5 Family-Friendly Music Experiences
From drumming and DJing to karaoke and live concerts, these activities strike the right notes.
Taiko Drum Classes
Families bond over the beat of Japanese percussion at Taiko Center of the Pacific’s classes designed for keiki, their parents and other grown-ups. With options for tots as young as 2, the sessions teach basic form and technique, mixed with dancing and musical games. As a bonus, students also learn about Japanese culture, language and etiquette through traditional customs, greetings and songs.
$120–$210 for a six-week session, $40 drop-in, Washington Middle School, 1633 S. King St., McCully-Mō‘ili‘ili, taikoarts.com, @taikocenterofthepacific
DJ Classes
Future DJs jump behind the turntables at Kailua Music School’s Sunday morning classes for kids and teens 7–15. Students learn how to mix tracks, match beats, and scratch and loop while creating sounds all their own. The excitement builds toward the final recital, where they perform at a live event in front of a crowd—like a professional DJ dropping a set.
$120 per month, 131 Hekili St., Kailua, kailuamusicschool.com, @kailuamusicschool
‘Ukulele Lending Program
Aspiring musicians can take on a new hobby without spending a dime thanks to the Music for Life Foundation and the Hawai‘i State Public Library System. With a library card, a family can borrow a brightly colored kid-tough ‘ukulele for three weeks from their local branch. Need help learning to play? The library also offers free access to ArtistWorks online video lessons, where master musicians teach everything from how to hold the instrument to simple tunes.
25 branches on O‘ahu, librarieshawaii.org, @hsplshigov
Films in Concert
Classical music becomes approachable when the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra performs the soundtracks of family-favorite movies as they play on the big screen. This summer, audiences will experience how live string instruments heighten the suspense in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 on July 31 and Aug. 1. Next in the lineup: Elf, the hilarious holiday comedy, showing on Dec. 19 and 20.
$38.50–$103.50, Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Kaka‘ako, myhso.org, @hawaiisymphonyorchestra
Keiki Karaoke Party
Karaoke night gets a family-friendly remix at Air Park Karaoke. Created for kids, the party package includes a soft drink and free admission for one parent. Early opening hours, colorful private rooms with disco lights, and a snackable menu of finger foods like chicken karaage and fries set the stage for young performers to belt out favorite hits and channel their inner pop star.
$20 per child for three hours, 510 Pi‘ikoi St., second floor, Ala Moana, airparkkaraoke.com, @airparkkaraoke
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
