Meet Me at the Chrysalis

A year ago I was jumping for joy at the prospect of the opening of the Chrysalis. And this year is no different. The Inner Arbor Trust is working with the Columbia Association, HoCo Rec and Parks, and with assistance from the Columbia Festival of the Arts to present a season of amazing children’s programming. 

Wait. Let me say that again. An entire season of FREE children’s programming.

It starts tomorrow with Milkshake. I’ve seen them live and I use their music in my teaching with young children. If you have kids you’ll want to be there. Heck, I’m coming by myself. I might even wear a crazy tutu and bring a big bottle of sunshine.

Back when the story of the Inner Arbor Trust seemed like it was only a twinkle in Michael McCall’s eye, a lot of us in the community attended meeting after meeting to speak in support of the project. One of the things that mattered most to me was speaking up for the people who weren’t in the room: young adults, young parents, young children. What were we doing that would benefit them?

This year’s season at the Chrysalis is bursting out into the world to benefit those who weren’t in the room because they might not even have been born yet. I can’t think of a better way to show how valuable Merriweather Park in Symphony Woods can be in our community. The future of Columbia and Howard County rests in these little folks who will be singing and dancing and playing all summer thanks to the Inner Arbor Trust and its dynamic and creative leader, Nina Basu.

Truth in Advertising: those Dance Parties? I facilitate them. I accept no remuneration. It’s my gift to the park and to the  community. 

I hope I’ll see you tomorrow at the Milkshake concert. Sign up for your free tickets here. (They’ll even tell you where you can park.)

Take a look at what’s coming:

Chrysalis Kids: Milkshake! (4/21 at 10:00 a.m.)
Chrysalis Kids: Kids Dance Party on the Stage (5/12 at 10:00 a.m.) Chrysalis Kids: Opera! (6/9 at 10:00 a.m.)
Chrysalis Kids: Kids Dance Party on the Stage (6/16 at 10:00 a.m.) Chrysalis Kids: Bugged! (Dance) (6/24 at 10:00 a.m.)
Chrysalis Kids: Jedi Academy! (6/24 at 3:00 p.m.)
Chrysalis Kids: Grandsons Jr. (7/7 at 10:00 a.m.)
Chrysalis Kids: Kids Dance Party on the Stage (7/14 at 10:00 a.m.)
Chrysalis Kids: Columbia Orchestra for Kids (7/21 at 10:00 a.m.)
Chrysalis Kids: Barry Polisar (8/11 at 10:00 a.m.)
Chrysalis Kids: Kids Dance Party on the Stage (8/18 at 10:00 a.m.)
Chrysalis Kids: Columbia Concert Band Music Around the World (9/9 at 10:00 a.m.) 
Chrysalis Kids: Kids Dance Party on the Stage (9/15 at 10:00 a.m.)

To learn more about the Chrysalis and the Trust, go here,