THE EXPERIENCE

This winter, we gather again.

Not to celebrate the solstice or mark a seasonal turning point, but simply to come together in the heart of winter.

To move. To feel. To warm ourselves by the fire of community and music.

There’s something about this time of year. The cold slows things down. It strips everything back.

What’s left is what’s real - the body, the breath, the quiet presence of others beside you, and the breath of life beneath the frost.

Winter is the season of the inward path. The long night. The ember glow. The walk where you don’t quite know where it’s leading.

It’s a time for listening. For softening. For letting the body speak what the mind cannot name.

We don’t come to escape the cold. We come to meet it. To feel what it draws out of us. To keep the fire lit, together.

This is a night for moving through the dark with others beside you. To tend the fire inside, even when the world around feels bare and quiet.

Join us as we dance through winter together.

Doors open at 6:30pm to settle in, connect, and enjoy a complimentary cacao. At 7pm, we’ll begin an unforgettable dance journey led by our DJ and live drummer duo.

The night will culminate in a 30-minute closing performance to integrate the experience before returning to the world.

Tickets on sale now, including limited early bird options.

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.

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.

COMMUNITY HUB

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

MEET THE TEAM

MARK SANKHARA - CREATOR, DJ & FACILITATOR

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.

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

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...

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.

TICKETS

1st Round EB - $29 (10 only)

2nd Round EB - $39 (20 only)

General Admission - $49

Door - $60

*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).

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO COUNTRY

We acknowledge and respect the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we gather, the Arakwal people, the Minjungbal people and the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation.

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