Debbie & Friends at Coolidge Corner

Last weekend we headed out to Coolidge Corner in Brookline to see Debbie & Friends perform their upbeat music for kids. As always, Ivan (and the whole family) had a wonderful time.

By this point, Ivan has been to quite a few live concerts, and has probably seen Debbie & Friends perform at least half a dozen times, but I talked to a couple moms at this show who were bringing their kids out to their first concert. And it made me think about what a big deal it can be for a little kid to go out to see a live theater show for the first time.

Most of our kids are surrounded by music all the time, whether in the home, in day care, at preschool, or in elementary school. How many times have you taken your child out to see someone play some songs at your local library or church? It’s pretty standard these days.

Mom & Ivan rocking out to Debbie & Friends.

But going out to see a full band with sound amplification in a theater is a totally different experience. From purchasing your tickets at the box office, to passing the concession stand and finding your seats, your child knows immediately that this is a much more grown up venue than the library or school cafeteria. It can be daunting and overwhelming, especially when the lights dim and the music begins.

What really makes the whole thing accessible for a small child is the band itself. Do they encourage the kids to get up and dance? Do they talk to the kids, explain what’s going on, and get them involved?

Debbie does this all so well. She has such a natural way of interacting with her young audience, even in a big theater, that instantly both calms the kids and gets them excited about the music. No need to be nervous around Debbie! Let’s have fun!

If you’ve been considering taking your child out to see a real live show but you’ve been worried how they’ll react, Debbie & Friends is definitely the place to start! Debbie will be playing at Berklee College of Music on January 9th and she’ll be playing a free show at the Watertown Library in February. Check out Debbie’s Schedule of Events for more info.

Cristin Geraci took her son, Tommy, to Debbie’s show last weekend after winning a free CD and tickets. This is what she had to say: