One Mom on All the Live Music Shows to Bring the Kids to This Spring
Lewisboro mom and Hear It There founder Elisa Zuckerberg raised her kids on live music. Here are her top kid-friendly picks for spring.
This article is unlocked for all subscribers thanks to Hear It There, a wonderful site tracking local music in our area. It’s part of the “Ask An Expert” series, which features locals with a niche expertise: Like the nature-loving mom who knows the area’s best hikes, or the theater parents who know all the kid-friendly theater productions to see this season, or the travel-loving working mom who swears by these day-trips.
What’s your niche expertise? Email me at kaylakaplowitz@substack.com with your idea!
There’s this magical moment in your life as a new parent where your kid isn’t asking for Raffi anymore. It’s glorious. One day you’re on your 27th car replay of Bananaphone and the next day, your 4yo is asking for Take On Me by A-Ha.
Of course, music education in every family looks a little different. I have Brooklyn friends whose kids can name the entire Ramones discography. A Ridgefield friend told me that Spotify radio helped her 8-year-old son fall in love with The Indigo Girls.
My 7-year-old, to no one’s surprise, gravitates towards 80s and 90s pop. Just the other day she asked: “Mom what was that song you said used to play all the time at the roller-skating rink when you were a kid?”
Oh, you mean Opposites Attract by Paula Abdul? Coming right up, hun.
I love live music, but I have no idea where to begin. So last week, I reached out to Elisa Zuckerberg, a local mom and founder of HearItThere.com, who raised her kids on live music. She said her family’s music education all started with a local favorite—Annie and the Natural Wonder Band—and eventually she was taking her young kids to all the hot spots round town to expose them to everything. Classical, world music, indie folk, classic rock; she said the possibilities for live shows here are endless.
So, without further ado, here are her top kid-friendly picks for spring.
The Plan is a newsletter for local parents and is entirely reader-supported. This month, I’m offering a 20% off a membership, which means for just $40/year or $4/mo, you’ll get access to every Ask an Expert post + The Plan calendar, which lets you see what’s coming up months from now. The promotion ends March 16, so act fast!
Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre
145 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, NY
MARCH 8 (2:00 PM) —🤘 Music of Blink-182 + More For Kids
Bring all your small things to this one. Looks great. Tix $17, 1U free. »
MARCH 22 (2:00 PM) — 🇯🇲 Music of Bob Marley + More For Kids
Rise up this morning, smile with the rising sun, and head over to the theater for some family fun. Tix $17, 1U free. »
Zuckerberg says it’s worth the trip down to Port Chester to see a show here. “The Rock and Roll Playhouse has been putting on these awesome shows for families with young kids since 2014. You get to rock out to your favorites, have a drink, and introduce your kids to the music you love.”
Fairfield Theatre Company (FTC)
70 Sanford St, Fairfield, CT
MARCH 6-9 (7:00 PM) — 🏰 SHREK the Musical
Performed by professional actors alongside Black Rock Theater Academy students. Tix $63-$73, students $38. »
MARCH 22 (12:00 PM) — 🎸 The Rock and Roll Playhouse: Tom Petty for Kids
This tribute band will teach your kids to not back down and stand their ground. Tix $23-$26, $17-$20 kids, 1U free. »
The FTC is right downtown, which makes it the perfect day-trip destination. Zuckerberg recommends strolling the shops or grabbing a bite in town before or after. “Just go! It’ll be a great day with the kids.”
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
149 Girdle Ridge Rd, Katonah, NY
MAY 2 (7:30 PM) — 🎤 Twisted Pine in collaboration with City Winery
NPR loved this band for its "upbeat, poppy vibe, energetic, driving rhythms; virtuosic solos; and tight harmonies." Tix $49-$69 adults, $22-$32 kids. »
Zuckerberg highly recommends a family visit to Caramoor. "It's an absolute gem of a venue,” she told me. “Although they present world-class music, it’s not at all stuffy. It’s a welcoming place for picnicking, strolling, listening and learning.” Stay tuned for their family-friendly events all summer long—including their Jazz Festival and American Roots Festival.
Whippoorwill Theater
North Castle Public Library (19 Whippoorwill Rd E, Armonk, NY)
MARCH 30 (3:00PM-6:00PM) — 🎷 A Celebration of Marimba Music and Jazz
An afternoon of incredible music by young musicians (ages 11-18), blending Zimbabwean marimba, jazz classics, and contemporary hits. Zuckerberg says “introducing kids to world music—listening to melodies and rhythms outside the typical pop music and rock structures—can inspire them creatively and help them understand other cultures.” Tix $10/adults, $5/kids, $20/family. All proceeds go to Save the Children. »
The theater is adjacent to the North Castle Public Library and puts on all sorts of shows throughout the year. I’m definitely going to check it out.
Chappaqua Performing Arts Center
480 North Bedford Road, Chappaqua, NY
MARCH 22 (8:00 PM) — 🔩 Frankenstein: The Movie with Live Orchestra
The showtime is a bit late, but if your older kids can handle it, go. A 15-piece orchestra will play the film’s score live. Zuckerberg says it’s a “magical experience” to watch and listen to live musicians perform a score in sync with a film. “It adds drama and dynamics to the storyline.” Tix $35-$50. »
The Trefz Forum
The Westport Library (20 Jesup Rd, Westport, CT)
APRIL 5 (10:00AM-12:00PM) – 🎤 VersoFest 2025 Weekend Kickoff Celebration
Every year, the library hosts this huge multi-part event called VersoFest. For the kickoff event, you can bring the whole fam to celebrate music & creativity with a ton of things to do. It's completely free and looks great. (Oh, and check out the lineup of adults-only events that week, including an event with Patti Smith on April 3, a concert by The Wallflowers on April 4, and a Q&A with Henry Rollins on April 5. 😍) »
The Palace Theatre at Stamford Center for the Arts
61 Atlantic St, Stamford, CT
MARCH 30 (3:00 PM) — 🤠 Toy Story in Concert
Watch the movie and experience the musical score performed live by Orchestra Lumos. I think this one is a must-see for our family. Tix $25-$89. »
APRIL 19 (8:00 PM) — 🇬🇧 The Beatles Tribute
Take the kids to see “1964,” a band that recreates an early ‘60s live Beatles concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter. Tix $25-$39 »
MAY 1 (6:00 PM) — 🟠 Blippi: Join the Band Tour
Every kid's favorite man-child takes to the stage for a fun musical performance perfect for even his youngest fans. Tix $39-$69. »
JUNE 14 (1:00 PM & 6:00 PM) — 🎤 Kidz Bop Live
You *know* they're going to do Espresso and Hot-to-Go. Tix $79-$109 »
If you’ve never been to this theater, go. Zuckerberg says it’s beautiful and historic, “and their programming is exhilarating!”
Paramount Hudson Valley Theater
1008 Brown St, Peekskill, NY
MARCH 15 (7:30 PM) — 👟 Rock With You: Michael Jackson & Prince Tribute
Introduce the kids to the King of Pop with a 14-piece ensemble, dynamic dancers, and an 8-piece band. The Prince Tribute Show is an 8-piece band known for their “spellbinding performances” of the Purple Rain album in its entirety. Tix $34-$76. »
MARCH 16 (4:00 PM) — 🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with Cherish the Ladies and Daisy Jopling Band
An extraordinary afternoon of Irish music featuring this Grammy-award nominated Irish American supergroup. Violinist Daisy Jopling ends the show. Tix $49-$109. »
MARCH 23 (3:00 PM) — 🌪️ Wizard of Oz on Ice
These figure-skating actors “bring Oz to life like never before.” Tix $27-$52. »
APRIL 27 (5:00 PM) — 👗 Fearless The Taylor Swift Experience
Dubbed “the most prestigious Taylor Swift tribute act in the U.S.” Tix $49. »
JUNE 1 (3:00 PM) — 🦕 Laurie Berkner LIVE
Go see why the NYT calls her “the Adele of the preschool crowd.” My kids have grown out of their Laurie phase, but if you’ve got a toddler, I’d go. Tix $35-$108. »
“This venue is great for classical rock, oldies and pop,” Zuckerberg told me. “It’s a beautiful theater that is VERY family-friendly.” Stop by the waterfront after the show and enjoy views of the Hudson River. Now there’s a great day-trip for you.
Uncle Cheef
988 NY-22 Unit C, Brewster, NY
EVERY SUNDAY (5:30PM) – 🎹 Family-Friendly Music Afternoons
As an “all ages venue,” Uncle Cheef welcomes and encourages kids to come experience the joys of live music. Their 5:30PM Sunday show makes it easy to do just that. Note: Your kid can’t sit at the bar, and they don’t have high chairs. Tix $10-$20. »
“I grew up soaking up live music and it influenced my life for the better in a major way,” said Ian Hendrickson-Smith (a.k.a. Uncle Cheef), a 6x Grammy Award winner and saxophonist for The Roots. “We love welcoming folks of all ages. It's places like these that can help spawn future generations.”
“This venue is a beautiful, sophisticated, yet family-friendly music lounge,” Zuckerberg told me. “Unlike many 21+ clubs, their doors are open and welcoming to kids. They’ve got a great mix of funk, jazz, blues: you name it.” I’m sold.
Common Grounds Café
3677 Hill Blvd, Jefferson Valley, NY
EVERY SUNDAY (12PM-3PM) – 🍳 Family-friendly musical brunch
Every Sunday afternoon this venue features talented singer-songwriters, rock, and blues artists performing for brunch-goers. Free! »
“Their brunch is very good and the live music enhances the enjoyment of the afternoon,” said Zuckerberg. Check out their acoustic lineup this month and make a plan to go.
And that’s it! Thanks to:
Elisa Zuckerberg is a live music enthusiast and the founder of Hear It There, which tracks local live music in Westchester and Fairfield Counties. She’s a mom of two grown children and lives in Waccabuc with her husband David and Gyzmo the bird, Shell the turtle, and Beanie the cat. You can find Hear It There online at hearitthere.com, or on Facebook or Instagram.
The Plan is a newsletter for local parents and is entirely reader-supported. This month, I’m offering a 20% off a membership, which means for just $40/year or $4/mo, you’ll get access to every Ask an Expert post + The Plan calendar, which lets you see what’s coming up months from now. The promotion ends March 16, so act fast!
xo,
K
This was a blast. Thank you to The Plan. Hope music loving parents enjoy the tips!
This is an awesome post! I can't wait to attend one of these shows! Thanks Elisa and thanks The Plan!