For many, Marine Park is an oasis of serenity in the midst of a bustling metropolis, a quiet place to unwind under the shade of a tree or to sit and watch the sunset on a mild evening. When the area surrounding the Carmine Carro Community Center was turned into a veritable dance floor on Thursday night, June 5th, not one single park-goer, bird or squirrel was disturbed by the volume of the music played. In fact, there were no speakers whatsoever.
Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse partnered with NYC Parks, Millennium Development, Marine Park Alliance and the Flossy Organization to bring the popular “silent disco” trend to the community, an exciting free event that drew in participants of all ages.
Party people lined up at the DJ booth to receive a pair of special Bluetooth over-ear headphones, which allowed them to tune into different audio channels, each featuring a different genre of music, played by DJ LP, at their own desired volume, creating a totally customized dance experience. Others ventured away from the dance floor, opting to wear the headphones as they explored the park or found a bench instead.
“This is something I was always curious to try,” Elena Farka, who brought her younger sister Meriam and her best friend Katya, told the Canarsie Courier. “It feels kind of weird at first, because you feel like everyone is looking at you like you’re crazy because they can’t hear what you’re listening to, but once you get into the music, everything else fades out,” she explained, describing the unique experience.
Also on hand was staff from Millennium Development, ready with snacks, and Marine Park Alliance Executive Director Scott Middleton, who was prepared with a variety of activities for the younger participants, like stickers, chalk and art supplies. There was something for everyone, as participants danced the night away to the beat of their own drums.
