KindieFest Is Coming To Town!

The fifth annual KindieFest is making its way back to Brooklyn this weekend! Hosted by the Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 26-28, this year’s three-day conference and music festival promises a diverse array of panels, speakers, and family-friendly performers.

As the world’s first ever family music conference, KindieFest offers a fresh, comprehensive program focusing on learning, entertainment, and networking. KindieFest is the place to be for those interested in the kindie music genre with two full days of panels; a Friday night keynote address by children’s performer Ella Jenkins; self-management, kindie for beginners, and music in the classroom workshops; and an industry-only showcase. In addition, this year’s conference brings the launch of KINDIETalks–modeled after the popular TEDTalks–featuring some of the biggest names in family entertainment.

While it looks as though tickets to the Sunday portion of this year’s fest are sold out (we’re hoping you snagged some early!), it’s an annual event to keep in mind for the coming years. And here’s a handy list of the program’s featured musicians that you can sample at your leisure, or catch their other performances around the city this summer!

Cat Doorman– Featuring the gorgeous voice of Julianna Bright, the Cat Doorman Songbook was recorded in her home with members of The Decemberists and Built to Spill. Her soulful, winsome, sing-along tunes tell the stories of the joys and mysteries of childhood. catdoorman.com

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band– Hailed by USA Today as the best band on the children’s scene, this husband and wife duo cater to the uber-hip family crowd and feature Bob Dylan’s harp player, Michael Farkas. If you can’t make it to KindieFest, they’re also playing at Madison Square Park on June 25. luckydiazmusic.com

Alphabet Rockers- This Parent’s Choice award-winning family hip-hop group pairs old-school beats with kid-inspired educational lyrics. If you can’t see them on Sunday, catch them Saturday night at MOCA. alphabetrockers.com

Robbi K and Friends– This award-winning artist has worked with the likes of Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Jewel, and Rob Stewart. She combines the soul of jazz, pop, and world music for a cross-cultural, interactive experience. balidali.com

Dirty Sock Funtime Band– This high-energy ensemble has been featured on Nick Jr. and rocks out with some seriously exciting children’s music. If you miss them at KindieFest, you can send them family photos and appear in their Mother’s Day music video! dirtysockfuntimeband.com

David Wax Museum– This duo artfully combines Latin rhythms, Mexican folk, Americana, and indie rock to create a delightful, energetic, and interactive experience for their audience. davidwaxmuseum.com

The Terrible Twos– This alternative musical outfit was founded by The Get Up Kids front man, Matt Pryor, who was inspired by his children to write silly songs. Some of his tunes were even co-written by his daughter, Lily! vagrant.com

The Ailey School – First Steps and Bounding Boys

<blockquote style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <div dir="ltr"> <div class="m_-3740164643787738207m_4977048992707393770WordSection1"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">At The Ailey School, FIRST STEPS offers a structured creative movement curriculum that allows girls (ages 3-6) and boys (age 3), to develop body awareness and control and learn the basics of dance technique. BOUNDING BOYS (ages 4-6) provides a more athletic experience, and an energetic approach to teaching dance skills.</span></p> </div> </div> </blockquote>

Cucu's PlayHouse

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">Interactive, live-streaming music and movement class in Spanish for babies, toddlers and preschoolers!<br />Join us every day from Monday through Saturday at 1:30 pm EST to sing, dance and play together while learning Spanish from your home.</div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">This class is part of a Spanish Immersion Program where your child will be introduced to basic concepts like the animals, colors, numbers and letters. All of these through the universal language of Music. Each session is fun, interactive and engaging.<br />A selection of Children Songs in Spanish guides the class from start to finish. Activities are related to the lyrics, in order to familiarize the children with the words and their meanings. Some of the songs encourage the children to dance. Nilda uses puppets, musical instruments, and props to teach children basic vocabulary through action and interaction, rather than through translation.</div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><br />The classes are streamed on Zoom's webinar platform. Participants (children, parents, nannies) are able to join the video from their homes and interact with us in real-time, it is a fun and engaging experience.</div>

Super Soccer Stars

<p>Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps.</p> <p>At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace.</p> <p>Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week:</p> <p><strong>Connecticut:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Westchester:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>New York City:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;</p>