An event for people who have lost a loved one is taking place on Friday, February 28
TWO women who experienced unbearable loss in their lives are holding a ‘grief disco’ for those who have lost loved ones.
The idea is for those who have been bereaved to come together through dancing.
The event features a sober bar including mocktails such as a Grief and Tonic, as well as a room where participants can take part in some simple rituals to honour their grief such as a hanging a dedication on a tree.
The Grief Disco is happening at The Sustainable Studio on Tudor Street on Friday, February 28.
“Georgina and I have both experienced loss in our lives, and we found that one of the ways to help us heal and process this grief was through house music,” said Leah Sian Davies, one of the event organisers.
“Dance is an age-old thing that has united us forever as humans. For people who are grieving, this might be a really positive thing.”
Leah and Georgina Jones have been friends for eight years. They both were coaches at early morning therapeutic events, including dance and meditation, across Cardiff.
“I lost my brother and sister 10 years ago, and Georgina lost her son Osian, who was 16 months old, about two years ago,” said Leah.
Georgina has raised over £10,000 to provide cot soothers for babies in hospital, after her son benefitted from them during his time in hospital.
“So we have both experienced loss in our lives and we know what has helped us,” added Leah.
“We feel as though grief is a very physical thing, it is not something only in our stories.
“We have found that dancing and movement is a way to process grief through the body as well, so that is why we have chosen to dance.”
The sober bar offers a range of mocktails: The Comforter, Grief and Tonic, and Disco Espresso.
“We wouldn’t want people to share what they didn’t want to, or regret things they said in the morning,” explained Leah.
The event’s rituals room will have a chill-out area, where participants can take part in some simple rituals to honour and celebrate their grief.
“We have a dedication tree, where people can write messages and put those who they have lost and hang them on a dedication tree,” said Leah.
“We also give out permissions slips when people arrive, which say that you have permission to feel joy, you have permission to grieve, all is welcome here.”
The event will be opened by DJ Amani, a Persian-Welsh DJ, playing a funky soulful house set.
This will be followed by Sarah Sweeney, co-founder of Eves’ Drop Collective, on the decks and house vocalist Vanessa Freeman, playing a mix of disco, funk, boogie and house music.
“Music connects people from all ages, and we all have a music memory with a loved one. This is a lovely way to help people who want to connect, and honour loved ones,” said Sarah.
“For me, people dancing, smiling, have a little cry, that all helps to shift something, and that plays a small part in healing. Music is the best medicine.”
The venue, Sustainable Studio, Tudor Street, is a workplace for community, artists and creative businesses.
It is a chance to dress up in sparkly disco clothes, but the organisers encourage everyone to focus on comfort.
“We want people to come as they are, be welcomed, and join in whatever they want to.
“I have got a sparkly jumpsuit, and Georgina is going to wear a sparkly top as well,” said Leah.
- To book tickets visit here
