Lynne Donnelly, the event’s Melbourne co-ordinator, has been focussing on art at dance parties such as Earthcore and the Rainbow Serpent Festival, since her return from Japan in 1998 where she spent some time working on event décor – complex fluro string mobiles are her signature.

1. Who are you?
Lynne Donnelly - Co-ordinator, Earthdance Melbourne.

2. Your background:
Art was a major focus at parties in Japan [where I lived] in the early 90s. I started working with promoters doing décor and later co-produced a few small parties. When I came back to Melbourne in 1998, I worked with Frank Venuto [Green Ant] and a Japanese crew, Annoyo to produce ‘Escape from Tokyo’ showcasing Japanese DJs and artists. I then started working on the artwork for the early Green Ant Full Moon parties, under the alias of Psyconaut, as well as Rainbow Serpent Festival and Earthcore.

3. What is Earthdance?
Earthdance is a synchronised global dance party held in multiple locations on the same day in aid of world peace. The benefit was founded by Chris Decker from Return to the Source in 1997. The first Earthdance in Melbourne was a memorable night at the Cage in 1998. I got involved while I was living overseas. It made sense to use music as a medium not only for fun, but to unite people all over the world for a common cause. With the recent tragic events in the US and Middle East, this year’s Earthdance takes on a greater significance to focus our thoughts on world peace.

4. How are the Tibetan monks involved?
I met them in 1998 and invited them to open the first local party with a meditation. It definitely made the party very special. It was amazing to have monks inside a club but they hung out for hours and seemed to enjoy themselves. One of the organisers was in Dharamsala, India last year and a Gyuto Monk recognised her from Earthdance and started dancing and smiling. The music definitely made a lasting impression. In 1999, the first Earthdance International Conference was held in Dharamsala and was attended by 26 international Earthdance promoters. The highlight was an exclusive meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama who said: “ I would like to express to you my genuine sense of appreciation and gratitude for your considerable efforts in helping the people of Tibet.”

5. What do you remember about the first Melbourne Earthdance?
Seeing (DJ) Andrew Till's distinctive profile on our [video] screen live while he was playing his set at Tokyo Earthdance! It really helped to visualise the concept of one global party.

6. What’s happening at Earthdance this year?
This year Earthdance will be a multi-room daytime festival. We'll open with the Global Dance Floor Link up, the ‘Prayer for Peace’ and a harmonic meditation for peace with the Gyuto Monks. Our line-up for both dancefloors is fantastic and there are workshops (yoga, belly dancing, tai chi and more), juice bar, market stalls, healing space, performers and a special sand mandala created by the monks.

7. Why a day-time festival this year?
It opens Earthdance to people who generally don't go to clubs. The music is still the main focus, but we are able to have a more varied webcast and offer a more diverse programme of entertainment and workshops – and the monks can hang out longer!

8. Top five moments at Earthdance:
1. Monks helping us with decor at the Cage
2. Tsuyoshi's amazing set in 99
3. Melbourne netting 10% of global Earthdance profits in 1999
4. Andrew Till's Nose on the big screen
5. Prayer for Peace

9. What happens to the profits made by the event?
Individual events nominate a charity. Melbourne supports several causes including The Gyuto Monks, the Tibetan Welfare Group and local Tibetan Community.

10. Why is trance such an influence at Earthdance?
Trance has been a major influence as most of the original promoters who do Earthdance are from the Trance scene, however as the event has grown, different promoters from all genres are involved in putting on Earthdance events and I believe that now almost every type of dance music is included somewhere in the world. Hopefully in the future as Earthdance grows in Melbourne, other promoters might be interested in including different dance areas in the event.

Earthdance 2001 is on Sunday, October 14 at the Dallas Brooks Hall, 300 Albert St, East Melbourne, tickets are $25/$20 concession. Doors open 9:45am with a live webcast of the Prayer for Peace at 10am DJs include Andrew Garton (Toy Satellite) , Aaron Smiles, Andrew Till, Dom Hogan, Ganga Giri, Jimi 'E', Kandyman, Chin Bindi, Kamehameha and Ginger Martini. For more information, check out www.earthdance.org or www.earthdance.com.au