No, you didn't read the title wrong. Discos CAN be silent, and I may even prefer them that way.
I'm going to be honest - the idea of a silent disco sounded EXTREMELY nerdy to me. Not like nerdy is a bad thing, I am most definitely a nerd myself and I always have been, but as someone on the outside of a silent disco looking in, it would seem pretty dorky. Or, rather odd. Bizzare, even. Or awesome, it really depends on which adjective you prefer.
For those who are unfamiliar, silent discos are events where the music is not played over loudspeakers everyone in the vicinity can hear, but individual, wireless headphones worn by participants. THAT is what I mean when I say the outside perspective looking in. If you were to pass by a silent disco, you would hear nothing, or, possibly horrible singing. You would most definitely see a lot of dancing, it is still a disco after all, whether you can hear the music or not.
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The silent disco I attended was the one Ohio University threw for Welcome Week. It was not my idea to go to it, but one of my best friends suggested it. I agreed to give it a shot, without knowing exactly what I was getting myself into. I really don't know what I thought it was, but when I walked into the Baker Ballroom with headphones in my hands, I couldn't help but laugh at the sight before me; a DEAD silent room filled with dancing students. I had to sit down I was laughing so hard.
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There were three different channels we could tune into, distinguished by the color on the outside of the headphones that would light up when a certain one was playing. That way you could tell what your friends and strangers around you were listening to. You can all dance along to the same song, or not, but still be dancing together.
In high school, my favorite nights when I had the most fun were ALWAYS school dances. My best friends and I getting all dressed up, taking fun pictures, and dancing the night away in the corner away from everyone else? These were moments of pure joy, I'm always my happiest dancing, especially if it's with my very best friends. In fact, another one of my favorite nights like this was last year, at the end of the semester, my five best friends and I threw a mini-dance in the common room of our mod, complete with dressing up, pictures, and a nice dinner beforehand. It's these magical nights that stand out among the rest.
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And now, unexpectedly, I have to add the silent disco to that list. We weren't prepared to have as much fun as we did, but oh boy, was it a night to remember. We all danced so long and so hard, we were sweating like we were doing a cardio workout - and we technically were! It's the very best when nights like these are when you least expect them.
I HIGHLY recommend going to a silent disco if you're interested, with the right crowd. Bring friends who are always open to trying new experiences (and aren't afraid to dust off their dancing shoes.)
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Silent level of the silent disco: Pretty quiet (if you take your headphones off.)
Spectacular level of silent disco: Superb. Off-the-charts awesome.
Before you buy any tickets for a huge EDM festival, try looking into a cheap (or possibly even free!) silent disco near you, and give me a heads up as to when and where it is! You may even see me there, as I have now been converted. I am, officially, a silent disco nerd.
