Motley Cloak

Playing the pocket piccolo, buffing the bassoon, wetting your reed, getting your first tromboner. Child psychologists agree that music, like masturbation, is a normal, healthy, happy part of childhood. Music soothes the savage baby, tames a tired toddler, encourages logical thinking, enhances memory, promotes physical activity and keeps brain synapses firing. In short, it's all good. The folks at TACA, Dallas' largest philanthropic organization for the arts, agree. "We're trying to expose kids to music at a younger age," Juliette Coulter, TACA spokeswoman, says. "It helps them learn better, and it's a joyous pursuit." TACA is holding its second annual Family Festival at the Meyerson Symphony Center at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Many of its beneficiaries, such as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Opera, Texas Ballet Theater, Dallas Children's Theater and Ollimpaxqui Ballet, will present performances and interact with children on a level that 5- to 12-year-olds can appreciate. The "musical petting zoo" is a unique attraction, giving children the opportunity to hold and play instruments under the guidance of Dallas Wind Symphony and Fine Arts Chamber Players musicians. Coulter says kids can also watch and then dance with Dallas Black Dance Theater dancers. The DSO kicks off the evening with a kid-friendly classical concert before the festival events in the lobby begin. Headliners for this year's concert are Radio Disney alums Stevie Brock and Skye Sweetham, who are almost kids themselves. "With Stevie and Skye, children will see teens who have taken their love of music and now perform for others," Coulter says. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with concessions available; get tickets, from $10 to $100, by calling 214-692-0203. --Annabelle Massey Helber