Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Would Temple Grandin go see the Wiggles?

Guess who's coming back to town, after three long years?

The Wiggles!

Last time they were here, it was a less than spectacular experience for us.  But, we have come a long way since then, both the boys and us.  We've learned what to do to make experiences like this better for the boys, and they have grown and matured since then and can tolerate public events and situations better.  Quite often now, we take them places (the Mall of America, the zoo, some restaurants) and are surprised at how well they tolerate it.

So last time we saw them, the Wiggles came to the Target Center in Minneapolis.  I emailed the Target Center staff beforehand and explained our situation (Fragile X, autism, anxiety, sensory issues, etc.) and they generously offered to let us sit in a suite.  The boys got to watch the show from behind the glass doors, where it was a little quieter and easier for them to handle.

This time they are doing their show at the Historic State Theatre.  This venue is a little smaller and unfortunately doesn't have suite seating.  They really don't have any special accommodations to offer us.  I know, because I already emailed them and asked.  All they could do is let us have seating way in the back of the auditorium, so we can get out easily and quickly.  There are no monitors in the lobby area though, so once you are out of the theatre, you don't see the show at all.

They were super nice and appologetic about not having what we need.  So I'm pondering this one.

Should we, or shouldn't we?

What would Temple Grandin tell us to do?
Well, it's been three years since the last time we went to their show.  They were 3 years old then; now they are big 6-year-olds.  Kindergarteners.

Age has not diminished their love of The Wiggles in the slightest.  If anything it's enhanced.

AJ watches "The Monkey Dance" and other Wiggles songs daily on You Tube.  He does seem to gravitate to the recordings of live shows.


Seriously, if I had $10 for every time I hear this in a month, I could pay our mortgage.

He also loves videos like this where you can see the kids dancing.  He and Zack both watch these videos over and over. 



So it seems like they would enjoy seeing the live show.  I should also mention that AJ tends to turn up the volume so high the neighbors can hear the strains of "Do the monkey!  Oo-oo-ah-ah oo-oo-ah-ah, Do the monkey!"  Very loud music doesn't seem to bother them, at least here at home.

Another thing to consider though, is that the show is at 7 o'clock at night.  It will go well past bedtime, and nighttime in general is not their best time of day.  I don't know yet if they will do a matinee.  So far both The Wiggles website and the site for the Historic State Theatre just list the 7 o'clock show.

So I don't know yet what to do.  Tickets go on sale next week, so I have a few days to think about it.

I'm open to suggestions.  What do you think?  Should we, or shouldn't we?

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