BRIGHTHELM CENTRE // ECSTATIC DANCE BRIGHTON

// Join the Ecstatic Dance Revolution! //

Combining a love for dance with healing intention these sessions are created for you to dive into your own innate potential for self transformation through freeform movements and with a great soundtrack!

You are invited to use the dance floor as a tool for your personal development and discover a new lease of life.

Ecstatic Dance helps if you feel stuck or weighed down, your body feels sluggish or tired, you need some more fun and playfulness in your life, you would like to experiment with free movement and discover your own body expression, you just love music and dance!

No dance skill or experience is necessary! Movement may include walking, rolling, stretching, raging, shaking or anything you feel inspired to embody.

Held in a large, softly lit dance space, you will be guided into the movement practice with a warm up before embarking on your own immersive journey flowing with the music, space and community.

The Ecstatic Dance will consist of a wide selection of heart centred and cathartic music that may include ambient, folk, electronic, tribal, house, techno, downtempo, classical, pop mashups/covers, funk, soul, drum & bass and more! Each facilitator brings their unique flavour.

NEXT UP!!!

INDOOR DANCES:

FRIDAY 19TH APRIL

POLARNY

Polarny, an award-winning DJ and producer based in Brazil, crafts and curates transformative experiences, seamlessly bridging Afro-Indigenous cultures with the Western world. Renowned for his hypnotic DJ sets, he captivates audiences worldwide by effortlessly blending tribal, tropical and electronic beats. A passionate advocate for conscious dance and an entrepreneurial spirit, Polarny thrives on merging cultures and fostering meaningful global connections.

soundcloud.com/polarny_thesoundtraveler

FRIDAY 31ST MAY

TIM BARNES (5 RHYTHMS)

OUTDOOR DANCES:

SAT 27TH APRIL - BLUEBELL WOODS - OUR ECHO

HTTPS://ECHOBLUEBELLWOODS.EVENTBRITE.CO.UK

SUN 5TH MAY - SALTDEAN BEACH & SAUNA & LIDO PARTY - ANAHATA

• 5/4/24 - Pixi Pete (Glastonbury)
• 19/4/24 - Mike Polarny (Brazil)
• 31/5 - Tim Barnes (Frome)
• 14/6 -
• 12/7 -
• 9/8 -

Community is important to us so there will be some space to meet and hang out before and after the dance. Please make sure you join the dance on time so we can all journey together.

This dance is welcoming to all gender, racial, religious and cultural identities.

Address

Brighthelm Centre

North Road

B N1 1YD

Parking

Free parking in the Brighthelm Centre car park. Space for approx 20-25 cars - first come first served! The entrance is accessed from North Road on the left side of the front of the building. You need to enter your car details at reception.

Refunds/Exchanges

Tickets are not refundable unless the organisers cancel the event. You may sell your ticket on and change the name on the ticket yourself through Eventbrite. Or you may transfer your ticket yourself through your Eventbrite order.

If online sales sell out there will be a limited number of tickets available on the door.

What to Bring/Wear

Wear comfy clothes that you can move to and layers to keep warm/cool. We dance barefoot or in gripped socks.

Bring some water or a refreshing drink.

Photographs

There will be a few videos taken of the DJ/Facilitator and a few subtle shots of silhouetted dancers or feet. The aim is for dancers to not be identifiable in footage but to have something to capture the energy to use in promotions. If you are unable or prefer not to be in any footage please let someone on the team know. You can do this at any time including id we've shared something you feel is too recofnisable. Our aim is to allow dancers to drop into the dance space without worrying about how they look or move. There may be an optional group photo at the end.

About Ecstatic Dance

Ecstatic Dance is based in the natural understanding that our bodies know how they need and want to move in order to heal, strengthen, release and be nourished. Our ancestors practised rhythmic dancing to drums and chanting for centuries. Ecstatic Dance is based in this ancient practice of tuning in to the free movement desired by your body to shake and awaken your being into higher states of awareness, to release stress and trauma and to reconnect with your inner truth, beauty and enjoyment of life.

FURTHER INFO...

Most sessions include;

• Opening Circle (to share Guidelines)
• Guided Warm Up
• Unguided DJ set
• Relaxation
• Closing circle

You are not required to participate throughout and you are able to sit or lie down to rest at any point.

We dance barefoot or in gripped socks, in comfy clothes you can move easily in and with layers to take off/put on as you get warmer or cooler.

Bring a bottle of water

Strictly no consumption of alcohol, drugs or mind/mood altering substances before attending. If you attend in an altered state you may be asked to leave. Regular attendance in altered states may result in a ban.

Community: The Ecstatic Dance community welcomes people of all ages/genders/religions/ethnicities. This is a cross-generational community, so often you will see dancers between the ages of 18-80 enjoying the space together. Most dances allow children to attend, but we recommend checking with your local facilitator before bringing a child! We are a non-denominational community, where we come together for the joy of moving and dancing together. This means that some people come simply for the exercise, some come for the social connection, and some come to use the dance as a form of therapy, emotional catharsis, spiritual practice, or prayer. Whatever your reason for wanting to move, you are welcome at Ecstatic Dance.

Space: Ecstatic Dance is a Freeform Conscious Dance. As soon as you enter the space, you are invited to let go of judgements and expectations, and allow yourself to feel you emotions, sensations, body, mind, and spirit. Because this is a safe space for movement and expression, we do request that you follow the three main guidelines: no shoes (and wear comfy clothes!), no booze (or any other drugs), no talking (body language only!). All freedom of expression is welcomed, and there is no ‘right and wrong’ here. Trust in the journey and move through everything that arises.

Music: At most dances, the soundscape is provided by professional DJ’s who mix the music and facilitate the journey. Most sets will include a variety of musical genres, sonic wave of all tempos, a full spectrum of emotions. At some dances you will find the vibe to be more organic and tribal, and at others more electronic, futuristic, or urban. No set is ever the same!

Consent: Many Dancers come to dance by themselves in the group. Some dancers also enjoy dancing with others, with or without physical contact. Below is a guide to help your experience at Ecstatic Dance.

It is always a good idea to begin by dancing with yourself. Feel into how you are doing in this moment, and in your life in general. Set an intention for yourself & for the world at large at the beginning of the dance.

If you would like to dance with someone else, please make sure they are able to give their consent to dance with you before touching them or entering their field. If you are not sure, or their eyes are closed, it is a No. Please respect any No, and try not to take it personally.

How to say “No” nonverbally? Turn Away, Move Away, Hand(s) at Your Heart (prayer gesture)

How to say “Yes” nonverbally? Turn Toward, Move Closer, Extend a Hand (open palm)

*Credit for some of this text goes to the ED New York website.

Host or Publisher Anna-Lisa Drew