Ecstatic Pride and Cacao Activation with Sea Gypsee

We are back with our monthly ecstatic dance WITH A TWIST. To mark our final dance of 2024 we are making this one extra special with a CACAO ACTIVATION and ecstatic dance by one of our favorite DJs.

Ecstatic pride is a unique blend of the colourful, queer, self expression of a pride event and the safe and sober space of an ecstatic dance. Join us for an evening of silly, sassy, sober, self expression!

During this event we will take you on a journey that is specifically created to allow you to let go of the day, drop into your body and connect with yourself. Through self connection and embodied dance we can move through any experiences, feelings or emotions that are living in our bodies and make way for self love, joy and celebration. 

You will be taken on a multi-genre musical journey to allow you to explore all the parts of yourself. You are invited to move, dance, play and express yourself on the dance floor, however you feel. A space to express the parts of yourself that maybe don't get to be expressed elsewhere. 

This is a safe and inclusive space for everyone, all beings are welcome. 

Featuring

Cacao Activation

Meditation

Guided Embodiment 

Ecstatic dance 

Live sound bath 

Face paints 

Alter 

You are invited to dress to express

Come dressed up to express yourself, however that looks for you today. This could be your sexiest, most colourful or weirdest outfit you have, or it could be your Pyjamas! This is your chance to express yourself. (Please make sure you are comfortable and able to move - layers are recommended as it could get sweaty!).

What is ecstatic dance? 

Ecstatic dance is a practice of moving freely, expressing yourself freely and exploring yourself deeply. It is a place for you to let go, recharge and flow through movement, letting what's inside you guide the dance. Unlike clubbing, ecstatic dance sets are built like "waves" moving from slow and mellow, to very dynamic and everything else in between; gently guiding you to stretch your body and mind in many directions, to experience the vast spectrum of your emotions with mindfulness and wild abandon. Most of the time when people dance it is to look good to others, but here, we dance to connect with our authentic, natural selves. You are welcome just as you are. 

What is Cacao?

As well as being incredibly delicious, cacao helps us to ground, enhance our dance experience and open our hearts. It can also gently guide us to connect with hidden dimensions of ourselves. The cacao will be prepared with love and as we sip the cacao, we will be guided through a meditation to connect us to this plant and our intention for the dance. The effects of cacao can vary from one person to another, but you can expect an improvement of mood and pleasure, stimulation of mental alertness and heart expansion.

As well as being one of the most potent superfood on the planet, cacao will help you to reach a state of mild euphoria, without altering your consciousness. It's a beautiful heart-opener and with intention, it can help you enhance your wellbeing to the next level. It truly is the new way to dance without alcohol and we absolutely love it!

Guidelines

Please read through our ecstatic dance guidelines. These are in place to ensure that everyone is welcome and has a safe experience in the dance. 

• Be expressive – dance how you want, be free and express yourself
• Be sober – this allows us to be fully present
• Be embodied – no talking - lets put words aside for a few hours
• Be present – no phones, no cameras
• Be barefoot – no outsides shoes
• Be consensual – respect your own boundaries and the boundaries of others, if it’s not a clear ‘yes’, it’s a ‘no’
• Be free - nipples and toplessness are welcome - please keep genitals covered

Schedule

6:30pm - Welcome into the space - stretch - warm up - connect - face painting 

7:00pm - Opening circle

7:15pm - Cacao Activation 

7:30pm - Ecstatic dance - Doors close

9:30pm- Sound bath

9:45pm - Closing circle

10:00pm - Event finishes - the option to connect with others whilst we pack up

Our host

Faye Louise (she/her)  is a holistic coach and embodied facilitator, on a mission to connect everyone back to their own truth. From this place of self connection and self trust, we can create a life we love. Faye is passionate about creating spaces for people to  connect with themselves, express all their parts and live a healthy life.

Our DJ

Sea Gypsee (she/her) is the founder of Ecstatic Dance Cardiff launched in march 2024 that already draws more than 100 people per session. As an Ecstatic Dance DJ and facilitator, she inspires people to boldly engage in their life with heart and soul. By reconnecting with our inner body wisdom and through the dynamic practice of the 5 elements, Seagypsee facilitates powerful, tender and moving soulscapes to feel free and feel ourselves from within.

Her sonic journeys are a mix of ethnic and tribal beats, folktronika, deep house, amapiano, world music, drum n'bass, psytrance, dub, medicine songs that weave a return to love, eros, tribe and nature. An somatic meditative dance to explore our edges, uplift our spirits and rejuvenate from the inside out.

Our venue

Piloxercise, 7 Easton Road, Lawrence Hill, Bristol BS5 0BY

Google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aHVnjXhwZRfSWWyS7 

The entrance to the venue is a big black door on a red brick building and there is a big yellow x above the door. It is next to LA gym. 

Accessibility: please note that there are 2 steps at the entrance of the building. Please get in touch if this is a barrier for you. 

Parking

There are a few areas for on street parking around the venue, please check the restrictions in that particular area. 

The venue manager has also told us that it is okay to park in the business park across the street as long as we stay in the wiper and true car park (first left once in the business park) or the 2 car parks at the far back. Do not park in the car park which is on the first right. This is the google maps link for the car park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZZxy9GD9sqvcN45R8 

However, we encourage everyone to walk, share a lift, bus, cycle or scooter to the venue where possible. 

What to bring:

• Water bottle & water
• Wear layers that can be taken off/put back on if you get hot/cold
• Something to lay on/under for the sound bath (there will be a few  mats available)
• Ear plugs if you are sensitive to loud music
• Snacks if you tend to get hungry

A Neuro-divergent friendly space 

We try to make the space safe and inclusive for everyone and are constantly taking feedback to improve on this. If you have any more thoughts on how we can work towards making sure this space meets your needs, please email me at: iamfayelouise@gmail.com

• Low lighting throughout the event
• Ear plugs available
• Clearly communicated guidelines for the event
• No sage, incense or essential oils being burnt in the space
• Team members available throughout the dance and support from Faye available post event

Tickets 

Please buy your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

There will be a few tickets available on the door, cash prefered. 

No one gets turned away due to lack of funds, please get in touch if the low income ticket is still a barrier for you. We have volunteer/exchange options available. 

Refunds and exchange

We do not offer refunds, however, if you give at least 48 hours notice we can transfer your ticket to another event. Please get in touch to arrange this. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch!  -  iamfayelouise@gmail.com