CRIP RAVE THEORY

CRIP RAVE THEORY is a club night outside the club that draws on disabled/crip knowledge to create more intersectionally-accessible rave spaces. It is a party and a proposition: that the rave can be revolutionary when disabled knowledge is centered. Disabled bodies are inherently radical; we refuse and defy oppressive systems and structures every day. Similarly, raving in itself is dance beyond prescription: where movements are not predefined, and spontaneity, self-expression and freedom are core.

As a wheelchair-user; attending commercial clubs has always been a stressful and othering experience: on the rare occasions that I can actually get inside, so often they’re full of constant reminders that who I am across my varied intersections is not welcomed or catered for. When I started teaching myself to DJ, I was really just doing it for fun. However, as I played more and more, I started really wanting to get back into dance spaces: to play, see my friends play, curate the vibe and enjoy music with others. I knew how difficult that was going to be, and that’s where the seed for CRIP RAVE THEORY came from.

I wanted to create a space that centered and celebrated all those who had been traditionally excluded in commercial nightlife, both from the dancefloor AND behind the decks. A space for self-expression, empowerment and connection. For representation and connection across intersections. CRIP RAVE THEORY is not about segregation; it’s about all bodies.

The majority of the DJs and performers we book at CRIP RAVE THEORY always identify as part of the disabled community or with a lived experience of disability; whether it’s crip, disabled, D/deaf, HoH (hard of hearing), chronic illness, mentally illness or neurodiversity. They always cross other intersections too. A lot of work is put into making the party as intersectionally-accessible as possible; it’s about recognising and embracing the fact that we all have access needs, and that they are all meaningful, and take many forms. Understanding that access is physical, cultural, economic, communication-related and much more. It’s also about recognizing that access needs often conflict, and that this is not an issue, but simply a reality of life; and a joyous, creative provocation and invitation to provide as many options for enjoyment as possible.

The first CRT happened on 3 September 2022, on unceded Gadigal Land, at PACT Centre for Emerging Artists. It was a sold out event, met with euphoric celebration and calls for it to tour interstate. We had people come through who said they hadn’t been able to attend a club night for 2 years, 3 years, 6 years. People crying tears of joy, saying it was the safest they’d ever felt in a party space. We booked DJs Isa, Crescendoll, Aquenta, Rydeen and X Fling, live performer Demon Derriere and host Kiminza. It was an unforgettable night, which by all accounts filled a gaping hole in the nightlife ecology here in so-called Australia.

This mix is a little taste of some of the vibes you can expect at CRIP RAVE THEORY – it’s playful, sexy, it’s got both light and shade; it’s disabled, black, brown, queer and more.

It’s long enough to settle into, but short enough to keep you wanting more.

If it’s a bit of you, come through! Our next party will be in Autumn 2023 – follow @cripravetheory Instagram Page for more updates.

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^{Listen to CRIP RAVE THEORY Mix for fine print magazine by DJ Aquenta. 34 min 43 sec.}

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Tracklist:

^{Oooop Yeahhh – Digital Mozart
Tip – Vybz Kartel
Fly Away (Main) – Equiknoxx
#FREEVYBZKARTEL – Ball Em Up
Miss Thing (feat. Kerwin Prescott) – D-Dots
London Bridge – Fergie
Closer to Me (feat. Stylo G) – The Heatwave
FXNTXSY – LSDXOXO
Nah – Amor Satyr
THIRD EYE FEMININ – LSDXOXO
Hot in here_3 – Unknown
W4TN – Cakes Da Killa
Tia Tamera (feat. Rico Nasty) – Doja Cat
For The Girls – Jaymie Silk
Track 10 – Charlie XCX
Blittz – Chat Too Much (rAHHH Edit) – rAHHH
Paramedic (ft. Lycox) – Ase Manual
Strings of Death – KG & Scratchclart
1991 – Azealia Banks
Shakti (New Position) – Ase Manual
Bushmaster – Fonzo & Riko Dan
Mantlapa En Litsiroane (w/ Morena Leraba) – Jumping Back Slash
Freak – Shygirl
RIRI – YOU DA ONE (HI TOM EDIT) – HI TOM}