“Inside Silent Disco NW: A Seattle Times–Style Feature”

Dance in the park (silently) 

For Seattleites like Eric Ruggi, who wanted to find more accessible activities for his family, the city’s many parks are a canvas where people can be creative and find new ways to move and play together. 

One such concept: the outdoors silent disco. 

You might have seen people dancing and playing with bubbles at Gas Works Park this summer — without any music. Ruggi, who operates Silent Disco NW, wrapped up his first summer of events, at which people used wireless headphones to switch between different music channels at the park. Working with Seattle Parks and Recreation to host silent discos at Gas Works made sense for a number of reasons, Ruggi said. 

Parkgoers play with bubbles and dance during a summer silent disco party at Gas Works Park hosted by Silent Disco NW. Though Silent Disco NW has concluded its summer programming, outdoors silent discos have... (Courtesy of Silent Disco NW)

“Being able to allow people to explore the park while wearing headphones,” he said, “playing in the dance circle and to just get them to be outside” can be just as fulfilling as a camping trip without needing to leave the city. 

Dancing and movement provide both physical and mental health benefits, from decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease to minimizing depression and anxiety. Ruggi added that it helps people connect with their inner child. 

“You see adults become kids again,” he said. “To see someone be like, I’ve never done this’ — you see people just kind of let their guards down.”

While Silent Disco NW has wrapped up its summer programming, similar events are popping up around the city.