I found this article in some cheesy magazine in my skool. Sum of it is not bad, and sum of it is pretty lame.
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The Article About All-Nite Parties U Don't Want Your Parents to Read
THE RAVE RAGE
by Matthew Semansky

You're in the middle of a gigantic warehouse, surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of bouncing bodies. The aroma of sweat and smoke assaults your nasal passages, the lights flash and dance before your eyes, bathing the crowd in a variety of flourescent colours. And that low, throbbing bass drum beat that had you tapping your foot outside the building now rattles you rib cage. Your friends have been telling you about this for weeks, and now you're here. You're at a rave.

WHY THE RAGE?
More than just an experience in sensory overload, the rave scene has developed, over the past decade, into a popular forn of recreation for many teens. Although they've been around since the mid-80's (when chicago niteclub introduced the form of electronic music that would become known as "house"), "rave" has only become a mainstream term in recent years.

In days of old, raves were about illegal parties in abandoned warehouses. Today however, the bashes are held in well known clubs or halls, with police knowledge and even co-operation. The rise of the rave scene from teh underground has captured the attention of many a curious teen, and more than a few anxious parents.

To understand why raves have become so popular - they can draw up to 15 000 people in a major center like Toronto, without the advantage of television or print advertising - you first have to understand their unique appeal. To begin with, the remain an "underground" social event - giving them a mystique - and are advertised through a word-of-mouth network, flyers, anonymous voice mail messages, Internet mailing lists and at other raves.

The other big draw is the indescribable vibe at a rave - the PLUR (Peace, Lov, Unity and Respect) atmosphere. The PLUR factor is deteremined by a raer's own emotional state and the "feel-good" vibe of those around them. The energy stimulates others and eventually spreads across the room so that everyone is enjoying a shared state of euphoria.

One key element of rave culture is the idea that violence and snobbish attitudes are not to be tolerated. Sunshine, a 19 yr old Toronto party-goer, is a two year veteran of, by her count 49 raves. She describes the atmosphere at raves as being open and welcoming. "Everybody's nice," she enthuses, "plus, no one's drinking and the music is great."

FACE THE MUSIC 'N' DANCE
The music, indeed, has made incredible strides. Electronic music is now fragmented into several genres and sub-genres, from the soulful, disco-like grooves of house to the hectic sped-up hip-hop of jungle. Despite hardly registering on the pop charts, each of these forms of electronic music has its own dedicated following and the DJs who create it are viewed by their fans with the kind reverence usually reserved for rock stars.

Kelli, who frequently travels from her home in Hamilton, ON to Toronto for raves, waxes ecstatic about the music. "I love it," smils the 16 yr old as takes a break from dancing. "I want to be a DJ so bad."

Teens in the Toronto area have the benefit of living in arguably the largest market for rave culture in the world. Big name DJs from such major world cities as London, Chicago, Detroit and New York have enjoyed playing in Toronto for years, and they city itself has begun to produce world class performers. DJ Kamakaze has promoted raves in Toronto for the last five years. In his opinion, they city has recently surpassed London, England as ground zero for rave culture. He cites the city's large, enthusiastic crowds as the main reason so many star acts have made the trek to Hogtown.

"There's always a crowd for every DJ and they really get into it here." says Kamakaze.

The growth of dance music and culture in Canada has not been limited to Toronto however. All nite parties have begunn to surface in such smaller urban centers as Kingston and London, as well as in Edmonton drawing hundreds of people from surrounding areas. Stacy, a 17 yr old from Drayton Valley, Alberta travels to Edmonton to attend raves. Though they occur less frequently and are not as heavily poplulated, raves have nevertheless gained a foothold in the consciousness of teens who don't live close to urban centers.

"There's are party every couple of weeks," says Stacy, "Usually there's about 300 or 400 people."

So why has the rave culture been percolating into more rural parts of the country?

"It's a change of scenery, and around here there's no other way to access the music," suggests 16 yr old Dana from Cornwall, ON.

MUSICAL DRUGSTORE?
While teen ravers go on about the friendly attitude and safe atmosphere of all nite parties, parents and authority figrures are deepyly concerned about the growing popularity of the cultre. Many of these concerns involve the use of drugs. And, in fact, drugs are the first thing many people - ravers and non-ravers - associate with the scene.

But although there seems to be some connection between recreational drugs and the rave scene, they do not necessarily go hand in hand. There are many ravers who simply get high on life and the good vibe they get from dancing until dawn. And to be fair, drugs can be a part of any music and party scene, especially when unknown, outside guests are welcome.

But how widespread is drug use at raves? At any given party, it's almost impossible to guess, since many so-called "rave drugs" can be ingested before entering the party. The drug most commonly associated with raves is Ecstasy, but in recent years substances like crystal methamphetamine and ketamine ("Special K") have crept into the scene, leaving many outsiders with the impression that raves are simply all nite drug orgies.

Even dedicated ravers seem to agree with this view - to a point.

"If your introduced to raves as a means to get high, chances are you'll stick with the drugs," says Trinity, a 19 yr old from Toronto.

However, some are quick to point out that they feel less pressured to drugs at a rave than they might to drink at a house party. Dana denies feeling any pressure to get high at raves, noting "everyone appreciates it if you party sober." Stacy has a more practical reason for resisting the urge to do drugs at raves.

"There's just so many undercover cops, you just feel better not doing them."

Kamakaze, who has promoted raves attended by more than 10 000 people is more resigned when he talks about the link between drugs and all nite parties.

"They go hand in hand. What we try to do is frisk for things like crystal meth, cocaine and syringes, and we make sure to give water to anyone who looks like they're dehydrating."

He also points out that law now requires raves to have an on-site ambulance and medical personnel, as well as a securtiy crew from a respected company.

ECSTASY OR JEOPARDY?
While frisking patrons at the door may help reduce the use of drugs like cocaine and crystal meth, the drug of choice (and the one promoters and security personnel have the most difficult time confiscating) is Ecstasy or MDMA. Ecstasy provides, in pill form, a multi-hour engery burst complemented by a feeling of euphoria. Despite its lengthly list of mind-altering indgredients, many users feel that Ecstasy provides a safe high.

"There don't seem to be any side effects after you come down" claims one party goer from Eastern Ontario (who prefers to remain anonymous), echoing a viewpoint held by many ravers.

While studies of the long-term effects of Esctasy use are stil in their early stages, there is some evidence t suggest the drug may cause more damager than is commonly thought. A study at John Hopkins University in Minnesota has shown that users of Ecstasy may face permanent damage to the brain cells that produce serotonin, a natural substance that affects mood, appetite, sleep patterns and aggression. Similar studies show that in other animals, these

E-ccentric

i read that while being bored by my teacher in physics. it doesn't say anything bad but nothing really good either. just sort of an informative article for the kids who don't go to raves.

E-ccentric

EEEmazingPete

I dont know about you guys but i think that this is the best description of the current rave scene that I have come accross ...

pete

Spacegrrl9

Haha....Sunshine I knew that was u!!

Much Luv

Lyndsey