Perhaps the Beach Boys did in fact know best: It’s all about picking up those “good vibrations.” If that’s true, Jess Phillips and Melissa Payne, co-founders of Rise and Vibe STL might have the answer St. Louis has been looking for this summer.
Rise & Vibe–the duo’s new morning dance party concept–may not be a new idea globally, as the pair was inspired by trending coffee shops and cafés in Barcelona, Spain, but it is new to the Lou. The inaugural event will kick off at local favorite, Espresso Yourself Cafe on July 19, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
“Over the course of the last year, we realized that there was a large movement around people’s health and wellness,” Payne says. The event will promote wellbeing through not only the scientifically proven benefits of dancing, but also the community the leaders of Rise & Vibe hope to foster. “We’re building that movement of, Come, dance off some stress, stop thinking about life, get out of your head, and just be in that present moment,” Phillips describes.
The event is open to all ages, and Phillips and Payne hope to welcome anyone from families to seniors to college students to empty nesters looking for a good time. The co-founders say they plan to work hard to create an inclusive environment and credit Espresso Yourself owners, sisters Jules and Tracy Fox, as well as their DJ, JoeJoe STyMuLaTioN, with helping them achieve that goal from the jump.
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“[STyMuLaTioN] really took to and understood the direction we were headed when it comes to the element of this particular event,” Phillips says. Payne expresses a similar experience partnering with the Fox Sisters: “Immediately, they were like, ‘Sign me up. Let’s do it. Let’s try it.’”
The Fox Sisters, of course, specialize in coffee, which will be all the rage at this alcohol-free dance party. “There’s a lot of fun to be had not having an adult beverage in your hand. So we’re calling [the event] sober-curious,” Payne explains. Offerings also include matcha, hot chocolate, and an assortment of other café fare, in an effort to satisfy all tastes. Arguably, the duo expresses, the most important taste is the one guests bring for moving, grooving, and having a good time.
Following the announcement of the launch event, many other coffee shops have reached out as hopeful hosts for following Rise & Vibe events, according to Phillips, which makes the team hopeful for organic growth in the community.
Both born and raised St. Louisans, Payne and Phillips also take on the roles of wives, mothers, and independent businesswomen. It’s their understanding of the myriad demands of life that inspires their mission to spread a way they combat such stress–joyous movement. “People are gonna feel super, super alive when they leave,” Phillips promises.
Experience the party for yourself by reserving tickets here.
