What happens at Bo Diddley Plaza.
Where
Bo Diddley Plaza, downtown Gainesville. We set up on the plaza; look for the glowing headphones.
When
Date coming soon. Founding families get the date first and a text the morning of.
What to bring
Nothing. Headphones are ours and counted out at the door. A water bottle and sunscreen help.
Who
Ages 4-12. Under-6s keep a parent in the room. Siblings all welcome - this one's free.
Thirty headphones. First come, first glowing.
Headphones are counted, so we need a headcount. Tell us how many kids and their ages; we text the exact time and where on the plaza to find us. It's free - it's our first one, and you're the reviews.
Headphones on. The 'shush' gag: hands up, headphones off, everybody freezes.
Three songs they know. Nobody's judged. Nobody's watching.
The music stops, you stop. The whistle is in your ears, not the room.
One move at a time, then all of them, then faster.
Lights down, headphones glow, the best song last.
Slow one. First names on screen. 'See you tomorrow.'
RSVP · Gainesville
One form per family. We'll confirm by email and text.
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Is it safe for their ears?
Yes, and it's the thing we care most about. In person, every headphone is capped at the transmitter around 85 dB - the level of a busy street - and a party is 30 minutes, never 60. Online, you set the volume on your own speaker or headphones. Full policy on the Safety page.
What if my kid won't wear the headphones?
Some don't, the first time. In person there's a no-headphone corner where the music is still there - just quiet - and there are spare sizes down to a three-year-old head. Most put them on by the second song when they see the lights.
What ages is this for?
Four to twelve. The under-sixes dance with a parent in the room; the tens and elevens pretend they're too cool and then don't stop. Online, siblings all dance on one screen.
Do you do birthdays?
Yes - in person anywhere we serve in Florida, and online for the kids whose friends are scattered. The birthday kid's name goes on screen and they pick the last song.
Can't make it to the plaza?
The same party runs online every day. Join from the living room.