"Rock the Cradle is about music, fun and community," said The Current's founding program director, Steve Nelson, back in 2005. That formula has been the basis of Rock the Cradle ever since.

Designed as an event for kids and their grownups, Rock the Cradle brings together families for an experience that includes dancing, live music, art projects, opportunities to try musical instruments and more. The first iteration of Rock the Cradle occurred in December 2005, but in 2007, the event moved into the late winter and early spring, providing families a chance to get out during a time of year when many Minnesotans have been cooped up indoors.

Over the course of its history so far, there have been Rock the Cradle events that have taken place when the temperature was well below zero; there have also been times when the weather was so agreeable, kids played outdoors in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) courtyard. In its early days, children at Rock the Cradle got to try out a number of musical instruments — including wind instruments — but the H1N1 (also called "swine flu") outbreak of 2009 put an end to that practice, but string and percussion instruments are still on the menu. The Kids' Disco has been a fixture of Rock the Cradle since the beginning, and it usually features a game of "statues" led by DJ Mark Wheat.

In the years since, Rock the Cradle has gone on to launch ancillary events like the Pop Up Ski Party, and it's also created a dedicated music stream, Rock the Cradle Radio, which provides a 24/7 playlist for kids and their grownups.

Here's a gallery of photos from the early days of Rock the Cradle. It's worth noting that the children in these photos are now in high school, in college or well into their careers.

This year's Rock the Cradle happens Sunday, March 8, at MIA.

Gallery

Fullscreen SlidePrevious Slide

18 of 18

1 of 18

2 of 18

Next Slide