After a 2-year hiatus, the Current’s annual free Rock the Cradle event for kids and their grownups to explore music, art and culture returns Sunday, July 10, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Children’s Theatre Company.  Because it is summertime, we are setting up an outdoor stage and other outdoor activities in Target Park Courtyard behind the museum.

In addition to annual favorites such as the Kids’ Disco, YourClassical Story Time, there will be live music from Siama’s Congo Roots, McNasty Brass Band, and St Paul School of Rock Youth Road Crew and Eden Prairie School of Rock All Star Tour Band, DJ sets from Lazerbeak and DJ Chamun and pop-up performances from the team at Brains On! Rock the Cradle is perfect for kids up to age 8.

Listen to the Rock the Cradle music stream to hear music for kids of all ages.  

Schedule of Events

Outdoor Stage

11 a.m. Kalpulli Huitzillin: Aztec Dance opening ceremony
12 p.m. St. Paul School of Rock Youth Road Crew
1 p.m. Siama’s Congo Roots
2:30 p.m. McNasty Brass Band
4 p.m. School of Rock All Star Tour Band
More events TBA

Pillsbury Auditorium 

11 am – 4:30 pm – A collection of YourClassical Story Time videos and music videos from last year’s virtual Rock the Cradle throughout the day.  

Mystery Sounds and Games with Molly Bloom from Brains On! 12 to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 2:30 p.m. 

CTC’s Cargill Theatre

Kids’ Disco 
Open from 11:00 am – 4:00pm with sets from Lazerbeak and DJ Chamun 

Music-Making with MPR Membership

Make your own maraca with the MPR Membership team! Use it to play along with live music throughout the day in the Target courtyard. You can also learn more about how Members power everything you hear on Minnesota Public Radio.  

Location: Target Park / Courtyard 11 am – 4:30pm

Mia Family Programs Activities

Activity 1: Cardboard Castanets  – Studio 111-113, 11-4:30 pm. Feel the rhythm and create a percussive instrument with Mia’s Art Team!

Activity 2: Musical collage – Wells Fargo, 11-4:30 pm. Create a music-inspired collage in the Cubist style of Braque and Picasso.

Take home activity tote distribution – Mia Main Lobby 11-5 pm

Outdoor Games: Grass Courtyard, Target Park 11-4:30 pm

Children’s Theater Company Activities

Activity 1: Corduroy craft! Everyone’s favorite snuggly bear returns to the CTC stage in 2023 to look for his missing button, so help us celebrate CTC’s upcoming season by making your own Corduroy bear! Don’t forget his BUTTON! Located in CTC Target Lobby

Activity 2: Also in the Target Lobby, CTC Theatre Arts Training Teaching Artists will host Music in Motion mini-classes! Skip, leap, jump, and experience the joy of locomotion as you build skills in rhythm, tempo, and dynamics. Stretch your imagination through movement and dance exercises to strengthen fine and gross motor skills. 

Class Times: 

11:00 – 11:30am 

12:00 – 12:30pm 

1:00-1:30pm 

Tickets

This event is free and open to the public, but we encourage you to fill in the RSVP form below to let us know you’ll be there.

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Sponsors

Rock the Cradle is presented by Minneapolis Institute of Art, The Children's Theatre Company, MacPhail Center for Music, Sala Architects, GoGo squeeZ, Bell Museum, Walker West Music Academy.