PHOTO COURTESY IN BED BY TEN

For a decade, people have been coming to Spirit to let loose at one of the city’s most popular dance parties.

And it has never threatened to disrupt a good night’s sleep.

The In Bed By 10 dance parties, created by Matthew Buchholz and Kelly Beall in 2015, get the music pumping at precisely 6 p.m. — hours before most DJ nights kick off. The party wraps up at 9 p.m., offering anyone who enjoys a good night’s sleep the opportunity to get a full night of dancing in before bedtime.

“We kind of just did it as a goof” initially, says Buchholz, “based on the idea that as you get into your late 30s, early 40s, it’s harder to stay out late. Maybe you have kids, maybe you’re just [getting] old, maybe your knees hurt — but there are a lot of dance parties that don’t start until 10 p.m. and don’t really get going until midnight. Quite frankly, I was getting too old for that.”

Spirit, now an institution in Pittsburgh’s live-event and nightlife circles, was new when In Bed by 10 was born. It was a natural fit, Buchholz says. “I think Spirit does a great job of being an open, welcoming space. They also have been a great partner to us.”

As the series grew, Buchholz saw the crowds grow — and the age range grew with them. He and Beall had envisioned Gen-X crowds requesting Madonna and Whitney Houston; that age range was well represented, but they’re not alone. “In the past few years, there’s a lot of younger people who also like the idea of coming out and starting their night early,” he explains. “I’ve been working with more guest DJs to broaden some of the music, because it’s clear that the crowd is there for it.”

On May 23, In Bed by 10 will celebrate its 10th anniversary at Spirit, in a party that will span both floors of the venue. Buchholz will alternate DJ duties (along with compatriot EZ Lou) in the downstairs lodge space, focusing on hits from the ’70s and ’80s; another two DJs, Huny and Rojo, will take over the upstairs hall, with somewhat more contemporary offerings.

The party will also benefit Prevention Point Pittsburgh, a harm-reduction organization that provides services to those struggling with drug use; the nonprofit celebrates its 30th anniversary this month. Each In Bed by 10 party benefits a different charity, with Spirit contributing part of their proceeds in addition to donations through ticket revenue; to date, Buchholz says, the evenings have raised more than $115,000.

While Buchholz is happy to DJ the evening away and get back home in timely fashion, he’s mostly glad to be adding to the breadth of nightlife in Pittsburgh.

“There are still a lot of great dance parties in the city. It’s great that there’s variety,” Buchholz says. “Some of them still go late. Some of them start earlier. Some of them are during the daytime. Some of them are outside … Dance parties are a big tent, and I think it’s great to have all kinds of options.”

Advance tickets for the anniversary party are sold out, but a limited number will be available at the door.