Is there a way to enjoy live music without spending a late night in some dark, smoky bar? 2nd Floor Music thinks so. They schedule family-friendly events that conflict with children’s playdates rather than bedtime. 

A canvas tarp covers tables and chairs on artificial turf laid over a paved parking lot. A row of children sways and claps along to acoustic ballads as tables of parents quietly gossip over clay teapots.

These families have braved the threat of rainstorms to enjoy a leisurely afternoon of outdoor music appreciation.

Families and friends are not only invited to these parties but also encouraged to make requests and participate. Many are students of organizer Han Zhiqiang’s 2nd Floor Music school, which offers lessons for all ages in instruments including, guitar, piano, and ukulele.

The host café serves only artisan teas, not coffee. Nestled in a block of warehouses repurposed for art and dance studios east of Beijing, it’s the kind of mom-and-pop business that’s more eager to refill your hot water than to charge you for your order.

A rotating cast takes turns crooning tunes that trigger nostalgia in middle-aged parents, all accompanied by Mr. Han on a bodyless outdoor guitar. A round-faced man with an angelic tenor is spelled out by a young woman carrying a dog in her lap. The crowd cheers on a girl from the program singing a favorite song on her 10th birthday.

Guest performers step in to give Mr. Han a break. A cello duet performs the tango of a popular romance TV series, and an older man in a cowboy hat plucks a classical guitar étude. Whoever plays it, this music is the connective tissue of social gatherings, entertainment, and popular culture at large.

The party wraps up with some final tales of unrequited love just before the rain. As the families pop open umbrellas and slowly disperse, I go looking for a barista to finally pay my check.

二楼音乐：适合全家的现场音乐

有没有一种方式，可以享受现场音乐，又不用在黑暗又烟雾缭绕的酒吧里待到深夜？二楼音乐认为是有的。他们安排的活动适合全家一起参加，时间上虽然会跟孩子们的玩耍时间撞上，但不会耽误他们上床睡觉。

一块帆布篷盖在桌椅上方，桌椅摆在铺了人造草皮的停车场上。一排小孩随着民谣弹唱摇摆拍手，旁边的父母们则围着陶壶轻声聊天。

这些家庭冒着暴风雨可能来临的天气，就为了享受一个悠闲的下午户外音乐会。

主办方不仅欢迎家人朋友来参加聚会，还欢迎大家现场提要求想听哪首歌，或者干脆自己上去唱一首。很多人都是组织者韩志强的二楼音乐学校的学生，学校开设了吉他、钢琴、尤克里里等乐器课程，适合各个年龄段的人学习。

现场有茶饮供应，这家茶馆只做手工茶，不卖咖啡。茶馆坐落在北京东边一个由仓库改造的艺术和舞蹈工作室聚集区里，是一家夫妻小店，更愿意不停地给你加热水，而不是急着催你买单。

表演者轮番上阵，轻轻唱起那些让中年父母们感到怀旧的歌曲，韩老师则用一把没有琴身的户外吉他伴奏。一位圆脸男士用天使般的男高音唱完几首，接着一位年轻女子抱着膝上的小狗上场。节目里有个小女孩在自己十岁生日那天唱了一首喜欢的歌，大家为她鼓掌加油。

韩老师也会请来客串的表演者替他歇口气。一把大提琴二重奏演奏了一部热门爱情剧里的探戈，一位戴牛仔帽的老先生弹了一首古典吉他练习曲。不管是谁在演奏，音乐都把这些聚会、娱乐和大众文化紧紧连在了一起。

聚会最后在雨中讲了几段单恋的故事后结束了。大家打伞慢慢散去，我去找咖啡师，终于把账结了。