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Saturday April 21, 2007 - 5:37 AM
- Category:
- Event
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Promoter:
- Terror Inc & Proper Sounds
- Date:
- Friday, April 20, 2007
- Average:
-
63 reviews
Welcome! Whether this is your first rave or your fiftieth, there is always more to know about the community we all belong to. It is our hope to provide you with the information you deserve, to ensure a healthy and happy rave experience time and again.
History:
The Toronto rave community is one of the biggest in North America, with one of the richest and longest histories. However, that wasn't always the case. In fact, not long ago we we almost lost it all.
As the 20th century drew to a close, the Toronto scene was at the top of its game. Massive events regularly drew tens of thousands; production and promotion intensity were at an all time high. But a storm was brewing in the city at large, and the rave community an into massive legal problems. Raves were banned on city owned property; police regularly showed up at parties demanding entry to search the premises; steps were even being taken to ban raves outright. Toronto's own Chief of Police, Julian Fantino, claimed to have seized a cache of weapons from a rave in an attempt to rally public support against us - a claim later proven to be a lie. Hopes were dim for the dance and music community.
However, then as now, we were united. A lengthy legal battle - involving several attorneys and city councilors - was waged in the courts, but it is on the dancefloor and through music that we have our true strength, and it is through music that the difference was made. In August of 2000, the i-Dance rally - held right on the steps of Toronto City Hall - brought home to the politicians and police that we weren't terrorists or threats, but rather their own friends and relatives, seeking nothing more than a safe environment to enjoy our passion - music. This combined effort finally brought an end to the bans and massive police scrutiny. It was a long, hard struggle that has been repeated in many cities, but rarely with so successful an outcome. Raves remain illegal throughout much of the United States and even parts of Canada. So when you come out and enjoy top notch musical talent from around the planet, secure in the knowledge that your right to dance has been secured, kindly respect the venues and events that we have today, for they have been earned on the efforts and struggles of the ravers who came before.
Preparation:
One of the great things about the rave community is our sense of acceptance. You can dance how you like, date who you like, listen to what you like, and dress any way you like. However, there are some practical considerations you may wish to keep in mind. You're going to work up quite a sweat when you start dancing, and so you may wish to consider wearing comfortable, light clothing. In addition, sneakers will generally make more sense than dress shoes if you plan to exert yourself on the dance floor - uncomfortable footgear can really dampen your experience and can even lead to back pain and general soreness. If you smoke - and remember that you can only smoke legally if you're over 19, and that this is a government law and consequently MUST be enforced - it isn't a bad idea to bring an old sweater as well that you can stash in a corner for your smoke breaks, or even just to get fresh air.
Be aware that things do not always go as planned. Bring at least 20$ that you don't plan on spending. Don't spend it either except for unforseen expenses. You never know when you just might need a cab ride home in an emergency.
Eat and drink properly the day of the event. Being fully hydrated is especially important if you are going to drink. Eating and drinking properly also ensures you have the most amount of energy to last all night.
It is the music that built our scene, and it is the music that sustains us. Toronto is home to some of the finest and most talented DJs and MCs on the planet. Find out who is playing and what they are playing. Then find out the timeslots so you can plan your night out. Start becoming acquainted with the different genres. Then get to know the different DJs in those genres. Find out what you like. Don't be afraid to ask people who and what is playing.
You are 100% fully encouraged to go grab the DJ after his/her set and ask him/her any questions yourself. Just make sure the set is over. Be respectful while the music is playing - if you want to dance on stage or (if there's no stage) directly in front of the DJ, make sure it's ok with the performers and don't skip the turntables.
Drug use and underage drinking are illegal. Always remember that. If a security guard removes you or a friend because of drug use or underage drinking, be respectful - the law has been broken and they are simply doing their job. Moreover, they are protecting future raves, which are placed in jeopardy whenever the law is broken.
If you should choose to partake in drug use, it is important to be educated. Some websites you should check out to educate yourself further on their harmful effects, proper dose and safer methods of use include:
www.erowid.org - The best website for drug information. Always look up drugs here before you do them.
www.pillreports.com - For those that will be taking ecstasy. Find the Canada page and familiarize yourself with the pills that are circulating right now. Anyone can post on this site so there is some misinformation but you can get a good feel for the different pills if you read enough. Remember that colour, size and stamp don't mean anything.
www.tripproject.ca/ - The Toronto Raver Info Project is a government funded organization that neither condones nor condemns the use of any drug and instead provides information to help people make more informed choices. More on this organization later.
Remember - word of mouth and conjecture is rarely accurate when it comes to drugs (or, indeed, anything else).
If you are going to drink or consume drugs at the event, please be considerate. We all know about the dangers of overconsumption so there is no need to go into details here. We simply ask that you be considerate of yourself and others while drinking, and know your limits. If you exceed your limits, understand and trust that you are in a safe place and allow security or the medical staff to take care of you. Never attempt to counteract overindulgence with other drugs! If a friend of yours has overindulged, seek real help immediately. If you don't know where to find help, ask anyone - once again, you are in a safe community and people will be glad to oblige.
During the Rave:
Dance. Seriously. The best way to contribute to the vibe and get the most out of the night is to dance. Don't worry about how you look either. The whole idea of raving is that it doesn't matter, just have fun.
Make sure you strech at the beginning of the night. Dancing is some crazy aerobic exercise, you don't want to be sore in the morning.
You get out of a rave exactly what you put into it. Raving is the time to release all of your pent up energy into something positive. If you contribute to the vibe and energy you will have a great time. If you aren't having fun, try and reasonably consider why. Then try to address the situation. It is up to you to have fun, and although there are few places more "fun-conducive" than a rave, if you aren't having a good time it is on you to figure out why and address it.
Talk to some of the older folk. You already have a lot in common. Remember, they must love raving a lot if they've stuck it out for this long and keep going back.
If you need help, get it! Find the TRIP booth. It is what they are there for. If they've already packed up or aren't there find someone who looks like they could help - maybe one of those older folks you were talking to earlier. Always remember that we all want to have a safe, fun night. There is no reason for anyone to have a bad experience at a rave, ever. Just as back in the days of iDance, we are all in this together and the majority of us are more than willing to help a raver in trouble. Similarly, if someone asks you for help, don't be dismissive or rude - if you are unable to help simply say so, and if you are able to help, there's rarely a reason not to.
Please keep your shirt on. This is for hygenic reasons; additionally, it makes other people uncomfortable. If you feel you are too hot take a breather, drink some water or take off your hat. Taking off your shirt may psychologically make you feel cooler but you are doing little to prevent overheating by doing so.
Please respect security; they are there for you and your safety. Most security guards are nice, reasonable people. If you feel that a security guard is not being professional, find someone in charge of the party or bring it up afterwards. At respectable clubs like the Big Bop those security guards will be fired. Please understand that a security guard is putting his or her life on the line for your protection - they may seem like jerks, but the first time someone tries to smuggle a gun into a club and security finds it and arrests that person, you'll know how valuable they are.
Please respect the venue. There are very few venues left in Toronto that will host all age raves. Treat the venue the way you would want your own private space to be treated. Use the trashcan, use the washroom properly, and use the dance floor for dancing.
Most of all remember to have fun.
Post Rave:
Once the rave is over, you don't have to go home - but you can't stay here. Remember that you just stayed up all night dancing, and you're going to be tired.
If you're driving home, the person in the passenger seat must stay awake and talking to you. This is essential to a safe drive home. It is all too easy to fall asleep while driving and this remains a major source of automobile injuries.
Chill sessions or full on after parties are a lot of fun and if you so desire they are often easy to come across. Ravers really DO go all night! Please keep in mind that it will be easy to be irritable as you'll be quite tired, so make sure you spend the time chilling out and relaxing, and be aware of the influence on your mood.
If you did some ecstasy the night before or even if you just can't get to sleep, an over the counter supplement known as 5-htp is highly recommended. You can pick it up at any health food store and any experienced raver can tell you that it is a worthwhile investment. It will restore your serotonin levels to normal and will cause drowsiness. Like any other drowsiness-inducing supplement, stay away from driving or operating heavy machinery while using it. Turntables do not count as heavy machinery so play away!
Sleep well, and we hope to see you at many more events in the future!
Friday March 30, 2007 - 7:08 PM
I wasn't expecting much but from the outset I could feel the difference in the film making.
The backgrounds were amazing, made the movie and story seem real.
All of the subtleties were great as well. Tidbits of technology we don't quite have yet and such.
I'm glad there was no definite answer to the infertility problem. I think the point of the movie is that we're all missing the point.
We're all losing our souls.
However I felt the end meandered on and then ended anti-climatically.
I didn't feel as though escaping the violence was the main conflict in the movie. I think the writers were unsure how to end the film and they had all of that rising action to deal with so it ended how it did.
Which was okay, but could have been better.
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26 reviews