Contemporary ecstatic dance, which comprises a live DJ and freeform movement within a sober and judgment-free space, is now a worldwide phenomenon thriving on six continents and in most cities. However, few people know the rich history of this movement, which began in Hawaii around the turn of the millennium. This profile chronicles and analyzes the contributions of Max Fathom (b. 1957), a dancer, DJ, poet, and seeker who spearheaded the global movement of ecstatic dance by curating sacred space and bringing people together through intergenerational gatherings and improvised movement.
Kathryn Dickason (2026) studied this question.