Have You Been to a Silent Disco?

As a blog writer I pride myself on being fairly, “in the know.” That said, I felt a bit “out of the know” when I heard all about the phenomenon of “silent discos” and just how incredible they are to attend. I mean, how else can you have really loud music, of all different types, playing at the same time, as loud as each individual wants…?? Well, if you know about silent discos then you know the answer: programmable headphones. In other words, each silent disco goer gets a set of headphones where they can pick from a variety of different music options that they can turn up as loud as they desire? House music? Rap? Alternative Rock? Show tunes? Perhaps in-between it all you want to just talk with your friend in relative silence, sans all music, without having to leave the area. Solution? just take off your headphones (or at least on ear) and talk away. Meanwhile, you can laugh a bit at all the different dancing going on as people are jamming on different channels.

Silent discos are the answer to these otherwise impossible scenarios. Heck, I’m used to a club where the music is the music…and the only escape for a quiet conversation is heading outside. Silent discos allow for people of all types of musical taste to gather in the same spot, dance to their music and volume of choice, and not annoy the neighbors. Amazing.

Now, there are silent discos happening all the time all over Portland, and all over the world now for that matter. Heck, to ring in the new Tillikum Crossing bridge a while back they had a walking silent disco across its span. Totally silent, aside from the sound of people walking and talking, but serious tunes pumping through the thousands of synced up headphones. Way too fun.

Here is a link to a silent disco taking place on October 7, from 6-9 p.m., in Portland’s Laurelhurst Park. Yet just ahead of exploring this link, see what they say in their advertisement…sounds (pun intended) pretty darn cool:

Bring a blanket and your friends Sunday 10/7/18 at Laurelhurst Park from 6pm to 9pm for a beautiful sunset, tunes, and vibes!

Silent Disco allows people who like different types of music to still dance together in the same room. Whether you are into bass music, house music or funky stuff we will have something for everyone. If you want to have a conversation, just take one headphone off. No need to yell over someone else experience, and with personal volume control so you can feel like you are in the front row wherever you are in the park.

This is a family-friendly event, and we encourage you to bring snacks, flow-toys, and whatever else you feel would contribute to the fun. Please bring a valid driver's license for use of the headphones.

As always, Heartbeat Silent Discos are leave-no-trace events, so let's leave the park cleaner than we found it.

Here too is a link to this upcoming event’s Facebook event page.

On the funnier side, check out this YouTube video of what a silent disco looks like to a passerby. Indeed….lots of people dancing in silence. It’s great!