Rites of Dance - VALHALLA: A Viking Experience

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 May 24 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 drummer 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 (AKELA BLOOM)

6:00pm

- Opening Ceremony (DANIEL ΞRUILIAN CUMING)

- Fire Performance (TBC)

7:00pm

- Dance Journey (MARK SANKHARA, GARETH COHEN & JAY HOAD)

9:30pm

- Closing Performance (NIENKE BERGHUIS)

10:00pm

- Closing Ceremony (DANIEL ΞRUILIAN CUMING)

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FOOD

OKI FOOD

TREATS & ELIXIRS

AMY HILL

CACAO

TRIBAL MOON CACAO

(not included in ticket price)

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WHAT IS RITES OF DANCE?

Rites of Dance blends the raw energy of club culture with deeper intention, creating a space where movement becomes a modern rite of passage.

Step into a dance floor where the music moves through you - without the toxicity of nightlife. Here, freedom, expression, and genuine connection thrive.

This isn’t just dancing. It’s a journey. A live DJ weaves bass-heavy electronic beats with tribal rhythms and ambient soundscapes, while a live drummer adds primal energy, making every moment fully immersive.

No substances. No chaos. Just the full spectrum of human experience - from the depths of life’s intensity to the ecstatic highs of cosmic connection.

Move without judgment, express yourself freely, and rediscover what it means to be truly present in your body.

Whether you’re seeking an alternative to clubbing or a deeper connection with yourself and others, Rites of Dance is your bridge to something real.

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MEET THE TEAM

MARK SANKHARA - CREATOR & DJ

For the past seven 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.

CONNECT >>> https://www.instagram.com/mark...

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GARETH COHEN AKA DRUMMINGAZ - LIVE PERCUSSION

Gareth Cohen, a South African drumming virtuoso, boasts over two decades of global experience.

From heavy metal kits to djembe rhythms, his music transcends boundaries, uniting cultures worldwide.

Gareth, affectionately calling music "Mother Music," believes in its ability to cultivate unity, peace, and love in any space.

Witness his transformative beats on stage and embrace the undeniable truth - in music, unity prevails.

CONNECT >>> https://www.instagram.com/drum...

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NIENKE BERGHUIS - CLOSING PERFORMER

Nienke gives voice to the sound of silence, merging the natural, celestial, and ancestral realms through her ethereal music.

A multi-faceted singer-songwriter, producer, sound therapist, and drum circle facilitator, Nienke weaves music, mantra, movement, and meditation into transformative experiences.


In 2024, she released REMEMBER, a collection of songs born from an intimate journey with the womb, inspiring deep inner reflection. 
With soaring vocals, sacred mantras, world instruments, and primal rhythms, she invites us to reconnect with our essence.

Her gentle yet powerful presence, open heart, and soul-stirring music resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impression that uplifts and nourishes all who experience her artistry.

Remember your inner song. Let music guide you home.

Social Media: @nienkesound


Website: www.nienkeberghuis.com


Spotify: https://t.ly/erFk7 

YouTube: YouTube.com/nienkeberghuis


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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 - $64

Door - $70

*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.