Ecstatic Dance Charlotte -2 Year Anniversary with Alexander Caruso & Guests

I’m thrilled to announce my next collaboration with Alexander Caruso with special guest, Trey Crispen & John Vorus on Saturday, 9/13/25, as we come together to set intentions for 2025 through the transformative power of dance.

Meet the Artists:

Alexander is the original Ecstatic Dance Charlotte musician—the one who helped give birth to this movement alongside Colleen in September 2023. Living in the hills of Asheville, NC, Alexander orients his life around creativity in all its forms. He is a multi-talented writer, producer, and musician whose inspiration flows from Eastern sounds and themes, Western myths, Chan Buddhism, and the magic of delay pedals.

A true sound alchemist, Alexander has written and produced immersive soundscapes specifically for ecstatic dance communities. His journeys are deeply elemental and emotional—woven with love, dreamlike dynamics, and organic textures. By blending pre-produced sound layers with live instrumentation, Alexander creates sonic landscapes that feel alive—each set unfolding as an unforgettable journey into body, heart, and spirit.

John Vorus is a Western North Carolina–based tribal ambient musician, didgeridoo player, and jaw harpist whose work draws directly from the rhythms of nature. With a unique approach that is more sonic than strictly musical, John paints the air with harmonics instead of relying on traditional song structures. By attuning to the space, silence, and timing of the natural world, his music guides listeners into non-ordinary states of consciousness—neutral, expansive spaces where healing and transformation can naturally unfold.

John has performed hundreds of concerts and shared the stage with a wide array of luminaries, including the late legendary percussionist Gwendolyn Coleman, Jeff Sipe, multiple TEC Award–winner Shawn Jimmerson, and Grammy artists such as Steve Roach, Be Hussey, Casey Drissen, Eliot Wadopian, and Jamie Haddad. His presence on this night will add depth, resonance, and a powerful tribal heartbeat to the journey.

Trey Crispen is a master drummer whose unmatched mojo and magnetic presence ignite every room he plays in. Having led countless dance ceremonies over the years, Trey carries both experience and spirit in equal measure. His improvisational brilliance allows him to respond moment by moment to the energy of the dance floor, creating rhythms that uplift, ground, and expand all at once.

Rooted in a deep understanding of the Five Rhythms tradition, Trey’s drumming is more than just music—it is ceremony. He channels a primal yet refined pulse that speaks directly to the body, inviting dancers into ecstatic states where movement becomes medicine. His gift lies in creating rhythmic journeys that feel both ancient and timeless, guiding communities into collective release and joy.

Dance Workshop with Kat Harmon We’re delighted to welcome back Kat Harmon, who will lead a special movement workshop from 6:45–7:10 PM. This optional session helps participants ease into the evening by moving through fears or anxieties about dancing in community, setting the stage for deeper connection and freedom of expression.

Glow Paint and Adornment Doors open at 6:30 PM, offering time to adorn yourself with glow paint and prepare for the night. This is an opportunity to tap into your inner luminescence and express yourself through creative self-decoration. Body paint will be provided, and you’re welcome to bring additional items for adornment. Come dressed to express your wild, free, and unfiltered self!

Ceremonial Cacao We’ll offer 1 oz. ceremonial cacao for purchase starting at 6:30 PM, creating a heart-opening ritual to prepare for the evening’s journey.

Intention Setting

Please bring an altar item (or multiple) for our collective intention-setting ceremony.This month, we introduce three altar spaces for a deeper and more immersive experience:

1. Feminine Altar: Honoring intuition, nurturing, beauty, and the cycles of life.
2. Masculine Altar: Celebrating strength, logic, action, and protective energy.
3. Unity Altar: Representing oneness, peace, and the beauty of diversity. This altar also honors our ancestors and the wisdom passed down through generations.

Feel free to bring items for one or all three altars.

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Saturday, 9/13/25

Time: 6:30–10:00 PM

Location: Aerial Charlotte, 801 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28206

Admission: Sliding scale $25–$55 (event capped at 100 participants)

EVENT GUIDELINES:

Be Free: Dance as you like, with no judgment.

Be Present: No phones or cameras.

Be Embodied: No talking or spectating.

Be Clear: This is a sober event—no intoxicants.

Be Consensual: Always listen for and respect “yes” or “no.”

Be Here: No outside shoes.

Be On Time: Doors close at 7:15 PM for the opening circle and meditation.

Also check out other Entertainment events in Charlotte, Music events in Charlotte, Workshops in Charlotte.