On Friday afternoon a green oasis in the heart of SPOT transformed into a buzzing networking mecca for the passionate souls of the music industry. With Cuban rhythms filling the air and creating a festive atmosphere, the stage was set for Safe Space Network: a networking hour in Palmehaven dedicated to conversations among both new and experienced music industry professionals.
From 4 to 5 PM, participants were greeted with sunshine, free non-alcoholic canned cocktails, a cheerful atmosphere, and lounge chairs in every corner. The hum of conversations mingled with music, while cold drinks were enjoyed in group discussions and quiet solo reflections for those needing to gather some courage.
Among the participants was a young man dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, tie, and red sunglasses. Initially sitting alone, he quickly became part of a lively conversation with two women who cheerfully greeted him, saying, “Hi! Who are you?”
In the midst of the area, framed by green trees and colored lights, stood a booth with green, yellow, red, and blue signs where participants could write their names and titles to wear around their necks.
“Take a sign as a conversation starter, grab a drink, and just talk to each other,” welcomed one of the organizers.
Pernille-Leeloo Bach from Danish Popular Authors, one of the 15 organizations behind the event, was pleased with the large turnout.
“We’ve heard the demand quietly, and now we are 15 organizations that have come together for this. We have tried to create a space that is welcoming to minorities, women, and all those who do not always have the easiest paths into the industry. It seems to be a success,” she said, as she looked out over the buzzing crowd.
“We wanted to give musicians and industry people, especially the young ones, a different experience than the dark Radisson cocktail bar, where the atmosphere is not exactly the most inviting and relaxing if you’re upcoming and maybe a bit unsure,” explains Pernille-Leeloo Bach.
As the Cuban rhythms and drinks slowly loosened the atmosphere further, the oasis quickly filled up, leaving barely any room to move around without bumping into others. This meant that participants were forced to greet each other – perhaps a clever move by the organizers.
Text: Henriette Søvsø Szocska
Photo: Ludvig Gustav
En grøn oase midt i SPOT’s hjerte transformerede sig fredag eftermiddag til et summende netværksmekka for musikbranchens passionerede sjæle. Med cubanske rytmer, der fyldte luften og skabte en festlig atmosfære, var scenen sat for Trygt Rum Netværkets nyeste initiativ: en netværkstime i Palmehaven dedikeret til samtaler blandt musikbranchens nye, såvel som erfarne folk.
Fra klokken 16 til 17 blev deltagerne mødt af solskin, gratis non-alcoholic cocktails på dåse, munter stemning og loungestole i hvert hjørne. Summen af samtaler blandede sig med lyden af musikken, mens kolde drinks blev nydt i gruppesamtaler og i stille solo-refleksioner, for dem der lige skulle samle mod til sig.
Blandt deltagerne var blandt andet en ung mand iklædt kortærmet skjorte, slips og røde solbriller. Manden sad først alene, men hurtigt blev en del af en lystig samtale med to kvinder, der friskt hilste på ham og sagde: “Hej! Hvem er du så?”.
Midt i området, der var indrammet af grønne træer og kulørte lamper, stod en bod med grønne, gule, røde og blå skilte, hvor deltagerne kunne skrive navn og titel til at bære om halsen.
“Tag et skilt som samtalestarter, tag jer en drink,” og så bare snak med hinanden, lød det fra en af arrangørerne.
Pernille-Leeloo Bach fra Danske Populær Autorer, som er en ud af de i alt 15 organisationer bag arrangementet, var glad for det store antal fremmødte.
“Vi har hørt efterspørgslen i det stille, og nu er vi 15 organisationer, der er gået sammen om det her. Vi har forsøgt at skabe et rum, der er indbydende for minoriteter, kvinder og alle dem, der ikke altid har de nemmeste veje ind i branchen. Det lader til at være en succes,” sagde hun, imens hun skuede ud over den summende folkemængde.
“Vi ville gerne give musikerne og branchefolket, især de unge, en anden oplevelse end den mørke Radisson cocktailbar, hvor der ikke ligefrem er den mest indbydende og afslappende stemning, hvis man er upcoming og måske lidt usikker,” fortæller Pernille-Leeloo Bach.
Mens de cubanske rytmer og drinksne langsomt løsnede stemningen mere op, blev oasen hurtigt fyldt op, så der knap var plads til at gå rundt uden at støde ind i andre. Det betød at deltagerne var nødsaget til at hilse på hinanden – måske et kløgtigt træk fra arrangørernes side.
Tekst: Henriette Søvsø Szocska
Foto: Ludvig Gustav
