Rites of Dance - THE FIRST DANCE (GC)

THE EXPERIENCE

The new year doesn’t begin with resolutions; it begins with a single step onto the dance floor.

Imagine the start of 2025 as the breaking of dawn over an endless horizon – no map, no plan, just you, the music, and an open invitation to dance into the unknown.

The First Dance is your invitation to step into the mystery of the new year – a vast, open plain, untouched and waiting for your first step to shape it.

On this dance floor, you’re not just a body in motion; you’re a story unfolding, a heartbeat syncing with the collective pulse. 

As we move together, the music becomes a guide, a compass pointing not to where you’ve been, but to where you’re going. 

This is a place where you can belong just as you are – bold, raw, open-hearted – and where we all share in the journey, one step at a time, into the vastness of 2025.

Tickets on sale now including limited first and second release early bird options.

Doors open at 6:30pm, where we’ll begin shortly after with a short but intentional Cacao ceremony to ground and centre, followed one hell of a dance journey and a sound healing/integration to finish with before we circle up and close.

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WHAT IS RITES OF DANCE?

Rites of Dance is a conscious dance event designed to blend the energy of a club experience with a deeper, more intentional atmosphere.

Imagine stepping into a space where the music moves you, yet you are free from the toxic energy often found in the nightlife scene, and instead, you’re immersed in a sanctuary of freedom, expression, and connection.

This is not just about dancing though, it’s a journey—a rite of passage through movement, music, and self-expression.

Here, you can explore sober dancing with a live DJ mixing beats you’d find in a club—bass-heavy electronic tracks, tribal rhythms and ambient soundscapes—accompanied by a live drummer, Rites of Dance offers a fully immersive experience that goes beyond the surface.

Here, you are invited to explore sober dancing, to feel the intensity and joy of movement without the need for substances or chaotic surroundings. It’s about going deep, feeling the full spectrum of the human experience—from the murky depths of life's chaos to the ecstatic highs of cosmic connection.

The space invites you to express yourself fully, to move without judgment or expectation, and to experience the freedom of being truly present in your body.

Whether you're seeking an alternative to the nightlife scene or a deeper connection with yourself and others, Rites of Dance creates a bridge to a deeper connection with music, community, and yourself.

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ABOUT THE MUSIC

At Rites of Dance, music is the central force and it is as diverse and dynamic as the journey itself, blending the energy and beats you might expect in a club environment with a deeper, more intentional feel.

You’ll hear everything from bass-heavy EDM, trap, and drum and bass to techno, house, and tribal rhythms, mixed with downtempo, atmospheric soundscapes, and even nostalgic dance tunes thrown in on occasion.

The music ranges from heavy, driving bass to ethereal ambient soundscapes, creating an emotional and energetic experience that taps into the full spectrum of human feeling.

Our approach is about pushing creative limits, and going to places other conscious dance events won’t.

The sets are carefully constructed to take participants on a transformative journey, with the energy rising and falling throughout the night—it pulls you into the depths and then lifts you back into lightness, allowing you to dive deep into your own experience, guided by the music through moments of intensity and release.

A live drummer accompanies the DJ, weaving in primal rhythms on the djembe, dun duns, and bongos, amplifying the energy and bringing a raw, tribal element to the electronic beats. The synergy between the music and live drumming creates a deeply immersive atmosphere, amplifying the energy and pulling you deeper into the experience. 

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ABOUT OUR CACAO

We serve AMARU (Serpent) Ceremonial Cacao which is grown, produced and supplied by SELENO HEALTH - THE MACA EXPERTS.

Seleno Health is a unique New Zealand-based natural health company that seamlessly merges ancient plant wisdom with modern scientific research.

In collaboration with indigenous farming families in Peru, Seleno Health not only shares shamanic teachings but also substantiates them through modern biochemical research. This endeavour aims to educate individuals on the vital connection to their food, the richness of indigenous plant wisdom, and the pathway to natural well-being.

At the heart of Seleno Health is Dr. Corin Storkey, Co-founder, and Co-Director. With over 15 years of expertise in medicinal antioxidant chemistry and a personal triumph over chronic fatigue syndrome, Dr. Storkey passionately established Seleno Health. His vision goes beyond conventional Western medical approaches, emphasising holistic health management.

Complementing this vision is Sally Huapaya, Co-director, and native Peruvian of Andean descent. Sally brings a unique blend of industrial engineering expertise and ancestral knowledge to the table. Together with Seleno Health, she orchestrates the creation of authentic Organic Farm-to-Table Maca and Cacao, respecting ancient traditions. Sally also spearheads social responsibility programs and facilitates Amazonian and Andean retreats in Peru.

Now, let's meet the extraordinary individuals behind the scenes. Florencio and Yraida, the Maca farmers, are true experts. They specialise in cultivating premium medicinal Maca using ancestral organic farming techniques. Their dedication goes beyond farming – it preserves ancient spiritual practices, infusing each batch with love, passion, and intention to heal.

Adding to this tapestry is Rolando, Cacao farmer extrodinaire from the Amazonian jungle. A pioneer in organic and fair-traded cacao production, Rolando champions social sustainability and environmental harmony. His dedication resonates with many farmers who bravely sow the world's finest cacao, hoping to transform lives through love, equality, justice, and a passion for biodiversity and the environment.

Together, the Seleno Health team honours indigenous traditions and fosters connections between people and sacred plant knowledge. Join us on this seamless journey towards well-being, rooted in authenticity, sustainability, and cultural respect.

Connect >>> https://www.selenohealth.com.a...

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COMMUNITY HUB

There is a dedicated community hub at the back of the hall where you are invited to display any promo material you have for your upcoming offerings, events etc.

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MEET YOUR FACILITATOR

MARK SANKHARA

Saṅkhāra is an ancient Buddhist term meaning formation and fabrication, the process of fashioning and the fashioned things that result. It is a term that could be used to describe the way the man himself works a crowd, ‘fashioning’ the atmosphere on dance floors into an irresistible and energetic experience, full of - but by no means limited to - alluring mid tempo, bass heavy, tribal, funk-induced, melodic pieces.

Saṅkhāra is a gifted soundscape artist and is passionate about taking people on a journey inward and outside of oneself, deep into the womb of earth and upwards into the heavens of the cosmos, experiencing an explosion into the soul's expression.

Saṅkhāra’s sets consist of an infusion of many different genres and styles, focusing heavily on Tribal and World beats. His intention is not just to get you tapping your feet and nodding your head, but to have you dancing until your feet fall off and you’re no longer able to stand!

Saṅkhāra is a NZ-born Gold Coast-based DJ who has played in various clubs, competitions, parties, weddings, and conscious dance events in NZ and Australia over the past decade. He obtained a Diploma in Audio Engineering in 05/06 and has been playing guitar for over 20 years. He is also passionate about men's work and runs and facilitates men's workshops and is also a Spiral Practitioner.

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IMPORTANT INFO/WHAT TO BRING

You’re in for a big night and it’s good to be prepared.

Please bring:

- Drinking water

- Sweat towel

- Light, comfortable clothes and something warm to wear as the night cools

- Cash/card for purchases

- Cushion/pillow to sit on

- Yoga mat/something to lie on for the sound integration (and something warm to wear)

*Strictly no drugs or alcohol

*No previous experience needed

*Not suitable for children, however, if you have a mature teenager that would like to attend, please reach out to discuss with us.

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TICKETS

1st Round EB - $39 (10 only)

2nd Round EB - $49 (20 only)

General Admission - $59

Door - $70

*EB - Early Bird

*The only difference with ticket options is the price, all tickets grant you access to the entirety of the event. The next round of EB tickets starts when the previous one sells out.

*If you're struggling financially, reach out and we will work something out - money shouldn't be an issue stopping you from attending.

*There's also an option to donate further if you're feeling abundant.

REFUNDS

No refunds, but you’re welcome to on-sell or gift your ticket if you can no longer make it or keep as credit for a future event (valid for 6 months).

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO COUNTRY

We acknowledge and respect the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we gather, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.

We pay our deep respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging. We recognize their enduring connection to this beautiful land, its waters, and its cultural heritage.

As we come together on this land, we extend our gratitude for the wisdom, resilience, and cultural richness shared by the Yugambeh people.

May we stand together in unity and harmony, honouring the spirit of this country and the ancient traditions that continue to thrive.