Things often go wrong on the dancefloor. Sometimes the problem is small, like not having earplugs. Sometimes it’s life-threatening. The greatest parties are the ones that plan thoughtfully for these inevitabilities.
For seven years, I’ve been helping electronic music promoters create and implement safety plans that ensure guests have a fantastic time, and get the support they need in difficult moments. I was a core member of the safer spaces team at Nowadays for four years and created the safer spaces programs at Sustain-Release, No Way Back and Horst, where I directed teams of 7-35 staff in support of 1,200-10,000 guests. I have advised many more organizations on their programs, including Dripping, Resident Advisor, System Activate, and House of Yes.
As a nightlife educator, I created the community events program at Nowadays, for which I produced and hosted over four dozen talks, workshops, panels, and screenings. I also co-developed and facilitated the Horst Music Lab, a four-day intensive on harm reduction and violence prevention in nightlife.
I’ve spoken on these topics with Bloomberg Businessweek, New York Magazine, the University of Buffalo School of Social Work, Refuge Radio and Kiosk Radio, and once wrote a grumpy letter to the editor about my work to the New Yorker.
I would love to work with your organization on creating or improving your safer spaces program. Reach out to start the conversation at zoexbeery@gmail.com.