Silent Disco | Why You Should Be Dancing On The Esplanade Rooftop August 24th

When I first heard the term silent disco, I pictured my awkward junior high dances where girls and boys were too scared to talk to each other. That idea was way off-target. So what is a silent disco? Imagine a hundred people dancing and having a good time, but there’s no music blasting from gigantic loudspeakers. Instead, everyone is wearing a pair of wireless, glowing headphones, each person immersed in their own musical world. Here’s what you need to know and why you should be at the rooftop silent disco.

How It Works

1.    Wireless Headphones: Everyone who walks through the door gets a pair of wireless headphones. There’s a tiny switch that allows you to alternate between three channels.

2.    Multiple Channels: Each channel corresponds to one of three DJs playing different genres of music.

3.    Color Coordination: Each DJ is assigned a color (green, red, or blue), and whoever you’re listening to, the headphones light up in that color. This way you can see who else is dancing to the same beat.

4.    (Mostly) Silent Atmosphere: Without loudspeakers, the Esplanade rooftop is no louder than a cafeteria at lunchtime. That’s if you take off the headphones. There won’t be any middle-of-the-night noise complaints for this party.

The Music Variety

Don’t like the song that’s playing? Just change the channel. The silent disco has three DJs playing different genres of music and will compete for your attention. I was fortunate enough to be the green DJ at the 2023 event and put together a MuchMusic Dance Party playlist, all the hits from the early 90s to the early 2000s. There was even a spontaneous line dance when someone requested Cadillac Ranch by Bruce Springsteen. The other DJs focused on newer hits and techno.

The Spectacular Venue

The Esplanade rooftop offers a unique and stunning atmosphere where you can dance the night away under the stars. In this open-air setting a few stories above the downtown, you can enjoy fantastic views of 1st Street SE, the South Saskatchewan River, and the surrounding area. The twinkling above, low light below, and glowing headphones combine for an experience you can find at any run-of-the-mill nightclub.

The Ease Of Conversation

Unlike a typical night on the dancefloor, there’s no need to shout over the music, simply take off your headphones. The unique advantage of a silent disco is the ability to have regular conversations between songs. Plus, you won’t leave with the echoes of the amplifiers ringing in your head thanks to the headphone's volume control. Just a heads-up: If you remove your headset, you'll be treated to the amusing and curious sight of dozens of people gyrating to a calm summer breeze.

Don’t Wait Or You’ll Be Sorry

Medicine Hat is often called a “last-minute city”, don’t be that person. Headphones are limited. The 2023 Silent Disco on the Esplanade rooftop was a sellout and I expect nothing less this year. For an unforgettable experience, make a silent disco part of your summer plans. It happens on August 24th from 9:30 PM to 1 AM. Tickets are $30 and you can get yours at tixx.ca