific age ranges)
LITERATURE
Chinese Story Time at Edina Library
Got an interest in Chinese language and culture for your preschooler? Visit the Edina Public Library on the last three Thursdays in September from 11–11:30 a.m. to listen to stories being read in Chinese. The story hour is for ages 2 and up and will also include finger plays and drawing. Check the schedule for story times throughout the entire Hennepin County Library system by visiting hclib.org/pub/events. (Ages 3–5)
Get Connected
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4701 W. 64th St.; 952.903.5780
Abrakadoodle at Edina Community Education Center
5701 Normandale Rd.; 612.605.8379
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