Location changes, ravers dance on

Publication title: Edmonton Journal

Pages: B4                  

Section: City

Publication date: May 14, 2000

ProQuest document ID: 252790331

Copyright: Copyright Southam Publications Inc. May 14, 2000

Author: Gregoire, Lisa

Abstract:

Dressed in trademark baggy pants and T-shirts, ravers waited patiently as security patted down everyone at the entrance and checked ID.

HB Promotions planned to hold a party for 2,000 on the Enoch First Nation but after meeting with RCMP and considering the media hype about drugs and underage ticket-holders, Enoch elders voted it down. It was downsized and moved downtown.

Full text:

Robin McCagherty and his friends accepted the latest round of bad press about raves with shrugs. Then they went dancing.

About 800 people were expected to cram a downtown bar on 105th Street on Saturday night and Sunday morning for a rave party that was relocated from the Enoch First Nation.

Dressed in trademark baggy pants and T-shirts, ravers waited patiently as security patted down everyone at the entrance and checked ID.

"They always miss the positive part of this," said McCagherty, 20. "Like friends getting together, having a good time. If they ban raves, it will just go underground and a lot of the positive things we have going here will be lost."

His buddy, Alan, said raves are healthier and less threatening than a night on Whyte Avenue where booze-soaked patrons tumble out of bars and into fights.

"I used to be a complete lush and now, I don't drink anymore -- well, socially," said Alan, 23, who wouldn't give his last name. "You come here, you get exercise. I've never seen any violence."

He and his friends admitted drugs are common at raves.

Downtown Edmonton police constables Scott Jones and Glenn Ball stopped by the club during their evening rounds Saturday. They say the drugs and all-night dancing concerns them. But they say ravers cause them little grief.

HB Promotions planned to hold a party for 2,000 on the Enoch First Nation but after meeting with RCMP and considering the media hype about drugs and underage ticket-holders, Enoch elders voted it down. It was downsized and moved downtown.