New York DJ Vashtie’s latest ‘nightlife’ gig is throwing parties for kids
Pacifiers were once a must-have accessory for ravers, but some of these party kids may still need them.
New York City “it girl” of the aughts, Vashtie Kola-Boye, is bringing her cool factor to parenthood: The creative director and nightlife fixture — once known for her 1992 throwback parties with Q-Tip at Santos Party House — is now throwing parties for kids.
Kola-Boye has created “A Parently Kidding” — a monthly “day party where parents relax [and] kids take it to the max!”
Yes, a daytime bash for future party kids is overtaking nightlife for their parents.
Kola-Boye, a mom of two, told Page Six, “I’m a DJ, who transitioned into motherhood… And the universal feeling [typically is] you’re trading in nightlife for playdates…. As a DJ and as a mom, why can’t there be experiences where parents and kids are experiencing the same joy at the same time?”
Kola-Boye kicked off the monthly party at the Georgia Room at the Freehand Hotel in November.
The day parties go down in two waves, Kola-Boye says. “It works around nap schedules. We offer 11a.m. to 1p.m. and then reset,” Kola-Boye explained.
The second group parties from, “1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.”
Kola-Boye spins for the first round, and there’s a rotation of DJs providing the tunes for the “later” crowd.
The party has featured model Mona Matsuoka, former “Yo! MTV Raps” host DJ Diamond Kuts, artist Quiana Parks and DJ Lady S of Hot 97 as DJs.
In addition to creating, “a safe and inclusive space for families of all kinds,” the party also “offers opportunities to DJs transitioning into parenthood and it gives them a daytime gig,” Kola-Boye said.
And we’re not talking Kidz Bop! “We play everything from Travis Scott to Taylor Swift to ‘Trolls,’” Kola-Boye said.
There are also quiet and calm areas for kids who may not be so amped. Kids get a complimentary juice box and vegan options from Cloudy Donuts. (For the adults there’s a full bar.)
Attendees exit with a swag bag including items from brands like Coterie, Little Spoon, Evereden and Honest.
Kola-Boye told us there’s already demand to bring the party to more cities, like Miami and Atlanta, and she hasn’t yet hosted the third daytime bash.
“My parent friends and I often joke that sometimes, you’ll go somewhere, and the staff is disgruntled you’re there with your kids, but they’re happy to see someone with their dogs,” she said.
“We want every family to feel welcome to come. Families of every background, gender, race, socioeconomic… all of the things. We are inclusive,” Kola-Boye concluded.
