DanceWize to return to BASSINTHEGRASS music festival

To ensure the wellbeing of attendees at this year’s BASSINTHEGRASS music festival on 21st May, DanceWize will again be on site to offer free help and advice on how to stay hydrated and sun-safe, to conversations around alcohol and other drugs use, and referrals to the medical team.

DanceWize has successfully supported a range of major festivals across Australia, with peer volunteers offering education, resources and referrals around harm reduction, sexual health and wellbeing issues.

NT Major Events Company has worked alongside the Association of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies NT (AADANT), NT Health and the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre to bring DanceWize to BASSINTHEGRASS.

AADANT Executive Officer Peter Burnheim advised “developing harm-reduction policies, protocols and practices at large-scale festivals is crucial for the wellbeing of all, and the success of the program at BASSINTHEGRASS last year has meant we can work with DanceWize across a range of other Territory events. We’re proud to collaborate with Northern Territory Major Events Company and stakeholders such as DanceWize to play a vital role in providing education and support for festival attendees.”

The successful BASSINTHEGRASS 2021 saw DanceWize involved for the first time. The evidence-based, peer alcohol and other drugs harm-reduction group will now return in 2022 to ensure music fans have the best experience possible.

Last year’s BASSINTHEGRASS attracted a record-breaking crowd of 14,000 at Top End location Mindil Beach. With even more music fans expected to attend in 2022, the importance of strengthening harm-reduction programs like DanceWize to promote safety through education and support has never been more important.

A post-event report compiled by DanceWize following BASSINTHEGRASS 2021 showed DanceWize representatives recorded more than 9000 patron contacts at the event.

Research also revealed 76% of BASSINTHEGRASS attendees surveyed rated their experience with DanceWize staff as four or five out of five. The success of DanceWize at BASSINTHEGRASS has resulted in the organisation looking into widening its scope to work with other Territory music events.

In addition to DanceWize, other harm-reduction initiatives at BASSINTHEGRASS include Event Champions, multiple St John NT sites, a National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre facility, amnesty bins, chill-out zones, free water and plenty of shaded areas.

Northern Territory Minister for Major Events Natasha Fyles notes “this is a great outcome for the Territory’s biggest and best music festival. The Territory delivers plenty of unique, memorable events, and ensuring the wellbeing of attendees is a priority.

“Engaging stakeholders such as DanceWize complements the event’s integral harm-reduction strategy, and sets an industry benchmark moving forward.

“BASSINTHEGRASS continues to punch well above its weight across the board, and the Northern Territory Government is proud to fund this event, knowing the significant social and economic benefits it brings for our region.”

BASSINTHEGRASS Final Release tickets are on sale now for $130 (plus booking fee). Last year’s BASSINTHEGRASS sold out months in advance. Visit www.bassinthegrass.com.au.