Ravers defend all-night parties

Publication title: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Publication date: April 20, 2000
Document type: News
Article author: Maria Mcclintock
Transcribed by: MW


Extra seats had to be brought into a city committee meeting yesterday after 50 teens and rave organizers jammed the room to have their say on the issue.

The executive committee wanted to get input about whether the city should create rules for all-night dance parties.

The debate was sparked after eight people collapsed at the Ascension 2000 rave held at Northlands Sportex on April 1.

But reports describing raves as drug-infested parties are off base, 16-year old raver Laura Hostyn told the committee.

"Raves are about peace, love, unity and respect.”

If the city brought in regulations prohibiting teens younger than 18 from attending raves, Hostyn predicted the parties would go underground. "Right now security is very good… but if you make them for people 18 and older, people will get fake IDs and raves are going to go underground."

Hostyn, who wasn't at Ascension 2000, said the raves she's been to in the past have had good security.

But Kim Shave, 22, who was at Ascension when one of her friends collapsed during a strobe-light show, urged the committee to bring in better regulations for noise levels and strobe-light shows. "Raves need to be regulated like night clubs… for everyone's safety."

Promoter Gary Dewhurt agreed, stating better control needs to be placed on the age of those attending the raves as well as the number of tickets sold.

Debate on the issue continues May 3 when the committee is to hear from Edmonton police and the area's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Gerry Predy.