| |
Mike Ellis with his own little cherub, Angel |
Putting the sass in kids’ parties and keeping Coke off the carpet
Straight from America, the disco craze that offers Ibiza for the under-8s
CHILDREN'S parties haven’t changed much over the years. Bung the little terrors in with a clown-faced entertainer, blow up some balloons and play musical chairs until someone knocks the Coke all over your prized Persian carpet.
But what has been a rite of passage for so many mums, dads and children could soon be as much of an anachronism as hopscotch, apple bobbing and hoopla.
A new craze for “family discos” brought over from America, where the whole family raves away in afternoon nightclubs, has hit London with a bang.
It comes as no surprise that the man behind the venture – called Dancing Cherubs – is new to fatherhood.
Mike Ellis, 28, who lives in Westbourne Park with his two month-old son Angel, said he was tired of humdrum children’s parties that were treated by parents as an excuse to get rid of the kids for three hours.
“A lot of parents see parties as a way of dumping their kids,” said Mike. “Either the parents sit on the edges and don’t talk to each other or they are very cliquey – dads in one corner, mums in another and nannys in another.
“Dancing Cherubs is much more sociable and there is more to keep young children’s attention.”
In the surroundings of uber-cool Westbourne Studios – with a capacity of 350, a pulsating soundtrack and fancy-dressed choreographers on hand to take children through the latest hip-shaking routines – Dancing Cherubs may as well be Ibiza for under-8s – without the bouncers and booze (although there is a licensed bar for parents).
The idea, which is big business in the US, was to get away from the toe-curling jukebox atmosphere that stymies so many parties, instead creating a “sassy nightclub” experience for the whole family.
“Firstly we want parents to have a dance and feel like they’re in a proper venue,” said Mike. “Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean you have to stop clubbing.
“As a dad I always felt left out in playgrounds, music groups and coffee mornings and thought the nightclub would be more familiar terrain.”
Since launching in June with a business partner, crowds have flocked to the monthly discos on Saturday afternoons.
Mr Ellis, who is a trained actor and got involved with children’s entertainment after appearing in a number of pantomimes, said if demand continues to grow he may have to look at holding weekly events.
“We’ve already been asked by a lot of parents to hold more. But I don’t want it to become too familiar. It needs to be something special to look forward to.
“We shall see how we go when we get to winter. The main thing is to find other venues at the moment,” said Mike.
The next party is on August 16 at Westbourne Studios in Acklam Road.
* For more information go to www.dancingcherubs.com |
 |
|
| |
| |
