CREATIVE SPACES:
Keeping Kids Inspired
After-School Arts Enrichment
CREATIVE SPACES: Keeping Kids Inspired
The Creative Spaces is an arts enrichment program for 8 - 12 year old kids. The Creative Spaces is an exploration of the arts, so kids can discover their passions, learn techniques, foster a love for creativity, and build an artistic foundation to further their arts education in the areas they find inspiration.
The Creative Spaces consists of a 12-week program during the Fall and Spring semesters and a short winter program. Each session includes all four art forms (singing, acting, dancing, and art). The art forms rotate through the session, culminating in a performance for families on the last day of class. We also bring in dynamic content weekly so kids get to experience the art forms in refreshing ways that open their minds to creativity.
The art forms in the Creative Spaces include Singing, Acting, Dancing, and Art. We explore these arts through various activities, including music appreciation, rhythm, drumming, vocal training, movement, choreography, improv, character development, mediums, color theory, etc., and simply singing, acting, dancing, and creating!
Mr. D's Music Club first developed the Creative Spaces during the pandemic to help kids access the creative arts during the year of online education. Over the last year, we have redeveloped the program for an in-person experience so kids can once again access the arts, explore their artistic interests, and find the creative outlets that inspire them.
We have attended several sessions of Mr. D's afterschool program. My creative daughter looks forward to it as one of her favorite things to do during the week. I'm always impressed by the eclectic music selections in the playlists, which has provided my daughter with knowledge about classic and contemporary music she likely may not have discovered otherwise. The program is inclusive and encouraging for kids of all levels. Program administration runs well, with plenty of friendly communication. Love Mr. D's!
Amy D., Oakland, CA - Nov 2023
The Creative Spaces is for kids 8 - 12 years old.*
NO EXPERIENCE OR FORMAL TRAINING NECESSARY!
*We are always happy to speak with parents about younger or older children attending our programs. Please reach out to us if you'd like to chat.
Winter Pantomime
British Inspired, Kid Produced
November 29 - December 20, 2023
Wednesdays 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Come and join us this winter for an exciting adventure in the world of pantomimes. Our pantomime is based on the age-old British tradition Mr. D grew up with in England. As a young boy, he eagerly awaited the holiday season to attend the local pantomime. So, we decided to create our unique pantomime to keep the tradition alive, but with Mr. D's Music Club twist, of course. Our pantomime will be funny yet appropriate, celebrating the winter season and providing many opportunities for singing, acting, dancing, and art. The experience will conclude with a lively production for friends and family on December 20, 2024, at 6:00 pm.
Pantomimes are always a bit wild and hectic in the best way, but given that we are creating, producing, and performing ours in four weeks, expect a fun, interactive, and slightly funky show (just how we like it!). At Mr. D's, we do not aim for perfection - just tons of FUN!
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Includes original script, choreography, fun songs to sing, and a great art project to decorate the stage.
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A snack and drink are provided each week, plus time to socialize and make new friends.
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Oh no, you didn't? Oh yes, we did!!
The Details: Winter Season
Creative Spaces
Duration of the Program: 12 weeks
Dates: January 10 - March 27, 2024
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Schedule: Wednesdays - 2:00 - 6:00 pm​ with flexible drop-off
from 1:45 - 2:00 pm.​
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Ages: 8 - 12-year-olds. We are happy to chat with families
whose child(ren) is outside the age range.
Performance: End of session performance during the last week of
the session.
Program Location: 6013 Lawton Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618 (same place we host our summer camps)
Prorated Pricing: $657.00 or $219.00/month (prorated) ($18.25/hour)
The program is open for registration and prorated through February 7, 2024
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Installment Plans are available until 1/15/24. Opt into a 2, 3, or 4 installment plan. We also offer flexible payment plans, so don't hesitate to contact us if you need a custom schedule. Email hailey@mrdsmusicclub.com.
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Scholarships are available. Apply here.
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Additional details: We take breaks for snacks (provided by us) and socialize with friends.
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Trial Class: Available for the first 5 weeks of the program, January 10 - February 7, 2024.
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The Trial Class is $45/child.
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Available only for kids new to Creative Spaces. A Trial Class cannot be repeated.
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We will credit the trial class fee into your account after your child's attendance for the 4-hour program.
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The credit can be used for future registrations for all programs at Mr. D's Music Club and does not expire.
The perks
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Access to 48 hours of the creative arts (across 12 weeks)
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Flexible drop-off from 1:45 - 2:00 pm each week​
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Engaging Teaching Artists who love to work with kids, build their artistic confidence, and let them shine!
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End of program performance for family and friends
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Learning creative techniques without even realizing it ;)​​
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Flexible payment plans are available. Pay on the dates that work for you!​
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Central location off of Highways 24 & 13 in Oakland's Rockridge District
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frequently asked questions
How do the Creative Spaces differ from Mr. D's Music Club Arts & Music Summer Camp?
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For those who have attended our summer camps, you know they are fast-paced, high-energy, and tons of fun! We create an entire performance in one week, including singing, acting, dancing, and an art gallery.
The Creative Spaces take a slower approach to the arts where we help build an artistic foundation for the kids so they can jump off into the arts that inspire them and start to hone their skills. Although we teach creative techniques in the various art forms nothing about Mr. D's Music Club feels like school!!. Instead, our curriculum is fully immersive through active participation starting on day one.
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How are the Creative Spaces and Mr. D's Music Club Arts & Music Summer Camp similar?
Whenever we work with kids, our mantra is always that each child is seen, heard, and feels connected. The Teaching Artists at Mr. D's Music Club approach each program with the same intention of helping kids build confidence, take artistic risks, and succeed in their creative challenges.
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Why the Creative Spaces?
Before the pandemic, limited access to the arts in schools was not uncommon, but now we see more and more programs disappearing from the school day. We firmly believe that the arts help kids academically, socially, and emotionally and build a strong foundation for future success (we also think sports should be a part of this! Although, we haven’t figured out how to bring it all together yet. Haha!). Our goal with Creative Spaces is to help kids build that foundation by providing ample access to the arts and letting them dive deeper into their artistic interests.
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Is Mr. D's Music Club a Performing Arts School?
Absolutely not. Whereas traditional Performing Art Schools focus on teaching formal techniques and developing skills to perfect the art form(s) over time, Mr. D’s Music Club is set up to offer an alternative approach to the arts and we serve a different type of student.
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Can I check out The Creative Spaces before signing up?
Yep! We offer Trial Classes for kids new to The Creative Spaces. These are available on a limited basis for each session. After attending the Trial Class we will send you a credit for the price of the class that you can use toward a future registration. Register for a Trial Class.
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Are scholarships available for The Creative Spaces?
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Yes! We offer scholarships for all of our programs. We typically offer 50% scholarships and flexible payment plans if requested to assist as many families as possible. We have limited scholarships available for The Creative Spaces, so apply soon!
Register
For security purposes you will be requested to log in or create an account prior to selecting your week(s) of camp.
Our child (age 9) is a singing, music, and art enthusiast who adores this program. LOVES it!
The 4-hour session on Wednesdays is a great fit for our family, and the longer length session means they really get to settle in, make friends, and dive into the material. Stephen (Mr. D) and Hailey, who run the program, are fantastic - absolutely professional, experienced, talented, kind, and FUN. The team shared a Spotify playlist blending modern and classic music that evolved with the classes, which cranked up the practicing and engagement outside of class sessions. We enjoyed this so much that we signed BOTH our kids now that our youngest is old enough for the next 12-week session starting in January 2023. The kids are so excited, and so are we.
Thank you, Creative Spaces team - you have truly enriched our lives.
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~ Elizabeth B., Oakland, CA - November 2022