So you think your baby can disco-dance like a llama…? Well, if you’re in NYC next Sunday, you can find out.

The popular kiddie dance party, Baby Loves Disco, is descending on (Le) Poisson Rouge…and the diaper-clad booties will be shakin’, yo! On Valentine’s Day from Noon to 3:00 the trendy West Village hot spot will be child proofed and Lysoled so that parents and their progeny (aged 7 and below) can boogie on down with their rad selves.

Per the (Le) Poisson Rouge website:

Make no mistake, this is NOT the Mickey Mouse club, and Barney is Banned. Baby loves disco is an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun and mixed by real djs blending classic disco tunes From the 70s, & 80s guaranteed to get those little booties moving and grooving. The fun spills out from all corners of the club: bubble machines, baskets of scarves and egg-shakers, a chill-out room (with tents, books and puzzles), diaper changing stations, a full spread of healthy snacks and dancing, LOTS of dancing. But at it’s core, Baby loves disco is a community event that brings kids together with kids and parents together with parents.

I KNOW, right? Does that not sound like a BLAST?!? A check on the BLD website confirms that they now have these things EVERYWHERE – some monthly. Dude…I am so going to the next one in our area. For fifteen bucks in advance (per walking person), eighteen at the door, you can give your offspring a glance at how you spent your college years.

…wait. On second thought, perhaps you shouldn’t mention that…

But…I can hear you…you’re saying:

“Ri. What the cheesewhiz does this have to do with llamas? And WHY do I care about this if I’m not in the New York area?? Are you drinking AGAIN?”

Well, the obvious answers are (a.) DUH – of course I am, it’s Superbowl Sunday, and (2.) the part about the llamas is the cool bonus that benefits all of us, even the ones NOT able to make it to this particular gig!

See, I learned about the event from a contact at The Musebox, and he shared this lil’ bit of info about what else is going down at the Valentine Shindig:

As a special element of this year’s Baby Loves Disco Valentine’s Ball, The MuseBox will be introducing a “So You Think You Can Llama Dance” theme, inviting kids to create and even record their own unique “Llama Dances.” Inspired by the song “Llama Dance” by quirky UK rockers Patrick & Eugene, this is sure to add a whole new fun element to the day’s events. The creator of the best llama dance will win a family four-pack of tickets to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan!

A link to the “Llama Dance” video and a gratis download of Patrick and Eugene’s new CD was attached for my perusal.  My opinion…?

OMG. I LOVE THESE GUYS.

Patrick and Eugene

Right off the bat, while I watched the video…they had me at “ungulate”…

Llama Dance by Patrick and Eugene via YouTube

Quirky doesn’t begin to describe the tres’ cool infusion of childlike joy their music imbues. Per their Press Bio: “Try to imagine Noel Coward on stage with the Duke Ellington Band at the Monterey Pop Festival and you’re getting close.” Ha! Indeed. With backgrounds that run the gamut from playing percussion with Groove Armada and Richie Havens to impromptu accidental arson, these guys are an absolute kick in the pants.

Their current album, All Together Now, is the very definition of “feel good.” The effervescence of the melodies and pre-meditated silliness belies the musicianship and just carries you away on a tide of fun…but a closer listen brings the realization that they are REALLY good. The multi-instrumental sounds and beats overlap seamlessly to create a rich tapestry of aural layers. Forget about theme or genre – this is just thoughtfully crafted, well balanced,  good music.

This isn’t Patrick and Eugene’s first trip to the rodeo, either. They’ve put out two other albums… one of which is entirely comprised of deliciously unexpected covers which include ditties originally by the likes of Beyonce, Simon and Garfunkel and The Arctic Monkeys.  Nope – they’re not just a Kids’ Band, kids!

As Exhibit A,  I present to you the Patrick and Eugene reworking of  Can’t Get You Out of My Head, originally by Kylie Minogue:

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Uh huh…see?  What’d I tell you?

So, if you ARE in NYC for V-Day, try to get out to the Baby Loves Disco event. If not, do yourself a favor and listen to some Patrick and Eugene.  Either way, you’re coming out a winner.

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