You all know that I love living in Cleveland. From the great food scene, to the low cost of living it really is a fantastic place to be. And, I think, it’s an even better place to raise kids. We have amazing museums, beautiful parks, the beaches at the lake and easy access to both the city and the country for activities.

One of the gems of Cleveland is Playhouse Square. We all know it’s “the second-largest theater complex in the United States (second only to New York City’s Lincoln Center)”. But visiting it is something to experience. We are so, so lucky to have a venue for Broadway shows, dance of all kinds, comedians, classic plays, and more. I love that I can introduce our kids to the theater by taking them to see world-renowned shows downtown.

Matilda at the State Theater for the Nutcracker

 As parents, one of the highlights of our year is the Annual International Children’s Festival. It starts on Friday runs through Saturday. Last year we bought tickets to 3 shows and Mark and I took turns enjoying the shows with Matilda. She was THRILLED to have “date nights” with us and we all loved the shows. The Festival is absolutely perfect for introducing even little kids to live performances (that don’t include Elmo or Cinderella). Shows range from puppets, to live action; from music to storytelling. There is something for every interest and every age. Stages are set up throughout the theater complex and venues vary from the ornate Ohio Theater to the dance studios. Last year, the show I went to had us sitting on carpet squares – perfect for a squirmy kid who didn’t weigh enough to hold a theater seat down and it put us right up next to the performers. Matilda was mesmerized. And from the educational standpoint, it’s great exposure to different ways of storytelling and viewpoints from other cultures.

Planning our day at the 2011 International Children’s Festival

This year we are hitting up shows on Friday evening. However, if your schedule permits, I suggest you check out at least one show on Saturday. “Why Saturday?” you ask? Well, that’s when the theater district is jam packed with activities and workshops that tie directly to the shows. Make a drum, puppet or hat to continue the Festival stories at home. Check out the Artwalk and don’t miss the 14th Street World Stage to get your grove on to live music from around the world. Seriously, spend the whole day Saturday in Playhouse Square. You and your kids will love it.

If you have kids, from ages 3 to upper middle school, there is no reason not to be at the International Children’s Festival at some point this week. And here’s your chance to win. The Festival has given me a four-pack of tickets for World of Rhythm show on Saturday May 5 at 1:30 PM.
There are 2 ways to enter: 1) leave me a comment about your favorite theater experience
2) Tweet this: “I want to win tickets to the International Children’s Festival from @playhousesquare and @kakaty http://www.kakakakaty.com/2012/04/30/icf/”
you must come back and leave me a second comment with a link to your tweet for this one to count. You can use the Tweet This button below but you still have to come leave a 2nd comment.

Good luck! Comments will close at 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 3. Winner will pick up tickets at will-call.

 

Disclosure: I was provided with 2 tickets to one show. As always, my thoughts are 100% my own. I only share events that my family plans to attend or has attended in the past, so I know they are worth the visit.