Ōhope Beach will host its first silent disco this weekend, with music, movement and a sunset on the cards for attendees.

Organiser Paul Anthony is bringing the event to West End on Sunday, inspired by his participation at a similar event in Mt Maunganui.

Working alongside friends Mary Bell and Ani Seath, who have organised five silent discos in Mt Maunganui, Anthony said he was keen to introduce “a bit of fun” and something different for people in the Eastern Bay.

A silent disco sees participants wear wireless headphones to listen and dance to music, rather than having music played through traditional speakers.

The headphones offer three channels, allowing people to switch between playlists and genres at the push of a button.

Anthony admits being initially sceptical of the concept before attending an event.

“I was pleasantly surprised just how much fun it was and the broad range of people that showed up,” he said.

He said the event attracted people of all ages and backgrounds, including families with children and older participants, who all joined in the dancing.

One Mount event he attended sold out, with 65 people taking part.

He is hoping to attract at least 40 people for the Ōhope event, which will run from 7pm to 8.30pm, with more than 30 tickets already sold. Capacity is 65 people.

He said the response from locals had been positive, with people showing a willingness to give the experience a go, even if they were unsure what to expect.

For Anthony, part of the appeal is the balance between having an individual experience and being part of a group.

“You put the headphones on and you're in your own world of music, but then you look at the person next to you, and you know that they're in the same world,” he said.

“The experience is quite unique and individual, but at the same time, you're part of a much bigger picture and everybody's doing the same thing.”

The event is open to all ages

Anthony, who runs The Sauna Project Ōhope with his wife, Maureen, hopes to hold more silent discos locally if the first event goes well, with Kawerau among the locations he is considering for the future.

Tickets cost $20, with headphones provided. Bookings are essential.

To book go to https://events.humanitix.com/silent-disco-west-end-ohope, or find the link on The Sauna Project Ōhope’s Facebook page.