A distinctive 'scream club' in Chicago has become a surprising sensation, drawing hundreds of people to North Avenue Beach every Sunday evening during the city's warmer months. The initiative, which encourages participants to collectively scream into Lake Michigan, offers a unique form of communal catharsis and appears to be inspiring similar activities across the United States.
Founded last year by couple Emanuel Hernandez and Elena Soboleva, the Chicago Scream Club originated from a personal moment of tension. Hernandez, a breathwork and fitness coach, and Soboleva, a branding consultant, conceived the idea during a walk by the lake. What began as a spontaneous suggestion to release their own stress quickly evolved into a weekly gathering, with participation swelling to over 300 people by the sixth week.
The club's appeal lies in its permission for individuals to 'give in and let go' of pent-up emotions, anxieties, or even to celebrate life events. Attendees are given biodegradable paper to write down their intentions or what they wish to release before throwing it into the water and screaming. The founders emphasise that the group setting provides a sense of confidence and normalisation for an act often considered taboo.
The phenomenon has extended beyond Chicago, with Hernandez and Soboleva facilitating similar screaming events in other US cities, including Austin, Phoenix, and Washington DC. The growing interest also reflects a broader trend, with an independent online 'Scream Club' website emerging, allowing people to engage in shared screaming experiences virtually, further highlighting the widespread desire for such emotional outlets.
While many come to alleviate stress, Soboleva notes the diverse motivations, from individuals seeking a release for accumulated emotions to those celebrating milestones. The club has attracted a wide demographic, with people of all ages and backgrounds finding solace and connection in the shared, uninhibited expression of emotion.