Glimmer Sober Rave: ‘Some people just want a good old fashioned rave without a cacao ceremony or food’
A Yorkshire musician is running an alcohol-free day-time rave to provide an old-school warehouse environment for sober or sober-curious people.
A Yorkshire musician is running an alcohol-free day-time rave to provide an old-school warehouse environment for sober or sober-curious people.
Glimmer, which runs sober raves, was founded by sober singer/songwriter and DJ Cheryl Holland.
Cheryl wanted to provide clubbers with an “environment free from drunk and drugged ravers.”
She said: “There is a growing number of sober and sober-curious clubbers and artists across the North of England.”
Cheryl added that since being sober, she realised how few events there are in the Bradford and wider West Yorkshire area that are alcohol-free.
She said: “There are events in Manchester – Drywave, House of Happiness, London amongst others but Bradford - apart from Ignite in Leeds - is distinctly lacking.
“Ignite is a multi-genre sober rave which includes cacao ceremonies and food.”
Cheryl said after doing research she realised many ravers didn’t want anything other than a warehouse rave, just one “safe from triggers, temptation from which may harm their sobriety or recovery.”
She added: “This event will promote the benefits of healthy raving through dance.
“The aim is to provide an experience that gives people the experience of a warehouse rave that has glamour, party vibes.”
Cheryl is preparing to hold her second event, this time in a “more intimate venue.”
After attending a Bradford music scene networking event at Bradford’s The Underground, Cheryl realised it was the ideal location.
She said: “It's a central location with close transport links, and helpful venue staff.”
Cheryl hopes to give a platform to sober/nearly sober artists and DJs both established and up and coming.
She added: “The sober raver is a little more discerning after all – they are completely present in their experience.
“There is a desire for such an event in West Yorkshire.
“Some people just want a good old-fashioned rave.
“I also want to promote other talented artists within the industry who are emerging.”
There will be a mixture of music including disco, funk, house classics, and bassline.
Cheryl added: “Sober dancing is positively encouraged.”
If people are attending Glimmer on their own they can arrive slightly earlier and there may even be pre-meets arranged.