Students traded loudspeakers for wireless headphones on Wednesday, April 23, as Brookdale Community College’s Student Life hosted a silent disco at the Student Life Centre Patio. The 7 to 10 p.m. event welcomed students to dance under the stars in a vibrant outdoor atmosphere.
The silent disco marked one of the semester’s most unique campus events. The event was one of a kind, where rather than filling the air with booming music, the attendees were issued wireless headsets that streamed music directly to their ears. With three channels playing different songs, attendees could select their favorite channel, and the headset indicated a specific LED color for specific channel.
The patio was quiet for observers, while others were very eager to know what was going on at the event. Dozens of attendees filled the space, dancing, laughing and moving to their chosen rhythms while surrounded by glowing lights and upbeat energy.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but this was way more fun than a regular party,” said one of the attendees. “You can take your headphones off and talk to someone without yelling over the music, then go right back to dancing.”
The Student Life Centre Patio is known for hosting social events and gatherings. The introduction of a silent party is a significant transformation with highlights of string lights, neon decoration and an environment for students to enjoy music without polluting the air with noise.
Volunteers from Student Life assisted with the party setup and headphone distribution at the event entrance. Students were required to present their school ID to receive a headset and instructions on how to switch music channels.
“This is the first time attending a silent disco at Brookdale, and it has been an exciting event,” said one student attendee. “I wanted a different kind of experience that is interactive, inclusive and memorable.”
Silent discos have become popular at colleges and festivals in recent years due to their low noise impact and versatility. It is a way for attendees to tailor their music experience with minimum noise pollution. Such an event at Brookdale helps foster a stronger sense of student engagement.
Throughout the evening, students could be seen switching channels and occasionally laughing as their friends danced to entirely different beats. The glow of multicolored headsets lit up the patio, creating a festive scene that continued into the night.
Students from different clubs helped promote the event by advertising it through social media and distributing flyers across the campus. The turnout exceeded expectations, with lines forming before the event even began.
“We always try to organize events that encourage students to take a break and connect with one another,” said one of the representatives. “The silent disco was a way for students to connect as well as introduce something new.”
Refreshments were available at nearby tables, and some students took breaks from dancing to enjoy snacks and chat. While the headphones created a quiet atmosphere externally, the dance floor remained lively thanks to students who kept the energy going.
By 10 p.m., the event wrapped up with students returning their headsets and heading out, many still singing or dancing quietly as they left the patio. Staff collected feedback from the attendees, with many participants expressing interest in seeing the silent disco return in future semesters.
Brookdale’s Student Life & Activities continues to organize engaging events that contribute to student wellness and connection.
