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The Current’s annual free, no ticket required Rock the Cradle event for kids and their grownups to explore music, art and culture returns Sunday, March 24 to the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Children’s Theatre Company. Enjoy annual favorites such as the Kids’ Disco and Pop Up Story Time with The Current’s DJs plus live music and more. Rock the Cradle is perfect for kids up to age 8.
Presented by The Current and Children's Minnesota.
The Current works closely with the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Children's Theatre Company to ensure an enjoyable experience for all guests. To help us reach this goal, please note the following items when preparing for your visit.
Parking: Street and ramp parking are available around Children's Theatre Company and Minneapolis Institute of Art sites. Event parking is available in the ramp next door to CTC and nearby surface lots for a fee of $10/day. Additional free parking is available at the nearby Wells Fargo lot with shuttle service that will run 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Strollers and such: In order to make this event as pleasant as possible for all guests, we request leaving strollers behind unless necessary. Note that strollers cannot go into the Pillsbury Auditorium.
Refrain from carrying backpacks, large bags and umbrellas. There is a limited (and free) coat and bag check available at the museum; please plan accordingly. For safety reasons the museum reserves the right to inspect all items carried into or out of the museum. Small bags and purses are welcome.
Keep a safe distance from artwork. To protect the art, stay at least one foot away and do not touch the art.
Supervise children at all times.
Babies may be worn, but only on the front. Strollers are also allowed, though during busy times and in certain activity areas inside the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Children's Theatre Company, they may be restricted.
Keep food and drink out of galleries. Food and drink may be purchased at the museum cafes and taken into designated areas in the lobby. Food and drink may be enjoyed in the Kids' Disco and Snack Bar in the Cargill Stage at the Children's Theatre Company.
Be aware of emergency procedures. Should a child become separated from their parent or guardian, please notify the closest Minneapolis Institute of Art, Children's Theatre Company or The Current employee and go directly to the security desk in the Mia's outer lobby. Security procedures will be put into place and all employees will be alerted.
Thank you to all of our sponsors for making this event possible and special thanks to our hosts, Children's Theatre Company and Minneapolis Institute of Art. Enjoy the day!
Location: Cargill Stage
10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sponsored by Pizza Lucé, Park Dental/The Dental Specialists, St. Paul Saints, Slumberland Furniture
Let loose in the Kids' Disco with live DJing from The Current hosts. Join Twinkle, the Children's Minnesota mascot, on the dancefloor, or lounge in comfy chairs and play with fun toys. Plus free Peace Coffee and GoGo squeeZ! DJ Schedule
10:30 - 11:45 a.m. – Lindsay Kimball 11:45 - 1 p.m – Jade 1 - 2:15 p.m. – Andrea Swensson 2:15 - 3:30 p.m. – Jake Rudh 3:30 – 5 p.m. – Mark Wheat
Park Dental/The Dental Specialists
Check back for activity details.
St. Paul Saints
Check out the St. Paul Saints exhibit, where children can participate and learn basic motor skills with some inflatable baseball activities. Remember: Fun Is Good!
Slumberland and 40 Winks Foundation
Children's Minnesota Prize Wheel
Location: Cargill Rotunda
Give the giant wheel a spin and collect a fantastic prize from Children's Minnesota.
Children's Minnesota Amazing Kid Zone
Location: Wells Fargo Community Room
11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Children's Minnesota Amazing Kid Zone - Sing, read, play, and share your amazing creativity with Children's Minnesota.
Mia's Family Day
Location: Studios
Paint a picture-perfect portrait with artists and educators from Mia's free Family Day program. On the second Sunday of every month, the museum is filled with hands-on art activities, live music, dance performances, artist demonstrations, family tours and more — all inspired by Mia's incredible collection.
Children's Minnesota Family Room
Location: Family Area
Need a quiet space? Step into the Family Room for a little downtime.
Sing, Play, Learn, with MacPhail Center for Music
Location: Friends Community Room
Join MacPhail Center for Music's early childhood music specialists and explore the magic of music and play. Through hands-on musical play activities, experience music's impact on learning and reading-readiness skills. Together, we'll sing, play instruments, rhyme, read, move and create!
YWCA Minneapolis
Location: Target Wing Rotunda
Call to Mind
Call to Mind is APM | MPR’s mental health initiative to inform and mobilize new conversations about mental health. Call to Mind is bringing MeMoves to Rock the Cradle. MeMoves is a sensorimotor multimedia program that transform the mind and body, and is used in more than 5,000 school districts, therapy centers, hospitals, and homes.
Story Time with TBA
Location: Pillsbury Auditorium
Theatre Arts Training
Time TBA
Join teaching artists from Children's Theatre Company to activate your body, voice and mind. Become characters and act out stories on an adventure into your imagination.
Minnesota Waldorf School
Location: Fountain Court
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Let's get crafty and construct Rock and Roll Royalty crowns!
All Energy Solar
Art Carts
Location: Galleries 259 and 377
12 – 4 p.m.
Explore and handle specially selected art objects from around the world: America's Art Cart, gallery 259 China Art Cart, gallery 218 Modern Art Cart, gallery 377
Live Music
Location: Reception Hall
11:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Creative Kidstuff, Parent Aware & Think Small
Dance and sing along to music that kids and their grownups will both enjoy! Live music Schedule 11:15-11:45 – Aby Wolf 11:45-12:45 – DJ Hampsterdance 12:45-1:15 – Aby Wolf 1:15-2:15 – DJ Hampsterdance 2:15-2:45 – Andy Cook and Friends 2:45-3:45 – DJ Hampsterdance 3:45-4:30 – Andy Cook and Friends
Creative Kidstuff
Parent Aware
Think Small
Blooma
Location: Baroque Gallery
Pop Up Story Time
Location: The Silver Court
11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Current DJs will read their favorite kids' stories alongside new books about music from our Rock and Roll Book Club. Schedule 11:30 - 12 p.m. – Jay Gabler 12 - 12:30 p.m. – Andrea Swensson 1 - 1:30 p.m. – Jill Riley 2 - 2:30 p.m. – Brian Oake 3 - 3:30 p.m. – Sanni Brown
Presented By
Rock the Cradle is presented by Children's Minnesota.
Event Sponsors
MacPhail Center for Music
Pizza Lucé
Park Dental
The Dental Specialists
Peace Coffee
GoGo SqueeZ
With Additional Support From:
Children's Theatre Company
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Follow #RocktheCradle and @TheCurrent on Twitter and Instagram.
Additional musical activity is made possible in part by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
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