One thing that they never tell you about in the stories about raves was the wait. The waiting in line took 45 minutes to an hour. We weren`t that hyped up but people were all hooping and hollering when the line moved 6 inches which was a big accomplishment then. All the girls got to go in first, the bouncer dude said so, just like a real club. But that still doesn`t make much sense since those girls can`t bribe their way in because all the tickets were soldout and there wouldn`t be any sold at the door.
Everyone was really friendly, smiling and grooving. Even the ones that seem like they don`t rave as often as the others were all smiles amid confusion as they were wondering like us, why are all these people so damn happy?
We came in a group of 5 people, 2 cars, not much kitted out cars as a car show, it was just like a regular parking lot for a movie theatre. The scene was like 1 girl for every 3 guys. Saw a lot of familiar faces from Oakland High that we didn`t even know were ravers.
No we did not drop E. Yes we had glowsticks and lights. (I wish I bought some more candy.) No we didn`t get cheap feels... on purpose... that much. No, we didn`t get poked or at least didn`t feel it and definately didn`t see anyone getting poked. No, no strangers hugged us from nowhere, we knew all of the people that we hugged. No we didn`t get massages from any strangers either. We did smile and wave to a lot of strangers since they were doing the same. Um, No anyone offer us free water or beads or candy. We didn`t even talk to dudes who were in line with us even though they seemed like some cool characters. No we didn`t have conversations with total strangers like we knew them our whole life. No we didn`t recognize any song that they played. Well, maybe except for that Effiel 65 song. There were glowsticks on the table that we thought was free, but it was just a to highlight some fliers that they had on their table. Yes the visuals were mind blowing. I never thought I could be staring at some images and green lights like I was on something. BUt there I was, just mouth slightly open, bouncing to the beat. And there were no annoying strobe lights that I can remember, except for the ones that people wore on their arm bands.
The cops were all around, pulling people off the dance floor for sitting there getting their lightshows. It was also pretty fun just sitting in the chill room/bar just watching the people dance and enjoying the music and watching all those people on E get light shows performed on them. Like a movie. Like the way I thought the movie Rave Fever was supposed to be instead of just turning into a missing person`s case. The drive home was the worst since it was like 2:30 in the morning and I was like hella concetrating staying in between the lines for 40 minutes and seeing Henry moving in and out of the lanes didn`t make me feel better.
One thing that was majorly cool besides the happy vibe from everyone was when they turned the lights on. Unlike an AYSC dance or a regular party where you`re like, "Good thing I didn`t try to get with her" or "Luckily we danced with the lights off you one eyeshadow shade short of a clown woman", everyone looked as cute or better once my eyes got adjusted to non-blacklights. So amazing. I now see why everyone likes to do this. The only thing that`d stop me from doing it weekly is the price of admission and the price of toys. Glowsticks do cost $2 each and I don`t really plan on buying a box of 50 from epartyonline.com just so that now each glowstick only costs $1.25.
So before you base everything you know about raves from that one episode of Dawson`s Creek, I highly recommend it for everyone to try. After going to my first rave, it now makes me want to go out and change the world even more. Or at least be happier.
We actually get asked this question quite often! Be prepared to dance the night away following these steps.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Required: 5 to 15 minutes
Here's How:
1.Before you go the rave, make sure you are wearing baggy or loose clothing so you can move around and will not be restrained.
2.Buy water. It is the single most important thing to replenish all the moisture you will lose from dancing.
3. Buy a pair of comfortable shoes, preferably some kind of light sports shoe.
4.Start preparing the flyers and schedule for the event. If you need more upfront cash, sell advance tickets.
5. Once at the event, listen to the music that interests you..groove, energy, or trance.
6. Listen very distinctly to the music and how the rhythms and melodies change. Let your body follow those changes.
7. Once you are on the floor and following the musical changes, close your eyes and really concentrate on the music.
8.If listening to hardcore/gabber, it is more of a listening experience than dancing. Swaying is more involved here.
9. If jungle or drum and bass, a more skipping movement is involved. Concentrate on the movement of the breaks rather than kick drum.
10.If electro breakbeats, some might be breakdancing (WTF)! If you are not experienced in this dance form, do not immediately attempt it. You may hurt yourself.
11. Of course, after a while you should stop, drink your water, and visit the chill room and listen to some nice ambient to rest a while.
12.Most of all, have fun!
Tips:
1. Be respectful of others' space when dancing.
2. Do NOT slamdance. Raves, no matter hard the music may be, are not Nine-Inch Nails or a punk show. You will kill the vibe if this is performed.
3. Don't worry about what others are thinking of your dancing. The stranger it is, the more people will like it.
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