Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Wednesday 29 March 2017
Millennials, hoping to find real connections, ban the booze

KELLI KENNEDY country, they all involve of about 20 to a workout
Associated Press movement, often yoga — like Caribbean reggae
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. or dance, to help people dance or boxing — before
(AP) — It’s not really about loosen up and connect hitting four different juice
the meal at the monthly with their bodies and each bars around New York for
Conscious Family Dinner, other in a shared experi- her popular Juice Crawl .
although there is plenty of ence. The Shine has the Her first event in 2014 sold
vegan Indian food. You feel of a variety show, with out. “I wanted an alterna-
can spend time in a cud- mindfully-curated con- tive where you could hang
dling sanctuary, sit down tent in Los Angeles and out with people and not
with a tarot reader, chat New York once every two feel the effects of alco-
career goals with a life months, and includes ev- hol and also highlight that
coach or sit in on an acro- erything from guided med- you don’t really need it.
yoga sex psychotherapy itation to comedians to It’s about highlighting the
presentation. And there’s beat boxers. relationships with people,”
almost always some form The Shine gives about said Garcia, a 30-year-old
of dancing. $400 of its ticket sales to trumpet player who found
But what’s inconspicuously In this March 8, 2017 photo, Steph Jensen, left, and Brian Shaw a guest with instructions it difficult to socialize after
missing is alcohol. chat during a sober social event sponsored by The Shine at a to help someone with it. going vegan.
Creator Ben Rolnik says chic boutique hotel in the Williamsburg section of the Brooklyn They might use the mon- Sober raves, like Daybreak-
the dinners are about cre- borough of New York. ey to feed the homeless er and Morning Gloryville,
ating a new form of play Associated Press or donate it to an animal have been growing in
that facilitates meaningful sanctuary. A short video of popularity in recent years
connections, not the vapid company Bender , hosted things that they value and how they paid it forward is where partiers show up
chitchat that often prolifer- his first few events in Chi- are passionate about,” shown at the next event, at dawn, dressed in their
ates at cocktail parties or cago a few years ago, he coolest, black-light glow-
bars. The reception to the served alcohol, but no- ing athleisure and dance
dry dinners, held at various ticed very few people were their cares away. After-
spots in Los Angeles but ex- imbibing. As time went on, ward, there’s massage,
panding soon nationwide, he noticed more alcohol juices and other healthy
has been impressive, with was leftover at each event treats. Daybreaker is hit-
each of the 200-person and he decided to stop of- ting up Miami next month
event selling out. Tickets fering it all together. where partygoers will gath-
cost about $35. Instead, Bender’s events er at 9 a.m. for yoga at the
“It’s like a journey more range from 40 to 300 peo- Fontainebleau’s Glimmer
Terrace, followed by a live
DJ and dancing.
The Softer Image bans
not just alcohol but shoes
as well. Healers open the
space with group rituals,
In this March 8, 2017 photo, Andrew Hoepfner, left, and Pamela artists showcase their work
Martinez, center, dances along with participants at a sober so-
cial event sponsored by The Shine at a hotel in the Williamsburg and DJs supply heart-
neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York opening dance music.
Associated Press There’s even sound baths,
hypnotists and 31-year-old
said Henderson, a former said co-producer Andrea founder Luke Simon does
health care manager who Praet. reiki healings at the events
was looking for a fun way On the notorious boozy hol- where the motto is “let’s
to help people life health- iday St. Patrick’s Day, Anna get psychic not blacked
ier lives. Garcia traipsed a group out. q
Courtney Nichols, a
In this March 8, 2017 photo, bottles of water and flavored tea are 28-year-old owner of an
displayed during The Shine, an alcohol-free social social event event planning compa-
at a chic hotel in the Williamsburg neighborhood in the Brooklyn ny and self-proclaimed
borough of New York. dance fiend, has attend-
Associated Press ed several Bender events
in Los Angeles, and says it
than a dinner,” said Rol- ple and include everything combines the fun of a late
nick, a 26-year-old yogi from a rooftop yoga pool night party in a more so-
and former talent man- party at the Standard Ho- cially conscious manner.
ager. tel to midnight silent disco “It’s never been an issue of
Similar parties are popping yoga on the pool deck of not having alcohol. It prob-
up across the country, no- the SoHo House in Chica- ably is to the benefit of the
tably in New York, Miami go during a full moon. event,” said Nichols, who
and Chicago, tapping into “I’m just one part of a was struck by the sense of
an itch from millennials to much, much bigger move- camaraderie she experi-
find meaningful connec- ment that’s happening. It’s enced. “You get to meet
tions and purpose even in not so much about wheth- people in a clearer head In this March 8, 2017 photo, attendees embrace during an al-
their night life. er alcohol is there or not ... space. You leave the party cohol-free social evening sponsored by The Shine at a hotel in
the Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New
When Justin Henderson, people are just looking for and you feel refreshed.” York.
who created the event ways to connect around While the events have a Associated Press
different feel around the