Like someone posted earlier, ravers are a subculture of kids/young adults that are heavy into techno music and often times hallucinigenic drugs such as extacy shrooms, etc.
It's good to hear they were polite and respectful while attending the park but unfortunately this whole culture is full of drug use, and sexual exploitation of minors, etc.
The plastic jewlery has to do with enhancing the highs, but from my understanding has morphed into a status symbol inside their community.
Lets watch out with what we pass off as truth and what we think is the truth for subcultures you really don't know about.
First of all, 98% of what you heard any new anchor tell you about raves, and raving is incorrect.
Wait...let me start over...from the beginning...
Why were there ravers all over the place? It was raver days, like gay days, Bats in the park days, or any other day where subculture people come to the park to have a good time like anyone else. They respect Disney parks, and like to go to have fun just like anyone else. They are there because
Disneyland is amazing and they want to have fun just like everyone.
Ravers actually are one of the most respective groups of people I have ever met in my life. I am/was a raver for 15 years (getting kinda old now). An electronic music DJ, and have probably gone to over 200 raves in my life. thedarksyde was my DJ name. The name I sign on with still here.
Ravers understand and know there is a false stigma placed on them from those that have no idea, and the drug war, that we are evil people, sexual deviants, and drug addicts. So because of that and the actual basis of the group, we are generally very nice, respectful people and are really fun.
The basis of the group you saw at Disneyland are candy ravers, they are a offshoot of the original club kids from the late 80's in the NY club scene, with the wild colors and hair and makeup. The idea has changed over time to something called, PLUR. P.L.U.R. Peace, Love, Unity and Respect. This is a group that believe in being nice to everyone, respecting people, and having fun. The candy (bracelets) is to share with people, other friends who share the candy back. In no way does it enhance the high of exstacy, LSD, or Mushrooms. This is a complete falsehood by the media, who have no clue about subcultures, and want to freak everyone out. You trade bracelets, that say things like PLUR or your raver name and so that you can remember that person and the time you spent with them. They might or might not have one to give you back. They are just plastic beads, it doesn't make you higher. Does anyone know of plastic getting anyone high?
Ravers are sexual devients? In my 200 raves, I have seen exactly zero sex acts. I have been to 3 day camping raves, warehouse parties, a cave party, beach parties, and anything else you can think of. Party is another word for rave. I have seen exactly zero people have sex, and zero orgys, or other media claimed events that occur at raves. There are people kissing and making out, but the dancing that occurs at any club in the city is far worse than what goes on at raves.
Ravers dance away from each other. One of the reasons I liked raving. Besides the community, is the dancing is apart. I felt very uncomfortable going to clubs and high school dances where everyone was grinding and humping and whatever on the dance floor. I didn't feel comfortable doing that. But I liked to dance. Ravers dance apart from each other, not grinding. There are break dancers, and regular dancers, fire and light twirlers, but it's all apart, no humping on the dance floor. When I say apart, I mean guys and girls do not even dance together, each one does their own thing.
Ravers are drug addicts and raves are drug havens How many concerts have you gone to in your life? Think about it. Count. 5? 10? 25? Maybe none. Now think about how many times you were searched? As in patted down as you entered the concert. Had everything out of your pockets, your shoes off, and you patted down. Almost like going through airport screening. For all the concerts I have gone to, I think zero times. Also zero times for most clubs.
Every rave I have gone too that has tickets to get into and isn't like a free park party, you have to take everything out of all your pockets, take off your hat, take off your shoes and get patted down. To make sure you are not bringing in anything illegal or dangerous. We fight the image that we are havens for drugs often, yet when we get shut down for offenses such as drug trafficking by police the numbers of people getting arrested for possession is near zero very often. Imagine if you had a raid on a concert and the cops searched everyone, imagine how many people would be arrested for drug posession. You can just smell the pot around you all the time at concerts.
Now I am not saying drugs are not at raves, because they are, however I would say that it seems to me less than at the family values tour (concert) I went to, and the other day long festival type concerts (lolapaloozia, cochella) that I have been to. There was a lot more drugs, nudity and sex at those than any of the raves I have ever been to.
I am now 29 years old. I am not having kids, but if I was, with what I have seen in this life so far, my choice for my kids high school activity's, would be raving over, school dances, clubs, or concerts. They are by far the most organized, safest places with the most helpful and respectful groups of friends I have seen in any of those groups.
If you have any questions I will subscribe to this thread and answer any other questions you have. I know the history of raving and the music culture, and have read every book on the subject, so I know pretty much the whole history from the late 70's till now. Also know the behavior and subgroups, if you have kids and questions about them or any of it.
