Music

Earlier this week in our April NYC Go List, we told you about the biggest family concert happening in New York City this spring: the annual Kindiefest at BAM, which sold out super quickly. But don't worry: Kindiefest isn't the only cool gig in town this season.

Spring is a particularly great time of year to catch kids' bands in NYC. Local acts are emerging from hibernation with new tunes in preparation for the summer concert circuit, including popular groups like the Deedle Deedle Dees, Elizabeth Mitchell and Brady Rymer. We've rounded up 10 awesome concerts to put in your calendar this spring, but the best part is these big names don't cost big bucks. In fact, seven of these shows are 100% FREE.

It's a rare thing when a true punk icon and kiddie culture intertwine. The last time we remember it happening was when Iggy Pop starred on that Nickelodeon show. And now legendary singer-songwriter Patti Smith is going to narrate Tubby the Tuba for Little Orchestra Society.

We've written about Little Orchestra Society's interactive classical concerts in the past. The musicians, costumed performers and conductor always do a great job of turning kids on to the works of Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Britten and Gershwin, to name a few. But the next two Happy Concerts for school-age kids—Tubby and a rendition of Disney's famed Fantasia—sound like particularly memorable experiences for both kids and parents.