Critical Nightlife Studies Fall 2026 Reading + Discussion Group

Join us for 'Critical Nightlife Studies, a 4-part monthly reading and discussion group where together, we will explore themes of social identity, urban politics, inclusion and exclusion, late stage capitalism and more, as they reveal themselves in this nightlife culture we love (and love to critique).

Nightlife has always been inherently political, blurring the lines of underground urban life and global mainstream culture. But in 2026, what does it mean to participate in nightlife — as a partygoer, a DJ, a dancer, a venue owner, or simply a citizen of a nightlife city — amidst the complex social realities of our world today?

Together, we’ll read thought-provoking material from a range of sources and discuss how nightlife reflects, reinforces, and resists the major issues we collectively face in our modern era.

Registration Includes:

• A thoughtfully curated selection of readings + media from diverse, interdisciplinary sources all regarding nightlife and related social + cultural theory, sent out each month

• Guided reading + discussion prompts to help us collectively dive deeper into challenging and exciting topics

• A low-pressure, mindfully facilitated environment to meet likeminded people and share ideas offline and in community

• Syllabus with suggested further reading/study with links to support our hosts at Head Hi
  

Readings for the upcoming session will be sent within 24 hours of your registration. If you have registered for the full series, you’ll be sent September’s readings within 24 hours of registration, and the following monthly readings on the 1st of that month.

Session Dates + Topics - All sessions on Tuesdays from 7-9pm - Come to one or come to all!

• September 29: Nightlife from Margins to Mainstream

• October 20: Nightlife Cities: Gentrification + Urban Life

• November 17: Who Belongs Here? Identity Politics in Nightlife

• December 22: Mediated Dancefloors: Social Media, Surveillance Tech, and the Public/Private Self

Cost:

$20 per session | $65 for series if registered in full → sliding scale available upon request

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Zephyr Ann Doles is a DJ, writer, independent researcher and educator whose work explores the intersections of culture, politics, psychology and mental health. In addition to having been a part of the New York City nightlife community for nearly two decades, she is also a clinical social worker and psychotherapist working in community mental health in Brooklyn, NY. Despite her full-time club DJ era coming to a close, she maintains her 8-year-long residency on The Lot Radio for her bimonthly show COOL BREEZE. She is an avid reader and yapper about all things nightlife, New York City and social politics and can’t wait to meet everyone for this exciting journey of thought together. @zephyr_ann

Head Hi is an independent organization founded in 2018 dedicated to art, architecture, design and sound specializing in publications and cultural programming with an espresso bar and bookstore located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn by the Navy Yard. We feature a curated selection of publications from around the globe. Working with local and international artists, designers, publishers, and organizations in various fields, Head Hi is a space for exploration and interaction that hosts talks, book launches, exhibitions, music, performances and other events. Head Hi Fi enhances the experience of sound in the space with its vintage Klipsch La Scala speakers. @headhi_ny