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Committed clubber Tim Griffith, 29 will be protesting the recent closure of beloved club Fabric with ‘Fabric Footwork’, a 24-hour dance marathon. The DJ and producer plans to dance non-stop outside the club to raise money towards their legal fees – estimated to be £500,000. Fabric is currently building a case to appeal Islington Council’s decision to permanently revoke the club’s licence on September 7.
‘The closure of this club and many others over the past couple of decades including The Fridge and Turnmills represents more than just another night club closing down. The closure of each club is another nail in the coffin for London nightlife and UK club culture.’
Fabric co-founder Cameron Leslie contacted Tim this week to discuss his plans. He is now waiting to hear back if ‘Fabric Footwork’ can slot into Fabric’s official campaign due to launch next week. For that reason, Tim is yet to set a date but has already been thinking about practical issues: how to fuel so many hours of dance, toilet breaks, the playlist and what constitutes a ‘dance move’. 'I'll manage about two hours and then after that will probably just be moving my arms. Can I sit down? Will that still count?’ he ponders.
The drum and bass fan is hoping people will support the protest by making a donation to his crowdfunding page, turning up outside Fabric with words of encouragement, snacks, song requests or even joining him in some silent disco-style one-finger skanking.
'One thing I don't want is someone turning up with a rig. I don't want to bring a rave. I can see why people want something loud. But I'm going for something subtle and yet, hopefully, effective.'
Though how subtle a group of people doing ‘big-fish-little-fish’ for 24 hours in the centre in Farringdon is questionable.
At the heart of Tim's protest is a love for the community that can build around a music venue. 'Clubbing is part of who I am. It's shaped me and it's part of our culture,’ he said. ‘It's not just about one club; it's about fighting for what we love. I'll be dancing in front of Fabric but representing all nightlife.'
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