Big Dyke Energy launch Save Queer Raves Grant initiative
Save Queer Raves will offer grassroots queer, non-binary, trans+ and intersex club organisers financial support and mentorship
Big Dyke Energy wants to help independent queer club promoters with a new grant initiative.
Save Queer Raves will offer grassroots queer, non-binary, trans+ and intersex organisers financial support and mentorship in putting on events. The fundraising goal of £15,000 will allow for 10 promoters to receive grants ranging from £500 to £1,500, as well as pay wages for mentor and admin work for the programme, in the first half of 2024. Additional funds raised will create more grants for later in 2024.
"Minimum bar spends, venue fees, travel costs, artist fees, exclusivities, promotional materials and taxes have all increased over the past 18 months, and it is unfortunately having a detrimental impact on queer grassroots music organisers in the UK", BDE wrote in the Crowdfunder description. "It has never been more important that we have spaces where we can be authentically us without the fear of prejudice, and we know that our closure means there will be one less space on the scene. So, after a lot of thought, we have decided to use BDE as a force for good."
Bike Dyke Energy announced in June that this year's parties would be their last for the time being. Since starting up in 2019, co-founders Melo and Elliott are now looking to shift focus to community support projects like the Save Queer Raves initiative. "At the end of this year, our aim is for Big Dyke Energy to become a charity, providing mentorship and grants to grassroots queer, trans+, non-binary and intersex music organisers", they wrote on Crowdfunder.
BDE's last party is this weekend, Saturday, 9th December, at The Cause with Planningtorock headlining an otherwise secret lineup.
Support and learn more about Save Queer Raves via Crowdfunder.
This past summer, Big Dyke Energy put on their first-ever festival in Bristol, hosting the likes of Eris Drew, Octo Octa, Yazzus and Angel D'lite, among others.
In 2021, BDE teamed up with Daytimers to release a Pride compilation featuring I. JORDAN, Manuka Honey, SHERELLE and more.
Big Dyke Energy is nominated in the Best Club Event category at this year's DJ Mag Best of British awards.
