Alcohol-free parties to challenge Sydney*s youth drinking culture (ABC)

ABC Take Kare was the first of four all-ages gigs to encourage young people to party without drinking.

A "dangerous" youth culture of going out to "drink till we're on the floor" will be challenged by alcohol-free events in Sydney nightclubs, an anti-violence campaigner says.

Madeleine Kelly's 18-year-old brother Thomas was killed in an unprovoked "one-punch" attack on a Kings Cross street two years ago.

The Take Kare event, staged in his honour this afternoon, was the first of four all-ages music gigs aimed at raising awareness of youth issues and promoting the message of looking after your mates.

Ms Kelly, an ambassador for the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, said there were not many options for young people to party in a safe environment.

"Our youth culture is all about going out drinking until 3:00am and it's really become this massive hazard where our friends are getting hurt and people are dying," she said.

"We really need to have events where there isn't alcohol involved and we need to be shown that we can have a good time without having to drink till we're on the floor."

Local punk bands Vices and Elegist headlined the event at the Goodgod Small Club, giving under-18s a taste of live music in venues they would not normally be permitted to visit.

Jenna Bloom from the City of Sydney said the events encouraged the future patrons of the city's nightclubs to enjoy them without drinking.

"These young people are going to be the next patrons when they turn 18," she said.

"So it's about getting them comfortable and aware of the venues that exist ... and not necessarily connecting it with the culture of drinking but with the live music itself."

Ms Kelly said young people did not need alcohol to enjoy live music.

"Our streets aren't what they think it is," she said.

"Going out clubbing, it's not all rainbows and what-not. It is quite dangerous.

"We need to be thinking about our friends and what they're doing and we need to educate ourselves on what alcohol can do to our friends."

The City of Sydney backed the event, which was also designed to give young volunteers experience in event management and staging.

The council is also considering a grants scheme, which could fund similar events in other venues.

Funds raised at today's event will go to the foundation. 

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