5 Ways to Curate the Vibe for an Event, Workshop or Meditation
Vibe aka vibration really is everything. Setting the tone for events is a combination of emotional intelligence, intuition, organization, preparation and an understanding of the subconscious mind. Holistically curating a vibe that brings a group of people together and which tells a coherent story takes a unique set of skills, thoughtfulness, communication and coordination on the part of the event organizers, music directors and DJs. I call this “Sonic Curation.”
Having curated music and DJ’d for a bunch of experiences over the past 10 years from fashion shows to nightlife, meditations to wellness retreats, yoga flows to embodiment practices I am sharing my 5 S’s to consider for intentionally curating the sound for your next event, workshop, retreat or meditation.
The 5 S’s of Sonic Curation:
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Setting: What is the setting of your event? What is the ambiance? Who are the guests? What is the size of the space? Do you see live music, a playlist, a sound experience, a live DJ, performances, panel discussions, spoken word in this space? Where do you see yourself placing the source of the sound in the space? How many rooms? How many vibes? What time of day or night is the event taking place? Is there a sunset or sunrise happening during your event? Is it indoors or outdoors?
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Sequencing: How is the event sequenced? Are you trying to tell a story or create an arch? Do you want ambient background music, to build up the energy or take listeners on a journey? Lyrics or no lyrics? Tempo?
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Senses: What are the smells? What are the colors? What are the textures? What is the lighting like? What senses are you wanting to inspire or invoke? How do you want guests to feel?
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Sound System: Do you need a sound system? Does the venue have a sound system? What speakers do you have? What are the acoustics in the space? Where is the sound system located in the space (if provided)? Where would you like the speakers placed? Do you need microphones? What kind of microphones? What is the noise ordinance for the venue?
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Soul: Make it soulful. Go deep with intention. Create a sonic theme that aligns with your theme for the event, workshop or meditation to create a truly cohesive and immersive experience. Select only music or sounds that resonate with this theme.
Finding and sharing your unique sonic style for events introduces attendees into new dimensions of sound and vibration which allows us to grow our spectrum of sound and not just loop what’s on the pop charts or radio. Thoughtful and creative sonic selections can also encourage communication between strangers and cross-pollination of cultures.
How we feel in a space is usually determined by how it sounds. It is the most memorable aspect of any experience, embedded on a cellular level, entraining our blood and our brainwaves, and yet surprisingly sound is usually the afterthought by most event organizers. By taking into consideration the 5 S’s above you can make your events truly intentional and unforgettable.