Published on 1st October 2024

For DJ Wolfman, it’s a big night. Ian Moorey often turns to music to help with his mental health, but tonight, he’s performing as his alter ego at the Blue Oasis Club Night at The Drill Hall, Horsham. 

Blue Oasis only comes around four times each year and DJ Wolfman wants to make every minute of his stint at the decks count. His favourite records range from Motown soul to classic rock by Guns ‘n’ Roses, but his aim tonight is simply to get people up and dancing and set the tone for the other DJs to follow.  

‘The important thing is to get people on the dance floor,’ said DJ Wolfman. ‘Each night, we have a schedule of all the DJs and other acts who are performing, so you don’t have long to put a smile on faces. Sometimes, I see DJs still playing a record even when people have stopped dancing, but I always play tracks that get people moving.’ 

INCLUSIVE WORKSHOPS

DJ Wolfman is among the more experienced DJs at Blue Oasis, an inclusive club night for young people with learning disabilities. Like many others, he has attended DJ workshops run at the nearby QM Studios, as part of their outreach programme. The club nights and workshops have had a positive impact on Ian’s life, and he’s even performed at private parties and functions too.

There’s plenty of other people trying their hand on the turntables too. DJ Cool plays party tunes from the 1980s, while Dom Beatbox often brings an urban edge to proceedings. There’s also a community choir, singing everything from ABBA to Amy Winehouse, while community rock band The Coasters often make an appearance. Both the band and the choir rehearse at QM Studios, a charitable organisation that also organises the Blue Oasis Club Nights. 

Adam Gellibrand, a trustee at QM Studios and also director of the south’s only integrated samba band, Boom Tribe, said: ‘Blue Oasis Club Nights first began over 20 years ago. The initial idea came from Carousel, a Brighton-based charity that works with artists with learning disabilities. They established a club on the coast to give people opportunities to perform, then took this successful model to towns including Crawley, Worthing, Chichester and Horsham. Horsham District Council, in particular Nick Jenkins, was very supportive and with the Drill Hall proving to be an ideal venue, Horsham’s club night became the most successful outside of Brighton.’  

‘Club nights have continued ever since and we consistently attract over 100 people, with most having some kind of disability. Blue Oasis is held four times a year, with two in spring and two in autumn. QM Studios took over running the Horsham nights several years ago. It’s a good arrangement, as we can easily transport instruments and sound equipment to the Drill Hall from the Studios, and we also have well established links in the community through our outreach programme.’

‘During evenings and weekends, QM Studios operate as a private enterprise, with rooms available to hire for recording and rehearsals. We recently hosted David Essex as he prepared for a nationwide tour. But during the day, we can run outreach programmes, with accessible and inclusive workshops that focus on people with learning disabilities or mental health issues. Blue Oasis is essentially a showcase for all of those who attend these workshops. These groups include The Coasters (a band with a strong reggae influence) and the fantastic community choir, which is led by another member of our team, Jack Coldrick, on keyboards. One of the great things about the club is that there are always people dancing, as the young people who attend have the confidence to express themselves in a safe and friendly environment, without anybody judging them.’

FLEUR’S NIGHT OUT

Many of those enjoying attending are pupils at QEII School in Horsham, or attend the day centre or outreach activities offered at the Butterfly Project. This helps foster a sociable atmosphere at Blue Oasis, which is important not just to the young people, but also their families. Fleur Harman has been a regular at Blue Oasis for about six years and always enjoys meeting up with friends. Occasionally, she performs a set as DJ Fleurster, but tonight her Pink Ladies jacket is a fixture on the dance floor instead... 

Mum Clare said: ‘The Blue Oasis is really important, as it’s a safe place for young and often vulnerable adults to come to. It’s great for them as they have the space to socialise and there’s a bar where they can buy drinks and snacks. There’s always people looking out for them too. The nights are important for parents as well, as it gives us a chance to relax and chat. I have met most of my closest friends through Blue Oasis and that’s why it’s special to us. When Fleur’s birthday coincides with a club night, we hold her party there, as she knows everybody there anyway. That’s how much it means to her.'

In recent years, the future of the Drill Hall has been in jeopardy. However, Lifespring Church has submitted a successful proposal to acquire the Drill Hall and refurbish it to create a modern, sustainable community hub and conference centre. 

Adam said: ‘We have met with Lifespring and they have been hugely supportive, even donating equipment to QM Studios for our community work. We may miss one or two nights when the hall closes for refurbishment, but Blue Oasis Club Night tie in with the church’s wish of supporting the community, which hopefully means we can continue for many years to come. We have considered the idea of holding nights more frequently, perhaps every month, but it might dilute the occasion. With just four a year, the Blue Oasis is always special, so it might be best to keep it that way.’  

WORDS: Ben Morris / PHOTOS: Alan Wright 

Further information: For details about future Club Nights, visit the Facebook page 'Blue Oasis Club Night'