Ravers flocking to dawn dance parties

Aucklanders are flocking to a central city basement bar at the crack of dawn to start their day with a good hit of house music.

Morning People, a rave with a 6.30am start, is being held fortnightly in the Whammy Backroom venue in St Kevins Arcade on Karangahape Road.

The hour and a half dance party is booming with large numbers of young professionals and students starting their day with a sweaty groove.

Illustrious New Zealand DJ Greg Churchill performed electronic dance beats at the event on February 22.

Founded by Jamie Newman and Vanessa Scott, the concept originates from London.

Newman was behind successful Auckland dance event No Lights No Lycra - which, as the name suggests, is held in the dark.

‘‘Through the success of that I knew that we could make something work for Morning People,’’ he said.

The event is alcohol and drug free but offers coffee and fruit which is included in the $15 door charge.

Scott said the event challenged the idea that people needed to be on drugs and alcohol to feel good at a dance event.

‘‘When in fact, if you take that away, it’s not that, it’s the music, it’s the people. nection,’’ she said.

The pair agree while for some it may be a form of fitness, it’s first and foremost a fun way to start the day.

‘‘Every time I leave Morning People I feel so full of energy, you feel really elated by the music and It’s that con- it lasts all day,’’ Scott said.

‘‘For me it’s better than coffee, it’s better than going for a run.’’

Starting in June last year the event has seen the numbers increase week on week.

Student Amy Laing, 19, appeared elated by the experience.

‘‘I do enjoy my sleep ins but the more I get involved with this kind of thing the more I’m realising how surreal the experience is and how I just want to spread the word.’’ Newman said there was a strong communal aspect to it which focused on bringing people together.

‘‘It’s nice just to bring everyone together and have fun without the distractions of alcohol and late nights and things like that. It doesn’t make sense until you get here and then it really makes sense.’’ Morning People next runs on March 8 with DJ Dick Johnson.