Crowds enjoyed bass-heavy electronic music at a party in Shanghai that united deaf and hearing clubbers, with staff communicating through sign language to take orders.
This was the second “BassBath” club night organized by a group promoting cultural integration in the city.
“The aim of this event is to break down barriers between deaf and hearing individuals through fun and expressive body language,” said Alice Hu, co-organizer of BassBath and a visual artist who is deaf, in an interview with AFP.
BassBath allows deaf individuals to be immersed in hearing culture, and vice versa, fostering mutual understanding and integration,” Hu explained.
Deaf communities worldwide have been creating spaces for nightlife and cultural events, yet such events are rare in China despite efforts to promote inclusivity in education and daily life.
– ‘Happier together’ –
The party featured animated art and music videos with sign language artists like Signmark from Finland projected on graffiti-covered walls.
Posters displayed Chinese sign language translations for words like “dream” and “dance”, while deaf dancers showcased their popping and breakdance skills.
DJs played tracks with rhythmic beats and bass vibrations, engaging the crowd in games where dance moves were synced with sign language cues.
For Xiaozhou, a 34-year-old attendee, it was his first dancing experience at a party.
“I hope to connect with friends, have fun together, and experience happiness as a group,” said Xiaozhou.
– Inclusive partying –
68-year-old Hu Jingqi joined the younger revellers, dancing at the center of the crowd, demonstrating that age is no barrier to enjoying music and dance.
She expressed her enjoyment of BassBath’s debut event in May, highlighting the vibrant atmosphere and sense of joy that clubbing brought her.
Hu Jingqi emphasized the positive impact of the activity on her well-being, despite physical discomforts.
Alice Liu, a hearing clubber learning sign language, shared how the event opened her eyes to the rich culture of the deaf community, challenging her previous perceptions and stereotypes.
Jia-yue Ding, another BassBath organizer, noted the importance of events like these in breaking ableist attitudes and fostering genuine connections between deaf and hearing individuals.
Events like BassBath provide unique opportunities for deep connections and mutual understanding, transcending barriers and stereotypes,” Ding concluded.
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