Oh what a night, er, afternoon. On a recent Sunday, we hung out at Club Shampoo in Philadelphia and danced ourselves into a tizzy at the monthly Baby Loves Disco event.
Baby Loves Disco is akin to a social movement; a grassroots effort, promoting and facilitating a unique variety of parent/child bonding that is popping up in what seems like more cities every month. Currently held in seventeen cities, from Seattle to Denver to Brooklyn, Baby Loves Disco throws mid-afternoon dance parties once a month for kids age seven and younger, and their adult companions.
Now, I was never a hip, dancing fool as a young man. In fact, I was a bit of a dork (and some would say that not much has changed in that department). For me, Baby Loves Disco provided a vivid flashback to mid-1980’s junior high socials (even the music was the same!) complete with awkward posturing, timid glances and bashful wall flowers. Toss in hundreds of grown ups trying to stay out of their own way and not crunch little toes and you have a recipe for a hilarious experience and social experiment.
You can feel free to arrive hungry as your ticket price, a mere $10 in Philadelphia, nets your clan unlimited juice boxes, cookies, veggies and snacks (courtesy of Whole Foods in my town). The spread was remarkable and ever-present; from the moment you enter the doors there is an abundance of goodies to refuel, encouraging you to get back out on the dance floor. There is also a cash bar for those unable to spend two to three hours with your child minus alcohol.
While the volume knob was at a comfortable and non-obnoxious level all day, I was disappointed in the musical selection. I feel it was lacking a youthful spunk, relying too heavily on deep textured grooves more suited to sweaty, red-bull fueled adults who shake it on Friday and Saturday evenings. There were periods of quality mixes – “Rock obster”, “YMCA” among the familiar standouts that are always a pleasure and a delight for kids to hear (maybe for the first time). Tracks along those lines are musically pleasing and nostalgic enough to appease the older folks yet playful and fun enough to capture the attention of the toddler set.
There are many freebies lying about – scratch-n-sniff stickers from Whole Foods and Baby Loves Jazz compilation CDs and crayons. Out on the dance floor, the “host” spent the whole afternoon handing out prizes for the funkiest dance moves. It seemed like every 3-4 songs there were official Baby Loves Disco mix cds, What’s New Boogaboo stuffed “animals” and books and salon gift certificates for Moms (and Dads) being awarded to lucky kids who were anything but bashful as they strut their stuff under the mirror ball.
The day was not all about dancing however. The Hula Hoop zone was stocked with dozens of Hulas and set up with play tents for a break from the dancing. A separate Crawler-only area was swimming in plush animals, cushions, baby books and toys. This cozy corner is ideal, exclusively set aside, for infants.
Overall, it was a great time. The staff, from the bouncers at the door to the dancing-fool host himself, was outstanding, cheerful and accommodating. If you and your child enjoy dancing around the house and listening to music, seek out a Baby Loves Disco event near you and give it a shot. Ten years ago I would never have dreamt of seeing kids busting a move in the glow of a mirrored ball, but alas, not only is it possible – it happens every month in many cities across the country!
Put on your dancing shoes and get out there together as a family – you will not be disappointed!
Related Links
Baby Loves Disco – Official Site