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
It's not about YOU anymore. It's about THEM.
I never heard of an event that is supposedly “for the kids” where you have to worry about designated drivers. You hit the nail on the head about this event being more for the parents.
Yes, it is mostly a homosexual bar...which makes this whole thing even creepier.
HOUSTON Ping
Houston PING
(sorry to throw water on the parade, but actions DO have consequences, even consequences that we wish they didn’t).
Big deal. People take their kids to taverns all the time.
So long as there is no underage drinking or drunk driving whats the problem?
The kids are accessories for the parents.
Well, if you would like to teach your children that the bar scene is "oh so cool!" at 5 years old, go for it.
No alcohol was served.
Its not like they are teaching their kids pickup lines.
Personally, I wouldnt dress my daughter up like a tart and take her to a nightclub.
I think this is pretty creepy.
Funny...in the 4th picture it looks like the man on the left is holding a Bud Light.
Excellent. This makes Baby Loves Disco night essentially pedophile night at Rich’s.
Just wow.
*shudder*
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