Publication title: Vue Weekly
Page: 42
Publication date: June 14, 2001
Document type: Opinion
Article author: Dave Johnston
Transcribed by: MW
Before the city council Executive Committee meeting on June 6, Bylaw 12610 offered a sound, reasonable approach to the problems surrounding the growing rave scene in Edmonton. It addressed health issues such as adequate running water and chill areas, as well as a “good neighbour" policy that made clubs and promoters responsible for the area beyond the venue walls and the actions of their patrons in those areas. Club owners and promoters needed to register their special events with the city at least six weeks beforehand and meet strict requirements to ensure the safety of patrons and ease the minds of any nearby residents. Penalties for violations were stiff, including an absolute suspension of activity for any club or promoter who repeatedly failed to follow the guidelines in the bylaw. Most importantly, it restricted access to after-hours clubs and raves to those over the age of 16.
On June 6, after a 15-minute recess, Mayor Bill Smith and councillors Robert Noce, Allan Bolstad and Dave Thiele instructed the Planning and Development Department to amend the bylaw. First, anybody under the age of 18 must leave a rave or an after-hours club after midnight. Second, activities at all after-hours clubs and raves must cease at 3 a.m. With those changes, the bylaw will now be submitted for approval at the June 26 city council meeting. If passed, the bylaw will come into effect 30 days later and essentially put an end to the Edmonton rave scene as we know it—conveniently, right before the International Track and Field Games.
As Oliver Friedmann, general manger of the Rev, told the assembled masses at the Viva Las Vegas party at the Sportex on June 9, city council was basically "telling anybody over the age of 18 what time they should go to bed." During his speech, Friedmann announced that an alliance of club owners, DJs, promoters and businesspeople sympathetic to the scene, called the Edmonton Right to Dance Coalition had been formed. Friedmann urged people to call the Citizen Action Centre to voice their disapproval of the bylaw as well as sign a petition, which can also be found on-line at www.etown-ravepage.com/righttodance. The group is also planning a protest rally and dance on June 24 on the steps of City Hall.
"The scene must defend itself from the interests of big business and misinformation," Friedmann concluded.
Hear, hear. For too long, the mainstream media has concentrated on the negative aspects of Edmonton's nightlife, sensationalizing the darker aspects while ignoring the positive contribution the rave scene has made to the city and perpetuating ignorance every step of the way. The use of drugs, for instance, is no less prevalent at raves as they are at bush parties, rock concerts and licensed bars across the city. If the city hopes to shut down the raves because they're concerned about adults taking advantage of younger folk, they might as well shut down every food court in every mall in sight, where dirty old men can easily prey upon the young. They don't even have to pay a cover charge.
The mayor may not be able to understand why anyone would want to dance until the sun comes out, but I can't understand why anyone would want to wear a white cowboy hat and a huge silver belt buckle. Or drive around in an expensive SUV with their name painted on the side. Or even claim that their favourite album was Xanadu, as councillor Noce revealed in the Edmonton Journal last year.
Since the rave scene began to grow in Edmonton, we have seen a healthy business sector build around it. Record shops that supply both professional and amateur DJs with music and equipment have popped up, as have clothing stores. Audio shops have seen their PA systems and lighting rigs rented on a regular basis and several halls around the city have profited from a revenue stream they might have never enjoyed without weekend raves—including the Sportex, which usually sits dormant for months until Klondike Days or the next home renovation exposition.
On an international scale, club culture is big business. Cigarette companies and alcohol dispensaries have sunk millions of dollars into promoting special events with renowned DJs flown in to entertain the masses, while electronic music compilations fly off music store shelves. Touring festivals like Area One are drawing record crowds at each stop and DJs like Paul Oakenfold and BT are composing film scores.
On a cultural level, local artists like Tryptomene and Sync & Lady J are creating original music, and most recently, Emptyspace Theatre presented Wonderland, an eight-hour rave performance piece, especially commissioned by NeXtFest. We are only beginning to see what rave culture is capable of.
Nobody is debating that the rave scene needs guidelines to ensure responsibility and safety, but it can-not be treated like any other cultural movement that has come before it. If age is a problem, then fine, restrict the access to an adult crowd, but if they want to dance until dawn, let them. This is a free country that thrives upon mutual respect and we shouldn't tolerate the draconian mindset of a handful of self-styled moralists who would prefer that we shuffle off to bed at a reasonable hour.
Bylaw 12610 was a good idea until too many cooks spoiled the broth. Let the music play, I say, and if you don't like it, buy some earplugs.
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| Photo Caption: If city council gets their way on June 26, you won't see this after 3 a.m. |
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