Mark Metz

Mark Metz is an author and DJ who publishes Conscious Dancer Magazine and founded the Dance First Association. His primary field of interest is in the area of Analog Awareness, he writes and teaches extensively about the somatic effects of analog vs digital sound on our consciousness and physical bodies. A renowned vinyl-spinning DJ with over 25 years of dance-floor experience under his belt, he’s uniquely qualified to clearly articulate the benefits of analog sound and provide a high-vibe dance experience. With recent research proving that common digital compression formats such as MP3 actually suppress the positive emotions such as joy, peace, and happiness while amplifying the negative emotions of grief, sadness, and depression, his inquiry into the subtle effects of sound is more important than ever.
Mark started writing about the social effects of dance and music in the early 90’s for various magazines when he was the owner of Ameba, a rave-oriented retail shop in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury. In 2007 he coined the term ‘conscious dance’ and launched Conscious Dancer Magazine. In 2012 Conscious Dancer evolved with the establishment of the Dance First Association, the only service organization dedicated to supporting the work of conscious movement leaders worldwide. He is the host and resident DJ at Dance Jam in Berkeley, the Bay Area’s original ecstatic dance dating back to 1976. His first full-length book on Analog Awareness will be published in the summer of ’17.

Workshops & Presentations

  • Activating Analog Awareness - Building a Lifestyle Beyond a Digital Detox

    90 min | Lucid University

    In this dynamic experiential workshop you'll discover the important differences between analog and digital sound, and learn why our bodies and consciousness behave differently in the presence of each. Packed with valuable information for dancers, musicians, parents, and people of all ages, this session includes tips and techniques you can put to use immediately in your own home as well as the latest scientific research on the subject. Did you know that it has recently been proved that MP3's, the most common form of digital audio compression, actually suppress the positive emotional states of joy, peace, and happiness, while amplifying negative emotions such as sadness, grief, and depression? Discover the ease and beauty of etheric nutrition and learn the secrets of upgrading your aural atmosphere in this groundbreaking presentation by noted researcher Mark Metz.

  • All-Vinyl Conscious Dance - A Genre-Surfing Journey through the Realms of Ecstasy

    120 min | Lucid University

    Experience the ecstatic flow of an analog dance journey with Mark Metz improvising live on a pair of Technics 1200 turntables and PJ Novotny (YUM Sessions) facilitating a community building, heart-opening somatic journey laced with evocative music ranging from soft and spiritual to high-energy and ecstatic.

    A heart-opening flow of evocative music ranging from soft and spiritual to hyped and high-energy creates a wave that you can safely ride from stillness to pouring sweat, and back again. Improvising live in the moment from a hand-picked crate of his best tunes gleaned from decades of collecting, you'll find yourself deeply feeling the warmth of analog from a wide variety of timeless sounds from as far back as the 1700's to tracks pressed as recently as last month. Organic, electronic, eclectic, and ecstatic. Follow your bliss with a set of sounds, songs, and tracks designed to release your most joyful and authentic self.

Festival Locations:

Scheduled Appearances: Check Schedule for all event times.

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