anabolic frolic

Rave new world of Summerlove
Porn star Ron Jeremy will host the dance and DJ event at UBC

Kevin Griffin
Vancouver Sun


Friday, August 30, 2002

B.C.'s biggest rave has changed into a "dave." As in a rave during the day.

Summerlove, the annual party to mark the end of summer, is about to experience the biggest change of its 11-year history Saturday: the traditional all-night party has morphed into an all-day party, according to manager Rick Mezey.

"When I call the RCMP about Summerlove, I say 'Hey this is Rick from the 'dave,' " he said. "That's what we're doing -- a day rave."

This doesn't mean, Mezey explained, that raves are dead or that ravers are now growing older and want to sleep at night. It's more complicated than that, he added.

First of all, there's the problem with finding venues for Summerlove. Mezey said it isn't easy finding an outdoor location in B.C. for an all-night party capable of accommodating up to 15,000 people.

Last year, for example, Summerlove was on the Sto:lo Popkum Reserve in Agassiz.

Getting there, Mezey said, proved to be a logistical challenge for ravers: it meant arranging a car and following directions to an unfamiliar, isolated spot, staying up all night and then driving back home.

Rural residents also didn't take kindly to an army of cars driving on narrow logging roads for a big city-style party.

Moving Summerlove to Thunderbird Stadium at the University of B.C. and starting at noon changes everything.

"Now you can roll out of bed late on Saturday, get on a bus and be out at Summerlove in a half an hour," Mezey said. "UBC is such a well-established venue and it's hassle-free to get to."

By having Summerlove in Vancouver, Mezey has been able to expand the event from one all-night dance party to a series of pre-parties that started Tuesday and post-parties that continue afterwards. When Summerlove ends Saturday, partyers will be able to keep the night alive at several downtown nightclubs where a Summerlove wristband means getting in free or at a greatly reduced price. "People will be amazed at how much is going on afterwards," Mezey said.

Organizing a dave also means being able to have a beer garden -- also a first -- at UBC capable of holding up to 2,000 people.

Mezey admits changes in rave culture in the U.S. have also influenced Summerlove's move to daytime. U.S. paranoia about drugs has meant a severe clampdown on all-night dance parties by police and public officials. As a result, raves have moved into the sunlight south of the border.

As an example, Mezey pointed to the Ultraworld Waterfront Music Festival in downtown Miami, which he recently attended, where upwards of 40,000 people danced and partied during the day.

"When I saw that kind of turnout, I knew that was the future," he said.

As for Summerlove, Mezey said Thunderbird Stadium will have six stages; one featuring live, local hip-hop acts, another stage with hip-hop DJs and four stages with electronica.

Featured DJs include Erick "More" Morillo from New York, Robbie Rivera and Markie Gee from Miami and Kenny Glasgow from Toronto, as well as 30 local DJs.

There will also be a 12 by 32 vert ramp featuring the country's top skaters and BMX riders.

Porn legend Ron Jeremy will be the host for the day. Patrons will have opportunities for autographs -- and to get their photo taken with him -- fully clothed, of course.

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Summerlove 2002 takes place at Thunderbird Stadium, UBC, Saturday, from noon (doors open at 11 a.m.) to 10 p.m. Tickets are $53 in advance and $65 at the door.

More information at www.summerlove.com

© Copyright 2002 Vancouver Sun