A wild desert adventure, an underground rave and a Middle Eastern feast: introducing the Euphrates Warehouse Party

Posted on 13 May, 2025

Imagine if a wild desert adventure and an underground rave had a baby and that baby threw a party. That’s the concept behind the Euphrates Warehouse Party.

And with live DJs blasting downtempo beats and techno, fire performances, henna artists, a mouthwatering Middle Eastern feast and more, it promises to be an unforgettable night where community, creativity, and culture converge.

Described as an immersive, multi-sensory experience, Euphrates Warehouse Party is set to transform The Circus in Mitchell on Saturday 17 May (that’s right –  this weekend) –  transporting locals to the exotic crossroads of the Middle East.

According to the creative force behind the event, Mays Benatti, the concept is to merge Middle Eastern heritage and underground music culture for one unforgettable night.

“I come from a Middle Eastern background, and for a long time I didn’t see spaces that reflected both that heritage and the underground music culture I love,” she explains.

“Euphrates was born from a desire to merge those worlds – honouring the stories, sounds, and beauty I grew up with, while creating something new, immersive, and exciting. It’s not about ticking a cultural box – it’s about sharing something that feels alive and deeply personal, without having to over-explain it.”

What originally began as a simple idea (and several voice memos) has become a fully realised experience after several months of planning and collaborating.

The result? An event named after one of the world’s most significant waterways, where Mays’ ancestral memory nourishes and carries creativity.

“The space is immersive and atmospheric, with influences from desert landscapes, rituals, and the rich, layered history of the Euphrates,” says Mays.

“There’ll be music, movement, moments of stillness, and little pockets of magic you can stumble into.”

But this isn’t your basic warehouse party. Along with the music and performances, The Oracle Temple and Tea Oasis will provide sanctuary spaces where partygoers can retreat for reflection and connection over steaming cups of traditional tea.

“As much as I love a dance floor, I also love a moment to sit, sip tea, and have a deep chat with someone about the moon or your latest existential crisis. I wanted people to have a choice, to move, to be still, to reflect,” explains Mays.

“We wanted to honour both the ecstatic and the introspective, the yang and the yin. In many traditional cultures, ritual and rest are as important as celebration.”

Born in Iraq and spending part of her life in Syria, Mays isn’t claiming to speak for an entire culture. Instead, she says that she’s crafted something uniquely personal – a vibrant tapestry woven from her own lived experience that feels soulful and respectful.

“If someone sees something they’ve never experienced before – like a ritual space, or henna being done – we hope they feel welcome to explore, ask questions, and engage without pressure,” she says.

“By engaging all senses, people experience culture through touch, taste, rhythm, and story – not just visuals. It becomes an embodied memory.”

Add to this a Middle Eastern feast and a vintage bazaar, and you’ve got yourself the perfect alchemy of ancient tradition and contemporary nightlife.

Playful, soulful, and a little chaotic (in the best way), Mays also hopes that Euphrates offers what the “doofs” that shaped her formative years gave her, while keeping aspects of Australia’s underground festival scene still alive.

“Those events genuinely changed my life. Not in a cheesy way. They taught me things I never learned in school: how to build stuff, how to share, how to be weird without apologising,” she explains.

“It’s a nod to the scene that raised me and many others, a chance to give people here a taste of that magic without needing to drive ten hours into the bush. It’s not trying to be perfect – it’s just trying to be real.”

“A big thank you to everyone who’s helped bring this to life. It’s taken a village – artists, dancers, sound magicians, volunteers, friends who’ve listened to my chaotic ideas at midnight. Euphrates exists because of the community around it. And if you’re reading this and it sparks something in you – come be part of it.”

And with the possibility of this becoming Canberra’s next festival (something Mays isn’t opposed to), there’s no denying that Euphrates is helping creativity and fun flow in the community (pun intended).

“What I’ve learned from these experiences isn’t just about what we do – it’s about who we become together in those spaces. It’s about growing, discovering, and connecting,” says Mays.

“It changed my brain chemistry, and I know it has the power to do the same for others. And isn’t that what we all need more of?”