30/05/2026
New to NLNL? See our FAQs . . .
๐๐ป WHAT IS NO LIGHTS NO LYCRA? NLNL is a weekly lights-off chance to dance in the dark for the pure joy of dancing. Itโs a place to shake out the stresses of the week, let go of your inhibitions and completely be yourself. It occurs in over 70 locations around the world, and Redlands Coast sessions are on Wednesday nights 6.00-7.00pm at the Lions Community Hall, 122 Shore St North, Cleveland. Just $10 at the door or contactless ticketing via TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DKILI
๐บ๐ป WHAT KIND OF MUSIC IS IT? We aim for a little bit of everything. From rock, to pop, to swing, to folk, to hip hop, to soul, to super cheesy top 40. We like dance floor classics, and we like weird things we've never heard before. You might not like some if it, but you'll love a lot of it. We aim to It varies week to week, so if youโre not sure after your first time, be sure to try a second. And you can always sit out for a song or step-tap on the spot if anything doesn't take your fancy - it's not like anyone will see you!
๐บ๐ป HOW DARK IS IT? It's light enough so that you can see the people around you but dark enough so that you can't make out their features. We aim for a sweet spot between creating a foolproof judgement-free space and safety so you can find your space to bust a move.
๐๐ป IT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE CREEPY. IS IT CREEPY? Nope. NLNL is a drug, alcohol and do*****ag free zone. While it is dark, NLNL is for dancing on your own, so people dance independently and it's completely non-contact - there isn't any direct physical interaction between people.
๐บ๐ป DO PEOPLE GO ON THEIR OWN? Yes! Itโs up to you if you come with mates or not. Regardless, once the music starts everyone finds room on the dance floor to dance independently. Attending alone is totally normal, welcome and even encouraged!
๐๐ป WHATS WITH NO LYCRA? When NLNL started in 2009, it was born out of the desire of two rebellious Australian dance students to stop critiquing themselves in the mirror and start dancing for the joy of dancing again. So off came the skin-tight spandex and off went the lights. While the 'No Lights' is a given, wearing lycra is actually totally okay.
๐บ๐ป SO WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Whatever makes you feel comfortable to dance in - sweat pants, bike shorts, your office attire, or a one-piece full-sequined leotard. The only rule is that you do need to wear clothes.
๐๐ป DO PEOPLE TALK? Our sessions are a talk-free zone โ this might seem strange to begin with, but itโs pivotal for getting lost in yourself and lost in the music. Besides, the music is loud and people are there to dance, so the most verbal activity that happens is the whooping and cheering between songs.
๐บ๐ป CAN WE USE OUR PHONES DURING THE SESSION TO SHAZAM/TEXT OUR MATES/INSTAGRAM/CHECK THE TIME? Nope! No matter how dark or subtle you think youโre being with your phone โ itโs really bright, and it disturbs the magic of the darkness for everyone else, so make sure itโs hidden away where we canโt see it. We aim to start on time every week and never go past 7.00pm so you donโt need to check the time. Use this opportunity to turn it off and shut out the rest of the world โ this time is for YOU!
๐๐ป ARE FITBITS OKAY? I WANT TO COUNT MY STEPS? If you want to use your fitbit, please ensure that any lights on it are either covered up or disabled. The light they give off is super bright and distracting to others when lost in the moment. Alternatively, pop it in your pocket for the duration of the session.
๐บ๐ป WHY WOULD I GO IF I'M NOT A SHY DANCER? Because the darkness creates a certain kind of magic that forces you to forget about what you or the people around you look like, so that your brain can shut off and your body can move with the beat. And because its fun and dancing is fantastic exercise!
๐๐ป IS IT A BIT OF A SCENE? WHO GOES TO THIS THING? Totally not a scene. There's generally a good mix of ages, genders, bodies, abilities, backgrounds, and dance styles. This is a safe space for everyone, including the LGBTQI community, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with disabilities (we also honour companion cards). We've had 13 year olds to 93 year olds so far and everything in between. The beauty of the dark is that it doesn't really matter. If you want to be there, then you belong!
๐บ๐ป WHAT IF I HATE IT? You won't. But if it turns out that it's not your thing, no worries at all, you're welcome to leave at any point and no one will notice anyway!
๐๐ป WHAT IF I LOVE IT? Then you can come every week, for the rest of your life!