Pages: B3
Section: City
Publication date: Jun 22, 2001
ProQuest document ID: 252807896
Copyright: Copyright Southam Publications Inc. Jun 22, 2001
Author: Stewart, Darren
The Edmonton Right to Dance Coalition is hosting a protest rave Sunday at 3 p.m. The event is aimed at putting rave culture on display and sending the city a message that there's nothing to fear from raves.
"We want to show that dancing doesn't hurt anyone," said Marcus Gurske, spokesman for the coalition representing dancers, rave promoters, local business members and supportive parents. "We want everyone to attend, everybody's welcome."
Admission to the rally is free, though the talent bill is no chump change on the raver talent scale. Internationally renowned performers DJ Rap and Chris Liberator from the United Kingdom, Toronto DJ Tommy Illfingas, and a selection of local record spinners are performing free of charge.
Full text:
Lace up a pair of comfortable sneakers, slip on manoeuvrable "phat" pants. Don appropriate beaded necklace, sweatbands and visor and head down to City Hall to check out what all the rave-culture fuss is about.
The Edmonton Right to Dance Coalition is hosting a protest rave Sunday at 3 p.m. The event is aimed at putting rave culture on display and sending the city a message that there's nothing to fear from raves.
"We want to show that dancing doesn't hurt anyone," said Marcus Gurske, spokesman for the coalition representing dancers, rave promoters, local business members and supportive parents. "We want everyone to attend, everybody's welcome."
City council is considering a bylaw that would force dance clubs and rave events to close down at 3 a.m. Anyone under 18 couldn't attend after midnight.
Organizers of the rally would prefer to see a model adopted similar to one used in Calgary or Toronto, where they say there is an open line of communication between rave promoters and city administrators.
In other cities, rave promoters must apply for conditional permits and allow a fire marshal, police and emergency personnel to attend all-night dance events.
Admission to the rally is free, though the talent bill is no chump change on the raver talent scale. Internationally renowned performers DJ Rap and Chris Liberator from the United Kingdom, Toronto DJ Tommy Illfingas, and a selection of local record spinners are performing free of charge.
"The DJs really support this initiative and were very willing to help out," said Gurske.
The coalition will hand out pamphlets from Edmonton advocacy group Ravesafe and invite speakers from the community to the stage between sets. The event will also be covered by Toronto-based Much Music television station.
The rally follows the lead of the Toronto dance community, which organized a similar event and attracted 20,000 people last year. Organizers expect at least 3,000 to show up Sunday.
Edmonton Folk Fest producer Terry Wickham declined an invitation to speak. But Wickham said he'll likely attend.
Wickham plans to address city council Tuesday to voice opposition to the bylaw.
He worries that too much night-life regulation could make Edmonton the "laughing stock" of Canada.
"I believe (council is) well intentioned, I just don't like what they've put forward so far," he said. "If the problem is drug use or underage drinking, why not address it directly?"
Wickham said he thinks enforcing a curfew is skirting the issue and will only lead to more problems.
Publication date: Jun 22, 2001
ProQuest document ID: 252807896
Copyright: Copyright Southam Publications Inc. Jun 22, 2001
Author: Stewart, Darren
The Edmonton Right to Dance Coalition is hosting a protest rave Sunday at 3 p.m. The event is aimed at putting rave culture on display and sending the city a message that there's nothing to fear from raves.
"We want to show that dancing doesn't hurt anyone," said Marcus Gurske, spokesman for the coalition representing dancers, rave promoters, local business members and supportive parents. "We want everyone to attend, everybody's welcome."
Admission to the rally is free, though the talent bill is no chump change on the raver talent scale. Internationally renowned performers DJ Rap and Chris Liberator from the United Kingdom, Toronto DJ Tommy Illfingas, and a selection of local record spinners are performing free of charge.
Full text:
Lace up a pair of comfortable sneakers, slip on manoeuvrable "phat" pants. Don appropriate beaded necklace, sweatbands and visor and head down to City Hall to check out what all the rave-culture fuss is about.
The Edmonton Right to Dance Coalition is hosting a protest rave Sunday at 3 p.m. The event is aimed at putting rave culture on display and sending the city a message that there's nothing to fear from raves.
"We want to show that dancing doesn't hurt anyone," said Marcus Gurske, spokesman for the coalition representing dancers, rave promoters, local business members and supportive parents. "We want everyone to attend, everybody's welcome."
City council is considering a bylaw that would force dance clubs and rave events to close down at 3 a.m. Anyone under 18 couldn't attend after midnight.
Organizers of the rally would prefer to see a model adopted similar to one used in Calgary or Toronto, where they say there is an open line of communication between rave promoters and city administrators.
In other cities, rave promoters must apply for conditional permits and allow a fire marshal, police and emergency personnel to attend all-night dance events.
Admission to the rally is free, though the talent bill is no chump change on the raver talent scale. Internationally renowned performers DJ Rap and Chris Liberator from the United Kingdom, Toronto DJ Tommy Illfingas, and a selection of local record spinners are performing free of charge.
"The DJs really support this initiative and were very willing to help out," said Gurske.
The coalition will hand out pamphlets from Edmonton advocacy group Ravesafe and invite speakers from the community to the stage between sets. The event will also be covered by Toronto-based Much Music television station.
The rally follows the lead of the Toronto dance community, which organized a similar event and attracted 20,000 people last year. Organizers expect at least 3,000 to show up Sunday.
Edmonton Folk Fest producer Terry Wickham declined an invitation to speak. But Wickham said he'll likely attend.
Wickham plans to address city council Tuesday to voice opposition to the bylaw.
He worries that too much night-life regulation could make Edmonton the "laughing stock" of Canada.
"I believe (council is) well intentioned, I just don't like what they've put forward so far," he said. "If the problem is drug use or underage drinking, why not address it directly?"
Wickham said he thinks enforcing a curfew is skirting the issue and will only lead to more problems.
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