Sheridan Road to morph into kids’ concert venue

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Mindy Hester, who opened the Rock & Roll Arts Academy in Highland Park's Community House in August, offers rock-inspired music classes for children four months to 13 years old with their parents. | photo courtesy Mindy Hester

Updated: February 20, 2012 8:48AM

Sheridan Road will be turned into a children’s rock concert venue this weekend with Highland Park’s new Rock and Roll Arts Academy teaming up with downtown businesses to host a festival-like party.

The “Rock – Stroll – Shop Sheridan Road” event runs from Thursday to Saturday, offering the latest installment of ice sculptures, special discounts and two jamming contests.

The first competition offers a Squire SA-100 full-size acoustic guitar as the grand prize. All contestants have to do is “Name That Tune” associated with each ice sculpture. The carvings will inspire the sights and sounds of the Roaring ’20s, Fabulous ’50s, Swinging ’60s, Psychedelic ’70s and Hair Banging ’80s.

Inside the Rock and Roll Academy, which opened in August at 1991 Sheridan Road in the lower level of the Community House, rockin’ mom Mindy Hester will host an open house showing off her dream: A children’s rock clubhouse.

Videos for the web

Hester’s “Raising Cool Kids Contest” offers local children the opportunity to record or lip-sync a music video in her studio for free. The videos will be posted via YouTube to the Rock and Roll Arts Academy Facebook Page and the video with the most votes by Jan. 27 earns the child rock star/producer the title of “Coolest Kid on the North Shore,” plus a free birthday party with private live concert, worth $400.

Videos can be shot throughout the open house, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Hester has been teaching and entertaining children with rock music for more than 12 years, with many music companies including the prestigious Old Town School of Folk Music. She also sings lead in “kindie” rock band Mindy Hester & The Time Outs, who have won multiple awards for their child-adapted rock songs.

Intro to music

Designed for children four months to 13 years, Hester’s Rock and Roll Academy introduces children to music. The classes are tailored for parents to enjoy each 45-minute session with their child.

“The bonding a parent has with their child through music is very special and lasting,” Hester said. “Young children can’t put their thoughts into words because their communication skills are nil, but music can say so much. It’s such a great way to get to know your kid and have them get to know you.”

Hester said she has taken the traditional parent-child music class and infused it with her inner rock star.

“It’s more upbeat than sitting around a circle and singing ‘Itsy Bitsy’ with your fingers,” she said. “There is nothing wrong with traditional children’s music. It’s beautiful and it’s timeless, but I’ve always just learned there is no reason we can’t meld it with rock music. And for the parents, these are songs they remember and bring up pivotal times in their lives. It’s an emotional attachment for parents and a great way to share it with their kids.”

Range of programs

This weekend’s open house will showcase the range of music programs Hester offers. The free interactive event also will include a hands-on instrument petting zoo, concerts, signing sessions, raffle prizes, dance contests, food and drinks.

“I’m just most excited about people seeing this place,” said Hester, a Deerfield resident who grew up in Northbrook. “This place is so near and dear to me. I want to stand on top of the building and say come on over here.”

“There is nothing greater in the world than to turn a kid on to music because it’s going to last the rest of their life.”

For more information about the Rock and Roll Arts Academy, visit www.rockandrolldarts.com or www.mindysmusic.com or call (847) 748-8993.