Gawa happenings

Gawa happenings are a didactic type of event closely related to electronic music culture. Thought of as a penchant of the remaining Zippie subculture in Eastern Europe as well as in certain Baltic and Caucasus countries. It is a generation Y phenomenon, having appeared in the early 2000s.

Main characteristics

The term is not etymologically related to a specific language but does have a phonetic resemblance to Algonquian languages as well as Japanese. This type of happening is usually held in a dance environment similar to ones found at rave parties. The main underlying characteristic of these events is the multi-disciplinary, interactive and thematic based nature of the programming.

1 to 2 hour dance sessions alternate with "gava" which are multi disciplinary intermissions designed to reiterate the theme or cause of the event. Events of this nature generally start at sundown and are frequently held outdoors, however they may also happen during the day as well as indoors. The Gawa is a subculture tool that puts forth information regarding a specific theme. This theme is freely chosen by the individuals initiating the event, frequently linked to popular interests of the present day. It can be linked to anything which constitutes a substantial message upon which to hold a happening. This thematic is projected through multi- disciplinary interventions which punctuate the course of events. These "gava" can be of any media: an audio-visual montage, a theatrical performance, poetry, music, art, provided that it reflects the theme of the event.The "gava" are generally short interventions that last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.Dance sessions alternate with the intermissions until the "drop-out" point which signals the final "gava" intervention and the extended dance marathon which brings the event to a conclusion.

See also

Zippie
Nu rave

References

DVORNIK Liliana; "Nova dimenzija klupske kulture", Dvornik, Zagreb, 2004