AUBURN, NH – On a recent Saturday night cars lined Rockingham Road as guests made their way into Auburn Pitts for Granite State Generosity’s second annual Shhhake It Off Silent Headphone Dance Party.
What’s that, you might wonder? It’s what it sounds like: a dance party where all the music is contained in your headphones and attendees can pick the music they want to dance to. This is the second year Granite State Generosity has brought people together for a wildly silent fundraiser.
The organization is a nonprofit started by eight women who grew up together in Manchester, raising funds and community awareness for people facing life-changing illnesses or disabilities.
The crowd at the “Silent Disco” was as varied as the playlist. Attendees of all ages showed up in everything from flashy outfits to jeans and sneakers. Guests danced to music ranging from Justin Bieber to ABBA, with the option to switch between three DJs on color-coded channels.
“Some of our team first experienced a silent disco while on vacation, an environment where you’re often surrounded by strangers and might be hesitant to dance,” said Laura Gilman Boutot, president and co-founder of Granite State Generosity. “But with headphones on, something changes: you’re free to move like nobody’s watching. We loved the idea of creating an event where there’s no pressure to dress up, be ‘good’ at something, or even socialize if you’re shy. The best part? Many guests who came just for the disco ended up leaving as new supporters of GSG’s mission.”
This year’s event saw a major increase in attendance. Last year’s inaugural event sold 75 tickets. This year, that number jumped to 175.
DJ Karma, one of the three DJs alongside DJ Paradis and DJ Matty, said the wide range of ages in the crowd kept him on his toes.
“There’s a lot of ages in the crowd, so you’ve got to play a mix,” he said. “One of the great parts of having a silent disco is the instant feedback. If everyone drops off my channel and goes to blue or green, I can tell the type of music they’re feeling and match my music to a similar vibe.”
The event also included free drink samples, with volunteers handing out Jell-O shots and tequila samples. One of the main sponsors was 400 Conejos Mezcal.
“One of the reasons we wanted to get involved is because it’s giving directly back to the community,” said Kristin Vanhorn, portfolio manager for 400 Conejos. “It’s such a fun, unique event, and when Laura approached us with sponsorships, I said of course.”
Organizers said they intentionally wanted the fundraiser to look different from a traditional gala or silent auction.
“We want to keep this event affordable and make sure all the money we raise from donors goes back into helping people,” said board member Rachel Fairhurst. “Instead of paying $500 for a ticket, they can give that money directly back to the organization.”
To cut down on costs, nearly everything at the Silent Disco was donated or volunteered. The DJs donated their time, Auburn Pitts hosted the event in its backyard, and the headphone rentals were provided at no cost.
“Not every donation or need is a financial one,” Boutot said. “For example, we partner with a local mechanic shop. If someone comes to us and says, ‘I have cancer and my car is broken so I can’t get to my appointments,’ we can get them the repair they need without dipping into our finances. That saves money for needs that ultimately do come with a financial cost.”
Boutot said the nonprofit’s top priority is awareness.
“The more people who learn about the good we’re doing in New Hampshire, the more we can expand our donor base and help more people,” she said. “We’re focused on building trusted partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and residents to create a strong network of support. Long term, we aim to expand our reach, increase resources, and strengthen our ability to provide assistance—whether through fundraising, partnerships, or volunteer engagement.”