It’s pretty well established (if you’ve been reading here for any length of time) that kids’ music has become much more parent-friendly in recent years. But as great as kids’ music is these days, sometimes you still want to listen to your own music, and you want to share that music with your kids, too. You also want to experience music the way you used to – by going out to hear great local bands. This is why Rock n Romp was created.

Rock n Romps are informal, daytime concerts where local bands and musicians perform for parents and children in the most family-friendly setting of all – the host’s backyard. Rock n Romp originated in the D.C. area five years ago, when Debbie Lee realized (after arriving at a Dan Zanes concert to find it was sold out) that there were plenty of other parents looking for good live music to enjoy with their children. With a big backyard and plenty of musician friends, she decided to create her own concert series.

The idea caught on, and now Rock n Romps are happening in Austin, Baltimore, and Memphis. And it’s not hard to start one where you live, according to RnR’s founder.

“I’m full of advice and suggestions on starting up Romps,” said Debbie. “We also have a basic agreement that they need to sign off on stating that in using the name ‘Rock-n-Romp’ they agree to hold shows in the same spirit and general manner that we do in D.C.”

If you’re not in a major city, the RnR model could be adapted. Debbie explains: “Even if it were a one-off event, or only a couple of times a year, it would be an awesome way to bring music-loving parents and their kids together. I think there tend to be lots of local musicians in any given location, they just might not be playing out a lot because there aren’t opportunities where they live. Give them a place to play, like RnR, and they will come.”

If you’re not yet convinced that this is a fabulous idea for music-loving parents everywhere, check out this recap of the first Memphis Rock n Romp, held earlier this year:

It was 75 degrees outside and sunny. A keg of Sierra Nevada was surrounded by ice. Sixty parents mingled, danced, and spread blankets on the grass. Sixty or more kids in face paint and multiple tattoos ran through the yard with various musical instruments. They rocked. They romped. There wasn’t a cooler place to be on April 1st.

Ready to start your own Rock n Romp? Get in touch with Debbie at debbie@rocknromp.com.