A new club experience is about to hit London. Sencity 2011, which will take place at IndigO2 within the capital’s O2 Arena on October 8, promises a multi-sensory experience built around vibrating dancefloors and scent-diffusing ‘aroma jockeys’. It’s being organised by the British arm of The Skyway Foundation, a Dutch-derived social enterprise group aiming to build bridges between the deaf, hard of hearing and young people with normal hearing, and there are plans for much, much more.
“Sencity will be accessible for all audiences” organiser Nienke van der Peet opens. “This event is for the deaf community as much as it is for others. The various features of the night will appeal to everyone on several levels; ultimately we want to throw a cool, innovative club night that brings people together.”
Van der Peet’s project marks a significant progression from clubbing events previously thrown with the impaired, disadvantaged or disabled in mind. In most cases those nights have spoken only to the minority groups they’ve been aimed at and, as such, their profile has remained low-key. Sencity is very much, according to van der Peet, evolution.
“There are really heavy preconceptions about deaf people” she says. “They’re not disabled and there’s no reason to be scared of them; they’re just a linguistic minority. As such we don’t just want to give deaf people an opportunity to go clubbing in an environment that works only for them; we want to throw something with universal appeal that attracts hearing clubbers too and gets both groups communicating with one another. Over and above that, we’re excited by the music and about trying something different with the dancefloor.”
Sencity 2011 has all entertainment bases covered. Guests can expect bass-driven DJ sets from electro-dancer Just Jack and Deaf Rave’s DJ Chinaman, as well as performances from Goldierocks and deaf Finnish rapper Signmark. The latter, the first deaf artist to be signed by a major label, uses sign-language to communicate his rhymes; and then there are the aforementioned ‘aroma jockeys’ who, with the help of technical engineers, time particular tunes and moods with the activation of vapour diffusers loaded with essential oils.
Beyond all that, van der Peet’s event will feature ‘sign-dancers’, artists visually interpreting sounds and lyrics as both translation and innovative standalone performance; not to mention VJs, circus performers, masseurs, hairstylists and make-up specialists. It’s a unique, interactive combination that offers something tangible for the deaf and hearing alike, and has already sparked success in other countries including Australia, South Africa, Spain, Finland and the Netherlands.
“The first Sencity nights took place in the Netherlands in 2003 and the momentum has been building ever since” van der Peet explains. “The last event in Australia was a sellout, attracting over 2,000 people. I’ve hosted two events in Finland so far and there’s been a similar reaction. Hearing clubbers were coming up to me saying not only was it a believable club experience but that their ideas about deaf people had totally changed. People were asking to get involved, and to take up sign language.”
So what can we expect in the UK if London goes well? Are there imminent plans for expansion in one of clubland’s most active territories? “I’m now based in London and run Skyway’s UK office with a team of eight deaf and hearing-impaired young people” van der Peet points out. “We are discussing setting up in other UK cities; people have actually contacted us about replicating Sencity elsewhere in the country but we’re still at the planning stage right now, and yes, of course, we want to focus on London first. The interest has already been high so I’m confident things will go well in London.”
The UK Skyway team is backed by the Arts Council, as well as the British Council’s Youth In Action programme. The support of both bodies has allowed van der Peet and her team to keep ticket prices down and ensure maximum accessibility come October 8.
“The support of both councils has been vital” she confirms. “It’s another reason why I think we will do well. We are able to reinforce our messaging about being open to all, thanks to the low prices; and for one ticket, you’re getting this complete, immersive musical experience so it’s good value for money. This isn’t, of course, about making pots of money; it’s about creating an amazing experience. We’re not going to change the world but we’re going to make a big difference.”
It’s not simply club-goers who are expressing real interest in the concept. Fellow promoters have been contacting van der Peet for months now keen to swap tips and, in many cases, borrow the vibrating dancefloor. The demand for the latter has already led to rentals and a useful secondary outreach.
“The additional funding helps” she says, “but we’re more thrilled that others are keen to look at how they can make their own nights multi-sensory. There might come a point where we consider working with others in a more official capacity but, even now, if other promoters are opening their minds to new, interactive ideas then that’s good for everyone, whether they’re deaf, disabled or otherwise. It’s helping spread our message.”
Van der Peet, who volunteered to work for Skyway after hearing about its Dutch exploits whilst studying in Finland, is now UK director and supremely confident about Sencity’s long-term prospects: “At Skyway we have a saying about the sky being the limit and I really think that’s true. More and more people are showing an interest and belief in what we’re doing. We’re gaining more and more profile and influence. We’re keeping ourselves open-minded about how and where we grow next but we know we can achieve whatever we put our minds too. These are exciting times. The music really is bringing people together.”
Words: Ben Lovett
For more details on Sencity (London) 2011 head to www.your-sencity.com
