Ibiza is famous for music and dance, as we all know. From the ritualistic dancing performed thousands of years ago in honour of Ibiza's resident goddess, Tanit, to the hedonism of the modern Ibiza clubs. The idea of dance has evolved over the years and indeed, the centuries. Hold on to your hats kids, because it's evolving once again.
Once upon a time there was a generation that grew up dancing in an alcohol and chemical fuelled frenzy. They were young and rebellious and defined themselves against the more conservative generation that came before them. Now they have their own children and the rebelliousness has mellowed, but oh boy, how they still they ache to dance! So what do they do and where do they go?
A New Kind of Ibiza Party
A new concept is emerging. It's called Conscious Clubbing. It's alcohol and substance-free and focuses on the pure joy of dancing, wild, free and uninhibited. The trend began in Holland, with an enormous club called ‘Light,' dedicated to conscious clubbing events. There, for the last 5 years, Kareem Raihani has been hosting a night called ‘Shine,' playing 5 hour sets of tribal, cosmic grooves to a packed, ecstatically dancing house. Could this be the next big thing?
Kareem recently moved to the island with his wife, Unna and their young family, bringing this concept with him. A talented dj, he is now hosting an ecstatic dance event here in Ibiza, at the most heavenly Garden of Light in San Miguel. So of course, dear readers, your intrepid Ibiza Spotlight reviewers went to check it out. Read on!
The De-light-ful Location
Ever wondered what a fairy grotto might look like? Welcome, dear ones, to The Garden of Light! Nestled into an almost absurdly beautiful valley deep in the mountains of San Miguel it is delightfully hidden away. An oasis of tranquillity in the hectic heat of a sweltering Ibiza summer.
Head for San Miguel, go through the village and take the right turn that leads to the port. After about 3k, take the sign-posted left turn (sign reads '13km') to The Garden of Light. 100 metres further along, turn left (sign-posted again) down a rough, winding mountain path or ‘camino' and continue for about 200 metres. At the top of the hill you're there!
A beautiful white dome presides over the ground level, next door to the main house and canopied al fresco dining area. A large, flat area below the dappled light of the garden's abundant foliage provides the perfect space for outdoor dancing and houses both the decks and the sound system.
The Free Spirit of Ibiza
I was greeted warmly by volunteers Ben and Chris on reception, offered water (freely available all evening I might add) and invited to take part in the opening ceremony.
After a brief grounding/meditation session, about 15 of us gathered in a circle and were encouraged to focus all our awareness to our bodies. Bare-footed and admittedly a little self-conscious at first, we began to move, the only instruction being to respect each other's space and move our bodies however we liked. If anyone felt the need to rest or chat, they were politely requested at the onset to leave the dance-floor and return when they felt like focusing once again completely on the dance.
Then the music began slowly, encouraging gentle movements, gradually increasing in intensity and rhythm to become deep and tribal. After around half an hour, there beneath the banana trees and hibiscus flowers, we were really letting rip, dancing our hearts and souls out with glorious abandon and yes, ecstasy!
It was a massive, rocking, loving dance-athon! No posing and no attitude. 2 hours went by in a flash, people who were complete strangers but a moment before were now grinning, dancing friends. We shimmied, jumped, and writhed around, blissfully bouncing out all the moves previously only dreamed of or practiced surreptitiously in shameful isolation! Wehey!!! I absolutely LOVED it!
The Food
Then came a brief, exuberant closing ceremony followed by some simple but delicious food (optional) prepared by the fantastic, multi-talented team at Garden of Light. Fresh salad, home-made hummus, mini veggie-burgers, home-made onion bread and a bowl of thick, chunky, freshly made soup. All for €8? Even the prices are ecstatic!
The Invitation
So this is for all of you who like me, love to shake their thing. No matter how old you are, what shape, colour or creed, every Monday evening at 6pm at Garden of Light, San Miguel, you will find Nirvana. Try it for yourself. As Pina Bausch, legendary ballet dancer once commented: “Dance, dance, or we are all lost...”
Quick facts:
What? Ecstatic Dance
Where? Garden of Light, San Miguel
When? Every Monday beginning at 6.30pm til around 9pm, all year round
Why? Because you love to dance and experience the free spirit of Ibiza
Cost? €7 residents. €10 non-residents. Optional food €8, water free.
Top tips? Try their magical crystal teas!
And on your way up the mountain path, take it slow, keep the car in first gear and you will have no problem getting up the steep hill that leads to the site.
Contact details: http://www.ibizagardenoflight.com/
