Beach balls flew through smoke-tinged air as strobe lights danced over students, washing them in neon colors. As homecoming week continues, the Activities Programming Board’s (APB) annual Silent Disco transformed the Student Union Ballroom into a vibrant party where students move to the beat of their own choosing on Thursday night.

“It feels more than a campus right now,” said Hailey Ausbrooks, a biology student. “It’s an entirely different atmosphere. Everybody’s just dancing and having fun. Nobody really cares how you’re dancing; it’s just a good time.”

In the dim light, students appeared shadowy, but glow sticks and batons illuminated their movements. Without headphones, the only sounds were laughter and the rhythmic stomping of feet against the ground. Otherwise, the ballroom remained as quiet as a library.

But put on the headphones, and the scene completely changes.

“We went to the one last year, and it was really fun. And then we came back, and I was surprised—they’re improving every year,” said Andrea Saavedra, a psychology and public relations major.

The headphones glowed red, blue or green, corresponding to different music channels. From Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” to Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything,” students may be listening to different songs, but they danced together.

Students could also join the long queue and make song requests, sometimes resulting in some not-so-typical dance songs, such as “The Greatest Show” from the movie “The Greatest Showman.” The DJ chimes in periodically, hyping up the crowd.

APB member Alexis Madaris first experienced a silent disco at a convention in Lexington and was excited to bring the event back to Northern Kentucky University for homecoming.

“It was just nice to see everyone dancing to different things,” Madaris said. “We would be doing line dancing on the floor. Other people would be doing Taylor Swift or rap music. It’s really fun to just come out with your friends and do little dances.”