Reviewed by Ali

Professor Banjo plays old-timey tunes at Milagros Boutique
5433 NE 30th Ave.
Wednesdays at 1 PM
Suggested donation of $3 per walking person

I have been wanting to go to Milagros since I started this website back in August. They have tons of family-friendly activities going on every week, such as music from local favorites, yoga, cloth diapering workshops, support groups, and more. Our first trip did not disappoint.

The store is colorful and has nice touches throughout, like big photos on the wall of the owners’ son, now 4 years old. And the store is just packed with fun, eco-friendly clothes and toys. A small sample of what they have: a whole section of cloth diapers, ergo carriers, adorable clothes (like a hoodie sweatshirt with a comic-book style KABOOM! in big letters across the front), and loads of natural toys like wooden rattles/teethers. We ended up buying one of these rattles after Grady surreptitiously got one in his mouth while we were walking by – it seems to help with the pain of the three teeth that are currently breaking through.

In the back of the store, there is a separate entrance to the room where Milagros’ events take place. You can also enter directly from the street if you don’t want to tempt yourself by walking through the store! The room is good-sized, and was set up with two couches, about a dozen chairs – many of which were kid-sized – and a rug. It was a little chilly in there, so I would recommend bringing layers for you and your little ones.

Professor Banjo is a staple of the kids’ music scene, and for good reason. He plays a mean banjo! And kazoo for that matter!

The songs are all of the variety that are impossible to sit still for – twangy bluegrass style with a strong beat. Most of the songs were new to us, but were easy to pick up and sing along to. And the Professor did play a few familiar songs too, although with a bluegrass twist (Twinkle, Twinkle; Hush Little Baby; All the Pretty Horses). For some of the songs, he takes suggestions from the audience and crafts new lyrics around them. I was duly impressed.

Professor Banjo has a way with kids – for instance, he succeeded in getting a very shy little girl to flap her arms like a bird and crow like a rooster. He actively solicits their participation, but knows when to back off.

Interspersed between numbers are short stories and explanations about the songs. He’s sort of like Sesame Street – kids and adults will both enjoy the music and conversation, and adults will also enjoy some of the jokes that might go over the heads of their little ones.

Here’s Grady rocking along with the music.