Baby Loves Disco

My baby loves disco, and salsa, and hip hop, and jazz. You get the picture. My baby loves music!

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Baby Loves Disco dance party at Aubergine in just a few weeks. Sunday, November 9th, you'll find me standing in line with my son on my shoulders, probably already dancing before we even step inside the wonderful night club that's transformed into a daytime paradise for parents and their little ones.

It all began in Philadelphia in the fall of 2005. Soon afterward, parents began to spread the word about this wonderful event that now reaches 21 cities across the country. With national sponsors, such as Stride Rite, Parents magazine, cool mom picks, Grand magazine, Rattle N Roll, Happy Baby, moms like me, Swell, to name just a few, these parties are growing each month!

Local sponsors appear at each location to promote their companies (many of which are mom-owned businesses). San Diego boasts such vendors like San Diego Bargain Mama, The Creation Station, Sign4Baby, busy nest cards, style child, Playhouse Cafe, Stroller Strides, and several more!

My son's personal favorite is the Hullabaloo Band that appears at BLD to play fun music that both kids and parents will find themselves moving to and singing along with.

If you don't quite get what the big hype is, I encourage you to check it out for yourself.

Aubergine on 4th, typically known for its strong drinks and dress code, turns into a haven for kids and their parents on this special day. The bar area is filled with finger foods and healthy snacks, drinks are served for parents and bubbles, balloons, play tents, books and face-painting are just a few of the activities that are held throughout the three hour event.

And if you're worried about your child getting separated from you, there's no need. When you arrive, you and your child will be given wristbands that share the same number. Your child won't be allowed to go out the front door (the bouncers make sure of it) without their adult.

I highly recommend that you attend a Baby Loves Disco dance party in a city near you. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

SALSA DANCE

I think salsa has taught me the lesson of responsibility. In break dance, you basically dance solo without having to think of anyone but yourself. But salsa ...” paused Alam as if he had gone into a deep reverie, “... salsa makes you think of the other person”.

Otherwise, the Muar, Johore, native who is the second of eight siblings, would most likely be found hanging out with fellow breakdancer and best friend, Ezhan Azman, 22.

“There is this place in Muar called Tanjung Emas, a favourite area for kite flying with the locals. There is a park and a river there with lots of trees and at a certain spot, you can see the whole town of Muar. This is where the both of us like to go and practice our dance moves,” revealed Alam of his “dating spot” with Ezhan.

And speaking of Muar would make him think of his family too.

“Coming from a family of eight makes us a noisy bunch indeed. Come meal-times, it looks like we are having a house party. Since I am based in Kuala Lumpur now, I do miss them very much and there are times when I would call my parents at 4am because I was feeling homesick,” said Alam.

Meanwhile, for the time being before fame truly catches up with him, you may also find Alam showing off his nifty moves in Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL, at the square in front of Maybank. This is a favourite spot for breakdancers and many are seen to congregate here on weekend nights to see who’s the best of the lot.

And without question, all that dancing will inadvertently make Alam look for food!

“I love fried drumsticks and I get them from KFC. Otherwise, I don’t mind a hot bowl of ‘sup gearbox’ (beef marrow soup). But what I really miss is my mum’s cooking. She makes great asam pedas dishes with ikan keli, ikan pari and ikan patin,” said Alam who was clearly drooling.

Lastly, Alam confessed that sleeping in on Sundays is also one of his favourite things to do. He has been known to wake up at 11am, only to go back to sleep again three hours later!

“I don’t see anything wrong with that as long as there is no work. At times like these, even a ringing phone will not wake me up as the ring tones will just be part of my dreams,” concluded Alam and while one may be mistaken but it does look like he is stilfing a yawn.

But sleep is the nurturer of life and here’s hoping that Alam will wake up to a fresh start to entertain us as the nation’s favourite dancer!

Grooving to his own beat

Haslam Abdul Rahman, or Alam, never tires of dance, an activity he indulges in every day. Ask rising breakdance star Haslam Abdul Rahman, who is known as Alam to his fans, what he does on Sundays and the inevitable answer is a no-brainer. “I dance, of course,” replied this So You Think You Can Dance Season 1 champion who is now the star of his own reality show, Alam’s Story, which airs on 8TV every Sunday. With this, the 22-year-old bachelor who is currently taking a break from his hotel and management diploma, revealed his private hangout is the Cintabboy studio in Bandar Mahkota Cheras in Sungai Long, Selangor. This is where he gathers with the Wakaka crew, a b-boy dance outfit to hone his moves and to teach aspiring dancers how to breakdance for free. And when asked why Alam has decided to exempt payment, his promptly replied, “Break dance is about freedom”. This, he insisted, had nothing to do with keeping with the nice guy image. Rather, he pointed out, realistically, that the dance form had its basis in practice and it was up to the individual to look at the moves and then build up enough physical strength to perform the dance. Alam revealed that he himself learned the ropes this way and he guarantees that once the fitness kicks in, the moves will come au naturel. But there is the saying that goes, “One will get tired if served the same menu every day”. In Alam’s case when he thinks he needs a break, it’s time for a few rounds of salsa with his partner, Tengku Noor Fatimah Zaharah Tengku Zaimi Azlan, 27, his dance partner from SYTYCD. “Breakdance is rough, salsa is sexy. I feel that learning how to salsa has put a bit more polish and suaveness into my movements,” affirmed Alam who struck a pose for effect. The couple’s favourite dance spot would be none other that a club at Westin Hotel in Phileo Damansara.