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When most people think of the EDM scene, they think of nightclubs with music bumping so loud that the walls vibrate; lights flashing in every direction, and plenty of adults dancing the night away while enjoying a cocktail or few. However, the nightclub experience isn’t just for the adults anymore; CirKiz founders Jesse Sprague and Jenny Song have created an interactive, nightlife experience just for kids, that both the parents and the children can enjoy.
Photo Filip Wolak
Being nightclub veterans themselves, Sprague and Song stumbled upon the idea of making it into a business after they had a birthday party for their son, Alden.
“We had a party at one of the clubs I was managing at the time, with our family, friends, and it ended up being such a hit, so we kept having them every year, and then we started having people say that they would pay for this type of thing,” Sprague explains. “And we were starting to notice that there was this sort of gap for children’s entertainment; there wasn’t really anything that was cutting edge that sort of promoted art, so we decided to turn it into a business.”
In part, the need for more creative outlets within children’s entertainment inspired Sprague and Song, however, they both say that their passion for kids and the parties were the real reason why they decided to develop the business.
“It was always something Jesse and I wanted to do for the kids, to inspire them in many ways…we thought of how our kids were sort of following in our footsteps in loving music, with Alden always wanting to follow in Daddy’s footsteps in being a DJ,” Song says.
“The parties were tapping into the things we were passionate about,” Sprague adds. “The joy we had as young adults being in New York in the ’90s…it was this sort of intersection of bars and fashion and fun and community, that doesn’t really exist now, but back then it was such a great part of our growth as adults.”
Kids enjoying the creative atmosphere at CirKiz. Photo Filip Wolak
Though it is designed for kids ages 6-12 in mind, both Sprague and Song say that the parties are designed to be as equally entertaining to the adults. In addition, the events provide a stimulatory and creative atmosphere that is not just limited to dancing.
For the first hour, called the “Education Hour,” kids are provided with opportunities to learn how to DJ in the DJ booth, and also learn how to dance from the professional CirKiz dancers. Different performances go on throughout the event at half hour intervals, according to Song. Dance contests with prizes, a young DJ show and the LED robot show — called the Dream Lab — are just some of the highlights that one can expect at a CirKiz event. Additionally, there is also an arts and crafts station where kids can choose glow-in-the-dark paint and stickers to decorate themselves.
The Dream Lab LED robot. Photo Filip Wolak
“We like to think from a stylistic point of view that when you walk into a CirKiz event, it’s like walking into something that a child may only see on TV or in the movies,” Sprague says. “We create this sort of glow-in-the-dark fantasyland.”
While meant to be a fun, different and unique experience for kids and adults alike, education and inspiration are at the core of both Sprague and Song’s values in their business.
Sprague and Song’s son, DJ Alden, spinning at the booth at a CirKiz event. Photo Filip Wolak
“We try to bring kids in to have a really great time, inspire them to think about things that are artistic and actually back it up by giving them the tools to go and explore, maybe something they were inspired by, seeing a 9-year-old kid DJ, the dancers, something they might want to go and try out,” Sprague explains. “Our dream is that one day we will have a child come in, and they will be inspired, take a DJ lesson, and then they’ll come back and actually DJ or dance at our party. That’s kind of the goal we have educationally.”
With it being only their second year with CirKiz, Sprague and Song already have lofty goals in place to help expand their vision of inspiring kids through the arts. Talks of expanding the business to other cities, developing different versions of the party and expanding the educational component of their events are just some of the ideas that are on the horizon for the duo.
CirKiz will be having TWO more events in the fall; one on Sunday, October 25 and on November 15 at Space Ibiza New York that you will definitely not want to miss! For more information about the events and ticket information, visit their website.
-by Jackie Hart