January 19, 2011

The sky is falling! All this winter weather makes me feel a bit shut in, so as a result, Alex and I have been finding every excuse we can to get out of the house. We have gone to see two shows at Milagros so far this week. On Tuesday we went and saw Mr. Ben. I was expecting to be among the only people there, but was surprised to find the place packed. It was a good show nonetheless. Today, Thursday, we went back to Milagros to catch Mo Phillips.

I have not had the opportunity to see Mo Phillips before. He performs every week Milagros, but it is the same time as our library’s story time, so we have always gone to story time. However, this week we decided to go see Mo Phillips instead.

The street in front of Milagros was packed when we got there both times this week, so we had to park about a block away. On a normal day, I would have enjoyed the walk, but the weather was miserable. In the short walk between the car and the store, Alex and I got drenched. Thankfully we were both wearing good jackets.

The show today was pretty busy, though not quite as packed as Tuesday. I sat towards the back and Alex sat on my lap. He was a bit out of it today, I’m not sure if it was because there were too many people, or he was tired, hungry, or just unsure since there was a different person playing the guitar. Alex is very nervous about new people and new places. He doesn’t like crowds, so I am always hoping for a small audience when I go to shows (though for the artists’ sake, I am happy when they are busy).

Mo Phillips presented a fun, engaging show starting with a song where he asked all the kids their names then sang their names back. I’ve noticed most kids performers seem to do introduction songs to start their shows, and it is a great way to get the kids involved. I think the parents end up saying the kids’ names most of the times though, especially with the little guys like Alex. I will be amazed the day Alex actually answers with his own name.

The songs Mo Phillips sings are unique, even when he does covers. He sings his songs with a twang and gives each song a kind of quirky feel and funny lyrics (whether or not they are his own). You can hear some of his music on his web-site, if you want to get an idea what his songs sound like.

Mo Phillips also did some fun fingerplays, some of which I had not heard or seen before. I can see why he is such a popular entertainer for children. I only wish Alex was in more of a playful mode to join in.

Alex often decides to leave before the shows end, but I suspect the reason is not because he isn’t enjoying the shows but rather because it is his lunch time, and he is hungry and wants to go home for lunch. When he decided he was ready to go today, we went next door to the store, and he played in the playhouse while I picked out a pair of training pants for him. It is important to support Milagros so they continue to host these events. We also put a donation into the jar for the performer before we left the show. $3 per person is the recommended donation, though as it is a donation, you can give whatever you can afford. Just remember that without the audience’s financial support, these shows could cease to exist. $3 per person is dirt cheap compared to what you would pay for a lot of other concerts and events, and these small venues are a much nicer place to introduce kids to music then at a big, crowded amphitheater.

Sometimes I am not sure whether or not Alex really likes a show until we get home. Today the first thing he did when he walked in the door is pick up his little guitar and start to play and sing along, so the show was a success. He liked it.

Mo Phillips performs at Milagros every Thursday at 10:30 am. Milagros is located at 5433 NE 30th Avenue in Portland.

-HL

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