More bitching about shut down parties

[Dr.Skillz]

After Mad Hatter's when I paid $30 cash (and received no receipt) and the party was shut down *five minutes* after I arrived and later received no reimbursement, I decided to get to the larger, more expensive raves earlier. Good thing that I arrived at around 10:30 p.m. to "Pop" so that I had about three hours to enjoy myself and, in the end, I did feel like I got my money's worth. I thought it kicked ass that we were partying on an ice rink, I liked all the visuals, and playing the song “pop your cork” as the year turned to ’07 was tight.

But I got to bitch some and say what the hell does "fully permitted" mean anymore when all of these so-called permitted events get shut down early? I started to get a bit worried about "Pop" when I went to buy my tickets for it at the Skills shop and there they would only accept cash for my purchase, because they were worried that the rave really wasn't permitted. If the store that sells tickets (and knows far more about the rave scene than I do) doesn't trust the advertising on the flyer, why should I?

I actually got a good piece of advice from the person I bought the ticket from at Skills. He told me that if an event is "all ages," no matter what is said on the flyer, most likely the event is not truly permitted. My rule of thumb now is that if an event is big and I am forced to buy the tickets in cash when I go to the presale location, the event probably isn't permitted.

No offense, but is it really that hard to make sure these events go off without being shut down? One approaches the authorities ahead of time and says, "Look, we want to hold this party, we expect to generate this much noise, we expect this many people to show up, these are the hours we want to hold it, and this is what we're selling (e.g. alcohol or no alcohol). What do we have to do so that you won't bust us?"

I also don't really buy the excuse that the "person who rented out the venue to us told us such and such..." No matter what the person who rents out the venue (who is just trying to make a buck, after all) says, one must confirm that things are legit with the fire department, police, and so on.

I do blame the cops somewhat because most people at these sorts of things are just trying to have a good time and we sure aren't criminals out on the streets out to rob/hurt/rape people. On the other hand, I do think that some of these events have so many people crammed into one space/not enough exits/etc. that a serious fire hazard is posed and some people seem like they need to be saved from themselves in terms of popping pills (witness the girl, not to single anyone out, who seemed to have ODed yesterday at "Pop") and other hazards. All sorts of people would get on the cops' asses if it hit the news that someone died at a party that they knew was unregulated and they let continue. And are the proper regulations that hard to follow? So maybe I blame the authorities 10 to 25%, and the organizers the rest.

I personally like going to underground events (and taking the risk that the party will be shut down), but I don't like being lied to that an event is permitted when it isn't, and I don't like paying a bunch of money for something thinking that the party definitely will go off when it doesn't or only partly goes off.

So here's a suggestion: that if an event claims to be "fully permitted" we can pay for it by credit card and if it gets shut down we get reimbursed based on how early the event got shut down. So let's say that an event is supposed to go from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. and it gets shut down at 2 a.m., we get 50% of our money back, if it gets shut down at 1 a.m., we get 75% of our money back, and if it gets shut down at 12 a.m. or earlier, we get an entire refund. I just made up these numbers as an example, but I think that the general idea should be adopted. Otherwise, these events should not bill themselves as fully permitted, they should charge less, and I should clearly know that I'm taking my chances. Perhaps there should be some sort of middle category like simply "permitted" where I know that the event is not completely underground and unregulated, but that the party still may get shut down.

Until some reform takes place, my preference will be for the smaller, more underground events that are about half as expensive and (at least according to my personal experience raving thus far) less likely to get shut down.

Peace out.

[Crayon]

Originally Posted by Dr.Skillz

After Mad Hatter's when I paid $30 cash (and received no receipt) and the party was shut down *five minutes* after I arrived and later received no reimbursement, I decided to get to the larger, more expensive raves earlier. Good thing that I arrived at around 10:30 p.m. to "Pop" so that I had about three hours to enjoy myself and, in the end, I did feel like I got my money's worth. I thought it kicked ass that we were partying on an ice rink, I liked all the visuals, and playing the song “pop your cork” as the year turned to ’07 was tight.

But I got to bitch some and say what the hell does "fully permitted" mean anymore when all of these so-called permitted events get shut down early? I started to get a bit worried about "Pop" when I went to buy my tickets for it at the Skills shop and there they would only accept cash for my purchase, because they were worried that the rave really wasn't permitted. If the store that sells tickets (and knows far more about the rave scene than I do) doesn't trust the advertising on the flyer, why should I?

I actually got a good piece of advice from the person I bought the ticket from at Skills. He told me that if an event is "all ages," no matter what is said on the flyer, most likely the event is not truly permitted. My rule of thumb now is that if an event is big and I am forced to buy the tickets in cash when I go to the presale location, the event probably isn't permitted.

No offense, but is it really that hard to make sure these events go off without being shut down? One approaches the authorities ahead of time and says, "Look, we want to hold this party, we expect to generate this much noise, we expect this many people to show up, these are the hours we want to hold it, and this is what we're selling (e.g. alcohol or no alcohol). What do we have to do so that you won't bust us?"

I also don't really buy the excuse that the "person who rented out the venue to us told us such and such..." No matter what the person who rents out the venue (who is just trying to make a buck, after all) says, one must confirm that things are legit with the fire department, police, and so on.

I do blame the cops somewhat because most people at these sorts of things are just trying to have a good time and we sure aren't criminals out on the streets out to rob/hurt/rape people. On the other hand, I do think that some of these events have so many people crammed into one space/not enough exits/etc. that a serious fire hazard is posed and some people seem like they need to be saved from themselves in terms of popping pills (witness the girl, not to single anyone out, who seemed to have ODed yesterday at "Pop") and other hazards. All sorts of people would get on the cops' asses if it hit the news that someone died at a party that they knew was unregulated and they let continue. And are the proper regulations that hard to follow? So maybe I blame the authorities 10 to 25%, and the organizers the rest.

I personally like going to underground events (and taking the risk that the party will be shut down), but I don't like being lied to that an event is permitted when it isn't, and I don't like paying a bunch of money for something thinking that the party definitely will go off when it doesn't or only partly goes off.

So here's a suggestion: that if an event claims to be "fully permitted" we can pay for it by credit card and if it gets shut down we get reimbursed based on how early the event got shut down. So let's say that an event is supposed to go from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. and it gets shut down at 2 a.m., we get 50% of our money back, if it gets shut down at 1 a.m., we get 75% of our money back, and if it gets shut down at 12 a.m. or earlier, we get an entire refund. I just made up these numbers as an example, but I think that the general idea should be adopted. Otherwise, these events should not bill themselves as fully permitted, they should charge less, and I should clearly know that I'm taking my chances. Perhaps there should be some sort of middle category like simply "permitted" where I know that the event is not completely underground and unregulated, but that the party still may get shut down.

Until some reform takes place, my preference will be for the smaller, more underground events that are about half as expensive and (at least according to my personal experience raving thus far) less likely to get shut down.

Peace out.

I didn't hear anything about someone dying, just someone OD'ing nd ye just cause you OD dosn't mean you died.

[Toni DC]

just a note anywhere you go to buy a ticket they wont accept any other form of payment other than cash. I haven't bought a ticket for a party in years so I am not sure this may have changed but I highly doubt it. The only place u can get things on a credit card is at groovetickets or ticketmaster.

[redeuphoria]

Originally Posted by Dr.Skillz

But I got to bitch some and say what the hell does "fully permitted" mean anymore when all of these so-called permitted events get shut down early? I started to get a bit worried about "Pop" when I went to buy my tickets for it at the Skills shop and there they would only accept cash for my purchase, because they were worried that the rave really wasn't permitted. If the store that sells tickets (and knows far more about the rave scene than I do) doesn't trust the advertising on the flyer, why should I?

I actually got a good piece of advice from the person I bought the ticket from at Skills. He told me that if an event is "all ages," no matter what is said on the flyer, most likely the event is not truly permitted. My rule of thumb now is that if an event is big and I am forced to buy the tickets in cash when I go to the presale location, the event probably isn't permitted.

Until some reform takes place, my preference will be for the smaller, more underground events that are about half as expensive and (at least according to my personal experience raving thus far) less likely to get shut down.

Peace out.

Yes, if it says "all ages," or "16+" that will NEVER go over with the law: having minors at a party where there's going to be drugs and alcohol. That's how I've always been able to tell that the rave wasn't legal. And the venue may be permitted by the owners of the building, but that doesn' t mean the cops are gonna allow it.

My New Year's resolution, is either to rave less or pay less for a rave. These prices NEED to go down. They've gone up, as the likelihood of their being broken up has also risen. It makes no sense. I've wasted way too much money, and stressed about all this way too much. It's not just about money, it's also just disappointing and saddening. I love raving, but the situation right now is bad. Nocturnalism and Evo Ent tend to keep it real with low prices and a pretty good set up. Those are crews I will trust, but the 30 bucks thing still sucks and in San Jose its hard to get tickets early since Solid Grooves has been gone.

The situation is bad and I've had it. I'm really tired of expecting a bad night instead of a good one. It's not even worth it anymore. See you guys when things get better!

[ray_trace]

You kids are unfortunately a little late.

There are no more "fully-permitted, all-ages, after-hours" parties, at least in the bay area, haven't been for many years, pretty much since the Homebase days.

Cork would have needed a Special Use East Bay permit that doesn't exist anymore to go off. Valiant effort though. Props for them trying. But I would say pretty much unless the promoter advertises the venue on the flyer (and sometimes that's still bunk), the party is not permitted.

[DjCojami]

Originally Posted by ray_trace

You kids are unfortunately a little late.

There are no more "fully-permitted, all-ages, after-hours" parties, at least in the bay area, haven't been for many years, pretty much since the Homebase days.

Cork would have needed a Special Use East Bay permit that doesn't exist anymore to go off. Valiant effort though. Props for them trying. But I would say pretty much unless the promoter advertises the venue on the flyer (and sometimes that's still bunk), the party is not permitted.

yup. well said.

[AdamAnt4201]

Just to set things straight...at the time those fliers were made we were under the impression that Sunnyvale was fully permitted. That's where the party was going to be orignally. Unfortunately the venue owner falsified information. So when that venue was shut down the search was on for finding venues for 3 parties. Believe it or not, that was a chore. Now there are fully permitted venues for all ages. But not for venues that go till 4am. Cops don't like underagers on e. So here comes the executive decision. Do you go till 4 w/o permits or go till 2 with permits. I chose to cut Bumpin Bedrock till 2 to ensure no problems w/ the cops. Unfortunately that venue was not available for Trip or Pop. So we took a chance and did what we had to do. Throwing parties w/o a permits is a huge risk. But ask yourself...would you have rather seen these parties cancelled? I was glad that we got to bring in 2007 with a balloon drop bumpin phat beats & drinkin champagne.
I hope you all feel the same way.

[~gypsy~]

Originally Posted by AdamAnt4201

Just to set things straight...at the time those fliers were made we were under the impression that Sunnyvale was fully permitted. That's where the party was going to be orignally. Unfortunately the venue owner falsified information. So when that venue was shut down the search was on for finding venues for 3 parties. Believe it or not, that was a chore. Now there are fully permitted venues for all ages. But not for venues that go till 4am. Cops don't like underagers on e. So here comes the executive decision. Do you go till 4 w/o permits or go till 2 with permits. I chose to cut Bumpin Bedrock till 2 to ensure no problems w/ the cops. Unfortunately that venue was not available for Trip or Pop. So we took a chance and did what we had to do. Throwing parties w/o a permits is a huge risk. But ask yourself...would you have rather seen these parties cancelled? I was glad that we got to bring in 2007 with a balloon drop bumpin phat beats & drinkin champagne.
I hope you all feel the same way.

i realy hope this doent come off as rude because i realy do apreciate everything people are doing to keep the rave scene going but i have a question for you. Why do people reuse venues take have been broken up due to lack of permits and faked information on the parts of the venue owners? personal ive been to two raves in sunnyvale that were shut down where the crew working there told me it was shut down because of permit/ owner issues.

forever plur
~gypsy~

[redeuphoria]

Originally Posted by ~gypsy~

i realy hope this doent come off as rude because i realy do apreciate everything people are doing to keep the rave scene going but i have a question for you. Why do people reuse venues take have been broken up due to lack of permits and faked information on the parts of the venue owners? personal ive been to two raves in sunnyvale that were shut down where the crew working there told me it was shut down because of permit/ owner issues.

forever plur
~gypsy~

Yeah, I agree. And the Pop Ya Cork venue was so close to a major street that I saw this coming. Why don't people use venues like the Crackhouse in Oakland, located within a maze of old abandoned buildings?

Illegal raves are the best though, just for the record. Real ravers tend to show up.

[Toni DC]

certain venues are not used because of safety issues.

[Vision]

tl;dr



-V

[ejoy515]

People! The people that throw these parties do not do it with the intention of fucking us all over. They want their partyies to be fun and they definatly want you to get your moneys worth. They want you to enjoy yourself so you'll come to the next party.

Its a lot of work, everything is not black and white. They do there best with what they have and they deffinatly have a few things going against them.

I have learned from mad hatters and others that you need to accept the possibility of a shut down!! Did we forget thats "raves" are "raves" They are generally NOT fully legal.

I got to the venue around 9pm waited a little in line, even though it got shut down early i made those few hours the best. Dont get me wrong i was upset, but after spending some time with the people throwing the party and performing at the party it turned out to be a bummer for them too and it was definatly out of there control.

Oh yeah.. and there are only so many venues!!! And they are not all easy to rent out. If you guys have any ideas shoot them out. Maybe you'll find the next hot spot. Im sure they could use the help and we ravers need another sick venue.

I understand your rants! this is just my .02