Neurodivergent community members and their allies are invited to get along to the Winters Flat Neurodiversity Picnic and Sensory Bubble Dance on Tuesday April 9.
This special school holiday event will be held on the Winters Flat Primary School oval from 2pm-3pm and will feature stigma-smashing hits from the world’s most popular neurodivergent musicians.
The event is being coordinated by Louise ‘Rockabilby’ Cooper, founder of ARCANE – Autistic-led Regional Culture Arts Neurodiversity Education and Employment Inc, and Hannah O’Keefe, Winters Flat Primary School student wellbeing worker and child advocate.
Louise is the founder of the Sensory Sanctuary neurodiversity arts festival that was held in Castlemaine last June-July and said the dance element of the festival was extremely well received.
“One parent commented, ‘As a parent of an autistic child, a lot of what we are taught and support we are given is from therapists who, whilst amazing and very knowledgeable, just don’t have the understanding that comes from lived experience. I usually see my daughter ‘switch’ into her social masking the moment she leaves the house until the moment we return. Being in an autistic-led environment, I saw that mask slip away. And for one of the first times I saw her truly authentic self dancing away at the disco, not worried if she were doing it ‘right’ because everyone was doing it their own amazing way too…’,” she said.
“We look forward to creating another opportunity for participants to enjoy a chance to catch up and the opportunity to express themselves.
“We have received funding from the FRRR and the Australian Government to purchase headphones so participants can control how loud or soft they wish to listen to the music.”
Hannah said central to wellbeing at Winters Flat was embracing and including all students’ experiences of the world in how and what they learned.
“Traditionally, schools have been rigid and closed to dialogical approaches. That is why events like the Silent Disco offer the neurodivergent community inclusive ways of being part of our school culture. Having said that, all neurotypes are welcome!” Hannah said.
Some of the hits to feature will include songs by The Vines, Hole, Jefferson Airplane, Garry Numan, The Monkees, Owl City, Bjork, Maroon 5, Joyner Lucas, Justin Timberlake, Will.i.am, Sam Fender, Brendan Urie, Spice Girls, AWOLNATION, SZA, Cat Burns, Happy Mondays, Brandi Carlile, Will Smith, Nirvana, Coal Chamber, Jamie Grace, Soft Cell, BENEE and The Prodigy.
Participants are encouraged to ‘Dress for Dopamine’ – Mix, Mash and Clash – but most importantly make sure you are comfy and ready to dance!
“If you want to wear your fluffy pyjama pants that’s completely fine!” Louise said.
Entry is just $5. All ages and all neurotypes are welcome.
To book your tickets, visit neurokin.org.au/event/castlemaine-silent-bubble-disco
