She loves Lady Gaga, you’d love a latte. Fancy this: kids sing, moms and dads sip, and just like that, everyone is as “Happy” as Pharrell. At Chirp Kids Karaoke Cafe, the new spot in Pasadena, they can warble along with “Frozen” to their hearts content, while you read, chat with friends and relax in air conditioned comfort. Now that’s music to our ears.
Two Moms Got Creative So That Kids Can, Too
It was a light bulb moment ignited between two lovely ladies from Pasadena. Moms, naturally. Jennifer Gunn and Carole Fleischman realized reserving the fun factor in karaoke exclusively for adults was a grown-up sized goof. What inhibition? Kids love to croon! And they often do, with a beautiful disregard for pitch, key and volume. So, while we can eek out a smile and a rhythmic nod to the first song or four, after that, is it so wrong to want to exit stage left and settle in with a cup of joe and a celebration of the sounds of silence?
Comes With Costumes And A Side Of Babysitting
They’re singing. Top of their lungs. They’re in costume. Perhaps some high heels. Maybe wigs. (All provided). They’re attempting harmony. (Not provided.) They’re supervised, and best part, you’re not the one doing the supervising. That’s what the Chirp staff is there for. There’s a whole other land laid out for you: a place to have your own playdate, solo or otherwise. Take it in. In an immaculately clean sprawl, there are magazines. Free Wi-Fi. A full beverage café and don’t look now, but a liquor license may even be in the works. One more round of “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman”? Go for it.
No Windowless Parent Prison
You won’t want to leave as much as your kids won’t want to leave. When’s the last time that’s happened at a kid-catering venue? Maybe never. Honestly, someone here should issue parents the five-minute warning. This place is sun bathed, spacious, pristinely clean, and beautiful. One visit and your offspring will know exactly where they wanted to have their next birthday. And, done.
Classes and Camps and Birthdays, Oh My
The free-play floor is open (see open mic times below), but so are classes, sing-alongs, talent shows, and summer camp. Story Time Sing-Alongs (Wednesdays, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.) are ideal for kids who covet the classics (and by classics we’re referring to “The Jungle Book” and “Cinderella”). Move to the Music targets the toddler scene; particularly the 2-5 year old Idol-ettes who know you barely have to walk to rock. And summer camps are offered up à la carte, one week at a time, celebrating creativity, crafting, song writing, and so very much singing.
Who’s Party is It Anyway?
Booking a birthday at Chirp is a gift to parents and kids alike. With three different party packages to pick from, you pretty much send out the invite, sit back, and enjoy it as much as your guests will. For the kids that need a little warm up before they feel like bursting into song, arts and games and blocks and basketball options abound. Clean up? They gotcha there too. Who’s singing now?
Frozen Fridays & Open Mic
Innnnn Summmmmmmmer! Bring it Olaf. From 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. every Friday. It’s a Friday Frozen-a-thon. Because as long as they won’t let it go, you may as well given them a place to sing about it.
What else? Open Mic time is 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays & 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. $12/kid, $8/sibling, $0/chaperone. Have some coffee. Stay as long as you like, the rate is flat.
Where It Began…
Karaoke is infectious. And while you will thoroughly enjoy your retreat with coffee and magazine, free Wi-Fi and refreshing AC, somehow, you just may find that you end up with a mic in your hands on stage singing “Sweet Caroline”. This is the place where they can don a day glow fedora, grab their pals, and live out their American Idol dreams. No need to admit it mom, but you probably will too. No charge for embarrassing your kid. And good times never seemed so good.
-written and photographed by Jolie Loeb
Got one at home who likes to belt it out? Here’s their number. So call them maybe.
Chirp Kids Karaoke Cafe
2302 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, Ca
Phone: (626) 356-9100
Online: chirpkidskaraoke.com
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