Madalyn Dishman and Olivia Simone

Special to the Detroit Free Press

In an age of constant communication — whether it’s news alerts or Instagram notifications — it can be tough to find a moment of peace and quiet. A movement toward mindfulness has made breathing and meditation techniques readily available through books and apps. However, there’s a new twist on the practice.

Through a free event on Tuesday, a company called MindTravel will visit Detroit with its SilentHike, a sunset stroll down the Detroit riverfront where participants will wear headphones as part of the organizer’s aim to connect people to music and nature. A person observing the event will hear silence, hence the name SilentHike.

But the participants will be listening to the sounds of Murray Hidary on the piano. Detroit is among 21 stops the tour will make across the country. The walk will begin at the Renaissance Center and go through Milliken State Park & Harbor.

Events centered around silence are nothing new. For example, silent discos — where people dance to music, together, through wireless headphones — date back to the '90s. There were even two in Detroit earlier this month. Silent discos, also known as silent raves, often feature multiple DJs mixing music live, which is then streamed through listeners' headphones. Although similar in encouraging a sort of communal solitude — silent discos have more of a party-like atmosphere, whereas the silent hike is focused more on mindfulness.

More:Tunnel Jefferson Ave. underground — or build pedestrian walkway?

More:Detroit City Council votes to keep Spirit of Detroit Plaza downtown

Pianist Murray Hidary, who founded the event and MindTravel, has composed the music that participants will listen to as they walk along the Detroit River.

“My aspiration is that these experiences create a space for people to reflect deeply, contemplate life, and connect with their kind of deepest selves,” Hidary said. “So that they would hopefully be moved through the music to make really beautiful choices in their life when they leave MindTravel.”

Hidary’s company has hosted music events in theaters, museums and even in water. Recent events have had audiences move with the music. Hidary introduced headphones to the event to offer better sound quality in a more natural environment.

SilentHike

7-9 p.m. Tue.

Begins at 200 Renaissance Center, Detroit

Register at www.mindtravel.com

Free