Rites of Dance - VALHALLA: A Viking Experience (Postponed from March to May due to Cyclone)

THE EXPERIENCE

Welcome to Valhalla, a night where ancient spirit meets modern kinship.

For the fifth year, join us under a starlit sky and amidst towering gum trees as we transform an open field into a vibrant circle of ritual and dance.

Don your finest Viking attire and let the music awaken your inner warrior. This is a celebration of strength, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of community—a time to honour our roots and embrace life in its raw, authentic form. Experience a night of genuine, heartfelt celebration that bridges tradition and togetherness

This isn’t just some fancy dress-up event—it’s an invitation to reconnect with tradition, celebrate our shared journey, and simply be together.

Join us at Mudgeeraba Showgrounds on March 15 for a night honouring Viking and Pagan heritage in a modern, communal setting.

The gathering begins at 4:30 pm with an ambient DJ set. At 6:00 pm, ceremonialist Daniel Erulian will lead the opening ceremony, followed by a dynamic fire performance and a Viking-inspired musical performance by singer-songwriter Nienke.

Then, the heart of the night unfolds—a two-hour DJ set accompanied by up to four live drummers, led by Gareth Cohen, delivering a stirring fusion of Viking, Celtic, pagan, tribal, and earthy beats that invite you to lose yourself in movement.

As the final rhythms fade, Nienke will return to lead the closing performance, bringing the night to a powerful and resonant conclusion.

As the fire burns and the drums echo into the night, we gather—not just as individuals, but as a tribe. This is a space to celebrate, to release, to remember who we are. Whether you come to move, to connect, or simply to be, Valhalla welcomes you.

Step into the circle. The night awaits.

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SCHEDULE

4:30pm

- Gates Open

- Afternoon DJ Set

6:00pm

- Opening Ceremony

- Fire Performance 

7:00pm

- Dance Journey

9:00pm

- Closing Performance

9:30

- Closing Ceremony

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FOOD

OKI Food

DRINKS & ELIXIRS

Amy Hill

(not included in ticket price)

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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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MEET YOUR FACILITATOR

MARK SANKHARA

For the past six years, Mark Saṅkhāra has been a driving force in the Gold Coast conscious dance scene, holding it down with Rites of Dance – a pivotal pillar of the community. His events have created a sacred space for movement, connection, and deep transformation, making an undeniable impact on the local scene.

Saṅkhāra is a master at sculpting soundscapes that take dancers on a journey inward and outward - deep into the womb of the earth and soaring into the cosmos, unlocking the raw expression of the soul. His sets are an intoxicating fusion of tribal rhythms, deep bass, world beats, and groove-driven melodies, weaving together a hypnotic, high-energy experience.

Saṅkhāra is an ancient Buddhist term meaning formation and fabrication – the process of fashioning and the fashioned things that result. It’s a fitting name for the way Mark works a crowd, "fashioning" the atmosphere on dance floors into an irresistible, soul-stirring experience, full of, but by no means limited to, alluring mid-tempo, bass-heavy, tribal, funk-infused, melodic pieces.

Originally from New Zealand and now based on the Gold Coast, Mark has been DJing for over a decade, playing across clubs, competitions, parties, weddings, and conscious dance events in Australia and NZ. With a Diploma in Audio Engineering and 20+ years of guitar experience, his devotion to sound and movement is woven into every set he plays, creating not just a dance floor, but a rite of passage for those who step into his world of rhythm and resonance.

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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

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TICKETS

Up to 12yo - free

13yo - 17yo - $20

Early Bird - First Release - $39 

Early Bird - Second Release - $49 

Early Bird - Third Release - $59 

General Admission - $69

Door - $80

*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.