For more than 20 years, music-hungry urbanites have headed to Chicago’s Beat Kitchen for concerts. The venue’s location, eclectic mix of bands and affordable entry make it a popular destination for music lovers. I saw countless concerts there in my 20s, and my husband even played there in his rock star days.
If you go
This year’s Concerts for Kids series will kick off with an
outdoor event at Beat Kitchen at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept.
11.
Beat Kitchen
2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
(773) 281-4444
beatkitchen.com
We were thrilled to learn that the owner, Robert Gomez, now makes Beat Kitchen just as much fun for our children with his unique Concerts for Kids series.
Every Sunday at noon (holidays excluded) from Sept. 26-Memorial Day, your little rockers can jam with local musicians during hour-long concerts.
What began three years ago as Gomez’s effort to “give the neighbors something different to do on Sunday mornings” has turned into a citywide attraction. For just $5 per person, you and your little one can grab a spot on the floor to hear local children’s artists rock out with a full band. Beat Kitchen does provide some folding chairs for adults but cautions that they are snapped up by the early birds.
The kitchen and bar are open for Kids Concerts, so you can share a pizza for lunch before or during the show. Once the kids are jamming, belly up to the bar for a refreshing beverage. It’s an intimate space, maxing out at about 150 people, so it’s easy to keep an eye on the pint-sized audience members, who may very well be playing their own instruments or singing along.
“Because many of the performers have worked with Old Town’s Wiggleworms program, a lot of the concerts are interactive with the kids,” says Gomez. In fact, he came up with the idea for the series after walking into the wrong Wiggleworms class with his daughter.
The concert’s kick off at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 11 with the “Little Miss Ann Band” and “Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies.” The event includes live music starting at 12:30 p.m., bounce houses and slides, pizza and hot dogs, plus beer for adults.
