The beginning of winter is a magical time - a time to drift, dream and vision, a time for inner journeys and to connect to your innate wisdom.  

The freedom of ecstatic dance offers us a way come together to dance, to reflect, to respect the cycle of changes and to bring renewal of ourselves, our cells, our understanding and our ideas.

Join live electronic music duo Opposable Drums for a deep dance journey through ambient electronica, tribal rhythms, percussive techno, melodic jazz and serene soundscapes.  

About this event:

• Date - 7-9pm on Saturday, 29th November

• Price - £12

• Location - Upstairs @ Open House

• Booking - Limited to 20 spots, to book your spot please click below

• What Is Ecstatic Dance?

  Ecstatic Dance is a free-form movement journey and moving meditation that’s sweeping the world! Guided by the live music of duo Opposable Drums, we flow through an epic soundscape of all genres: fast and slow, classical to psytrance, drum and bass to dub - no style is off-limits! The music moves in waves; starting gently, building to vibrant peaks, and ending in stillness.

  There are no steps, no judgment, no need to perform - just pure, free expression. We generally dance barefoot, without talking, in a sober, mindful space where respect and presence create a safe container. Ecstatic Dance is transformative, playful, and deeply liberating.

• Ecstatic Dance Guidellines.

  To keep the space safe and enjoyable for everyone, we follow these simple guidelines:

  • Speech: No chatting on the dance floor - sounding is welcome but please be considerate of others.

  • Footwear: We like to dance barefoot to ground, but if you need to wear shoes, please bring clean soft indoor shoes and be mindful of people's toes!

  • Boundaries/consent: Respect others' personal space & check for consent before dancing with someone. If you're not sure whether it's a 'yes', treat it like a 'no'. There is no need to dress to impress! This is not a space where you need to look good… this is a movement meditation.

  • Substances: No alcohol, drugs or other substances - this is a sober practice.

  • Screen free: No phones or cameras during the dance - drop out of your head and into your body and give yourself the gift of switching off! The team may take short videos/pictures for promotional reasons - if you do not want to be in a video/photo, please let us know before or after the dance.

  • Feel free: Dance how you want; as much or as little movement as is right for you - this is a non-judgemental space.  Feel free to close your eyes, bring a blindfold, dance to the wall... you do you!

• More About Opposable Drums.

  Paul Mann and Matthew Laurie have played together for over 20 years and have a long history of performing a wide range of dance music genres including dub, drum and bass, reggae, African highlife, electro, blues, folk dance, jazz and west African percussion. 

  Opposable Drums draws from this experience to offer 100% live electronic music to support a conscious dance space within which dancers can find freedom.  Live improvisation allows for dialogue between the musicians and dancers which deepens the collective journey through a non stop set of tunes inspired by the rise and fall wave of 5 Rhythms and Ecstatic dance.  Join us for an eclectic journey starting with slower ambient soundscapes rising to a peak of improvised techno and polyrhythmic percussion, and moving to stillness through tribal grooves, broken beats and and melodic jazz piano.

• What Should I Wear / Bring?

  • Comfy clothes you can move freely in - layers are useful as you might get really hot dancing then cool down when still.

  • Earplugs if you're sensitive to loud music.

  • Your beautiful self, a water bottle (refill available)  and curiousity!