This week on our Home Life Series, we’re at a home that’s as joyful and vibrant as the woman who lives in it—Alice Glenn. A creative force, Alice is the co-founder of global dance movement No Lights No Lycra and the sparkle behind Country Struts, a boot-scootin’ celebration of rhinestones, rhythm, and radical self-expression.
Her Thornbury home, shared with her partner, two kids, dog, and a cast of charming chickens, is a beautiful chaos of colour, character and community. From a green-tiled bathroom to shelves stacked with tiny op-shopped treasures and handmade zines, every corner tells a story—and every story brings a smile. Keep reading for a peek into Alice’s home, and why dancing like nobody's watching really is the best kind.
Hi Alice! We stepped into your Thornbury home and were instantly in awe. It was simply amazing with all the little trinkets you have, to the bedazzled horse seat. Can you tell us a bit about your home—how you came across it, and who shares the space with you?
We moved in just as COVID hit, which ended up being the perfect time to nest. When we arrived, there was nothing but grass and a huge pine tree—so the garden was a big project. I became obsessed with ABC’s Gardening Australia and slowly started tinkering away. I live here with my partner, our daughter Wanda (8), my son Otis (15), our trusty mutt Solo, and our chickens Tea Latté, Cricket, Peaken, and Furness. Over the years, we’ve also shared the home with a lamb called Popcorn and a rotating cast of foster bunnies.
You’ve created a home bursting with personality - and a business that’s just as vibrant. As co-founder of No Lights No Lycra, a global dance movement all about freedom, joy and connection, we’d love to hear how it all began. For those who don’t know the story, can you share how it all started?
I started No Lights No Lycra almost 16 years ago with my friend Heidi. We’d both studied dance and spent years in structured dance classes, but wanted to get back to moving purely for the joy of it—away from mirrors and the self-critical voices in our heads. No Lights has since grown to communities in over 75 cities around the world, we’ve even had one at a station in Antarctica, hoping to get Santa dancing in the coming years up the other end!
In a funny twist, (or maybe a logical evolution) I now run a new dance project called Country Struts Boot Scooting. It’s all rhinestones and big hats—on the surface it kinda seems like the opposite of NLNL. But the vibe is surprisingly similar: they’re both about moving because it feels good, connecting with others and creating inclusive, joyful spaces.
Colour and creativity are clearly central to how you live—whether it’s your bold design choices or your passion for dance. We have to ask… that iconic green bathroom! Was it always on your dream home wishlist, or a happy design accident?
I love our green bathroom! When we renovated the house, we did everything as cheaply as we could—sourcing most things from Marketplace. But we splurged on the green pool tiles. I think I may have stolen the idea from an article in PIP magazine.
Your backyard is a bit of a suburban dream—with veggie patches, fruit trees and even chickens! Can you tell us about how this space came together? What do you love most about spending time out there?
The garden is still very much a work in progress and I’m definitely no expert—but I love growing things we can eat (when it works) and our chickens are just pure joy, even when they’re not laying. I actually have the Gardening Australia logo tattooed on my arm—that show has taught me everything I know.
My favourite place to be is on the swing on our back deck. I’m not great at sitting still, but I can sit there peacefully and swing for hours (or maybe half an hour).
You’ve got so many beautiful trinkets scattered throughout your space. Where do you find these unique, one off treasures? What are some of your favourite pieces?
I love op-shopping, and I love small things—the result is shelves layered with tiny trinkets (and the dust that comes with them!). We’re also lucky to have lots of creative friends, and their art fills our walls and bookshelves.
It’s hard to pick favourites, but I’ve been working with the amazing not-for-profit Kids’ Own Publishing this past year. Every time we run a workshop with young people, I end up collecting another handful of 8-page zines made by kids. Each one is its own tiny masterpiece—funny, unfiltered, and totally unique.
You recently launched an education program that brought dance into schools. Can you share a little more about it?
Two years ago No Lights launched an education program that brings the dance in the dark experience into schools. We train high school students to run NLNL at lunchtime for their school community. It’s been a powerful reminder of how vital that joyful, pressure-free movement is for mental health—especially for young people. When we let go of performance and expectation, there’s so much room for connection, and self-expression.
No Lights No Lycra has come a long way—from a small gathering in Melbourne to a global community of over 500,000 dancers (and counting!). What do you hope the future holds for No Lights No Lycra, and how does your personal dance journey intersect with the community you've built?
I hope No Lights continues forever. It’s never going to be a money-making venture, it’s run by our Ambassadors around the world who facilitate sessions because they’re passionate about building community and they love dancing. There are communities where 20 people or less have been dancing together in the dark every week for years. I hope that never ends.
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