By Brianne Spinelli

Brianne Spinelli is an “Auntie by Relation” (ABR) to Julia, Alexis, and Lucas, as well as Godmother to Alexis. Connect with her on Twitter at @freetobebree or here on SavvyAuntie.com, member name: AuntBree.

Flowers are blooming. The sun is showing its face more often. Temperatures are on the upswing. In addition to heralding the onset of spring and summer, these indicators signal the start of another season: concert season. While concerts are year-round occurrences, spring and summer seem to bring an onslaught of musical acts thanks to open-air amphitheaters, music festivals, and school breaks. Chances are your nieces and nephews have a few gigs in mind that they’re dying to attend. If you, like me, are a concert-loving Auntie, this is the perfect opportunity to snatch up some out-of-this-world qualAuntie time with nieces and nephews.

Whether your concert plans involve the Warped Tour or the Fresh Beat Band, there are some things to keep in mind to maximize the experience for you both.

Step 1: Purchasing Tickets

Sure, everyone knows to use Ticketmaster for their ticket-buying needs, but did you know also know that there are now ticketing agents available for exclusive VIP access to many concerts? If your nieces and nephews are particularly big fans of the act you’re going to see, this might be something worth looking into. Companies like VIP Nation (www.vipnation.com) provide red carpet treatment for their customers, including premium seating, pre-show receptions, and in some cases, meet & greets with the artists themselves. Be sure to read the package details carefully, as some include a ticket to the show while others are upgrades to a ticket that you need to purchase separately. While these packages can be a bit pricey (Big Time Rush’s run $175-350 each, while the New Kids on the Block have a package that goes as high as about $1,000), depending on each Auntie’s own situation and preference, they might be worthwhile for the once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll share with your niece or nephew.

Step 2: Research

Knowing some songs that an artist performs helps make concerts more enjoyable for all parties involved. It’s never fun to have a bump on a log as your neighbor at a concert, and that will make things significantly less fun for your niece or nephew if that bump is their own dear Auntie. If you know some of the songs that you can sing along, it will encourage your niece or nephew to enjoy the concert to the fullest. Just be sure not to overdo it. There is a fine line between enthusiastic, music-fan Auntie and embarrassingly flamboyant relative.

Step 3: Preparedness

First, have money for souvenirs to commemorate this concert. If you are attending an outdoor concert, have some essentials in your bag to guard against the elements. Venues generally don’t allow umbrellas, so in the event of inclement weather, a plastic poncho is the way to go. They are easily attainable at dollar stores and are compact enough that they won’t take up a ton of space in your bag (which will be searched upon entry to the venue). I also usually bring a pack of glow bracelets that we can wear during the concert for a little added silliness and fun.

If it is a pop concert along the lines of One Direction, The Wanted, Big Time Rush, Emblem 3, or similar, think about designing an enthusiastic fan sign with your niece or nephew to hold up at the show. It will help get you both amped up for the performance.

Step 4: Going with the Flow

The bottom line is that concerts are a means to engage in some good fun with the kids you love. The best bet is to roll with the punches and just have a good time yourself. Fun is contagious, so if you are having fun, there’s a great chance that your nieces and nephews will also have a blast. You also never know what kind of path the night might lead you down as long as you’re open to it. I’ve known people who’ve gotten upgraded seats just by being friendly and in the right place at the right time. I’ve known others who ran into a member of the band at a local McDonald’s immediately following the show.

In my own experience, I’ve gotten the opportunity to meet a number of the musical acts I admire, and have somewhat gotten to know some of them. As a result, I’ve been sung to at a concert, been awarded band merchandise for doing them a favor, and have even been provided with complimentary tickets to a show. It never hurts to be friendly, and it may even be the deciding factor that turns a fun night out with your niece and nephew into an unforgettable event.

Published: April 23, 2013