Welcome to Brighton People, a new series from We Love Brighton celebrating the brilliant individuals, organisations, and businesses that make our city shine. We’re kicking things off with Ecstatic Dance Brighton, which recently celebrated its two-year anniversary. We spoke to Anna-Lisa Drew, DJ and founder of Ecstatic Dance Brighton.
Congrats on two years of ED Brighton! How does it feel to be running so many dances and building community in Brighton?
Thank you! It feels exhilarating, meaningful and joyful!
How has Ecstatic Dance Brighton grown since it started?
We run at least weekly now with around 300 people through our doors each month. The friendships and familiarity of the spaces, DJs and dancers has really supported creating a sense of ‘home’ for those attending. I’d also like to think the quality has grown. There’s a bit of trial and error early on getting to know the best way to run the sessions, what is needed, how the DJs and facilitators are received. Creating a welcoming space and with high quality facilitators and sound systems has been our goal recently, as well as giving opportunities to new artists and members of our community to share and practice their skills.
What is the aim of Ecstatic Dance Brighton?
To offer a space for expression, liberation and connection through movement to tasteful, well mixed music!
What do you love about Ecstatic Dance?
So many things! Dancing is of course a huge passion for me. At school I won the award for ‘most enthusiastic dancer’ – noteL not the most talented! So this suits me well as you don’t need to be skilled or educated in dance. And the huge variety of music from banging dance tracks to downtempo or gentle world music. It inspires you to move in different ways. It’s beautiful to be able to spend hours dancing with others and building relationships without speaking a word! It’s also sober and drug-free. It means showing up authentically in the moment, and we welcome that. You don’t need to be in a good mood to come along, you can be sad or angry and you won’t be judged for it. You can use the session to move those emotions and hopefully feel more centred and able to face the world at the end.
Please tell me a bit more about you – are you from Brighton? What connects you to Brighton?
I started spending time in Brighton through my early to late teens. I went to Haywards Heath sixth form college and spent my first years exploring pubs and clubs in Brighton. I always thought it would be the best place to raise children as there’s so much on offer for them. Now I’m so happy to be raising my 10 year old daughter here! I’m excited to be one of the event organisers in the city offering alternative experiences to mainstream alcohol/drug based nights out. Coming from an arts therapy background I love creating spaces for transformation and play.
What do you love about Brighton?
The colourful streets, the character, the easy access to nature and the fact it’s big enough to have lots to explore and small enough to bump into your friends on the streets.
What’s next for EDB?
More socials and intimate events as well as longer day experiences and retreats. We’re planning a four day deep dive with international artists and musicians – Avalon Dance Odyssey in Glastonbury which is going to be EPIC!
Website: ED Brighton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecstaticdancebrighton
Tickets: Eventbrite
To be considered for Brighton People, reach out to us: hello [at] welovebrighton.com.
