

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Rites of Dance - FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY - Boiler Room Experience 
- **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 at 08:00 am – Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 at 12:00 pm (+10:00)
- **Event Description**: In April 2021, the very first Rites of Dance was held at Tugun Hall.

But the story started a little earlier than that...

Back in December 2018, the journey started with an experimental conscious dance gathering amongst friends. It was simple, but something about it felt right. Not long after, at the beginning of 2019, Conscious Clubbing emerged as a community experiment, bringing the energy of club music into a more intentional space, something beyond just another party.

Those early years were a ride. The dancefloor kept moving through COVID, lockdowns, and all the uncertainty that came with it. Somehow, the gatherings kept finding a way.

Out of that chapter, Rites of Dance was born.

Since April 2021, 75 standalone Rites of Dance events have been held. Month after month, people arriving to move, reconnect, and step onto a dancefloor that feels a little different from the usual nightlife environment.

Five years on, and it only feels fitting to celebrate.

For this anniversary, the room is being brought right in around the music - a Boiler Room–style setup, with DJ and drummer in the centre, surrounded on all sides by the dancers.

No distance between DJ and dancefloor. Just everyone in it together.

And this time we’re levelling up the sound in a big way.

Josh Lovegrove from Sounds of Life Touring is bringing in his new system for the night - a serious rig built to move air and let the frequencies be fully felt. Gareth Cohen joins on live drums, diving through many of the tracks that have shaped these nights over the years… so expect a lot of bangers!

More than anything, this night is about the people who have kept showing up.

Some have been there since the beginning.
Some drift in and out.
Some danced once years ago and never quite made it back.

Wherever you’re at, you’re welcome here.

If dancing has slipped out of life for a while, this is a good night to return.

Five years in, and it’s still happening.

Let’s celebrate it properly.

~

Doors open at 6:00pm for arrival, connection, and easing into the space with an opening DJ set by A.J Selector.

At 7:00pm, the room will gather for an opening ceremony led by Mark Sankhara and Piringi (Spring) King-Mokaraka, including a karakia (traditional Māori prayer) and haka, acknowledging the space and honouring Mark’s (DJ and Creator) roots in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

From there, the main dance journey unfolds - led by Mark Sankhara, joined by Gareth Cohen on live drums for a deep two-hour set.

To close the night, Julie Hayes returns with a special live performance to gently land the journey and bring the room back down.

Tickets are on sale now, including limited early bird options.

**********

WHAT IS RITES OF DANCE?

Rites of Dance is a sober, intentional dance floor for people who love music, movement, and real experience.

It blends the energy and sound system culture of a club with a very different atmosphere. No drugs. No alcohol. No performance. No pressure to be anything other than in your body.

This is not about getting it right or dancing in a certain way. It’s about showing up, moving what’s there, and letting the night unfold.

Some nights are light and playful. Some go deeper. Some are challenging. Most are a mix of all of it.

People come for many reasons. To move stress. To reconnect to themselves. To feel something real again. To be part of a room where nobody is trying to impress anyone else.

Rites of Dance isn’t a workshop. It isn’t a ceremony. It isn’t a club night. It’s a space that sits somewhere in between, and over time, it becomes something you build a relationship with.

**********

ABOUT THE MUSIC

Music is the backbone of Rites of Dance. It’s not background. It’s the thing that carries the night.

The sound moves through many places over the course of an evening. You’ll hear everything from bass-heavy electronic music, drum and bass, techno and house, through to more spacious, atmospheric, and downtempo moments. Sometimes even the occasional unexpected or nostalgic track finds its way in.

The sets are built like a long arc rather than a playlist. Energy rises and falls. Things get heavier, then lighter. You’re invited into intensity, and then back out again.

The intention isn’t to keep you in one state, but to let you move through many.

On some special nights, guest musicians or live elements may join the journey and add another layer to the experience. These are occasional and intentional, rather than a fixed part of every event.

At its core, the music is there to support your own process, not to distract you from it.

**********

COMMUNITY HUB

At the back of the hall there is a dedicated community hub space where you’re welcome to share flyers or information about your own upcoming offerings, events, or projects.

**********

MEET THE TEAM

MARK SANKHARA - CREATOR, DJ &amp; FACILITATOR 

For the past seven years, Mark Saṅkhāra has been holding Rites of Dance as a consistent part of the Gold Coast conscious dance and movement community. The events have grown into a space many people return to again and again for movement, music, and genuine connection. 

Saṅkhāra is a master at sculpting soundscapes that take dancers on a journey inward and outward - deep into the womb of the earth and soaring into the cosmos, unlocking the raw expression of the soul. His sets are an intoxicating fusion of tribal rhythms, deep bass, world beats, and groove-driven melodies, weaving together a hypnotic, high-energy experience.  

Saṅkhāra is an ancient Buddhist term meaning formation and fabrication – the process of fashioning and the fashioned things that result. It’s a fitting name for the way Mark works a crowd, "fashioning" the atmosphere on dance floors into an irresistible, soul-stirring experience, full of, but by no means limited to, alluring mid-tempo, bass-heavy, tribal, funk-infused, melodic pieces.  

Originally from New Zealand and now based on the Gold Coast, Mark has been DJing for over a decade, playing across clubs, competitions, parties, weddings, and conscious dance events in Australia and NZ. With a Diploma in Audio Engineering and 20+ years of guitar experience, his devotion to sound and movement is woven into every set he plays, creating not just a dance floor, but a rite of passage for those who step into his world of rhythm and resonance.

CONNECT &gt;&gt;&gt; https://www.instagram.com/mark_sankhara/

GARETH COHEN AKA DRUMMINGAZZ – LIVE PERCUSSION

Gareth Cohen, a South African drumming virtuoso, boasts over two decades of global experience.

From heavy metal kits to djembe rhythms, his music transcends boundaries, uniting cultures worldwide.

Gareth, affectionately calling music “Mother Music,” believes in its ability to cultivate unity, peace, and love in any space.

Witness his transformative beats on stage and embrace the undeniable truth — in music, unity prevails.

CONNECT &gt;&gt;&gt; https://www.instagram.com/drummingazz/

JULIE HAYES - CLOSING PERFORMER

Irish born, Julie Hayes carries the rich tradition of storytelling deep in her bones. Her music is a journey, weaving hauntingly, beautiful melodies with poetic reflections on life’s mysteries, enveloping listeners in a deeply emotive experience.

Julie’s musical roots are steeped in the timeless rhythms and folk traditions of her heritage, drawing from a culture as ancient and enduring as the mist-covered mountains of her homeland. 

Influenced by the ethereal vocals of Eva Cassidy and the powerful presence of Florence Welch, Julie’s expansive melodies create space for listeners to connect with the true essence of her songs. 

Her passion for authentic expression shines through in every note, with lyrics that are both raw and profoundly moving.

CONNECT &gt;&gt;&gt; https://www.instagram.com/juliehayes.music/

**********

IMPORTANT INFO/WHAT TO BRING

You’re in for a big night and it’s good to be prepared.

Please bring:

- Drinking water
- Sweat towel
- Light, comfortable clothes and something warm to wear as the night cools
- Cash/card for purchases
- Cushion/pillow to sit on
- Yoga mat/something to lie on for the sound integration (and something warm to wear)

*Strictly no drugs or alcohol

*No previous experience needed

*Not suitable for children, however, if you have a mature teenager that would like to attend, please reach out to discuss with us.

**********

TICKETS

Early Release - $44 (Limited to 20 tickets)

General Release - $54 (Limited to 30 tickets)

Final Release - $59 (Until sold out)

Door - $65 (If available) 

*If finances are genuinely tight, reach out – we want this space to remain accessible.

*There's also an option to donate further if you're feeling abundant.

REFUNDS

No refunds, but you’re welcome to on-sell or gift your ticket if you can no longer make it or keep as credit for a future event (valid for 6 months).

**********

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO COUNTRY

We acknowledge and respect the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we gather, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.

We pay our deep respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging. We recognise their enduring connection to this beautiful land, its waters, and its cultural heritage.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/tugun/rites-of-dance-five-year-anniversary-boiler-room-experience/200029870974459
- **Event Categories**: entertainment, music, parties, workshops, performances, health-wellness, art, fine-arts, nonprofit, contests, live-music, storytelling
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 39

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: https://events.humanitix.com/rites-of-dance-five-year-anniversary-boiler-room-experience?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=tugun-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: Tugun
- **state**: QL
- **country**: Australia
- **location**: Tugun Village Community Centre
- **lat**: -28.150031092869
- **long**: 153.4997269128
- **full address**: Tugun Village Community Centre, 414 Coolangatta Rd, Tugun QLD 4224, Australia, Tugun

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 2
- **organizer**: Rites of Dance (https://allevents.in/org/rites-of-dance/20096367)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/85b75fb55437648c28253ac707ca539c105b802a30a7803e0089131a47e16966-rimg-w1080-h1350-dc2d171c-gmir?v=1774702497
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/8e547e0dffe191b63e9b3fe98bebf170d669558eb0d61a367cae6905652a4d31-rimg-w300-h300-dc2d171b-gmir?v=1774702497

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 at 08:00 am (+10:00)
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Tugun Village Community Centre, 414 Coolangatta Rd, Tugun QLD 4224, Australia, Tugun
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Rites of Dance
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** entertainment, music, parties, workshops, performances, health-wellness, art, fine-arts, nonprofit, contests, live-music, storytelling
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Rites of Dance - FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY - Boiler Room Experience  ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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