How to infiltrate political attitudes in the normally non-political party enviroment? How to reach a broad youth audience? Before the Austrian elections in November 2002, free parties throughout entire Vienna attempted to wake political interest, awareness and responsibility.

Just a few weeks had been left before the surprisingly announced Austrian elections on the 24th of November 2002, when OVERANDOUT was created as an politically independent label. "Dancing until the end of the right-wing change" has been chosen by a couple of young organizers as attracting slogan to initialise free parties throughout Vienna, attempting to wake political interest, awareness and responsibility.

The main objective was to infiltrate political attitudes in the normally non-political party enviroment and so reach a broad audience. OVERANDOUT is a network of people, ideas and information that initiates interdisciplinary events and functions as a plattform for political content and entertainment.

The happening was dated exactly one day before the votes on the 23rd of November, aiming a "last minute cry" at the unsatisfied but unfortunately sometimes ignorant night-scene.

OVERANDOUT united thirty-one organisations including: NGO's, soundsystems, voters and non-voters in order to counter-attack the conservative and nationalistic situation in the country. In the crucial night before, the participating organisations redecorated sixteen viennese night- clubs, representing various minorities and their specific disadvantages. Music and movement served a poltical purpose, expressing hopes and fears of a many-sided culture-scene.

The opening event was placed on the historically significant "Heldenplatz" (Hero-square) surrounded by the Hofburg, former residence of Austrias Emperor. This square also witnessed Hitler's announcement of Austrias affiliation with Germany in March 1938. This spot has until now remained a political centre, especially since the right-wing freedom party of Joerg Haider became part of the Austrian government in February 2000.

On the 23rd of November, huge, shocking indoctrines were projected on the fassade of the Federal Chancellory. The evening was kick-started by "petition of paperless youth" a community supporting young foreigners lacking necessary documents. Both female and male break-dancers attracted attention to the urgency of this problem.

Followed by various female DJs, thanks to Female Pressure and doorbitch.nu, the event could not be overheard! At 10 p.m. the other groupings introduced their specific programmmes simultaneously at their specific locations.

Demanding self-determined and participative media- and netculture: Public Netbase, MALMOE, Radio Orange 94.0 ... Demanding a society free of discrimination: female pressure, doorbitch.nu, Back on Stage, Ladyshave, Julia Starsky ... Demanding art and culture in public space: Kandinsky, brothers in law, comfort beat magic, esel.at ... Demanding free education access: Oesterreichische Hochschuelerschaft (Austrian Students Union) and other organisations.

Just to name a few of the involved organisations that invested time and energy in creating this important evening. The night was a great success - a wealth of information was accessible, the discussions were hot, the gigs were groovy, the electronic musical performances at a high level - all localities were crowded - and all for free (very untypical for snobby Vienna!).

What seemed as a guarantee for a transformation in the Austrian goverment, turned out to be effectless, despite the immense display of eager will. Opponents claim the consumers stayed out too long and so didn't bother to get up and vote. Nevertheless OVERANDOUT will be remembered as an example for a independant political initiative.

OVERANDOUT is assured to influence and inspire similar future events, challenge young people to act independently and encourage active participation in the political process. OVERANDOUT demonstrated that it is possible to make yourself heard, without a full blown propaganda machinery.

(Thanks to Katja Stipinovic for editing support)