Your child has a good sense of humour? Check out this children's open mic in Bandra

A participant is joined by her sister on the guitar while she sings her heart out

A girl steps down from the stage after singing Wavin' Flag by K'naan, a song that won the hearts of millions of fans glued to the screens during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Before singing, she makes a request to the audience, "If you all know it [the lyrics], please sing along."

Summer holidays are a great time to let children explore their creative freedom. One of the best ways is to let them be, and witness them nurture their imagination in their rooms at their own pace. Another is to encourage them to share spaces with others who, like them, are unburdened by the pressure of school during the break. This is where open mics come in. They create a non-competitive environment, not defined by the rigidity of rules.

Supporting this idea, Dorangos, a Bandra performance space, will host a series of such sessions for children each weekend throughout May. "Parents had been reaching out to us, asking us if we wanted to do open mics for a younger audience, since it could really help boost their children's confidence," says Duran Pereira, manager of the venue.

A young rapper shares his poem at the venue

The thought of not putting a cap on the age range, with the youngest performers being five years old, is inviting, too. It opens up possibilities for creative collaborations among friends and siblings. "We've seen a girl singing on stage with her elder sister, who was about 20, playing the guitar for her," Pereira adds, recalling a session they had organised a few months ago.

Children will be able to experiment with poetry, dance, music - any form of creative arts that they're willing to try. The stage has also witnessed a little rapper delighting the audience with his poem, Here's Why You Shouldn't Go to School. Another beautiful thing about these sessions is that there are recordings provided to the parents of the performers after the show; these moments
become accumulated memories that the children will look back on many years from now and cherish for years after.

On: May 5; 5 pm onwards
At: Hall 2, Dorangos, 5 AA, above Fitness Freakz, near Macronal Compound, Pali Hill, Bandra West.
Log on to: in.bookmyshow.com
Cost: Rs 100 onwards (for entry and registration)