Australian event planner and Beijing-based artists work together to electrify the capital's love of music

When events manager Dave Thomson approached his artist friends with a plea to host a dance party with a difference, they thought he was joking. However, what they achieved was a fusion of art and music intended to make Beijing into the Berlin of the East.

"It's not easy to find," said Thomson as he guided a taxi driver to the location of Electric Forest - his rave event that most recently took place on Sept 18 - "but that's one of the reasons we like it."

The energetic Australian has been in Beijing for less than a year but is already known among the electronic music community.

Originally Thomson came to Beijing to be with his girlfriend, who landed a 12-month working contract in the capital. After teaching English to pay the rent, he managed to slip back into a field he really enjoys: throwing parties.

Back in Canberra, Thomson was logistics manager, stage manager and coordinator for various dance parties, but it wasn't until he arrived in Beijing that he got a chance to go the path alone.

"I've been running other people's parties for so long, but this is the first time I've come up with the idea and everything myself," he said.

"I'd never be able to do something like this in Australia; there are just too many obstacles."

The biggest challenge in Beijing was to find an appropriate venue.

Julian Tavalin and Greg Kreisman are two American artists who lease a warehouse in Caochangdi in the city's northeast.

Tavalin, a scrap metal sculptor, said he was initially skeptical at the idea of turning their studio into a party venue.

"When Dave said he wanted to hold a party in our studio we said 'no', but then he came back to us with a detailed proposal and we realized he's not just some guy looking to hold a rave."

Tavalin and Kreisman embraced the Electric Forest theme by constructing a leafy green canopy and hanging lights. They even built a tree house to serve as the DJ booth.

Tavalin said a group of artist friends from the area also pitched in to build the forest.

"About three weeks ago we just dropped everything to get it ready for the event."

But while the scene was set, convincing music fans to journey to a hidden corner of Beijing is not easy. That's why Thomson needed a good brand to add legitimacy to the event.

Sanecore, a supplier of Allen and Heath brand DJ equipment, agreed to sponsor Electric Forest.

"They make really high-quality DJ equipment and we wanted to be associated with a brand like that," Thomson said.

By deliberately making the venue out of the way, Thomson said he wanted to attract only "people who can appreciate what we're trying to do here".

He also noted that he doesn't expect to make any money from the event, despite putting in hundreds of hours.

"So much of Beijing is about making money. If I keep it free of charge, the mentality is better. I'm not in it to make money, I just want to throw a great party."

Thomson will return to Australia to marry his fiance over the northern winter but plans to return to Beijing to continue building his electric brand.

"It's a scene that people say is missing from Beijing and I hope to create something here. The key for a successful party is to love doing it."

For China Daily