What is Earthdance?

Earthdance is a collective of international party promoters, artists, musicians and supporters of electronic dance music. Every year on the same day the collective hold parties in their own cities around the world to raise awareness and funds for world peace. The climax of the event is a synchronized dancefloor link-up (12GMT) when every DJ in every city plays the same track - the "Prayer for Peace" at the same time. Funds raised are donated to local charities focusing on the environment, the welfare of children, indigenous people and urban youth. In 2001 the fifth annual Earthdance was held on Saturday 13 October, with 100 cities in 45 countries creating the world's biggest synchronized dance music event ever - all in support of peace. This year Earthdance is taking place on October 12 2002.

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to unite the positive force of the emerging global electronic music movement. The aim of the Earthdance annual event is to provide the focal point for sustaining a dedicated global community. The aim of the wider Earthdance initiative is to provide creative platforms for international youth in music, art and technology. As a community, we actively support world peace by raising awareness and funds for selected causes.

Background:

Earthdance began in 1997 as a vision to get the whole world dancing in support of peace on the same day, regardless of time zones. The concept is to create as many parties around the planet on one day as possible, creating a united global dancefloor. The climax of the event is a simultaneous dancefloor link-up where at a specific moment, (12 midnight GMT - Daylight Savings Time) every DJ in every country plays a specially-created track for world peace at the same time. Morning in the Australian rainforest, midnight in London, afternoon in San Francisco and sunrise over the Himalayas - the global link-up is a profound and powerful moment that focuses the intention of millions of people on the affirmation of global peace. It truly captures the spirit of 'act local, think global'.

". . . so far already four orphanages have been built where 65 orphans are living. All of this has been possible due to your help. So we want to thank you very much on behalf of our orphans."
Palden Tawo, Director, Tadra Project

"We are the same human being all sharing the same planet." His Holiness the Dalai Lama

"This global bash is the biggest clubbing event on earth." London Evening Standard

Charities - Clubbing with a Conscience:

For three years since its conception in 1997 until 1999, Earthdance focused on the plight of the Tibetan people and was described by the Dalai Lama's London secretary as "the most successful global event of its kind aimed at Tibet". One of the projects supported was the Tadra Project Children's Village in Eastern Tibet. This Tibetan charity based in Germany supports homeless Tibetan children, many of whom would not otherwise survive the bitterly cold Tibetan winters. Since 1997 Earthdance has raised enough funds to build two children's homes and begin the construction of a much-needed medical center.

In the year 2000, Earthdance expanded its focus to include other important global causes with the Earthdance mission of peace remaining the spearhead of the campaign. In addition, the new Earthdance Urban initiative, launched in 2001, has taken the Earthdance message to an even wider audience attracting promoters from other music scenes who are closely associated with the urban electronic genres such as hip hop and drum and bass.

The four global causes that Earthdance now supports are:

• Environment
• Children
• Urban Youth
• Indigenous Peoples

In addition, in 2002, Earthdance has aligned with the United Nations Year of the Mountains imitative and is also supporting the United Nations intitiative Adopt-A-Landmine.

Expanding the Global Collective:

Earthdance is a networking project with the aim of creating a coalition of dance promoters from around the world. It doesn't matter how big or small each party is, it is open to everyone who feels strongly about planetary peace. The Earthdance International office provides potential promoters with strict guidelines, which they must adhere to become an official event. This includes specific points on how to choose a local charity, how to do the webcast, getting press and sponsorship, the provision of logos and generic graphics and also helpful hints on promoting and documenting the party for the archives. To ensure success and maintain the integrity of the event, the Earthdance International office keeps in direct contact with all the promoters throughout the year.

In each city the Earthdance logo is used on all flyers and promotional material as well as websites, press releases and merchandise. Local parties are self-funded by each promoter and any profits raised are donated to the local charity of choice.

The Webcast:

One of the major highlights of the Earthdance event is the 12-hour synchronized cybercast which links many of the Earthdance cities live in action. Stay connected - united as one, we dance

Earthdance 2002:

This year's Earthdance will take place on Saturday, 12th October, when the global dance community will once again dance for global peace and healing. With parties spanning the earth, and a live worldwide webcast on the night of the event, Earthdance 2002 promises to surpass last year's success, uniting people of all races as we dance together for a common cause.

In its six years of existence, Earthdance has become a strong global community and as a result has evolved from an annual event to also become a year round platform for music, art and new technology. Since 1997, the event has grown to over four times its original size and has been described by the music industry as "The Dance Aid for the new millennium".

We invite you to join us!

Facts and Figures

Cities and Countries:

1997 - 22 cities, 18 countries
1998 - 42 cities, 28 countries
1999 - 56 cities, 31 countries
2000 - 71 cities, 33 countries
2001 - 100 cities, 45 countries
2002 - 100 cities, 50 countries

Media Impressions:

1997 - 3 million
1998 - 45 million
1999 - 105 million
2000 - 300 million
2001 - unknown

Online Media:

1997 - 1 million
1998 - 3 million
1999 - 30 million
2000 - 50 million
2001 - unknown

Funds Raised:

1997 - US$ 32 000
1998 - US$ 58 000
1999 - US$ 70 000
2000 - US$ 105 000
2001 - US$ 157 000

Number of Dancers:

1997 - 50 000
1998 - 105 000
1999 - 125 000
2000 - 170 000
2001 - 205 000

Earthdance Gauteng

The Gauteng Earthdance event will be held over the 12th and 13th of October at the Tswaing Crater Park, just outside of Pretoria. As well as being an incredibly beautiful nature reserve, Tswaing ('Place of Salt' in Setswana) is also the home of a 220 000 year old meteorite impact. This impact crater is one of the oldest, and best preserved in the world.

The event starts on Saturday 12th October at 10:00am and continues through to the afternoon of Sunday the 13th. Bungalows and jacked-up camping facilities are available. To book your bungalow, contact Earthdance on the JHB number given below.

An exciting line-up of the hottest South African DJs, Live bands, and performance artists are set to take the dancers on a sound journey from daytime ambience, dub, and trip hop, through to trance and progressive. There is the possibility of some top international names making an appearance so don't miss out!

Other features include a healing Rejuvenation Station, Market Stalls, Afuthentic African Cuisine, Drumming Circles and Workshops, and many other exciting features.

Following recent channelled messages and even the appearance of a crop circle, it is obvious to us that the Dolphins and Whales need our urgent assistance, and to this end, we have chosen the ORCA Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society as our charity focus. Funds raised at this event will support this cause.

For further information contact Earthdance JHB on (011) 728-8245 / 072-341-0174 or check out the Earthdance websites : JHB: www.earthdance.org.za International: www.earthdance.org