Playtime’s Part of the Program

“Maybe the funny man will tell another story about the monster,” Sam says.

Asks little brother Ben, hopefully, “Can he squirt us with the water bottle?”

Our boys--4 1/2 and 2 1/2--are jabbering as we pull into the parking lot of the Hollywood Bowl, two weeks into its summer open house music program for children.

So far we’ve heard music from around the world, and string instruments; today is the eagerly awaited African drums program.

For us, it’s been a fun way to expose the boys to an array of live music in a casual setting--where a baby’s cry and a potty break are expected interruptions.

And mom is happy to be listening to anything at her beloved Hollywood Bowl, where once--before children--she had treasured season tickets.

If you’re looking for a pleasant way to share some music with your children, take a look at the Bowl’s summer program. Twice a day, for six weeks, the Bowl presents a little show; 45 minutes of story and music, then an optional arts and crafts segment.

The performance is outdoors, under the trees in the plaza near the ticket windows. Kids sit on the mat in front of the small stage; adults take the folding chairs in the back. (And the Bowl’s gotten smarter as summer wears on; more umbrellas for shade appear each week.)

The genial host, David Prather--attired in colorful tennis shoes and hat--warms up the crowd with a story, a joke, a funny walk. Then he brings on the musicians, most of whom seem comfortable with presentations for children.

The String Family Players performed snippets of recognizable tunes, a few bars of serious music, and then some terrific guessing games. (Is that the cello or the viola playing “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain”?)

The group performs at schools throughout the year, a member told me, so they’re used to playing to a young crowd. And the kids can’t help but absorb a little bit of good information about rhythm, music history or various kinds of instruments.

Prather, the “funny man” host, knows his audience, and if the musicians don’t get the kids up clapping or doing the equivalent of the seventh-inning stretch, he’ll jump into action. There’s always a bit of bedlam, but he keeps the children as involved as possible.

On this day, the African group Abalaye emerges in brilliant costumes and headdresses, working the drums. The kids are transfixed (momentarily anyway) at the fast, loud pounding. And then the dancing begins. The women leap, sway and stamp barefoot across the small stage, cowrie shells jingling.

Our two boys sit open-mouthed through the spectacle each week. The oldest understands the stories and shouts answers to the questions. He notices the different instruments. Naturally, little brother pays less attention to the “show,” but the people and the noise make an impression.

True music aficionados may also come early to hear the Philharmonic or orchestra musicians practice (on most mornings), and many folks pack a picnic lunch to make a fuller day of it.

Afterward, there’s an optional arts and crafts project in a shaded parking lot. Our boys nix that activity, though, in favor of a snack and a chance to talk to the musicians or watch the workers pack away the equipment. Now that’s fun--a forklift in action. We’ll be back this week for the music of Bali, which plays today and Friday.

BE THERE

Open House at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., under the trees outside the ticket booths in the plaza area, Monday-Friday, 10 and 11:15 a.m. through Friday. Arrive a few minutes early to get seats in the shade. $3 for adults and children ages 3 and up, $1 for optional, separate arts and crafts workshop for children ages 3 and up, at 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. (in the upper parking lot). Free parking in the Odin lot. Seating is limited, so tickets are needed: (213) 850-2000.