SOBER RAVE

SOBER RAVE is a space for you to be. Move your body in whatever way you feel. Dance however "dance" looks for you.

Eclectic music via silent disco headphones (provided).

08/02/2026

Thank you to last weekends ravers

Last Sunday's SOBER RAVE was a mix of dancing, moving, playing, rebellion, singing and stomping.

It was fantastic to see you using the range of tickets on offer too: concession, first dance, free and standard.

SOBER RAVE is a place for you to be, to breath, to create, to cry, to feel, to laugh, to let it all go, to lie down and stare at the ceiling, to rave non-stop, to sit and muse...

Whatever you bring, is welcome. More authenticity, more connection, more humanity, more movement is needed now more than ever before and THIS is your place to do it!

The beginning is gentle, allowing time to land starting with a circle and coming together with invitation to share for those who want. Then we rave finishing as we began.

SOBER RAVE brings the container, the headphones, the holding, the playlist, the props and the inevitable silliness.

The next SOBER RAVE is Sunday 1 March, 3-5PM .

More togetherness can only be better.

01/02/2026

You bring the colour

SOBER RAVE comes together each first Sunday of the month.

Today is Sunday 1 February, Imbolc and a Full moon.

Gemma is busy getting the space ready.

Without YOU though, non of this matters.

Without YOU, there is no SOBER RAVE.

We join in circle at the start and end of each dance.

People have joined in circle for millenia.

It's a way to connect.

A way to see each other.

A way to be, without distraction.

It allows our nervous systems to relax.

You can choose to say your name and what you're bringing.

You can stand in quiet contemplation.

You can offer a word, a sound, a movement.

Everything is an invitation at SOBER RAVE.

The only gentle guidelines offered are:

- dance barefoot to help ground

- remain in the music journey once it starts

- no phones, selfies or videos

- stay conscious of yourself, your surroundings and each other.

SOBER RAVE is ready for you to dance, move and shake it all out.

Chairs and yoga mats available to sit and lie too.

All YOU need to do is bring your lovely self.

Much much love,

SR

PS. For anyone who did Dry Jan, well bloomin' done (SERIOUSLY)!!!

PPS. You don't need to have done this to attend.

25/01/2026

SOBER RAVE is:

Acknowledging that there's a different way to be

Being in a room, with people who you might not know, and dancing unaided

Coming together seeing each other for our differences as well as similarities

Deciding to choose to move your body how you please

Encouraging each other with eye contact, dancing, singing and smiling

Feeling the fear and doing it anyway, against all odds

Getting to experience moving to music in your own held supportive bubble

Having a laugh (and a cry) whilst doing so

Inviting in the breath and the senses to help ease the body, mind & spirit

Jumping around like a silly sausage, with fancy dress and props

Keeping your own comfortable space yet exploring your stretch zone

Living LIFE! 'Cus what the hell's it for if not?

Moving and grooving to tunes that maybe you haven't heard (in a while)

Not giving in to societal pressure and choosing to do what you want

Occuring once a month on the first Sunday of the month

Persistently bringing you one banger after another

Queen and King of spaces for you to be YOU in

Rebellious in a world which tells us to be still and quiet

Shaking out/off any unwanted experiences, feelings and thoughts

Taking time for yourself to just be you knowing you're held

Understanding dance, movement and raving doesn't have to look one way

Vogueing the f' out and looking sick whilst doing it

Working on being seen, heard and understood

(e)Xuding confidence because you are amazing

Your own experience, how you would like it to be

Zennin' the f' out at the beginning and end.

If you would like to try a SOBER RAVE and haven't been before there's now First dance tickets as well as Standard, Concession and Free ones.

I don't want there to be any barriers to you attending.

Now, I know it's in an old church but it ain't religious.

This space is beautiful AND you get to enjoy art too!

The next SOBER RAVE is Sunday 1 February, 3-5PM e.g. next Sunday.

Get yasen there!

Can't wait.

Much ❤️

Ps. Link to tickets here: https://dandelion.events/e/p5cl7

Pps. .event_ is a co-op platform

18/01/2026

Coming from a place of love

In a world which values capital, competition, comparison, conflict...coming from a place of love can be challenging.

It can be challenging to know what healthy love is and find it within myself as well as challenging to accept when another genuinely offers love to me.

I have been taught to not trust, be suspicious, numb, to not let in. That there must be something "wrong" with someone who is choosing love. That it's "wishy washy", "woo woo"...

Even mentioning the word "love" can make others turn away because it can be uncomfortable to say and hear.

I now know that the moment I started loving myself and stopped believing others stories that I was unloved, not good enough, that's when my life started to change.

When I hold SOBER RAVE, I do so with calm, lightness, laughter, silliness, and above all, love.

I love connecting you with music. I love connecting you with yourself, your breath, your body. I love connecting you with others. I love connecting you with your surroundings.

I was numb for so many years because I lost true connection with myself and other people. Yet connection is exactly what I was craving. And love.

I believe loving self, even a tiny bit, is the first step.

If I can love myself and allow myself the freedom to be without judgement, I can learn to love again.

Love of what I sense in the world, love of my body, love of others and love of my surroundings.

When I'm in a place of true love, I need little else.

Often people say to me: "I want to come to a SOBER RAVE but..."

The thing that follows is usually routed in the story they have been told: "I can't", "I am not good enough", "I look silly", "others are better than me", "I need x, y, z to dance".

It's challenging to break these thoughts but they can be broken.

The first ecstatic dance I went to unaided I was like what the f'...

I wanted to leave, I felt silly, I wanted to move but found it awkward.

A loving friend was with me and that's a reason I stayed.

Another was I knew deep down I had found my love again.

I just needed to let myself feel it.

To trust.

To accept.

To be present.

To let it all in.

I invite you too.

With so much love,

SR

11/01/2026

SOBER RAVE at Ilkeston Contemporary Arts (ILKON)

For each and every one

Sunday 1 February / 3 - 5pm

(& each 1st Sunday of the month)

ILKON, 114 Heanor Rd, DE7 8TB

Tickets Free / £5 / £10 / £15

Saint Cecelia graces one of the stained-glass windows of ILKON, and, is the patroness of music. so, it feels correct to rave here.

Come and dance

However "dance" looks for you

An eclectic mix of music from across the eras and over the genres, delivered via silent disco headphones (provided).

SOBER RAVE is a gentle, fun, nurturing, space for you to be in. A space to breathe, create, move, talk and be.

Gemma is a trainee Dance Movement Psychotherapist and recovered person sensitive to your needs.

Do you want a space to dance unaided? Do you need to shake it all out? Do you need space to be you?

If it’s the first time you’ve danced unaided, don’t worry. You can lie down, sit, walk or dance non-stop!

We’ll start and end by connecting & grounding in circle. Gemma offers gentle practices to help.

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Fancy dress and props provided.

“...an opportunity to dance and shake through all the stuff that is happening in the world...”

06/01/2026

🎧 SOBER RAVE 2026 is here 🎧

A sober rave is all about pure, unfiltered joy on the dance floor - no alcohol or substances needed! It’s a space to dance freely, enjoy amazing music, and connect with others who love to move to the beat. The best part? You’ll leave feeling alive and wake up, minus a hangover, the next day.

There is no choreo and no steps to follow. Dance however "dance" looks for you. An eclectic mix of music from across the genres and the eras will have you toe tapping and head bobbing. If you feel like sitting for the duration, do it? Wanna have a lie down and listen, go for it! Need a full body shake out, you are welcome!

Wear what you feel comfortable in. There are props and fancy dress for you to play with if you want to bring out your inner child (or just need some shades to hide behind). Barefoot is celebrated too as it can help you ground into the space (but keep shoes on if you want).

We start and end with a circle to bring everyone together and connect. There is an opportunity to introduce yourself and share a little if you feel you want to. There will be a gentle invitation to connect to your breath and your senses as this can help throughout the dance.

Gemma Gwen Armes will hold the space and creates the playlist. As a recovered person, and a trainee Dance Movement Psychotherapist, Gemma is sensitive to your needs and will ensure you feel as comfortable as possible.

The next SOBER RAVE is Sunday 1 February, 3-5PM Ilkeston Contemporary Arts (ILKON) and every first Sunday of the month there after, same time, same place.

Want to join? Grab a standard, concession or free ticket here: https://dandelion.events/e/p5cl7

Address

Ilkeston Contemporary Arts, 114 Heanor Road
Ilkeston
DE78TB

Telephone

+447825770427

Website

https://dandelion.events/u/gemmagwenarmes

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