As we pack away the Christmas decorations and Dry January rolls around, there’s a new way to party in the city. “WONDER Take-over: New You and Dry January” is happening on Saturday 26 January at Cambridge University Centre on Granta Place, running from 2pm until late. This sober social is an event for everyone and revolves around good feelings rather than alcohol.
Created by friends Lisa Pollitt and Suzie Young, “WONDER Take-over” reflects a cultural shift and the fact that many people are now more mindful of their drinking habits or are avoiding alcohol for a multitude of reasons. Lisa and Suzie are both busy working mothers. They’re conscious of the choices they make about what goes into their bodies and whilst not teetotal, they both have periods of abstaining from alcohol. “We’ve witnessed unhealthy relationships with alcohol and we want to model something different for our kids,” Lisa tells me.
Inspired by the endorphin high they experienced at a 5 Rhythms dance class, Lisa and Suzie wanted to get that feeling again on a night out but when they couldn’t find an event without alcohol, they decided to set one up themselves from scratch, starting with a day event last July and following up with “Winter WONDER: The Alternative Christmas Party” in December.
So what can you expect from “WONDER Take-over”? A plethora of happenings designed to trigger your happy neurochemicals, raise your oxytocin levels and give you a natural buzz. There’ll be plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails with a vegan menu served up by Meatless street food van. Daytime workshops include Uplifting Joy Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Gong Bath. The evening kicks off with quick witted comedy from Cambridge Improv Factory, uplifting club classics, disco, house, funk and soul from DJs Paul Darking, MissChivers and Luna Love, immersive theatre sessions and dancefloor massages.
With an enthusiastic fan base of happy partygoers aged from 17 – 74, Lisa and Suzie have plans for more WONDER Festival events in Cambridge and possibly beyond. For details of “WONDER Take-over: New You and Dry January” and to book tickets, check out the website.
This post is part of my “New in Cambridge” column in the January issue of Velvet Magazine. Read more on http://www.velvetmag.co.uk
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