Live mermaids fluttering their glistening tails; a massive octopus with tentacles dangling; a snapping oyster shell -- it’s an enchanted underwater scene straight from The Little Mermaid. Only you’re at a nightclub with 900 other people dancing to the mad electro-hype beats of Australian sister DJ duo Nervo and supporting the International Marine Mammal Project. It’s all happening on Wednesday, March 19, at Fluxx Nightclub at the Free the Sea benefit.
"All funds raised will go directly to work to save dolphins and whales," says David Phillips, director of the IMMP. "It will really make a world of difference for these amazing animals that need protection."
The near-viral spread of Blackfish -- the documentary popularized by CNN and Netflix that explores the captivity of marine animals by looking at the life of one performing orca at SeaWorld -- caught the attention of Nervo and encouraged the sisters to reach out to the IMMP, which has fought against marine animal captivity for more than 30 years. "This benefit for whale and dolphin conservation came to us at the initiation of the Nervo girls. They had watched the film and wanted to get involved and help,” adds Phillips.
Nervo approached local EDM powerhouse LED about the event, and they, in turn, brought the idea to Fluxx, whose general manager, James Thorp, reported that some 400 tickets had already been sold, with 100 percent of the proceeds for which go directly to the IMMP. The club expects to raise more than $10,000 for the Earth Island Institute nonprofit. The benefit also goes in tandem with Fluxx’s new theme, Abyss, featuring the aforementioned swimming mermaids and sparkling marine life.
In addition to Nervo, DJs Michael Woods, Chris Lake, Funkagenda, and more will be playing sets. Not enough? Ticket options include artist meet-ups, early entrance, and freebies.
"We're really excited about the chance to reach a new and different audience,” says Phillips. “The Nervo girls were able to locate a great club venue in San Diego that got excited about helping pull off this special night."
The partnership between wildlife preservation and nightclub may not be that far-fetched. After all, an orca naturally has the ideal colors to flash under a blacklight. Coincidence? We’ll see come Wednesday.
“Free the Sea” takes place at Fluxx Nightclub on Wednesday, March 19, at 8:30 p.m., $25-$100, 21+.
Hannah Lott-Schwartz, a San Diego native, recently moved back to the area after working the magazine-publishing scene in Boston. Now she’s straight trolling SD for all the music she missed while away. Want to help? Hit her up with just about anything at all over on Twitter, where -- though not always work-appropriate -- she means well.
