Video not playing? Watch it on NBC.

DJs Domonique Porter and Jason Game brought the dance floor energy with electro / techno / house on the Blue and Red channels, while classics by Frank Sinatra and Django Reindhardt slowed it down on the Green channel for those who preferred to go back in time and ballroom dance in the beautiful Palihouse lobby — all while maintaining a volume suitable for conversation and relaxation for the hotel guests.

Watch the other segments of 1st Look’s Dance Phenomenon episode.

Silent Disco at California Academy of Sciences | Photo credit: SF Station

In 2011 the California Academy of Sciences hosted their first silent disco, closing out the night full of fantastic activities and vendors. The crowd was in a great mood and diverse as ever. Guests jump started the holiday season with live reindeer, indoor snow flurries, and all the sugar & spice they could handle. The amazing lit-up tree art installations seen in the video each had a push-and-sniff button which actually forced spicy holiday aromas out of the holes in the fiberglass, otherwise known as the “Spice Forest” – it was brilliant. The huge snowman in the background was actually a dome which guests could go inside and watch video earlier in the evening. The week marked the NightLife debut of ‘Tis the Season for Science, the Academy’s new exhibit featuring the sights, sounds, and smells of the season, along with the science behind some favorite traditions.

Guests explored the exhibit and ended the night with a high-energy dance party in the Piazza. The silent disco featured ICEE HOT’s Shawn Reynaldo (formally known as Disco Shawn). EVERYONE was getting down. At one point, a woman came up to us and told us how she’s never seen her friend dance before in her entire life – and he was breakin’ it down! It was so great to see people of all ages and backgrounds having such a cohesively positive experience with each other. To give you a taste of Shawn’s sound, here’s a fiery set from a couple years back:

The video was shot and edited by Nicole Landau of Green Cap Productions. Photos featured at the end of the video were captured by SnapFiesta. See the entire album on Facebook. Music in this video is Adele – Set Fire To The Rain Remix (Moto Blanco Radio Edit)

This is a depiction of how 3D sound morphs what you hear through headphones into a three-dimensional audio experience – trippy, isn't it!?

3D sound is a product of binaural recording which requires the use of two microphones commonly arranged on either side of a mannequin head with the intent to create a 3D stereo sound sensation for the listener. This yields the perception of actually being in the room with the performers or instruments. 3D sound is best experienced through headphones and will not translate properly over stereo speakers.

The term “binaural” has frequently been confused as a synonym for the word “stereo”. Conventional stereo recordings do not factor in natural ear spacing or “head shadow” of the head and ears. Hugo Zuccarelli of Argenticna created Holophonics in 1980, the binaural recording system used to record 3D sounds. Holophonics, like binaural recording, reproduces the interaural differences (arrival time and amplitude between the ears), as well as rudimentary head-related transfer functions (HRTF). These create the illusion that sounds produced in the membrane of a speaker emanate from specific directions – like in front of you or by your feet.

So, now that you’re caught up on the technical specs, it’s time to experience 3D sound for yourself. Grab a pair of headphones and check out the following YouTube videos. The 3D audio illusion can only be experienced with headphones and is best experienced with your eyes closed.

Pretty amazing, right? This 3D sound illusion is unfortunately lost without headphones – and when we experience music through traditional sound system, this effect is mostly lost. Even with stereo sound systems, the left and right channels are mixed in an open room and what you hear greatly depends on your positioning in the venue. As you can imagine, our silent disco headphones reintroduce the possibility of 3D sound into the social listening atmosphere. Since everyone at the event is equipped with a personal set of headphones, the performer gains amazing control over what the listeners hear – far more custom and personal than ever before. And unlike traditional sound systems, guests can take this 3D sound experience with them no matter where they go – whether they are standing directly in front of the DJ, stepped out on the patio – or even in line for the bathroom!

Below are a couple of music tracks for your listening pleasure. They may not have true 3D sound but are great examples of stereophonic sound that can be achieved through headphones.

This first one is accompanied by some pretty eerie footage of UFOs

And I don’t think I have any words for this next one!

BONUS!

Show the world your love for Stereophonic Sound by rocking one of these tees from our friends at Headline Shirts!

"Those who danced were thought to be quite insane, by those who could not hear the music" -A. Monet

The original photo was taken at the California Academy of Sciences NightLife silent disco event by our friends at SnapFiesta. For more photos from this incredible event, check out our San Francisco Facebook Page.

Interested in hiring silent disco services? Fill out our Request for Services Form to get started.

The following post was written by Warda Zahid Khan, Senior Class President, Manhattanville College

At Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, we decided to arrange our first Silent Disco event as a stress-buster event for students before finals approach. We found out about Silent Storm Sound System through our internet search for companies catering the Silent Disco parties. Silent Storm Sound System is perhaps the only outstanding company catering to this need. This was our first contract with them.

I was just amazed at how well-coordinated and smooth the event ran. I was the organizer of the Silent Disco at Manhattanville College and I had the best experience arranging this event. The staff at Silent Disco was always just a text or email away. Even during the Thanksgiving break, they were available to answer any queries that we had.

A Silent Disco is essentially the same as any other dance party. There is a dance floor of people eager to show off their moves, an awesome DJ mixing killer beats, a little mingling, and refreshments for those who need to boost up for the next round of songs. The only difference is the headphones that are handed to each student as they walk in.

On the day of the event, students entered the party, shy and confused. They held their drinks and talked to each other instead of dancing because they just found it awkward. As more students started entering, the environment became less awkward. More people started dancing and eventually everyone let go of their uptightness and started dancing. Every now and then I will take my headphone off to see how it feels to be without one, and it was just hilarious. Seeing people dancing to apparently nothing audible was just an amazing experience. The best part was when the DJ played Cha Cha Slide and everyone started following the dance.

Later on, a security guard came up to me and said,“You have no idea how funny you all looked to me.”

The event on the whole was one of the best party experiences I have had. It was fun, crazy, unique and very organized.

Students were having so much fun that they requested DJ Mofti to extend the party for half an hour. The most interesting bit is the fact that this party was on a Tuesday night and even then it drew so many people in and they stayed until 1 30am.

Those who came loved the event, and those who could not, regretted not coming and requested us to arrange another similar event next semester, which we are looking into right now.

Working with SSSS has been an extremely delightful experience. They are helpful and way more than just an outside vendor for your parties. They understand your needs and are always there to assist you. Our first contract with them was very successful and we are considering making it a regular event catered by Silent Storm for our school in the future.

Warda Zahid Khan
Senior Class President 2011-2012
Student Government Association
Manhattanville College

When Naomi Kravitz of Downright Music and Art first reached out to us, she described Collinsville to be known as “A quaint little drinking town with a huge art problem”.  Recently it was even written up in Travelers Magazine as “One of Americas top ten coolest small towns”. We were hooked already.

“The reason C-Ville rocks”, adds Naomi, “is because we have a raging river that runs right through the middle of an old factory town.  Lot’s of musicains and artists have found their way to this Vortex we call home and the central base is our music and art store, Downright Music & Art.”

Naomi Kravitz (on left) of Downright Music & Art

Naomi explains that the purpose of the festival she and her team throws every year is “to get people away from their TVs and out of their comfort zone to be face to face with the performing arts. The highlight of the event this year, Naomi explains, is The Laser Light Show by Waking Dream.  The laser light show is a blown up parachute that holds 200+ people inside.  It’ is sensory overload in that dome and the only thing in the world hat could make it even better is the silent disco.”

Of course, we jumped at the opportunity to bring the silent disco experience to Downright Music’s Community Unity Day Festival. After all, how could we say no?

The following silent disco event recap was written by Naomi Kravitz of Downright Music & Art:

On August 13th, 2011 the silent disco rolled though Collinsville, CT. This quaint little old factory town located on the Farmington River became a wild music and arts festival. Hundreds of people gathered for the 12 hour festivities. The highlight was The silent disco. This was the first time the Valley came together to dance. People of all ages were able to listen to live DJs spinning dance music all night outdoors without ever upsetting fellow neighbors. The silent disco is a brilliant, innovative way to keep the party going late. The joy on peoples faces as they put on the headphones for the first time was priceless. Instantly you were in your own world and it was pure pleasure. People seemed to dance harder and smile bigger than ever. Conversations were able to be heard easily by simply removing the headphones. This is truly a ingenious way to put on an event with live music in a public setting. Months later, not a week goes by were the silent disco isn’t mentioned. Collinsville, CT is a better place having had the silent disco roll through, thanks to Downright Music’s Community Unity Day Festival!

For those of you in San Francisco, rest assured that, as much as Monday will come too soon for us all, we’ll be there to help you transition into the (next) Holiday Season with a spectacular silent disco dance party at NightLife @ the California Academy of Sciences next Thursday (Dec 1st)!

Resident Reindeer at the California Academy of Sciences (source: calacademy.org)

“Jump start your holiday season with live reindeer, indoor snow flurries, and all the sugar & spice you can handle. Next week marks the NightLife debut of ‘Tis the Season for Science, the Academy’s new exhibit featuring the sights, sounds, and smells of the season, along with the science behind some of your favorite traditions. Explore the exhibit, including an aromatic “Spice Forest,” and take part in the “Silent Night Silent Disco,” featuring jamz DJ’d by ICEE HOT’s Shawn Reynaldo.” Here’s a taste:

SHAWN REYNALDO – RIP Disco Shawn Mix by ICEEHOT

The Piazza is transforming into a winter wonderland as we speak. Here’s a behind the scenes sneak peak:

In addition to the silent disco dance party in the Piazza, “you can exercise your sweet tooth with tastings by Ghirardelli, The Candy Store, Mission Minis (cupcakes), Fiona’s Sweetshoppe, and Sweet Inspiration; and watch as The Moss Room’s pastry chef Angela Gong whips up a sugar sculpture before your very eyes. Plus, Whole Spice will be on-hand to demonstrate what it takes to blend custom spice mixes for favorite local restaurants including Aziza and Napa’s Ubuntu.

Be one of the first 100 people to visit Scoutmob’s table at NightLife and download their app, and get a free drink ticket.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company will also be on-hand with interactive activities including the chance to see your thermal image using an infrared camera, and suggestions for how to make your home more energy-efficient this winter.”

Additional music in the East Pavilion by ICEE HOT.

Facebook Event Page
Buy Tickets to NightLife
ICEE HOT on Facebook / SoundCloud

Text “SF” to 844-44 for Silent Disco San Francisco updates on your cell

“It’s really about how dancing takes us deep inside ourselves, even when we’re all doing it together – and what a wonderful thing that is”. – Lavinia Greenlaw

Her work is heavily informed by her interest in science and scientific enquiry, and by themes of displacement, loss and belonging.^[5][6] Critics have noted that her poetry is remarkable in its precision, and that her best poems contain a complexity and elusiveness that lead them to ‘appreciate with each re-reading’.^[3]

Lavinia Greenlaw has been shortlisted for a number of literary awards, including the Whitbread Book Award (now known as the Costa Book Awards) and the T. S. Eliot Prize for Poetry. She won the French Prix du Premier Roman^[7] for her first novel, Mary George of Allnorthover and, most notably, the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem for ‘A World Where News Travelled Slowly’, the title poem from her second major collection.

-Wikipedia

Silent Disco Rooftop Saturdays at Palihouse, West Hollywood

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Palihouse, the beautiful long stay luxury property in West Hollywood. Palihouse will be hosting Silent Disco every Saturday starting 17th Sept – 8th October. The events promise a line up of amazing DJ’s, a full bar, BBQ, picnic dining, ping pong, games, prizes and good old fashioned fun in the sun! The event will run from 3pm to 9pm on the glorious Palihouse roof-top. So if you’re in the Los Angeles area, come and get your groove on.

Rooftop Picnic Basket for Silent Disco Saturdays

The events are guest list only – RSVP to richroyal@palihouse.com. Capacity is limited.

Gilt City is featuring the offer including 2 tickets for the Saturday of your choice.
Check out the offer and grab your tickets today!

Silent Disco Saturdays on the PALIHOUSE Rooftop

Together Silent Disco Boston at Think Tank

In 2011, we teamed up with vitaminwater to bring the Together Silent Disco back, this time to Think Tank in Cambridge, for an unforgettable Saturday night during the festival. This year our featured DJs were local favs, VOLTRAN, KC Hallett and the firey Boston-based duo, Nightriders. Here’s a great Nightriders set:

Nightriders Mix for Les Petits Bruits – Chapter 16 by Nightriders

VJs v.Ka$h & VJna brought the eye candy. Check out photos from the event by Dan Marino and Nick Dawg.

Just as the festivities were kicking off, our friends at True DIY pulled us aside for this quick, impromptu interview:

If you’re in the Greater Boston Area and want to stay in the loop on upcoming silent disco events in New England, there’s a couple of ways to do so:

Text “ssss” to 844-44 for updates on your cell phone
Link up with our Boston profiles on Facebook, Twitter & Foursquare