Early morning raves hit NYC

New fitness craze: Wake-up raves give pre-work boost

At 7 a.m. in Brooklyn, one can find a blur of technicolor outfits and sweat, the music thumping and the spandex firmly in place.

This isn't the leftover party from the night before; it's a spectacle known as Morning Gloryville.

"Everyone has such good energy, dancing, a great way to start your day," said rave attendee Anna Simpson.

This is the dawn of what organizers call "conscious clubbing." It's a sober rave: no drugs, no alcohol, just early-morning energy.

"People are really warm, there's a really good vibe going on there, really solid energy," said morning raver Fubi Kulkarni

Anna Simpson dances during Morning Gloryville Courtesy of Morning Gloryville

Annie Fabricant agreed: "We're raving in a different way."

Fabricant is the chief New York "glory agent." She calls this monthly breakfast-time dance party a "rave-o-lution."

"And we're doing it without alcohol a few hours a month and look how uplifting this is," Fabricant said.

For a $20 entrance fee, these people get their exercise through dance, get their center during yoga sessions and get the knots out at one of the event's massage stations, all before work.

Yoga session at Morning Gloryville Courtesy of Morning Gloryville

"It's a cheap way to work out in the morning without thinking you're working out. It's great music. You're just dancing, it's the, like, perfect cardio," Simpson said.

The Morning Gloryville agenda is to boost spirits and health. Local vendors whip up smoothies and serve up doses of freshly ground coffee.

Simpson said for her, this experience is like a "New York Mardi Gras."

"I'm going to go back in the boxing ring, do some kicks, let it all loose, maybe do some yoga afterwards and then I have a massage appointment before 9 o' clock. So yeah, we gotta wrap this up," she said.

Morning Gloryville is growing, starting in London last spring. Parties like Simpon's have launched in 12 cities across four continents.

For those accustomed to the typical after-hours dance scene, this is a different vibe.

"Generally raves have like a semi-dark edge to them, and this one is just all happiness," said raver Rachel Abbott.

Fubi Kulkarni agreed: "Yeah and normally I don't wake up until way later and this way, I feel productive."

This was their fourth party in New York, and Morning Gloryville is planning yet another bash in September.

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