“Does dance music have the power to bring people together?” This is a question I posed this week to Ross de Kretser, co-organiser of “Synergetic”, part six of “Groove Nights for Human Rights”, . “Synergetic – Consciousness & Conscience” is on Friday 16th July in Melbourne.
If you live in Melbourne, it’s a great chance to catch up on some quality tunes for a good cause. The 12 hour music marathon sees free-of-charge tune service supplied by local crews Beatsworking and Unify.
Ross answered the opening question with “There is nothing better than looking out over a seething expanse of humanity all gyrating to the same groove in one big collective mental hug”. At this point, I knew Ross and I were going to spend at least some of our time on the same wavelength. “All we are doing is allowing people the option of doing it (playing and clubbing) not for profit, but to support something worthwhile…that makes the atmosphere just that little bit warmer.”
How does a 35 year old chemical engineer R&D expert get involved with raising funds for a charity? “One of my best friends, Tim Syrota, is the Vice President of ISHR Australia and has an active interest in Human Rights in general, but specifically with regards to the situation in Burma.” Ross and Tim discussed some options, found some support and started these events to help fund ISHR’s newsletter, “Charter”, and raise more money for future ISHR activities.
The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) was founded in 1972 in Germany. It is a non-profit organisation independent of all political parties, governments and religious groups. Since 1982 the Society has expanded around the world and now has National Sections on 5 continents.
Ross continues with “I have always believed that consideration of how you would respond to your own actions is important, and that if people stopped and thought about this before, or even after, doing something then you might think twice about what you are about to do…human rights is an extension of this concept.”
Should folk on the forum take heed before posting that acid reply (...reporter starts ducking and weaving oranges…) But with such dire times in the world, shouldn’t Ross focus his incredibly generous energy to causes slightly closer to home?
“We do live in the lucky country… You only have to watch the news to realise we have a level of security, quality of life and freedom you won’t find many other places in the world… I think that we should be active in helping facilitate positive change with respect to human rights issues in our region…. I’d like to think that there is some basic sense of compassion in everyone that makes them speak out when exposed to one human treating another in an undignified way.”
“it is somewhat hypocritical to expend all you energy running around overseas without applying the same ethical system at home…. the luck in the lucky country doesn’t extend to everyone and we shouldn’t assume everything is fine in our own backyard – women’s rights, the refugee situation, indigenous and disabled ….all issues that need attention in Australia.”
Its worth considering, what would the average Aussie think if they or their friends or family were in these situations, treated cruelly, unfairly, imprisoned, persecuted? Global duty? The world is changing – its global in every other respect. Its time we learn to change our tune and get away from a lot of selfish practices. (What better reason to go dancing for a good cause!)
But its not a one man show – Ross is quick to highlight everyone who has helped so far – ”Heide Mielke, the driving force behind Synergetic used her contacts in the dance scene to put together a harder, purely dance oriented night on our behalf… the Beats Working and Unify guys, along with other D’s she knows and some Groove Nights regulars…. the name of the night was chosen to symbolise all these different elements working together over a range of styles for a common cause.”
But the support goes beyond just music – “Jay, the DJs, anyone who has forwarded on our e-flyer or told a friend about it…Kings Parking,Cable Records in Geelong, Fat 272 and Fat 52 stores, our media contacts, IntheMix, 3RRR and Joy FM and all the party people out there who come along….”
“First and foremost, we want everyone who comes to have a great time.” So Melbourne, the question is, how hard can you dance for a great cause? Haul your asses out from your warm winter hideaways, get out there and have a wicked time, to a varied and pumping soundtrack, for a great cause, and help support awesome members of our community like Ross who work so hard to make a difference.
“There is a good cause and motivation behind the night ..Our previous events have all had a great warm family feel to them because everyone is having a good time for a good cause. This will be no different for Synergetic.”
“Having a larger party like this will both raise more funds as well as hopefully raising the profile of what we do within an audience who may not otherwise support or express an interest in these issues. (Of course there will be no lecturing on the night, just wicked beats…)”
“Synergetic” – Consciousness and Conscience will be held at @ 3/28 Francis St in Melbourne. http://www.ishr.info/groove.php
