Why Are These Kids At A Rave?
The 1990s were a simpler time - at least in the realm of kid birthday parties. You went out for laser tag or group-watched a movie. You had slumber parties or rented the 'party room' at your local roller rink. However, sometime between then and now, Skrillex happened - which brings us to the latest trend in children's birthday parties - KIDDIE RAVES. Introducing CirKiz - it's like that neon EDM-packed post-apocalypse you used to go to in college. But with safer goodie bags. You got your wildin' out, glowstick-wielding white bros. Guy with a cool haircut working the 1's and 2's. The person who's been going hard on fruit punch all night. And the one in the corner, currently regretting the fruit punch. CirKiz was created by some NYC-based, EDM-loving parents - Jesse Sprague and Jenny Song - who wanted to create a special place "where families can listen and dance to DJs, see live performances, and experience a nightclub environment in a safe, controlled daytime setting."
Available in both New York and London, parents can choose one of several popular warehouse venues and trendy nightclubs for their CirKiz-sponsored event.
One such venue, I was surprised to learn, is Cielo, a New York spot known for hosting some pretty 'high-brow' house and trance DJs. In fact, that's exactly where Jesse and Jenny first came up with their Cirkiz idea:
"We had [our son's] 1st birthday party at Cielo. We invited friends with kids and friends without. It was so much fun for everyone we decided to make it an annual event but in different clubs. The message we got from all our friends was clear and consistent: 'You should do this professionally and turn it into a business... I'd pay to go.' So after years of just doing it for fun, we finally got our act together and did exactly that."
Currently, CirKiz is hosting a 'winter series' of raves at NYC's Space Ibiza on Sundays, where ticket prices range from $15 - 20 per person. You can check out more details at their official website or you can be like me and just stare at these pictures, feeling equal parts confused and disturbed.
With that being said:
What do you guys think? Is combining kids and rave culture a good idea or bad idea?
Let me know in the comments below. (Also shout-out to the LED robot in this picture up here. For a part-time job, that's - admittedly - rad as hell.)