More than just an experience in sensory overload, the Rave scene has developed, over the last decade, into a popular form of recreation for many teens. Although they have been around since the mid-80's (when Chicago nightclub "The Warehouse" introduced the form of electronic music that would become known as "house"), "Rave" has only become a mainstream term in recent years.
Ravers are put off by what they feel are misconceptions that have been spread by the media about Rave Culture. Sercurity and drugs are the 2 most over played issues about Rave culture. SOME Ravers do, do drugs that is not being denied, however, NOT ALL Ravers do. So-called "Rave Drugs" include: Ecstasy, "Specail K", and Crystal Meth. Sercurity frisk for things like crystal meth, cocaine and syringes. Violence, if it happens at all, is usually the doing of "outsiders" who came not for the party but to cause problems. Most Rave Goers respect and even appreciate the importance of the sercurity crew. They are there to hang out, listen to music and dance NOT to do drugs. Drugs and the Rave scene don't necessarily go hand and hand. The majority of Ravers simply get high on life and the good vibe they get from dancing til dawn. IF you do decide to do drugs at a house party or a Rave remember...
I don't have much to say about it except I think that this proves Mel Lastman is living in the past and is much too old for his job. He cannot expect to say, "No more Raves," and thats the end of it because Raves have been around a long long time and it just isn't possible. Before they were legal they were held in abandoned warehouses...so what happens now? Underground Raves! Thank you Mayor. Instead of helping the drug problems you have made it considerably worse. Now with no police/sercurity protection who is stopping the drugs from coming in? Umm....no one. Now instead of having people in a safe, public, police protected area you got 10,000 kids at an underground party. But you know something? Maybe underground raves are for the best. This way we don't have to constantly defend our choice of recreation, we won't be hounded by sercurity or police because there isn't any! But again I think that the big picture is being overlooked by just about everyone. That guy that died... died because of a drug NOT because of the rave. Any drug can be ingested anywhere doesn't have to be a rave. In fact he could have taken it before entering or for that matter he could have done it in his very own home. The Rave didn't kill him. The drug did.
"Serenity" (416)680-4960, Sat.July 1st 2000. Toronto. $22/adv, $more@door
"Bad Ass" (416)374-6665, July 11th 2000. Toronto. $15/first 350, $20/adv, $more@door
"Ravers Day!" August 1st 2000. Paramount Canada's Wonderland. Wonderland admission price.
