How one rave inspired Toronto resident to launch sober dance parties for women

An alcohol-free, women-only dance party is coming to Toronto this week, and, ladies, it may be unlike anything you've ever experienced.

REUNION, a recurring dance party run by Toronto DJ Rachel Molenda, is celebrating its two-year anniversary with a special event on Feb. 6, bringing house music, electric energy, and a judgment-free space for women to be themselves — without the hangover. 

The idea for REUNION first came to Molenda in a pretty unconventional way.

"I went to my first-ever rave, and it changed my life. And it was very confusing at the time because I was like this proper mindset coach. I used to coach women on food and body image," she tells blogTO.

Molenda remembers that raving didn't have any sort of adverse effect on her.

"I couldn't deny just like how powerful it was. The more I went to these raves, the more I would essentially remember who I was. I felt hopeful and optimistic. I would get business ideas on the dance floor." 

As she became more in tune with dancing, Molenda started posting what she calls her "good morning dances" on Instagram, and followers quickly caught on, ultimately encouraging her to throw a public dance party. 

On Dec. 25, 2023, she introduced REUNION to the city with a social media post that read: "World! I'm going to throw a dance party in 30 days, and to force myself to learn how to DJ, I'm going to DJ it too."

The first REUNION event — just 30 women in a room — was a surprise hit. What followed were multiple events across the city, with capacity doubling, tripling, and eventually reaching 500 attendees within the year.

"It's a testament to the fact that women just want a safe space to dance," Molenda says. All women are welcome to join in on the fun with REUNION — cis, trans, and non-binary included.

REUNION was never meant to discriminate against men, and the concept has actually been well received by many males, who frequently ask Molenda when she'll host a party just for them. The women-only format, however, is a reflection of her own experiences.

She isn't afraid to admit that when she's partying around women, there's this innate feeling of safety, and no fear of being judged or harassed. "There's also a bit of a performative nature that comes on when I'm around the opposite sex," Molenda acknowledges. 

As for why REUNION is alcohol-free, the answer is pretty simple and kind of funny. Looking back on the first event, she says she didn't want to deal with a liquor licence. Held in a yoga-studio-style space, selling alcohol never crossed her mind. "I was like, let's just get some sparkling waters."

Beyond logistics, Molenda also wants to drive home a larger point: you don't need drugs or other substances that alter your experience to have fun. She wants guests to experience what happens when there's just music, sisterhood, and dancing. 

Toronto has seen growing support for sober events in recent months. From coffee-fuelled dance events replacing late-night clubbing to people wanting to be home before 10 p.m., the city's party culture is clearly shifting.

"I don't know if I'm in a bubble where it feels like everyone's doing it now," Molenda says. But it feels like a bunch of us caught onto a thread of what was needed around sober parties. I don't know what happened or what shifted, but it does seem like it all happened at once."

REUNION dance parties have since gone national with events from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, though Molenda still believes one of the best places to party remains Toronto.

The next REUNION party takes place on Feb. 6 from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at Revival and the theme for the night is Hot Girl Shit & Y2K Hits. 

"We've got around 300 women coming already, and it's just an opportunity to empower women in February, which is the month of love. That's what I wanted it to be about," Molenda says.

Tickets are available online starting at $45 plus applicable fees and taxes; there are select tiers left, because, as per the event's Instagram account, the party is already 50 per cent sold out.

REUNION's Hot Girl Shit & Y2K Hits will take place at Revival, located at 783 College St.