The omens were bad. As a serial attender of the Synergy Project, the queues outside didn't seem as heaving as usual. Doors opened late as ever, so I did a Sudoku grid -- very rock and roll! It helped distract me from a blagger waiting in front from the Campaign Against Climate Change. He was bringing a whole new definition to the term annoying. CACC indeed...

Finally we got in! I walked past the blagger, looking plaintive with a £20 note in his hand as his scam to get in free had failed. Usually I get shepherded past the security - last time I was literally pushed into the club by Dominic Spiral exclaiming 'He's with me! He's with me!' This was my first experience as a punter (don't weep - my name was on the guest list) so I got the full treatment from security - patted down, asked to open my shoulder bag and the bum bag with the camera in it. Then something strange happened.
The security said he was sorry if he seemed at all rude for wanting to search me. Quite a marked contrast to the very first Synergy where the security were confrontational. So SeOne are doing a good job there. Once inside, it emerged that the back part of the club was closed due to a fire. So we were restricted to four rooms. I think this saved the party, as the seemingly reduced turnout managed to fill out the remaining space.

The trance room was put on by Fairy Tales. The Mullah last danced to trance sometime last century so is ill qualified to judge. But people certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves and there was a better atmosphere than previous rooms I'd seen from other promoters.

Small World were doing a live bands room, which had some superb acts like the energetic Orchid Star and festival favourites Los Albertos with their brand of ska that can't fail to make you dance. DJ Pony had whipped the crowd into a frenzy with a corking funk set, so when Los Albertos came on the room went wild. The Mullah was suffering from flu, so could only manage to dance for half a song - but this is indicative of nothing.
Small World really know how to put on a good show.

The educational element of the event was provided by the Synergy Centre, who put on a panel of experts to talk about climate change - a hot topic, literally and metaphorically. It was fascinating to see so many people sitting down and patiently listening to the speakers give presentations with the aid of a video projector. The Mullah was worked up about climate change when he was barely out of nappies, so they were preaching to the converted in my case. But the rapt faces around me demonstrated that for many this was revelatory stuff.
A classroom atmosphere was also engendered by the life drawing class going on. It's quire remarkable to see so many people with easels in a nightclub drawing at 2am. This is a trend I would like to see continue, imagine the possibilites. That's what I call a night class!




But my favourite lesson was science - renewable energy to be exact. Very appropriate given the climate change talks. I am talking about a wonderful stall that had blenders powered by bicycle generators serving fresh fruit smoothies! A lovely couple had brought frozen fruit which they blended with juice - all powered by clubbers pedalling like mad. Delicious and exactly what the doctor ordered.

If only school had been more like this...I might have paid attention!