Support Asia Campaign 2004/2005

How the Dutch Dance Scene United for Asia in 2004/2005

After the devastating tsunami on December 26, 2004, the Dutch dance scene sprang into action. Within 24 hours, the Support Asia Campaign was launched — an initiative that brought together artists, clubs, organizers, and partygoers with one shared goal: to support the hardest-hit regions in Asia.

During countless events and club nights, including New Year’s Eve and the first days of January 2005, generous donations poured in. Thanks to the overwhelming support and compassion of the crowd, more than €40,000 was raised. A powerful testament to the solidarity and unity within the Dutch dance community.

The campaign showed how music, passion, and a strong community can come together to create real impact.

Read more about this special initiative in the press release below.

Dance Scene Shows Commitment Right After the Devastating Tsunami in Asia

Published on Friday, December 31, 2004 at 11:14 – original link to the Dutch press release

Within 24 hours, led by the promotional agency Ape, a plan was launched to help raise money for the areas in Asia affected by the tsunami. Riel, owner and director of Ape, was talking with fellow event promoter Cliff from FCA-Music on Wednesday afternoon about ways to collect donations for the flooded regions in Asia during various dance nights taking place on New Year’s Eve. After reaching out to other organizations, it became clear that there was strong interest in the initiative. Very quickly, a list of 28 participants from across the Netherlands was compiled—each eager to contribute to the effort.

Each participating organization can decide for themselves how they want to collect donations. Ape did provide some suggestions. For example, the Hague-based organization suggested that venue owners donate a portion of their rental income to charity. Artists are also being asked to contribute part of their fee. Many organizations have come up with their own ideas as well. The management of the Melkweg has promised to double every euro donated by visitors to the victims in Asia during New Year’s Eve. The Patronaat in Haarlem will donate all the tips collected on New Year’s Eve to aid organizations in Asia.

The Dutch Dance Association (BVD), the trade organization for dance-loving Netherlands, will serve as the central collection point. They will open a bank account where participants can deposit their donations. The BVD will then ensure that the funds are transferred next week to Giro 555. In the rush, a designer was also found to create a logo for the campaign. Design agency Voutloos, which designs logos and flyers for various organizations in the house scene, has now designed a logo for this campaign free of charge. This logo will be distributed online among participating organizations in the coming days, so they can use it during their fundraising efforts. Currently, there are 28 participating organizations, but many more have been approached. The final number of participants will be announced on Monday.

List of participants:

AWAKENINGS AMSTERDAM
ID&T AMSTERDAM
EXTREMA NYE EINDHOVEN
DANCE INTO 2005 LEIDEN
BALLROOM UTRECHT 
FREAK SHOW AMSTERDAM 
LOVEBOAT AMSTERDAM
MOTION AMSTERDAM 
CHATEAU DHOUSE BREDA
MULTIGROOVE ZAANDAM
CHEMISTRY AMSTERDAM (ESCAPE)
NOW & WOW ROTTERDAM 
PROSPECT & ELEMENTS ROTTERDAM (NIGHTTOWN) 
LOVELAND HAARLEM 
MELKWEG AMSTERDAM 
LVC LEIDEN 
EX PORNSTAR AMSTERDAM
NUL 013 TILBURG
TIVOLI UTRECHT
PARADISO AMSTERDAM 
POEMA UTRECHT
MEGARAVE ENSCHEDE 
PAARD VAN TROJE DEN HAAG
DE RECHTER EINDHOVEN 
CLUB PEPPER GRONINGEN 
ESCAPE AMSTERDAM
PATRONAAT HAARLEM
Q-DANCE LANDSMEER
NIGHTLIVE MAASTRICHT
BED AMSTERDAM
BVD AMSTERDAM 
SOUND ARCHITECTURE ROTTERDAM
ELUSIVE EVENTS ASTA DEN HAAG
NRJ EVENTS NEW YEARS RAVE DORDRECHT