Monday, November 1, 2010

The Rave

There was a huge concert at the marina on Saturday evening.  All day Friday, we could see a large circus tent being erected.  I heard various things about the concert--that it was a DJ, that there were 3000 people coming, that it would be crazy, and that it was a Rave. 

I know that I am behind the times, but I did not know what a Rave was.  I only just looked it up on Google today.  For those of you who are equally uninformed and might be curious it is:

Any gathering of people centered around listening to and dancing to electronic music, as played by a set of live djs. Originated in 1989 in the UK as underground, often illegal gatherings in abandoned warehouses. Often characterized by the positive, psychedelic atmosphere, influenced often (but not always) by drugs and casual sex. Source: Urban Dictionary

After working on tracing the plumbing and waste system on Sojourner (getting to know her inner guts literally) all day,  I walked the old Labrador up to the grassy spot near where the circus goings on were occurring.  There were people, mostly 16-20 year olds from what I could tell, dressed in all manner of costumes from the ridiculous to the sublime going to the tent. 

I went back to the boat and forgot about the concert because about ten people from the marina came over to see Sojourner and brought snacks.  We sat around and talked for over two hours.  Eventually, someone suggested that we all take a walk up to the tent to see what was going on.  So we strolled up there and walked right into the Rave. 



I have to say that it was an interesting experience.  This was a concert by Pretty Lights which consists of one fellow who hits keys on his computer and turns knobs to produce electronic music.  Another fellow is playing drums.  They crank out some wobbly-thump bump and boom beat, and coordinate the big hits with LED explosions of light.  All around kids were waving hands in the air and grinding to the sound. 

There were lots of lights of all kinds.  The most fascinating being the ones that were attached to people who wore lots of glow sticks.  Several individuals had fastened glow sticks to their clothing to make an outline of a person.  I wish that I had taken photos of that. 

I could tell that there were a lot of underage kids drinking and doing whatever substance the kids are doing now.  One girl staggered past us and threw up in a trash can.  Not very pretty, lights or not.  Another young woman came up to ask me if I knew where she could get some acid.  I know that I looked rather dingy with a two day old beard and the fact that I was twice the age and more of these kids, but I didn't think that I looked like a drug dealer.  Anyway, I told her that I didn't know and that I wouldn't touch that stuff as it could make a person crazy.  She probably thought, "Old fart".  I know that is what I am, especially at the Rave. 

However,  C. and I did decide to bump and grind to the music.  That probably isn't what you wanted to read, but we had a good time.  We added a few glow sticks to our clothing, put both our hands in the air and danced for over an hour. 
Now I can say that I experienced a Rave with Pretty Lights.   Too bad these kids missed Pink Floyd. Now those were the days.......

18 comments:

  1. I am so glad you joined in the fun. That is awesome.

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  2. Oh, Syd, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! Isn't dancing wonderful? And you've been to a Rave!

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  3. haha. way to get down syd...those can be pretty fun experiences without indulging...

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  4. With Pink Floyd you didn't go to all the effort to dance. They were so good you just laid back and let the music do you. Plus whatever you happened to be enjoying at the time.

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  5. I'll take Pink Floyd over a Rave any day. Delighted you made the best of it and danced your heart out. (Hugs)Indigo

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  6. glad that you had a good time. i agree with ms.moon, dancing is awesome. i have never been to a RAVE, and at my age, i doubt highly that i ever will, so good for you!

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  7. Oh Syd, what fun! I am sure the young Ravers must have thought that you and C were a wonderful pair of Crazy Diamonds. Shine on!

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  8. I've heard of Rave parties because of the high schoolers hanging out at our house. I'm an old fart too since I didn't know drugs and sex were involved, but despite a few drawbacks I'm glad you and C were able to get your "groove" on....

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  9. That's exactly what I wanted to hear...get your groove on, brotha!

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  10. I love Pink Floyd still.
    We played Dark side of the Moon at my grandmothers funeral.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d78K4rCEfAo

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  11. PF is making a huge comeback with the kids today. That was a party nothing like what the raves are still like here. They tend to go old school in an abandoned warehouse and all attendance is by word of mouth to keep the cops out of the way.

    Good for you old man by not getting all old mannish on the kids and joining in the fun.

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  12. It's amazing to hear you talk about your boat. I can't believe you just went out and bought a boat... A friend of mine recently just went out and bought another house. She now has three houses...

    I am trying to accept abundance into my life, and prosperity. It's good to watch you doing it and enjoying it.

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  13. Ah yes Pink Floyd... amazingly enough our teenage kids (including the 11 year old) all know and love Floyd still.

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  14. you make me giggle, wow what an adventure!! glad you guys had fun with it!!

    i don't think i could handle being around that crowd.

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  15. I appreciate your being who you are and sharing it. When you have learned authenticity you can go anywhere and be exactly what you need to be at that moment, even giving a contrary opinion to a stranger.... and staying.

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  16. I'm glad you had a good time. If you ever want to get out of the water, and head to drier land, check out Black Rock City sometime during Labor Day weekend. The Burning Man festival has lots of rave type music as well as art, fire dancers, and a great community.


    Tari

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  17. I'm glad you and C. decided to bump and grind. Good for you two!

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.