Hundreds of music lovers will descend upon Queens venue Nowadays on Saturday for a 24-hour party known as “Dweller Nonstop.”
The event is an adaptation of Nowadays’ club night “Nonstop @ Nowadays,” a 24-hour rave that attracts up-and-coming DJs from around the world and die-hard partygoers eager to dance the night away to jungle, house and techno music.
The “Dweller Nonstop” event is all part of Dweller, the annual electronic music festival that began earlier this week and highlights Black DJs and artists in the electronic music sphere.
“It seemed great to program that party that was already happening just with all Black DJs,” said Frankie Hutchinson, who founded Dweller in 2019. “It kind of came about quite organically. And it just felt like it was a perfect addition.”
Doors open at 10 p.m. on Saturday and will include live performances from Detroit-based DJ Theo Parrish, dance artist Suzi Analogue, Atlanta-based artist Zaida Zane and Brooklyn-based DJ Donis.
Although the party will go into Sunday night, Hutchinson said there’s no pressure for people to stay the entire time.
“It allows people to kind of tap in and tap out,” she said. “And you see this really cool crossover of people, especially in the morning time, who have been up partying all night, and then people who've woken up and then go to the rave.”
Whether you want to stay for a few hours or the entire time, here are some tips from people who’ve been to “Dweller Nonstop” about how to legally survive the 24-hour rave.
Get enough sleep the day of the event.
The most important way to prepare for any party is to get enough sleep beforehand, and a 24-hour rave is no different, said DJ Devoye Folkes, who’s been going to “Nonstop @ Nowadays” since 2021, when it was a monthly event.
He said the longest he’s ever stayed at the rave was around 16 hours, and recommended taking a nap within at least two hours of when you plan to show up.
“Be smart about it," Folkes said. "If you know there's a lot of people you want to see, take it easy that day. That is one huge thing that I've learned over time.”
Wear sneakers or the most comfortable shoes possible.
While getting dressed for the party can be a time to experiment with looks, attendees should be smart about which shoes they wear, according to Parker Bright, a DJ who’s said the longest they’ve partied at the “Nonstop” was 13 hours.
Bright said it’s best to either wear running shoes — similar to what you might work out in — or a combat boot with a low heel.
“I prefer to wear newer shoes just because I know I’ll have room to dance,” Bright said. “Either new or old, I feel like you can really pull a look at Nowadays so wear your best.”
Stretch your muscles before and after each time you hit the dance floor.
Raving is not for the faint of heart, so it’s important to remember that it’s a physical activity that can take its toll, said Daiyah Williams, a part-time DJ and party promoter.
Williams said the longest she’s ever stayed at the rave is 15 hours. She said people should stretch at the venue's bleachers whenever they decide to go dance.
“Take these opportunities to rest and decompress,” she said. “The party is literally going nowhere. That's why it's nonstop.”
Rest, eat and drink enough water every couple of hours.
Williams, Bright and Folkes said attendees should make sure to eat before and at the event. Nowadays is also home to a full-service Mexican restaurant, the Zumbador, whose menu includes tacos, rice and beans, and nachos. Menu prices range from $7 to $26.
“Eat something," Williams said. "It doesn't have to be a full meal, but have a banana, have a smoothie, have a muffin. It's crazy how if you are like ‘I'm exhausted,’ and then you have a breakfast sandwich, you get like a 10-hour second wind.”
Don’t forget to stay hydrated with non-alcoholic drinks. The best option is water.
Research the DJs and be open to hearing music you’ve never heard before.
Nowadays is known for bringing talented DJs from around the world, and the “Dweller Nonstop” night will do the same.
Bright recommended that people research the DJs and what kind of music they’ll play, and advised attendees to be open to hearing new sounds.
Bright said they were surprised at how much they enjoyed a set from DJ Isabella when they saw her at a “Nonstop.”
“I did not leave the dance floor one time through her whole three-hour set,” Bright said. “Just don't have any expectations and just allow yourself to really get into the music.”
Mind your own business and remember to have your own experience.
Bright said that while there’s drug use at almost any club in the city, that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. They said it’s best if people attend the rave with the intention of listening to music and meeting new people.
“If you're not into the heavy drug use and that kind of partying, then find a way to separate yourself from that and you will truly enjoy your experience,” Bright said. “There might be a certain area where a group of people are participating in that. If those are your friends, go say hi and then go back to the dance floor.”
Put your phone away.
While it can be tempting to use your phone rather than interact with strangers, Bright said it’s best if people actually put their phones away and enjoy the night. They said it’s fine to take pictures and videos, but that attendees should be sure to keep their phones out of people's faces.
“If you're on the dance floor, they expect you to be engaged with the music,” the DJ said. “It’s OK if you want to get a video, but then put your phone away and just keep it pumping.”
Have fun on the dance floor.
Bright said the dance floor should be used as a place for self-expression. They said Nowadays staff is always present to make sure attendees feel safe. Hutchinson, the Dweller festival founder, also said staff members go over rules about maintaining boundaries with everyone who enters the club.
“You don't have to feel shame on the dance floor," Bright said. "You don't have to feel like people are watching you. Me and my roommate were there and we were pumping on the dance floor back and forth. We really just got into the music and we just let go.”
Leave when you feel like it.
The “Dweller Nonstop” night is all about having a good time, so once partygoers feel like they’ve gotten the experience they want and have hit their limit, it’s OK to go home, Williams and Bright said.
“Don't be tied to anyone else's night,” Williams said. “If you go with your friends, and your friends are tired and they want to leave, and you're having an amazing time, stay and enjoy yourself. If you aren't feeling it and you want to leave, that opportunity is there.”
Bright agreed.
“You don't have to feel like you have to be at the club the entire time,” Bright said.
“Dweller Nonstop” starts at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. Tickets start around $25. For more information visit here.
