Baby Loves Disco review

It's Sunday and I’m going to a club.

Not as unusual as you might think, at least not to me. When I was eight I was a regular dancing queen at the local disco, which had an under 12s Sunday afternoon gathering. I recall my best friend and I used to wear matching outfits and perform routines that had been choreographed to absolute perfection. I still have the records (yes we are talking vinyl here) for my victories – classics from Culture Club, Duran Duran and perhaps the most treasured of all ‘The Birdie Song’ by legendary band The Tweets.

Backward leg kicks and pointing finger dancing was everywhere. It was like a scene from a wedding, only this wedding was a sober affair.

In my carefree twenties, I was a common face at a Sunday club in London called The Church. It was most definitely nothing to do with religion.

Now all grown up and in my thirties, I’m off clubbing again. The difference this time is that it’s not actually me that’s going to party, it’s my toddler.

Baby Loves Disco comes to town a few times a year. It’s an afternoon dance party for kids aged six months to seven-years-old. The location for this Halloween themed party was The Circle Club in Manchester city centre. I was unsure how this would work as the club is in the basement (beneath The Kitchen restaurant) and is entered via a circular staircase.

The staircase and buggies issue was a worry. Fortunately the organisers had planned for the onslaught of pushchairs distributing tickets onto each carriage, taking them from parents at the door and bringing them down to the basement by a lift. This also avoided the inevitable pram jam forming.

Once we walked the red carpet and descended into the club, we were greeted by balloons, lights and music. The bar had been transformed into a children’s buffet offering juice cartons, breadsticks, biscuits and fruit - all essentials for when your little one is in need of an energy boost after burning it off on the dance floor. The toilets were complete with a baby changing area equipped with plenty of nappies and wipes.

The main dance floor was surrounded by booth seating with tables and the DJ. Next door was a second area with another bar, more booth seating and a dance floor which had been turned into a chill out area. There were inflatable rings, teddies, toys and books under the flashing lights, much to the delight of the younger children.

The DJ played pop music from Michael Jackson to Lady Gaga. The kids loved it as did all the parents. Mums pushed their kids out onto the dance floor just so they could have a bop to their favourite tune. Dads tried to look like they weren’t enjoying it but couldn’t disguise their smiles. Backward leg kicks and pointing finger dancing was everywhere. It was like a scene from a wedding, only this wedding was a sober affair.

An hour or so into the party was the all important dance competition. My little one had peaked too soon and had collapsed with exhaustion by the time it began.

Baby Charity Tommy’s joined forces with Baby Loves Disco for this dance-athon to raise money and awareness for Tommy’s vital research into pregnancy complications. Judged by a panel that included Terri Dwyer (actress from the original Hollyoaks line-up) the contestants did their best to impress, throwing shapes, twisting and wiggling. The winner was in fact one of our group – two-year-old Jude. He wowed the audience with his moves and infectious smile.

The afternoon was fantastic fun for both the kids and their parents. The organisers had catered for all the children’s requirements and The Circle Club successfully transformed itself into a child friendly, child safe venue. We are already putting together our group for the next event.

The Circle Club is available for private hire. For information visit their website at www.thecircleclub.com.
For information about Tommy’s Charity and other events go to www.tommys.org.
To find out about Baby Loves Disco and their upcoming events go to www.babylovesdisco.co.uk