Babies love disco (and so do their parents)
Children as young as six months are dancing to a new beat, and The Wiggles are nowhere in sight.
On selected Sunday afternoons, Slide Bar Cabaret Club on Oxford Street will be transformed to “Baby Loves Disco”. Promoted as a dance venue for children, it’s also likely to have some appeal as a meeting place for parents.
“The idea is that it is not only a place where kids can meet other kids but where parents can meet as well,” said Natasha Henry, a mother of two and co-founder of the Sydney project.
Children up to seven years of age can party with bubble machines, egg shakers and temporary tattoos while their parents can unwind in the upstairs retreat and chill-out room.
The only ground rule for entry is that parents have their children in tow.
As a consequence, Ms. Henry insists that the party is the perfect event for both parents and their children.
“Parents can have a really good time and interact and bond with their children instead of them sitting in the corner and watching.”
Jodie King, 35, mother of six-year-old Scout, runs her own business and sees the party as the perfect opportunity to spend time with her daughter.
“Scout is looking forward to the photo booth where we can take some fun snaps of ourselves, and she wants us to have a hand massage together.”
The idea launched in America three years ago and has been “slowly spreading its disco wings around the world to the UK, Dubai and Japan, and now finally to Australia” says Ms Henry.
The healthy no-egg and no-nut snack bar for the children includes fresh juice, fruit and vegetables, while parents have the opportunity to sip champagne and enjoy canapés.
DJ Dr Manny Sharrad performs in the ARIA award-winning electronic dance band Infusion and will be playing at the launch of Baby Loves Disco. His song selection includes everything from Michael Jackson to Saturday Night Fever, insisting it is “music that parents will enjoy as well”.
These disco classics are essential for a nightclub where Ms. Henry believes the “main focus is the dancing, the dance competitions, and the different dance styles”.
The Slide dance floor lights up in a rainbow of flashing colours which is sure to result in parents and children letting loose to the pounding music.
The first event will take place on August 23 from 1pm to 4pm, with the following on September 27. Tickets are available online on moshtix.com.au at $17 for parents and walkers, with free entry for crawlers.
by Lauren Fitzpatrick
