The Synergy Project is a collective which aims to increase awareness of global issues affecting the planet and the lives it supports through the mediums of music, dance and arts from around the globe
This time I’m starting the day behind the scenes, helping to set up the “dark blue” area, this time hosted by BinglyBongly. Spare a thought for the hardworking crew providing the essential elements of the party for you.

We arrived around midday to put in 10 hours of hard graft, teamwork and inspiration, climbing ladders, hanging backdrops and lighting and trying hard to avoid the slimy gunge falling from the walls straight into my eyes, yuck!!
Well, this is certainly one way to conquer my fear of ladders - and a good workout ahead of the party!
For the first time, Whirl-y-Gig hosted the main dance room.
Whirl-y-Gig, a child friendly and extremely fluffy party, which has been running now for around 25 years, something of a record within our community and owed in a large part to its very loyal supporters, many having been going since the beginning.

The showcase was the “Kakatsiksai” master drummers from Ghana, whipping the crowd to a frenzy with their immense skills. This was followed by Whirl-y-Gig’s very own Monkey Pilot, playing a mighty 3 hour set of global beats. A little different from the usual psy-trance offerings up to this point, but then the Liquid crew took over the decks ending the night with wonderful journeys into the realms of trance.

The ID Spiral crew were joined by Hafla, a Jewish/Arabic collaboration, to provide us with wonderfully ethnic influenced music and dance, including some fantastic belly-dancing, a total inspiration for me, having just taken up classes myself.

Other live music rooms included the “Peace not War Project” featuring some radical rappers, reggae, drum & base and hip-hop styles with strong anti-war messages in both the lyrics and accompanying projections.

And back to the Dark Blue rooms, 3 connecting rooms of bright backdrops, projections and lots of seating. The perfect place to sit and have a little chill, but not too much, and enjoy the journey though the realms of dance music accompanied by some fine percussion from Mr Bongly and friends.
All in all, The Synergy Project remains one of the most musically diverse, conscious raising and influential parties within our community.

Eli Saikadeli

click for more photos here