Last year, I swore off Rock the Cradle. Don’t get me wrong; I think its awesome. It’s just grown too large in the last few years. However, it looks like The Current has addressed some of the issues I had.
One problem was parking. Public transportation isn’t really practical with a family of five; nor is it particularly practical for all those Current fans who are driving in from the suburbs. Last year we drove around for an hour and finally found parking five blocks away. It was cold. It was icy. We had a newborn (not really the Current’s fault). This year, they’ve moved the event to this week, giving everyone a fighting chance for good weather. Parking five blocks away, doesn’t seem like such a hardship in late March. But also, they’ve started charging for parking near the building and offering a free shuttle service for those willing to park further away. See the details below.
They have also requested (but did not mandate) that families RSVP, so they can have an idea (and therefore manage) what size crowd they will be dealing with. You can help out with this by registering here. To help alleviate some of the crowding, strollers are discouraged. Honestly, I think The Current may need to start charging for this event in the future, so if you haven’t gone, this could be a good year to try it.
Rock the Cradle is a free day of fun for kids and their grown-ups held at two of the state’s premier arts and culture institutions: the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Children’s Theatre Company. Our annual kids’ event brings together families and social groups from all over the Twin Cities to enjoy music, art, books, theater and the community for a fun, entertaining and engaging day. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, March 24!
– via Rock the Cradle: March 24, 2013 | The Current from Minnesota Public Radio.
Details
Sunday, March 24, 2013
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Children’s Theatre Company/
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Parking: Street and ramp parking are available around The Children’s Theatre Company and MIA sites. Event parking is available in the ramp next door to the CTC for a fee of $8. $8 Event Parking applies to all parking lots in the immediate vicinity of MIA/CTC, including surface lots (not just the ramp). Free parking and shuttle service available from the Wells Fargo headquarters parking lot on 28th Street and 4th Avenue. Shuttles will leave the lot at 15 minute intervals beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Parking map
Strollers and Such: In order to make this event as pleasant as possible for all of our guests, we request leaving strollers behind unless necessary. Some activity areas will have designated stroller parking. (See Guidelines for making your RTC visit as enjoyable as possible)
Activities
Note: all times are subject to change.
STORY TIME WITH THE CURRENT DJS
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts Wing – Pillsbury Auditorium – 2nd floor
Sponsored by Chipotle Mexican Grill and Help Me Grow
Story Time returns with Current DJs reading some of their favorite kids books, complete with overhead projections for everyone to see.
Schedule
11 a.m. – Steve Seel
12 p.m. – Barb Abney
1 p.m. – Jacquie Fuller
2 p.m. – Mark Wheat
3 p.m. – Dave Campbell
4 p.m. – Andrea Swensson
**Strollers cannot go into the Pillsbury Auditorium. Please leave strollers in the designated area before entering.
KIDS’ DISCO AND PLAYATTA
All Day
Children’s Theatre Wing – Cargill Theater – 1st Floor
Sponsored by Pizza Luce
Join hosts from The Current for the biggest dance party in town! While you’re there, stop by the Playatta booth to experience an incredible digital playground!
Schedule
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Jacquie Fuller
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. – Mark Wheat
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Jake Rudh
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Jill Riley
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Mary Lucia
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. – David Campbell
**Due to the crowd size, we ask that you leave all strollers in the designated Stroller Zone so that the dance floor is as open as possible.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Minneapolis Institute of Arts Wing – Reception Hall – 3rd Floor
Sponsored by Kinderberry Hill Child Development Centers & SmartMusic
Listen to our favorite kid’s bands singing songs that adults and kids can both enjoy together. Between sets, sing and dance with MacPhail Center for Music’s early childhood specialists! Join us for fun, interactive, hands-on musical activities. Be ready to move, groove and have fun with your little one!
11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Guitar Party
11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Movin’ and Groovin’ with MacPhail Center for Music
12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. – The Bazillions
12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. – Movin’ and Groovin’ with MacPhail Center for Music
1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Duke Otherwise
2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Guitar Party
2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Movin’ and Groovin’ with MacPhail Center for Music
3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – The Bazillions
3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Movin’ and Groovin’ with MacPhail Center for Music
4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Duke Otherwise
ROVING MUSICIAN: CHRIS KOZA
All Day
Where’s Chris Koza? Listen for the sweet sounds of Chris Koza as he roams the galleries and event spaces throughout the day.
CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS AND CLINICS OF MINNESOTA PRESENT STAR STUDIO LIVE!
Minneapolis Institute of Arts Wing – Wells Fargo Community Room – 1st Floor
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“The Dude” from Star Studio, which is Children’s very own TV channel and studio, will be hosting a number of live show segments. These segments, which will include interactive games and educational entertainment, will also be broadcast to Children’s hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul so kids in their patient rooms can also join in the fun.
SING, PLAY, LEARN WITH THE MACPHAIL CENTER FOR MUSIC
Minneapolis Institute of Arts Wing – Friends Community Room – 1st Floor
11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Join MacPhail Center for Music’s early childhood music specialists as we explore the magic of music and play. Through hands-on musical play activities, families will experience music’s impact on learning and reading readiness skills. Together we will sing, play instruments, rhyme, read, move, and create!
PLAY FROM SCRATCH
Minneapolis Institute of Arts Wing – Studio Classrooms 111-113
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Boxes! Tubes! Tape! The raw materials that fuel kids’ creativity. Join Twin Cities toy company Play from Scratch for piles of hands-on creative play where kids get to invent and build their own toys.
BRAINS ON!
Minneapolis Institute of Arts Wing – Outside Studio Classrooms 111-113
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kids are smart, funny, and creative and that’s what powers the new show Brains On! Stop by the Brains On! table to learn more about the show, pick-up a temporary tattoo and get interviewed by the producers to help with future episodes.
It’s time to get your brains on!
ABC DJ WITH FREDDY FRESH
Minneapolis Institute of Arts Wing – Gallery 276 – 2nd Floor
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Get your hands on some vinyl and learn how to scratch with DJ Freddy Fresh, known around the world as one of the most prolific and active underground dance musicians.
CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS AND CLINICS OF MINNESOTA FAMILY ROOM
Minneapolis Institute of Arts Wing Family Area – 1st Floor
All Day
Need a quiet space? Step into the Family Room to enjoy some downtime. Please help keep this a quiet space for those who need a break.
SNACK BAR
Children’s Theatre Wing – Cargill Theatre – 1st Floor
All Day
Provided by Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op
Pope John Paul II School
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