This weekend, women in Adelaide's techno scene are putting on a gig and donating the proceeds to an Adelaide charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

Tanzbar is an underground event organiser which popped up in Adelaide in October last year, with a mission to bring the pulsating energy of Berlin’s nightlife to Adelaide.

The name itself is German, with “Tanz” meaning dance and “bar” meaning able. Tanzbar = Danceable.

This weekend, they want to get Adelaide dancing for a cause. With a lineup of all-women DJs, takings from their event are going to the Zahra Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation supporting those who have experienced domestic violence.

One in four women will experience domestic violence at the hands of an intimate partner over her life and, on average, every nine days an Australian woman is killed by her intimate partner, according to Our Watch 2024.

The Zahra Foundation offers financial counselling, grants and education services to support people to build lives free from poverty and abuse.

Tickets are $10 – $20 at the door depending on how much you’d like to donate.

CityMag had a chat with the DJs on the lineup to find out more about them and why they wanted to get involved with this Tanzbar event.

Claude

Claude has been DJing for about four to five years. Connect with her on Instagram.

This picture: Emerald

CM: What style/genre do you play?
Mostly progressive house but have been loving a lot of psytek and minimal recently.

CM: What made you want to start DJing?
I’ve always really loved music, choosing the music and well, clubbing haha. When I met my boyfriend he taught me how to use all the equipment!

CM: What’s your favourite venue to perform at in Adelaide?
Definitely Sugar or Ancient World.

CM: If you could describe the atmosphere you want to create at your gigs in just three words, what would they be? Energetic, euphoric & hypnotic.

CM: Have you found Adelaide venues are welcoming to women DJs?
Some of them are really great, like Ancient World has always been amazing to work with over the years. But some definitely aren’t as welcoming, which isn’t just the venues and owners themselves but the culture of them that can be really unwelcoming, like disrespectful patrons.

CM: Who’s your favourite non-male artist?
I have soooo many! At the moment I have been loving a lot of Bashkka’s production and also loving Caroline Polachek.

CM: Why do you think the Zahra Foundation is an important cause to support?
The Zahra Foundation helps survivors of domestic abuse to get back on their feet. The Zahra Foundation does amazing work and has helped 1690 women become more economically empowered and prevented them from falling into extreme poverty or being without a house.

Felicity

Felicity has been a DJ for over 11 years now. Connect with her on Instagram and Soundcloud.

This picture: Lawrence Bird

CM: What style/genre do you play?
I love a lot of different styles of music and I’m lucky enough to be able to play it out. This weekend at Ancient World for the Tanzbar House Party I’ll be playing minimal and tech house.

CM: What made you want to start DJing?
Foremost I love music, and I love playing it – putting all the pieces together with the right sounds at the right time to make the dancefloor smile.

CM: What are your favourite venues to play in Adelaide?
Ancient World and Sugar for the underground tracks. Roxies for fun disco, soul and party sounds.

CM: If you could describe the atmosphere you want to create at your gigs in just three words, what would they be? Vibey, fun, welcoming.

CM: Have you found Adelaide venues are welcoming to women DJs? Absolutely.

CM: Who is your favourite non-male artist?
It’s so hard to pick one! Shanti Celeste, J Nett, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy.

CM: Why do you think the Zahra Foundation is an important cause to support?
Their mission is to create safe futures for women and families, and to help those recovering from domestic violence – this empowerment is invaluable for helping stop those affected from becoming homeless or falling into extreme poverty.

Metta

Metta has been DJing since 2019. Connect with her on Instagram and Soundcloud.

This picture: AB+ Studio

CM: What style/genre do you play?
Progressive house, organic house, deep house, downtempo and melodic techno.

CM: What made you want to start DJing?
I’m obsessed with music and I love sharing this passion

CM: What are your favourite venues to play in Adelaide?
I haven’t played in many venues here in Adelaide but Gatsby was great and I’m excited about playing in Ancient World.

CM: If you could describe the atmosphere you want to create at your gigs in just three words, what would they be? Hypnotic, darkly sensual, cosmopolitan.

CM: Have you found Adelaide venues to be welcoming to women DJs?
Yes, I feel very welcomed in Adelaide and excited about seeing other women DJing around. I think we are great at reading the vibe of the crowd and connecting.

CM: Who is your favourite non-male artist?
Bjork, I love her creativity and experimentation with every single element of her music, videos and scenography.

CM: Why do you think the Zahra Foundation is an important cause to support?
In moments of vulnerability it is important to have tools and people that help us rescue ourselves from the reality from which we cannot escape. I believe that all women have been victims of abuse at some point in our lives. But it is completely different when you live with that violence on a daily basis. There are many factors why women cannot escape this reality and Zahra Foundation has taken it upon itself to deeply understand and develop free and confidential programs to help these victims. It is important to contribute to this cause since the impact of violence is much deeper than we imagine and transcends generations.

CM: Is there anything else CityMag readers should know?
Thank you for supporting the music scene in Adelaide and also empowering women to be free and creative.

Mishy J

Mishy J has been DJing since 2022, a self-proclaimed amateur in the scene, though her bedroom disagrees. Connect with her on Instagram and SoundCloud.

This picture: Your Shot/Lion Arts Factory

CM: What style/genre do you play?
Progressive House, Melodic Techno, Techno and Psy-trance/Dub

CM: What made you want to start DJing?
1. Education 2. Exposition 3. Experimentation
Playing in front of dancing, grooving, soul-shining people is the pinnacle of wholesomeness. Playing the tracks I actually love on huge speakers at a volume you normally wouldn’t at home and feeling the bass rather than hearing it changes things.

CM: What are your favourite venues to play in Adelaide?
The Lion Arts Factory playing mainstage techno and 55ml Bar playing progressive house and melodic techno. But my top favourite is always TANZBAR!

CM: If you could describe the atmosphere you want to create at your gigs in just three words, what would they be? Haunting, Hypnotizing and Heart Quenching.

CM: Have you found Adelaide venues are welcoming to women DJs? Can’t really comment at this stage. It’s all about who you know, not what you know.

CM: Who is your favourite non-male artist?
Miss Monique

CM: Why do you think the Zahra Foundation is an important cause to support?
A lot of women are financially trapped in domestic violence situations. Zahra not only provides the financial means to give women the strength to leave for safety, but also empower independence and their recovery journey.

CM: Is there anything else CityMag readers should know about you?
Come and join me on my journey with your boogie boots on for some TRIPLE H (Haunting, Hypnotizing and Heart Quenching) tunes!