Strollerderby : family dance party

The Many Faces of Step-Families: Blogosphere Representin'

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 22:04:00 GMT

Poor Snow White and Cinderella suffered at the hands of wicked step-mothers, and blended family mythology has never quite recovered. But leave it to the blogosphere to fill in the gaps with the real experiences of the divorced, remarried, and step-familied. It turns out that the wicked stepmother isn't merely a character in the Brothers Grimm.

Suburban Turmoil describes the agony of withstanding the nasty first wives club, while Stepblog talks about what she learned in StepMom school. Mamacita discusses the trials and tribulations of second marriages and the likelihood of their failure especially when children are involved and Momish is concerned that her swearing may rub off on her step-daughters.

Lisa Stone, co-founder of Blogher, describes divorce and remarriage when kids are involved as having emotional "stretchmarks" and she's right. Those of us who attempt to keep our families together as they disintegrate and then reform, face a universal parenting / step-parenting challenge. Do you have any favorite blended family blogs that should be on this list?

Dan Zanes & Friends: A Fabulous Live Show

Alisyn — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:14:00 GMT

If you happen to be a member of one of the unfortunate families who has not yet had a Dan Zanes & Friends experience, then you need to go to his website right now, and buy tickets for the next show anywhere near you. Go now!

Yesterday was my second time seeing Dan & co. at the beautiful, old Herbst Theater in San Francisco, and it was just as good as the first time, if not better. Last time, Hazel was a little freaked out by the crowd of rambunctious kids, and rode the show out in her dad's lap, while 5-month-old Violet dozed in the sling. But this time around, Hazel, Violet and their friends jumped, twisted, clapped, sang, and ring-around-the-rosy'd their way through the whole set, from start to finish. It was a live music-loving parent's dream come true, and it was freaking adorable. It helped that the show itself, from the set list to the setting, was awesome.

Dan & co.'s spring tour is in support of their latest album, the Grammy nominated Catch That Train, but the songs played yesterday were hits from his newest and oldest albums, and included the anthems "All Around The Kitchen", "Sidewalks of New York" and "Wonder Wheel". The dance-friendly "The Fine Friends Are Here" and "Let's Shake," both from Catch That Train, were conspicuously absent, but the little known "Sail Away Ladies" was a fun surprise, and the booty-shaker "House Party" had everyone on their feet. The band's founding members - Dan, the lovely Barbara Brousal, the crowd-pleasing Father Goose, and cute Colin Brooks - were on hand, as well as new members John Futi on accdordian and Saskia Lane on upright bass. They invited San Francisco's Orange Sherbet and Oakland's Westlake Middle School Band to join them on stage for a song, in keeping with their tradition of showcasing local musicians at their shows. Dan kept the crowd engaged with his laid-back, friendly chatter, and he wore the "leader of the band" badge with an easy going pride, but the real star of the show was the music. People of all ages were standing in the aisles clapping, dancing and singing out loud. There were a few embarrassed first-timers, awkwardly clapping and looking around to see if anyone was watching them, but the majority of the crowd, myself included, was rockin' - and didn't care who saw.

If you have the time and the opportunity, don't miss Dan Zanes & Friends when they come to your town. Your kids will thank you for taking them, and you'll be thanking your kids for the opportunity to go. Cockadoodle doodle doo!

Baby Loves Disco: Family Dance Party Is Sweeping the Country

Karen Murphy — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:02:00 GMT

Okay. I truly thought that disco was dead. Turns out I'm wrong; it's hip!

You haven't seen anything until you've seen a room full of up to 400 under-8-year-olds and their parents doing the Hustle or getting down to the sounds of Evelyn "Champagne" king. That's right, Baby Loves Disco is not only the new, but the only (that I know of) family dance party, and it might be in your town! Currently in more than 16 cities from coast to coast, Baby Loves Disco is "transforming the hippest night clubs into child proof discos" at "an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun and mixed by real djs", and includes such extras as bubble machines, diaper-changing stations, an array of healthy and often organic snacks, plus (and this is where they hooked me) a bar for "non-driving adults".

For an average ticket price of $12 (a little more if you live in an already pricey city, and if you do, you know who you are) per "walking human" (non-walkers are free), you get up to 3 hours of non-structured fun with music, lights, and non-stop dancing under the muted tones of (naturally) a disco ball! Held monthly in some of the coolest night clubs in town, Baby Loves Disco promises to be one of the hottest places to hang out with your kids this winter.