November 18-24, 2004

mixpicks

3 Feet High and Dancing

by Lori Hill

disco

In what's surely the first DJ event to include both juice boxes and a diaper station, Heather Murphy is about to launch Baby Disco.

The modern dancer (MOXIE, Headlong Dance Theater) and new mom (to Max, nearly 2,) was frustrated with the dearth of social opportunities for young parents to spend time with their kids and interact with other adults. "I was just looking around and thinking about how many activities for kids are sort of dumbed-down or just too expensive," she says.

Murphy wanted to find an affordable, kid-friendly activity for young parents. "Then I thought, "Everybody loves to dance.'" She came up with the idea for an afternoon party where parents could socialize with each other—"and have adult conversations!"—and play with their kids at the same time. She made arrangements with Fluid, where she works, to have the club open for a Saturday afternoon and tapped Ricky Paul (aka DJ K-Tell of Dumpsta' Players fame) for spinning duty. Murphy thought K-Tell's theatrical sensibility would be perfect for the under-4 set. The Beatles and The Monkees will get heavy rotation, she says, as well as "some new-wave stuff for the parents." Balloons, snacks and beverages, both alcoholic and non, should amp up the party atmosphere, and Murphy will be projecting vintage cartoons.

Fluid, normally home to some of the city's most popular DJ nights—like ?uestlove's Candyland parties—will be completely baby-proofed: outlets plugged up, smoking forbidden and stroller parking provided. Cover is $8, but there's a family rate of $30 for two adults and up to three kids. Plus, says Murphy, "It's free if you can't walk yet."

Baby Disco, Sat., Nov. 20, 2-5 p.m., $8 ($30 for families), Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St. (above The Latest Dish), 215-574-1887.