8:50pm Tuesday 2nd June 2009
By Alice Wright - Reluctant Housewife
It’s coming up again soon! That monthly rave where adults can let their hair down, have a drink, chat to like minded individuals, showcase new clothes and dance moves and - best of all - feel like they are part of the real world again. Only one stipulation – you have to take a toddler to gain entry!
Yes its Baby Loves Disco, and whatever you might have heard about this rather marvellous institution, be under no illusion this is not your run of the mill baby activity group. For a start you aren’t all required to sit on the floor trying to encourage your babies or children to interact with each other by shaking some grotty old toys while the mums discuss creams, boobs and nappies. In fact, for me, this is one group that’s not really about the children, it’s actually a legitimate way of using your precious bundles to get out and live a little (pretend it’s for them if you want to though!).
Husband and I took Baby to our first Disco a few months ago and had absolutely no idea what to expect. We were fully prepared to join in the best baby-wipe discussion (I’ve had that conversation honestly) and watch while lots of little princesses did the OkeyCokey. When we arrived we thought we had stumbled into the wrong venue (Coalition on the seafront) – it was dark and had the distinct aroma of last nights beer and fags just like any other club in the daytime – plus it was pumping out some throbbing bass. Where was High School Musical and the BoogieBeebies?
Entering the dingy interior we were met by lots of little ones screaming and running around, thankfully it wasn’t a joke and others had actually bought their children, but there were also relaxed parents sipping drinks and chatting, some were actually laughing and dancing! There was a chill out zone where kids could be placed safely for some ‘time out’ with their parents and the ubiquitous face painting area. More practical needs were met too as changing mats were set out on tables and trainer loo seats were fixed to the adult toilets (I bet late night clubbers would have been surprised to see a few of those?) But even better than all of that was the concept of having two bars – a fully functional adult bar serving alcohol (plastic glasses of course) and to assuage the guilt of that there was a kiddy bar laid out with all manner of (free) organic snacks, juice boxes and fruit. Splendid! All three of us did plenty of tucking in at our respective bars.
I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I had been somewhere with a live DJ (not too loud obviously) and after a few cold drinks we were fortified enough to take to the floor to jig around to some quality pop. With Baby on Husband’s shoulders the three of us shook our tail feathers and let the rice cake crumbs fall to the floor. Three hours later we emerged squinting into the daylight, but it wasn’t 5am it was 5pm and although we got home in time for tea we still felt a bit like dirty stop outs….
I loved it. I’ll never be 21 again; I’ll certainly never not be a mum again so you know? I’ll take my disco where and how I can!
The next Brighton Baby Loves Disco is at Komedia on the 14th June.
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