A silent disco is coming to Okotoks to help promote social inclusion.
Kindred Roots Therapy in Okotoks will be hosting the first ever silent disco in the Okotoks area and is an all-ages dance party with a live DJ and two other music channels for people to listen to.
Silent discos are events where people wear wireless headphones to listen to music, but unlike a traditional discotheque where everyone listens to the same pre-recorded music at the same volume, silent discos allow attendees to enjoy the music they want to hear and at the volume they want.
This helps people with sensory sensitivities and other considerations to still have fun, enjoy music, dance, and hang out with others from the community.
"This kind of dance party checks a lot of boxes for us," says Allegra Taylor, Founder & Director at KindredRoots, in a media release from August 28th. "Our therapists have noticed that people are craving more fun and connection in their lives but there aren’t a lot of opportunities in Okotoks for an all-ages, sober, night out. Plus, there’s no doubt that music, movement, and togetherness can have a positive impact on our collective mental health and we wanted to do something to support that."
By having multiple music selections for people, they are helping to minimize any auditory overload from the event.
"It’s true that for some of our clients with sensory or other issues, a dance party could be an environment that they don’t feel comfortable attending. But this "silent" twist makes them in control of their own experience. If it gets to be too much, they can turn down the volume or even turn it off and just watch the people around them or talk to other people at a normal volume," explained Kelly Smit,
Opportunities Coordinator for Inclusion Foothills, in the media release. "The beauty is in the fact that they feel included."
The concession at the silent disco will be run by Inclusion Foothills, which will take the proceeds from the concession, plus proceeds from ticket sales, and continue to advocate for and support individuals and families to become fully involved in their community, instead of being isolated and underachieving.
On top of being sensory-friendly and inclusive, this silent disco will give people the opportunity to move, which is good, because both group connections and physical activity are known to help positively impact mental health, reduce stress, enhance mood, and help create a sense of community.
The event will be happening on September 21st at the Viking Rentals Centre (formerly the Foothills Centennial Centre), from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door.
To learn more about the disco and buy tickets, click here.