Dance All Afternoon, Be Home for Dinner: Daytime Disco Hits the Catskills

A new dance party is flipping the nightclub model on its head — no alcohol, no late nights, and no pressure to be “cool.”

It’s called Daytime Disco, a sober, midday dance experience created by Catskills DJ Mark Partridge, also known as Ambient Barn, host of Ambient Barn on Radio Catskill. The first event takes place Saturday in Narrowsburg, offering a joyful, low-stakes way to move, connect, and shake off the winter blues.

“I think something like this is more necessary than ever,” Partridge said. “There are so many people in this region who are creative and love to dance. And sometimes it’s difficult to get out at night.”

Partridge said many people want to dance but find nighttime events hard to attend — especially in winter.

“There are a lot of amazing nighttime DJ dance parties in this area,” he said. “I thought there was some space to do something during the day.”

The idea was inspired by Brooklyn’s Mr. Sunday parties — daytime, all-ages dance events known for their welcoming, judgment-free atmosphere.

“They were super inspiring and uplifting,” Partridge said. “No nightlife cool-guy energy. Just open, fun, communal space. I thought it would be really cool to bring that to the Catskills.”

Daytime Disco is intentionally alcohol-free. Instead of a bar, Partridge and collaborators are experimenting with what they call “hydration bars,” with plans to introduce mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages in the future.

“In wintertime, people shouldn’t be drinking and driving,” he said. “We’re trying to fill that space.”

The goal, he explained, is to take the joy of nightlife dancing and bring it into daylight hours.

“You can come and dance all afternoon, drive home, feel uplifted, have dinner, watch a movie, and go to bed,” Partridge said. “It doesn’t have to be the other way around. No judgment — I love nightlife — but this felt like something new to try.”

Musically, the daytime setting changes the vibe behind the decks. Partridge describes the sound as upbeat and eclectic, designed for sunlight rather than strobe lights.

“We start with daytime vibes,” he said. “Uplifting, major-key, forward-progress music that creates a sense of wonder.”

Since announcing the event, Partridge says interest has been strong.

“The response has been incredible,” he said. “I think people are really going to come out of the woodwork for this.”

He hopes Daytime Disco becomes a recurring pop-up series across the region.

“Activating interesting spaces around the county is something I really want to do,” he said. “Bringing dance to different places and creating a daytime disco space for this community.”

More than anything, Partridge wants the event to feel open and welcoming.

“We’re trying to create a communal, non-judgmental space,” he said. “Come express yourself. Movement is meditation — especially in winter.”