ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Some people spend Saturday mornings sleeping in. Those people were not at Solomon’s Path this weekend.
When The Telegram visited the arts collective in the Neal Building in downtown St. John’s shortly after 9 a.m., about a dozen people were grooving to electronic dance music, while a handful more applied environmentally-friendly glitter to their cheeks, and a few stretched on yoga mats.
Windows lining the front of the space allowed the bright morning sun to fill the open room. A couple of people sipping coffees looked out at the ships tied up in port.
“A morning rave is just letting go and dancing,” said Alison Rideout, one of the event organizers.
Rideout does programming for Solomon’s Path. She teamed up with Laura-Beth Power of LB Yoga to host the morning rave.
“I think it’s nice to offer inclusive, dry events for the community. I think we can connect without alcohol sometimes,” she said.
The rave was an all-ages event, with attendees ranging from young children to adults. Dozens of people came and went throughout the three-hour event.
“It’s about setting the tone for your day in a positive and energetic way,” explained Power.
At 54, Janet Harron said she doesn’t like to stay up late at night anymore, but she still loves to dance. That’s why she threw on her silver sequined hat and made her way to the rave Saturday morning.
“It’s just a super fun experience,” she said.
“Everyone’s just enjoying moving and dancing, and talking to each other, and nobody’s drunk — it’s just a really pleasant, positive experience.”
Nearby, Mark Hunter danced while wearing an animal print onesie. He described it as a great way to wake up.
“Just get my energy up with a positive group of people,” he said.
The St. John’s event is part of a global trend, spurred on by groups such as Morning Gloryville and Daybreaker who organize large-scale morning raves in larger cities.
“A lot of fitness enthusiasts, yoga people, ex-pat ravers — they’re all kind of into the morning rave idea where you get up, you might put on something a little out of the ordinary,” said Power.
“You might put on a wig or put on your flashiest yoga pants, or you can just come in your street clothes, and you just move your body in a way that is really welcoming and freeing to creative expression.”
Power hosted a few pre-work Friday morning raves a couple of years ago but took a hiatus.
When she decided to organize the event again, she said many people suggested Saturday morning.
Power and Rideout plan to hold another morning rave at Solomon’s Path in March and again in April. Depending on how those events go, they’d like to make it a monthly event.
“Lately there’s been a real push towards inclusive spaces to dance in,” said Power.
She said some people find dancing in downtown bars intimidating because there’s alcohol and sometimes drugs involved.
“People might not feel so safe in those rooms, like really getting down, letting yourself be free and moving how you want to move. So, I think that this type of event where there’s no alcohol, no drugs, and I’m encouraging people to move freely and respect themselves and respect each other — there’s something really cool about that.”
The date for March is not yet set. Anyone interested in attending can follow LB Yoga or Solomon’s Path on Facebook, where Power and Rideout will post details of the next event once it’s organized.
Twitter: @juanitamercer_
