rogue wave (noun): a random, enormous ocean wave that sometimes travels at an angle to prevailing seas (dictionary.com)
What is the Rogue Wave Project?
The Rogue Wave Project is a collective of individuals in the Washington, DC area inspired to change the world, one party at a time. By raising awareness for a variety of charitable organizations with unique, creative events designed to put the FUN in fundraising we believe that we can inspire others as well. We believe in the radical idea that having a great time and making the world a better place are not mutually exclusive ideas and that the time, energy, money, and resources that are poured into our usual leisure pursuits could have a positive impact in surprising ways.
Creating events is a great way not just to raise money for worthy causes, but also to develop a sense of community at the local and ideally, global, level. By bringing together people who share passions, goals, and creative energy, we can also educate, enlighten and encourage people to find new and innovative ways to have a greater impact on the world around them. We believe that people find joy and satisfaction in helping others, but don't always know how to do it. So we are determined to make it easy!
We are inspired by the core principles of the Burning Man community, including the ideas of inclusion, self-reliance, self-expression, communal effort and civic responsibility. We strive to create events that have as little impact on our hosts as possible and we think it's important to make our events as participatory as possible.
Who We Are
The Rogue Wave Project currently consists of Debbi, Drex, and Lisa. We met while working on the Art of Change Inaugural Ball in early 2009 and realized that we shared a passion for entertaining to benefit good causes. Between us, we have experience as a theatre director, a bartender, a therapist, a fire dancer, a human rights activist, and a web developer. Together we make stuff happen.
What We Do
Every year, people spend billions of dollars on recreation and invest countless hours of their free time in entertainment, whether it's seeing a moving or going out to a club for a night of dancing. What if we could capture a portion of those dollars and that time and channel it to benefit the lives of those who have been born in broken parts of the world, to fund struggling artists who need a leg up, or to finance those crazy ideas that have the potential to change the world?
Since we came together for The Art of Change, we have worked with Clowns Without Borders, Skateistan, electroganic, Artomatic, and Playa Del Fuego to turn the incredible energy of our favorite events into fundraising opportunities. We have raised thousands of dollars to send performers into Sudan, to support kids learning to skate in Afghanistan, and we brought together thousands of people to dance in a new era of change in US politics. In the coming year, we will be partying hard for Walking With Africans and more.
How You Can Help
Are you a fan of a great cause? We can always use ideas for worthy charities to support. Let us know what creative projects you or people you know are doing to make the world a better place. It could be on the other side of the world or working right next door. We are looking for unique and creative projects that aim to bring joy and inspiration to people who otherwise might find it in short supply. Contact us with your suggestions.
We could also use your help! If you run a venue or have special skills related to event production or promotion, Write us and tell us a little bit about yourself--you may be just the person we need!
