Can you spread smooth Krema peanut butter and the smooth sounds of jazz together on bread? The peanut butter goes well on bread, but the jazz…well…no, but the two of them certainly DO go together. PBJ & Jazz is a concert series put on by the Jazz Arts Group of Central Ohio for children and their families. The performances are held at the Ft. Hayes Metropolitan Center throughout the year and are definitely an activity you don’t want to miss. Various Central Ohio jazz artists whisk your children away to danceland and introduce your children to new musical instruments and sounds. As parents we get to enjoy seeing our children’s faces light up as the music starts and laugh as our little ones wiggle and shake. Admission is only $5 per family member and yummy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cookies, and juice are provided upon entry.
I took my two youngsters to the recent “Carnaval Celebration” which featured Kelly Crum Delaveris and Brasileira performing in Portuguese. Set up in the hallway of the auditorium was a table filled with masks, purple and green ribbon, plastic jewels, feathers and tape for the kids to create their own Carnaval mask. Many children donned their mask with pride as they shimmied, and it was nice for them have a token of the day to take home. During the concert there were brief explanations of the musical instruments each artist was playing, a history of the music that was to be performed and instruments were even handed out to the children to play near the end of the concert. I know my two were appreciative of shaking their bells and rattles with the professionals.
The next concert is March 21 from 11am – 12pm and is themed “School House Blues” featuring the blues. Performing will be Mary McCLendon and Milt Ruffin. Mark your calendars. Here’s a little advice:
- Bring cash to pay for admission. Parking is free.
- If you decide to snag a sandwich, be sure your child will eat it or bring a plastic baggie to put it in. You’ll get to take it with you if your child doesn’t eat it there, and also not run the risk of it getting smeared on the floor by an unsuspecting patron stepping on it.
- Be prepared for a tight squeeze. Leave the big bags and strollers in the car.
- Be prepared to climb stairs. I didn’t look for an elevator, so you may want to call ahead if you need that type of assistance.
- Get there early if you want a front row seat!
