31/03/2026
**** NO LIGHTS NO LYCRA - F.A.Q. ****
WHAT IS NO LIGHTS NO LYCRA?
NLNL is a weekly lights-off chance to dance in the dark for the pure joy of dancing. It’s a place to shake out the stresses of the week, let go of your inhibitions and completely be yourself. It occurs in over 75 locations around the world, and Joondalup’s sessions are on Tuesday nights 7:45-8.50pm at O'Brien Academy of Irish Dancing, located at Unit 2, 101 Winton Road, JOONDALUP. Buy your tickets at https://events.humanitix.com/nlnljoondalup2026
It is just $10 for standard entry, or $8 for concession, (door sales limited to available spots on the dance floor)!
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC IS IT?
We aim for a little bit of everything. From swing, to dance, to pop, to folk, to rock, to hip hop, to soul, to super cheesy top 40. We like dance floor classics, and we like weird things we've never heard before. You'll hate
some of it, but you'll love a lot of it. It varies week to week, so if you’re not sure after your first time, be sure to try a second. And you can always sit out for a song or step-tap on the spot if anything doesn't take your fancy -
it's not like anyone will see you!
CAN I REQUEST MY FAVOURITE TRACK?
Yes! All of our playlists are made of requests from community members. If you have a track you want played, just send us a PM or, if you have a Spotify account, head to our 'NLNL Joondalup Request Line' playlist to add your requests: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4GlVhFZP73QFcduwofywoH . We try our best to fit in one track per person each week, but will try to squeeze in more if there’s room in the playlist.
HOW DARK IS IT?
It's light enough so that you can see the silhouettes of people around you, but dark enough so that you can't make out their features. We aim for a sweet spot between creating a foolproof judgement-free space, and safety! When the lights first go out, it will seem pitch black, but after a few minutes your eyes will adjust and you can find your space to bust a move.
WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT NLNL JOONDALUP?
We have some awesome regulars, and together, we've created magic! Just an awesome community of people that love to dance 😊
IT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE CREEPY. IS IT CREEPY?
Nope. NLNL is a drug, alcohol and do*****ag free zone. While it is dark, NLNL is for dancing on your own, so people dance independently and it's completely non-contact - there isn't any direct physical interaction
between people.
DO PEOPLE GO ON THEIR OWN?
Heaps of people do! It’s up to you if you come with mates or not. Regardless, once the music starts everyone finds room on the dance floor to dance independently. Attending alone is totally normal, welcome and even
encouraged!
WHATS WITH NO LYCRA?
When NLNL started in 2009, it was born out of the desire of two rebellious Australian dance students to quit critiquing themselves in the mirror and start dancing for the joy of dancing again. So off came the skin-tight spandex and off went the lights. While the 'No Lights' is a given, wearing lycra is actually totally okay.
SO WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Whatever makes you feel comfortable to dance in - sweat pants, bike shorts, your office attire, or a one-piece full-sequined leotard. The only rule is that you do need to wear clothes and shoes.
DO PEOPLE TALK?
Our sessions are strictly a talk-free zone – this might seem strange to begin with, but it’s pivotal for getting lost in yourself and lost in the music. Besides, the music is loud and people are there to dance, so the most verbal
activity that happens is the whooping and cheering between songs, plus the occasional sing-along to the classics 😛 .
CAN WE USE OUR PHONES DURING THE SESSION TO SHAZAM/TEXT OUR MATES/INSTAGRAM/CHECK THE TIME?
Nope! No matter how dark or subtle you think you’re being with your phone – it’s really bright, and it disturbs the magic of the darkness for everyone else, so make sure your phone/smartwatch is hidden away where we can’t see it. We aim to start on time every week and the lights will definitely be back on by 8:50pm, so you don’t need to check the time. Also, we post the Spotify playlists here every week, so no need to Shazam! Use this opportunity to turn it off and shut out the rest
of the world – this is time for YOU!
ARE FITBITS/ SMARTWATCHES OKAY? I WANT TO COUNT MY STEPS!
If you want to use your Fitbit/smartwatch, please ensure that any lights on it are either covered up or disabled. The light they give off is super bright in the dark and distracting to others when lost in the moment. Alternatively, pop it in your pocket or bra for the duration of the session.
WHY WOULD I GO IF I'M NOT A SHY DANCER?
Because the darkness creates a certain kind of magic that forces you to forget about what you or the people around you look like, so that your brain can shut off and your body can move with the beat. Stay for a session and we guarantee by the end you'll be in a dancing zone that you've never been before!
IS IT A BIT OF SCENE? WHO GOES TO THIS THING?
Totally not a scene. There's generally a good mix of ages, genders, bodies, abilities, backgrounds, and dance styles. This is a safe space for everyone, including the LGBTQI+ community, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with disabilities (we also honour Companion Cards). We have had 6 year olds attend, and 85 years young attend. The beauty of the dark is that it doesn't really matter. If you want to be there, then you belong! Just remember, there are sweary words in some of the songs we play, so discretion is up to you if you think it is suitable.
WHAT IF I HATE IT?
You won't. But if it turns out that it's not your thing, no worries at all, you're welcome to leave at any point and no one will notice anyway!
WHAT IF I LOVE IT?
Then you can come every week, for the rest of your life ❤
Get tickets on Humanitix - No Lights No Lycra Joondalup 2026. O'Brien Academy of Irish Dancing, Unit 2/101 Winton Rd, Joondalup WA 6027, Australia. Dates from Tuesday 21st April 2026. Find event information.
