Kid City’s family dance parties return–and now they’re free!

Kid City Rockers, Pittsburgh’s first family-friendly indie dance party, is back with some new digs and a reduced price tag. After a brief maternity leave, Kelly Day—aka DJ KellyMom—will resume her program at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

The series begins on Sunday, March 22 from 1-3 p.m. in the Theater exhibit as part of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day. Day will spin kid-friendly tracks by the likes of Devo, Cyndi Lauper, Beastie Boys, New Order, Le Tigre and The Ramones. Best part? It’s now free!

Launched in 2013, Day developed Kid City Rockers to remain connected to her passion for music while creating a community for like-minded parents. Drawing inspiration from her college radio days and her vast collection of ska, punk, reggae and new wave records, Day began hosting not-your-top-40 family dance parties.

“I want Kid City to be a place where families can have free fun and also connect with other parents,” says Day. “I also want it to be a kid-centric place where parents can hear the music they grew up loving without being at a cousin’s wedding or something.” A fan of impromptu dance parties with her own children, Day hopes to build bonds between parents and children based on a mutual love of quality music.

While Kid City’s first home was All Saints Episcopal Church in Brighton Heights, the space quickly became too small. Day was invited to move the party to the Children’s Museum as part of its We Can! initiative encouraging healthy lifestyle choices for children. Offering a similar vibe to the All Saints church basement, the Children’s Museum also boasts some added perks including an on-site cafeteria, expanded options for children’s activities and the ability to offer the event to families for free.

Throughout 2015, the partnership with the Children’s Museum will continue to grow with dance parties scheduled for the fourth Sunday of every month through June. Other collaborations are in store as well,  including events at The Andy Warhol Museum as part of its Year of the Family programming.

“It was always my intention to keep Kid City in the North Side as this is where it originated,” says Day. “I couldn’t be happier to have dates at both the Children’s Museum and The Warhol.”

In addition to the Kid City dance parties open to the public, Day now offers her DJ services for kids’ birthday parties.

The March 22 Kid City Rockers dance party is sponsored by We Can! and the UPMC Health Plan. Dance party participation does not include general admission to the museum.

Featured photo: Kelly Day of Kid City Rockers, Photo by Anna Lee Fields