Life

Marie Louise McConville: Having a ravin' good time with the kids

Baby Rave - Baby Evie Millar, from Carryduff, takes to the floor with Janie Doherty, dancer with Young at Art, during the Baby Rave at Belfast city hall. Photo by Cliff Donaldson
Baby Rave - Baby Evie Millar, from Carryduff, takes to the floor with Janie Doherty, dancer with Young at Art, during the Baby Rave at Belfast city hall. Photo by Cliff Donaldson Baby Rave - Baby Evie Millar, from Carryduff, takes to the floor with Janie Doherty, dancer with Young at Art, during the Baby Rave at Belfast city hall. Photo by Cliff Donaldson

Hear ye, Hear ye.

Come, gather around everyone, I have a rather startling announcement to make.

It’s been quite a big week and I’ll be honest, I’m absolutely wrecked as a result but it was well worth it.

So, here it goes - I actually made an appearance on the social scene this week and it was fab.

Now, I know that may not sound like a big deal to some but for someone who hasn’t seen the inside of a nightclub or a dance floor for more that three years, it was phenomenal.

So, there I was.

With the dance music blaring, the disco lights revolving and with the glow-sticks in the air, I was living it up.

I’m telling you, it didn’t take me long to get back in the zone even though it’s been years since I was at a rave - honestly, it’s been forever.

But hey ho, I didn’t care who was watching, I just went for it and didn’t care how sweaty I got.

The place was absolutely bunged and the atmosphere was awesome, I really felt young again and felt a bit like I did in my pre-mummy days.

I just loved it and ‘Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box’ really took me back.

And it was so cute seeing Abbie doing it.

Oh, did I not mention that the kids were there too - and Darren.

Sorry, I should have said and before you all starting branding us terrible parents for taking our kids raving, stop, it was the Baby Rave at Belfast City Hall and yeah, I probably got into it a bit too much.

Organised by Young At Art, the event for 0-4 year-olds took place in the Banqueting Suite, which had been totally revamped with disco lights and large bouncy balls, brightly coloured sheets and a stage.

The Young At Art team were full of energy as they got the kids and parents up dancing and both Abbie and James were over the moon bouncing on the large balls in time with the brilliant dance music.

I threw some fine shapes.

Of course, I paid the price the next day with sore muscles and aches and pains.

But it was well worth it because it was just great to go clubbing again - even if it was a child's event.

Now, if only someone could open a family-friendly nightclub where parents could rave alongside their toddlers, wouldn’t that be fab?

Well, us parents can dream, can’t we?

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I'm sending a big `High Five' this week to actress, Amy Schumer.

The 36-year-old, who is best known in the US as a stand up comedian, showed her true colours when she revealed that she rejected the chance to be retouched in her new movie `I Feel Pretty'.

The star, who plays a young woman struggling with insecurities, revealed she insisted her image not be changed in post-production, stating: "You see my cellulite. You see my, my rolls, whatever ... It's like, I feel great".

The actress said she wants people to "feel good about themselves".

What a star.

What a great role model.

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(Q) Who wrote The Dark Lake?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

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The winners of The Ivory competition are Redmond Hartley from Belfast, Claire Murray from Castlewellan and James McGilloway from Derry