Posted on 10/01/2007 6:18:09 PM PDT by HennepinPrisoner
They arrived in feather boas, glittering hair accessories, sparkling dresses and tutus over diapers.
At the premiere of "Baby Loves Disco" in downtown Houston on Saturday afternoon, infants, toddlers, young children and parents boogied under a mirrored disco ball, floating bubbles and occasional "smoke" from a machine. The "bars" at Rich's Houston were lined with boxes of juice and healthy snacks, such as sliced veggies, apples, grapes, cheese, crackers and cheese pizza slices. Babies and older children danced alone — or in a parent's arms — to the beats of the '70s and '80s. They twirled, whirled and unfurled bright scarves or tried to do the twist in yellow hula hoops. While the babies bounced to the beat, older children showed off their moves — two young girls did the flamboyant arm move made famous by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. The event is part of a new "dance craze" sweeping the nation — OK, more like 20 cities — according to founder Andy Hurwitz, a New Yorker who started the family-friendly event about five years ago. Hurwitz, who is in the music business, got help from Cheryl Miller, a local mom who organized the event. "I just started it a little while after my son was born, and it's really taken off," Hurwitz said. A portion of the proceeds from the dance events, which are held in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Seattle, go to Alex's Lemonade Stand, a charity benefiting childhood cancer research.
Most busy parents learned about the new activity from e-mails or text messages and turned out in droves to watch or dance with their children.
Bubbles and hula hoops
"We're just out bar-hopping," quipped Sarah Eldridge, who sat near the dance floor with her daughter, Anna, who was finishing a grape juice. Smiling at her friend, Angela Rosteet, and her daughter, Celeste, Eldridge said the 2-year-old girls "just love to dance."
"They love the bubbles, the little egg-shakers and the hula hoops," Rosteet said.
The two moms said they needed to sit down after about an hour on the dance floor.
"I haven't been dancing in I-don't-know-how many years," she said.
"But, we don't bar-hop with our husbands," Eldridge said, laughing.
Many parents agreed that the $12 admission charge for adults was a bargain, compared with other children's activities.
Meanwhile, in the "Chill Out Zone" in one part of the club, some children took a break from the pounding music to draw, color or climb through a cardboard playhouse.
Connor Murray Smith, 5, said he had to take a break from the dancing.
"I thought that he would either love it or hate, but he's been dancing the whole time," said his mom, Sara Smith.
Bob Gerber and his son, Lucas, were enjoying some popcorn in the chill-out area. Lucas, 7, was wearing ear plugs provided by the club.
Back on the dance floor, Charla Mock watched in amazement as her 7-year-old daughter, Sydney, moved to the music with her shoulders shaking.
"I don't know where this is coming from. We don't even have television," Mock said. "It's innate, I'm convinced. I'm seeing a whole new side of her — she's blossomed since she started the first grade."
Mock was in the club with her husband, Robert Mock, and their 5-year-old son, Sawyer. "This takes me back to my club days," Charla Mock said. "The lights, the bubbles, the music — we're really having fun."
anne.kilday@chron.com
Where did you find that quote?
I was taken to a tavern by my Mom and her boyfriend when I was a young child (around 10). However, I was not expected to dress up like a queer and boogie around for them.
Well whether it is or isn't, from the "Baby loves Disco" site faq - There are balloons (by Skip*Hop) to enjoy and take home as well as the snacks for both kids and adults, plus the bar is open for non-driving adults.
So you can drink while the kiddies disco.
http://www.babylovesdisco.com/locations/houston/
I was in at least 5 different bars by the time I was 5.
lovely products they sell there: http://leastlikely2breed.net/index.php
Just go to the original Chronicle article and there is a link for 8 pictures...all with captions. Click the camera icon under 'Resources'.
I thought this @#$% went out with the 70s.
People actually drink that awful swill?
I hear Britney Spears and Michael Jackson will be headlining at these venues soon. ;)
He has his hand there so if the kid wiggles he won’t fall off. Really. I’d be more worried about the other kid who doesn’t have anyone holding on to him.
Just caught my attention, especially after I read someone said it might be a gay bar, pedophilia breeding ground...
Are you sure it’s not a ‘gay bar’?
All of my coworkers who live in the area seem to claim it as their own.
http://houston.broowaha.com/article.php?id=1841
http://www.houstongayguide.com/gay-bars-houston.htm
These website seem to list ‘gay bars’, and noticeable is that Rich’s is on the list.
If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, looks like a duck, it’s not an elephant. It’s a duck.
Such skills are not “good things” to expose young children too, IMNSHO.
Get a baby sitter,if you want an adult night out at a tavern.
I really don’t want to see your child at a “tavern” specializing in adult oriented entertainment and alcoholic beverages.
Why don’t you just buy a case, turn on the radio, order a pizza, and stay home?
At least you wouldn’t be screwing with all the people who just wanted a break away from the children.....
How is this different than eating in a restaurant?
Oh...yeah..I forgot. the food is better. We opted to sit on the patio.
Its not like we were playing drinking games.
I’m sorry if you had a bad childhood.
Especially since it sounds like a gay bar. Eww!
Fortunately I’m not familiar with such places.
;-)
Nice comeback! /sarcasm//
So now, you claim that you, your child, and your parents were not actually “in the tavern”, merely innocently sitting in and enjoying the “family friendly patio atmosphere” outside of an actual tavern!
I deem you highly worthy of viking kitty attention.
As a side note, my childhood was not so bad that anyone uninvolved in it would be moved to express pity or false remorse.
Grow up, and shell out the cash for childcare, if you want to indulge in an adults only night out.
Your children do not need to be around adult strangers who are imbibing alcohol.
Am I the very first person in the world to ever say that to your face (figuratively)?
I guess you need to enlarge your circle of acquaintances.
I only responded to your comment that no one in the USA takes their kids to taverns. I said “people do it all the time” and You said “Not In the USA!”
Local Taverns are far friendlier and better food than Applebees and I just dont have a problem with eating and drinking or listening to music responsibly.
You got your nose out of joint because you think I condone getting liquored up with the kids in pick up joints.
I NEVER said that.
And we ate on the patio because it was a lovely evening.
We often eat indoors, and I would think nothing of eating inside with the family in plain view of the bar.
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