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Guru Dudu silent disco walking tours challenge comfort zones in Townsville

Silent disco tours promote connection, dance and joy in Townsville (ABC North Queensland: Lily Nothling)

Traffic stops on the streets of Townsville as dozens of people spontaneously break into song and dance. 

The group is on a silent disco walking tour where participants wear headphones and are encouraged to ditch their reservations as they groove out to old-school hits.

For people like Colleen Doyle, taking part is an unexpectedly "amazing" experience.

The silent disco tour group dances to 1970s hit Blame It On the Boogie. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

"I think you're always a bit inhibited if you're an introvert like I am," she says.

"But you don't take any notice of anybody else around you, just the people you're with, and you actually start having a good time."

The tours are the brainchild of Victorian-based company Guru Dudu and have been one of the most popular attractions at this year's North Australian Festival of Arts.

The tour groups often entertain and engage with members of the public. (Facebook: What's On Townsville)

Participants take part in flash mobs, interpretative dance and group singing, often interacting with amused onlookers.

Tour guide Dani Cabs, who uses the moniker Dani Disco, says the concept is all about connection and laughter.

"So it just brings joy and play into our lives so we can have better lives and have better communities."

The tours mostly feature music from the 1970s, 80s and 90s — with a few contemporary hits thrown in. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

While the tours started out for adults, they are now attended by people of all ages — from toddlers to the elderly.

Participating is a novel experience for nine-year-old Cameron Grace, who enjoys the playlist of songs from the 1970s, 80s and 90s despite not knowing many of the words.

"I just lost myself — it's all so fun, you just get into the music and want to dance and sing along," he says.

The tours have been a popular attraction at this year's North Australian Festival of Arts in Townsville. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

Tour guide Reuben Witsenhuysen, who goes by Reuby Groove, says allowing people to "embrace their inner dork" has broad appeal.

"All of a sudden, that person who has been a bit reserved will just completely break out of their shell and surprise people around them and start performing," he says.

Silent disco tour guide Reuben Witsenhuysen, aka Reuby Groove. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

Guru Dudu also has guides based in London, Brighton and Tel Aviv, and takes part in festivals all around Europe.

"Whether you're experiencing a city for the first time, or you've been living there for 40 years, you're going to have this new kind of engagement with your surroundings through this music," Witsenhuysen says.

"I think that's why it seems to be so successful and so universal around the world."

The silent disco tours encourage people to let go of their inhibitions. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)
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