An initiative that brings young adults with intellectual disabilities and special needs together to connect, dance, and socialise is marking its ninth birthday this month.
Clique Brisbane will celebrate on Friday, 21 November at Geebung RSL, the current home of their monthly dance events.
Founded in 2016 by Suzie Skinner, Clique Brisbane has grown from a small gathering at St Mark’s Church in Clayfield to an event that now draws over 110 participants each month.
Clique Brisbane Limited Chair Ed Skinner said Suzie “deserves all the credit for the spark where we are today”.
“The thought was inspired through our special needs daughter Kassidy’s experiences at high school, where we saw there was no opportunity for regular social engagement for Kassidy and her special needs peers,” Ed said.
As the popularity of the events grew, Clique Brisbane needed to find larger, air-conditioned facilities.
“We were lucky to be welcomed by Geebung RSL, where our events are now boosting their turnover considerably on dance nights, with many of our Cliquers arriving early for a meal, as well as the parents,” Ed said.
“Our Christmas event is a larger event where we invite parents/carers to share a meal with our Cliquers and share in the festivities. This will be held at Kedron-Wavell, where we’ve been holding our Christmas events for the past two years.”
A Celebration of Joy and Inclusion
The ninth birthday celebration at Geebung RSL will feature a solo dance performance from a Cliquer, a mini dance clinic with Adia from Bring A Plate, and a DJ set by Jake.
“The energy comes from the crowd…we’ve gotten to a point where our Cliquers celebrate their own connection with the group,” Ed said. “It’s not a celebration of the business, it’s a celebration of their own connection with the group.”
He added that during a recent event, it was striking to see how far the Cliquers had come, “moving from shy first timers to genuine clusters of people that just enjoy each other’s company.”
“The mosh pit at events is the place to be,” he said. “Two of our Cliquers stood up to announce with aplomb, a performance they were part of, inviting others to join in. The spontaneity of these interactions just builds energy.
“Our Cliquers feel safe to experiment and share in that friendly, non-judgmental environment.”
The ongoing feedback has been positive, with a recent participant stating that Clique Brisbane’s “efforts have created a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can truly be themselves, feel valued, and embrace the joy of connecting with others.”
Tickets to the ninth birthday celebration must be booked by midnight on Tuesday, 18 November. Go to cliquebrisbane.com
Clique Brisbane 9th Birthday Bash
- Friday, 21 November, 7pm-9.30pm (check in from 6.30pm)
- Geebung RSL (Centenary Room)
- Cnr Newman Road and Collings Street, Geebung
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