This is Morning Gloryville, a movement that is spreading the concept of conscious and sober clubbing around the globe. Wake up and discover a whole new way to begin and brighten your day.
Summer is finally here, with sunshine, flowers, beautiful greenery and those much anticipated extra hours of daylight, lifting our moods to a whole different level than in the winter. Summer is the time to relax, to enjoy life and to spend time with friends – or even alone – while recharging the batteries ready for autumn. But how to do this in a way that is fun, inspiring and energising?
We have all been there: great party, great company, great outfit, fabulous cocktails, with the clock turning quickly from late night to early morning. And what a morning. In best-case scenario, you at least wake up in your own bed, preferably alone and having managed to get into your pyjamas. Your head is pounding, your tongue feels like sandpaper and you’re struggling with a sense of nausea that you know can only be cured by a fat-infused full English breakfast. And how many times have you asked yourself whether it was really worth it?
This is where Morning Gloryville comes in.
Started in east London in 2013 as a daytime-raving movement and safe platform, this is a dance party that features all the positive sides of clubbing, all the joy, playfulness and socialising, all the feelings of community and letting go – only there are no drugs or alcohol involved. The events now take place in more than 20 cities all over the world – from Amsterdam to Tokyo – and usually run from 6.30am to 10.30am, allowing you to gather energy for the new day, rather than leaving you completely drained, deflated and hungover the day after.
Sober morning clubbing is a novel way to bring people and communities together. By challenging daily rhythms and conventional barriers, it gives a sense of new possibilities, adding a touch of magic and wonder to your day – and all this before the day has even really got started. “Morning Gloryville is the world as we would like it, a place where there is no judgement, where you can really unleash your human spirit and start your day with our community in a stylish, wild and unique way,” says Samantha Moyo, the club’s founder.
The crowd at the events is a mixed one: mothers and babies, city workers, clubbers, hipsters, festival goers, grannies – you name it, everyone’s there. It seems that Morning Gloryville attracts virtually all different sorts of people. At the same time, though, it also brings out the best side of its guests, regardless of ethnicity, age, background, occupation, gender or preferences. The special atmosphere makes people open up. There is less prejudice and judgement, more connection and fun.
When you think about it, it’s no surprise that the notion of “raving your way into the day” is gaining ground right now. People are becoming increasingly conscious about their consumption choices and green and healthy lifestyle trends are becoming more appealing all the time. Morning exercise accompanied by a kale smoothie suddenly has a lot more value than downing drinks on a nightclub dance floor into the early hours. During the Morning Gloryville parties, clubbers can also benefit from healthy and enriching add-ons from the movement’s partners, such as organic juices and coffee, yoga and personal motivation. “We choose to collaborate with people and companies who inspire us, who are enthusiastic and who share our ethical values,” Moyo continues.
Even if you don’t like parties, mornings, socialising or even organic coffee, there is still a lot of inspiration to be drawn from the Morning Gloryville mentality. Most of us live in a fast-moving society, where it is easy to forget to relax, to enjoy and to do what is good for you. Too often we spend time and energy on activities and people who take more than they give. And that is a difficult pattern to break.
“A happy you means a happier world,” says Moyo. And by changing little things in your routines, you – and only you – are able set the foundation for a happier and better self and life. And perhaps this summer is the perfect occasion to start doing so. Look over your eating habits, ensure you get healthy amounts of sleep, aim to keep “things” balanced and remember to have fun – continue to play every day.
“Africa and Africans inspire me because of their ability to see sunshine on a rainy day,”Moyo says with a smile, before dashing off to continue infusing the world with happiness. And that is how we are kicking off summer – by spreading the word of embracing and enjoying life.
Credits:
Words by Johanna Bergström
Photography by Alice Peperell & Alistair Veryard