• Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Start Here
  • Our Story
  • Meet Uju
  • Connect
  • Press and Media
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Babes About Town

Love. Play. Eat. London.

  • London
  • Kids
  • Life
  • Books
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Weekends
  • Search
  • Start Here
  • Our Story
  • Meet Uju
  • Connect
  • Press and Media
  • London
  • Kids
  • Life
  • Book
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Weekends

Mobile Menu

Buy Now

How to Have the Perfect Night in (Kids Included)

March 22, 2013 //  by Uju//  2 Comments

Step 1: Planning

First, pick a theme: Ours was Old School Movie Night.

I’d managed to track down a cinematic classic via Amazon.

Breakdance movie cover

Breakdance the Movie was a seminal film of my youth, transforming my childhood home from moderate Nigerian-British respectability into a 24-7 popping, locking and moonwalking fiasco fiesta.

My parents watched helplessly as their children were abducted by some freakish, headbands and high-tops, jheri curls and fingerless glove-wearing cult. My brother could barely pass the salt at dinner without turning it into a ‘Wave’.

The film screams kitsch and I couldn’t wait to share it with the babes. The boys love to bust a move and were ready to throw down (Red Nose stylee).

Red Nose b-boys

Step 2: Menu

Stock up on party essentials.

Wine and ice cream

Let the babes pick their perfect mood food (Pizza!) and set the table themselves. Pour their apple juice into wine glasses so we can toast to our night in style.

Pizza Night

Don’t forget hot buttered popcorn for munchies and apple pie and ice cream for afters!

Step 3: Entertainment

Dim the lights, snuggle up and rewind to the ‘80s.

Watching Breakdance turned out to be as much fun as I’d imagined — dodgy acting, bizarre hair and dress sense and dancing that still blows you away.

Breakdance dance scene

I felt genuine tingles of excitement as soon as the screen flashed up with Ozone (street dancer), Turbo (Boogaloo Shrimp) and Kelly (Special K) and the soundtracked kicked in.

The boys were hooked from opening credits to spangly dance finale.

Old School Movie Night was the ultimate nostalgia trip. But the best part as always was spending time with my three favourite people in the world.

Mum and Ezra

And here it is, in all its glory, the scene from Breakdance when Kelly joins the troupe. Danced to the amazing Chaka Khan’s ‘Ain’t Nobody’. Pure ‘80s heaven. Enjoy!

Click on this link to watch Breakdance the Movie if the clip doesn’t play.

*Our Perfect Night In was sponsored by Swinton Home Insurance. 

Share
Pin
Tweet
Share

Category: KidsTag: eating, family, kids, Life, movies

About Uju

Uju Asika is a writer, blogger and creative consultant. She is the author of Raising Boys Who Do Better: A Hopeful Guide for a New Generation (DK/Penguin Random House), Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World (Yellow Kite/Hachette UK) and the delightful picture book A World for Me and You, illustrated by Jennie Poh (Hachette Children's Group). Uju's books are available at Bookshop.org, Amazon, Waterstones and other good bookshops. Follow Uju @babesabouttown on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram.

Previous Post: « Quick Tips for a Cheaper Family Getaway
Next Post: Fresh as a Daisy: Springtime Picks from Cath Kidston »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Honestmum

    March 22, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    Oh Mama, is the perfect night in ever. I wish I could have been there. This post made me smile and laugh, those boys are too cool for school. You are an amazing Mum, love the apple juice in wine idea. Fabulosity xxx

  2. Uju

    March 24, 2013 at 10:19 am

    He he, we had so much fun. I recommend getting that film if you remember it (although I later found a full copy on YouTube)! x

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

I’m Uju, author, blogger, screenwriter. I curate cool finds and experiences for city families. Read more…

Get the Book

Buy Now
Buy Now
A World for Me and You cover
Buy Now

VuelioTop10Badge2021 VuelioTop10Badge2022 VuelioTop10Badge2023

Footer

  • FAQS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Competitions

Copyright © 2025 · Blog Design by Shauna Callaghan