KCKidsFun

If you’ll be in Kansas City over Memorial Weekend–you might want to check out the 3rd annual Jiggle Jam Family Fest at Crown Center!  Jiggle Jam takes place Saturday, May 29 from 9am-8pm, and on Sunday, May 30 from 11am-6pm.

Here’s what you can expect:

• 2 dozen bands and dance activities!  This is a musical extravaganza–all geared toward kids and families!
• 3 stages featuring national, regional and local entertainers.
• A massive children’s area and Wonderscope Live! tent.
• Inflatables, train rides, shopping, food and drinks…and much more!

According to organizers, approximately 27,000 people attended last year’s Jiggle Jam! Admission prices are as follows:

• $10 at the gate, ages 2+
• $8 in advance online
• $15 Weekend Pass in advance online
• under 2 is free
• $8 inflatable all-you-can-jump pass, one day of jumping, advance online
• $10 inflatable all-you-can-jump pass, one day of jumping, at the gate
• Parking at Crown Center is FREE, both covered and non-covered.  Handicapped-accessible parking available in the parking garages.

THE ENTERTAINERS: (click for schedules)

Dino O’Dell & the Veloci-Rappers, Funky Mama, The Doo-Dads, The Jimmies, Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove & The Hiccups, Ralph’s World, The Zeros, Stone Lion Puppets, The La-La’s, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, The Jazz Storytellers, Sugar Free Allstars, Falcon Punch, Choo Choo Soul, Terrence Simien and The Zydeco Experience, Drum Safari featuring Brandon Draper, and even a Break Dancing Workshop!!  Whew!!

Sounds like a terrific lineup and a great way to spend the holiday weekend with your friends and family–there’s something for everyone!  There are even discount hotel packages ($99/room w/ 2 free Jiggle Jam tickets) being offered at nearby Hyatt Regency and Westin Crown Center hotels.  Just in case there’s no more room at the inn (aka Your House!!!).

Our spotlight this week is turned squarely on local musician Bongo Barry (Bernstein).  His untimely passing in August, 2009 left a void in the artistic community–and some pretty large shoes to fill!

On Friday, November 20, 2009, the Plaza Library/Truman Forum at 4801 Main will host the FREE Bongo Barry Tribute Concert.  Local favorites will be paying their musical respects to Bongo Barry and his unique brand of music–including Mr. Stinky Feet (Jim Cosgrove), Funky Mama, Dino O’Dell and more. What a great way to kick off the weekend with your family!  The fun starts at 6:00pm at the library.

In addition to the wonderful music, your kids can take part in the instrument-making workshop, hosted at the Plaza Library by Wonderscope Children’s Museum!  The workshop runs from 6-645pm and the concert kicks off at 7pm. This free event is open to the public.

Donations will be accepted for Healthy Sounds–where Bongo Barry’s musical mission will continue to be carried out.  Retreats and unique programs use music as the springboard to build community amongst schools and organizations.  There are retreats and other programs, too.  Learn more by visiting Healthy Sounds.

Dino O’Dell, the musical alter ego of Kansas City native Kevin Dolan, has been entertaining children all around the metro with his lively original kids’ tunes for a while now. You may have been able to catch a Dino O’Dell show over the summer – it seemed like he was EVERYWHERE! And for good reason. Dino can really entertain a discerning crowd of munchkins.

Dino plays solo shows but also occasionally takes the stage with his band, the Veloci-Rappers. It was with the band that Dino released his first CD, Dino O’Dell and the Veloci-Rappers. More recently, he released a solo CD called Itty Bitty Monsters. Both CDs are great fun. How can songs like “Swimmin’ with Piranha” and “Smoochin’ with a Giant Squid” be anything but silly and entertaining? And I dare any parent out there to NOT tap their toes to the very sweet, acoustic “I’ve Got A Friend.” Wrap things up with covers of the traditional “The More We Get Together” and “The Wheels on the Bus” and you’ve got a totally solid kids’ CD.

You can check Dino out LIVE around town too – his website always has an up-to-date schedule.