Crypto Disco DAO: Connecting the dance music and art community with the world of crypto and NFTs

Crypto Disco
8 min readNov 21, 2021

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In the ’70s, when clubs like Studio 54 opened, very, very different cultures could all party together without any problems. The straight Upper East Sider is next to the transgender Puerto Rican woman who lives in the Bronx. Total, harmonious existence. And I’d never seen that before, in my life. My theme, my personal theme, is about inclusion, freedom of expression, looking at cultures, looking at our culture, where we’re at. The whole NFT thing, honestly, is a little bit out there for me, in terms of connecting to it or accessing it, but I like the idea of using modern technology, especially for going back to earlier artwork, like ’70s film photography.

-Paradise Garage Photograph and Quote by Bill Bernstein

We are Crypto Disco

A global music and arts community on the blockchain connecting dots between local scenes and cities, working with world class music acts, event producers, charities/non-profits, legendary photographers and artists. We are raising money to create the Crypto Disco DAO.

Why Disco?

Most modern dance music is influenced by disco. Disco was one of the best things to come out of the seventies. Musicians were given a platform to spread their message when disco became popular. Several different genres came together to create an ethereal, psychedelic, and soulful sound. This resulted in the creation of a new music industry. Music, as we know it today, was born, and for the first time introduced a new style of freeform dancing to the mainstream allowing for greater freedom and expression of individuality. This subgenre of music has become a cultural phenomenon.

The Movement

Although the “Free Love Movement” of the 1960s still held sway in many people’s minds, discophobia persisted. It’s no secret that the gay liberation and civil rights movements were fueled by disco. Before disco counterculture became widespread, many house parties were held during the period of gay liberation and the civil rights movement.

To those who felt excluded from society, discos were a place where everyone could come and enjoy wonderful music without fear of judgment. Racism and homophobia were perceived as unsophisticated at these dance establishments.

The Culture

Because the early disco crowds were so diverse, people of all races and nationalities could express themselves via the music. The disco revolution was powered by those who were marginalized and oppressed in their everyday lives. Even the way we danced was revolutionized by disco; the dance floor was no longer confined to (straight) couples — it became a place of celebration for everyone.

Disco’s evolution also saw a rise in the prominence of female voices in the music business. Patti Labelle’s music and activism helped advance women’s rights. Vocal, political-aware female musicians were essential. Grace Jones and Gloria Gaynor’s lyrics about emotional strength and overcoming adversity also resonated with the LGBT dancer. Disco became a vehicle for social change and cultural expression.

Bill Bernstein Paradise Garage & Studio 54 Photographs on Display at Crypto Disco NFT.NYC

The Scene

The Loft was a private party hosted by the Godfather of Disco, David Mancuso, in his home. One of New York City’s most avant-garde music, art, and dance hotspots, The Loft swiftly came to notoriety. Venues such as Copacabana, Funhouse, Studio 54, and Paradise Garage emerged to create a friendly environment for people of any race or ethnicity to come and enjoy themselves. To feel a part of the group in these locations, all you had to do was be yourself.

The Music

Crypto Disco NFT.NYC 2021

New cult sounds of the 70s like disco were just beginning to get airplay on the radio and in the clubs. DJs spun records and the sound systems were booming at the highest quality. These record selectors were aware of new dance trends and the desire of dancers to fully immerse themselves in the music.

The DJs were the experts. They were music lovers and tastemakers who could make a living from their passion. Some with no professional music instruction, but a polished and receptive awareness of the culture they helped construct.

Why Crypto Disco?

Web3 and crypto, like disco, have been liberating forces for the marginalized. Similar to how people used to express themselves in the 1970s, it appears people are now expressing themselves through crypto. People who face daily marginalization and discrimination are among those who sparked the current cryptocurrency craze.

Yes, Crypto Disco is a dance party, but it’s also a global social movement. For example, we are partnered with The Lens on Life Project, a non-profit organization that has been giving cameras, photography classes and computer literacy training to at-risk teens, and refugees worldwide. This non-profit has been selling photographs taken by their refugee students in silent auctions in New York + Los Angeles and putting that money right back into their pockets. Lens On Life Project is pleased to announce the minting of their genesis refugee photograph NFTs, that were recently sold at the inaugural Crypto Disco during NFT.NYC 2021.

We want our party to affect not only the lives of those who attend but also those who cannot.

Crypto Disco NFT.NYC 2021

What We Believe:

The power of music, culture, crypto, and charity to connect communities locally and globally.

As the metaverse expands, it opens opportunities for people and brands to create and expand new worlds together.

MUSIC: Our community is local to global, inspired by an underground music scene born and raised in New York City.

CULTURE: Our paid dance party events feature artwork and music that embodies our inclusive attitude, as well as DJs and artists who symbolize our inclusive spirit.

CRYPTO: We provide a forum for educating the crypto-curious and uniting the crypto-committed in one place. A panel discussion will be held at our events, and NFT collaborations will include exclusive, limited edition art as well as unlockables that grant the buyer access to extraordinary experiences, events, and people.

CHARITY: We believe the distribution of crypto wealth MUST give back to a cause — our events always support charity partners

COMMUNITY: Our community is built on the principle of inclusivity. We want to provide a welcoming environment for everyone.

The Community We Are Creating:

Crypto Disco creates immersive, soulful experiences across physical and digital channels that harmonize art, music, and crypto — welcoming the crypto curious, and crypto committed alike.

We are creating a community of people who love dance music — house, funk, jazz, hip hop, rock, and soul — a passionate group of followers spanning generations.

What We Do

IRL

In our first event series, we took guests back to the golden age of disco, allowing them to see and hear through the eyes and ears of the era’s most important musicians. Bill Bernstein, the legendary Studio 54 photographer, participated in our event as part of the NFT series. Several of his NFTs were on exhibit and available for purchase at the time of the event.

Metaverse

As with most private discords, we have one for our community in which we conduct business. On the other hand, it’s a wonderful chance to make friends and expand one’s network. Lots of Crypto Disco investors like you are rooting for it to be a success.

Why Are We Crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding for Crypto Disco DAO. We’re building a treasury for a local party scene ecology that supports and empowers the local scene. There are countless chances for local artists to interact, connect, and create with people from all around the world. Allowing these communities to connect is made possible by the Crypto Disco community’s elimination of superfluous barriers. When it comes to bringing people together, it takes a village.

Crowdfunders will be able to participate in unique experiences and advantages thanks to the use of social tokens/NFTs. We’re building Crypto Disco as a group. Together, we bridge the gap between the party and travel culture.

We’ve divided the work and planning into seasons, each with its own set of goals and milestones. We’ve arrived:

Preseason: Crowdfunding and our Annual Party at Art Basel: We want to grow our founding member’s team and organize a membership committee so that we can create a long-term plan. We will also decide on DAO to DAO collabs we would like to incorporate into our next season. Every three months, a new season will begin, with fresh goals set by the community as a whole.

Membership Perks

Exclusive access to events + VIP perks within the events

  • Marquee Crypto Disco Events + Partner Events

Nights out with the crew

  • Hangout and network with other members and industry folk

Major City Disco Scene Concierge

  • We are connected to multiple scenes and can recommend and connect you with other party people, clubs, events, and experiences
  • NYC / LDN / LA / MIA / BRLN / AMS

Curated Crowd Sourced Parties + Vacation Experiences

  • Incentivizing each other to build our community and events at key conference weekends across the globe

Giveaways

  • Limited editions NFTs + Physical Art
  • Tickets and access to special events
  • All inclusive vacations

Industry mentorship

  • If you are a digital artist or in the entertainment industry, we are here to share resources and knowledge

$DISCO COIN // NFT

Each DISCO Coin/NFT collector will receive specific benefits, including access to the events we host during popular gatherings and conferences in culture and crypto.

#1 // 0.1 ETH Disco Fam (50 Total)

  • 100 $DISCO TOKENS
  • Discord access (Genesis Launch Role)
  • Discount to Art Basel Event

#2 // 0.25 ETH Soul Society (30 Total)

  • NFT- First NYC NFT Event Flyer Art
  • 250 $DISCO TOKENS
  • All perks mentioned above, plus
  • Access to Miami Art Basel Party 2021

#3 // 1 ETH Top Notch Vibes (5 Total)

  • 1000 $DISCO TOKENS
  • All perks mentioned above, plus:
  • Free Access to Miami Art Basel Party 2021 & 2022
  • NFT- First NYC NFT Event Flyer
  • 1,100 $DISCO TOKENS / Legend
  • All perks mentioned above, plus:
  • Whitelist to all music NFT Project Drops
  • Discounted access to all events in various events globally

EXTRA 10 ETH Disco Don (1 total)

  • NFT- First NYC NFT Event Flyer
  • 10,000 $DISCO TOKENS
  • All perks mentioned above, plus:
  • Lifetime access to all events forever
  • 10 person guest list for every party, ever, regardless of your attendance (after Art Basel)
  • Limited Edition 1:1 Bill Bernstein NFT

Perhaps an ETH whale believes in our vision and wants to help make this easier on us. Who knows.

Projected Timeline

  • Crowdfund starts // Nov 22, 2021
  • Crowdfund Ends // Nov 28, 2022
  • Art Basel Annual Party // Dec 2- 4, 2021
  • London Crypto Disco // Feb 2022
  • Miami Music Week March 2022
  • NYC Meet-Up// July 2022
  • Virtual Disco Party // June 2022
  • NFT NYC Party // November 2022

Join the movement by supporting our DAO

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