Silent Disco Comes to the Greenbrier Valley
“No matter what music you’re dancing to, you’re still part of the party.”
That’s the hope of Amy Boone, spokesperson for the Greenbrier Autism Society, in terms of the
upcoming Out of This World Silent Disco to be held at the Schoolhouse Hotel in White Sulphur Springs
on October 31 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The event is completely FREE to the public. People of all
ages and all abilities are welcome.
What is a silent disco? A silent disco is a dance party where, instead of traditional speakers, the dancers
listen to music on individual sets of wireless headphones. This keeps noise pollution at a minimum, and
participants with sensory challenges can be part of the fun without feeling overwhelmed.
This year, Greenbrier Autism Society has partnered with Quest Entertainment to provide multiple D. J.s, three different channels of music to choose from, and 100 sets of headphones for a variety of music, so participants can dance the evening away at their own comfort levels in a first of its kind event to come to the area. There will be a dedicated “chill out” room downstairs in the hotel, where people can go for a quiet break if it becomes necessary. There is also a sensory-friendly surprise waiting on the dance floor for those who may need just a brief respite from it all before rejoining the party. There will also be an old-school photo booth where participants can get photo strips as mementos of their evening. Because the party is on Halloween, costumes are encouraged, but completely optional. Diversity, connection, and of course, fun, are the aim for this event.
So, why a Silent Disco for a celebration? Well, as Boone says, “There is an infinite amount of
neurodivergence in this universe. So many neurodivergent people are looking for connection, and can
struggle to connect in typical spaces. Music and dance are truly a universal way to connect. We want to
welcome our community to connect in this special way that is friendly to everyone, regardless of ability. If
you want to have fun, come to this party!”
Readers can learn more about the Greenbrier Autism Society by visiting Greenbrier Autism Society’s Facebook Page.
