RAVERS FIGHT BACK

All-night dance parties meet stiff opposition from municipal councils

Teens and promoters say they are being "paperworked out of existence"
by plans to restrict or ban all-night raves.

Richmond artist Bryan Bone says youth activities are being "decimated."

"A rave is nothing more than an all-night gathering of the tribe,"
said the 21-year-old art student. "We're not as bad as people make us
out to be, or as interesting."

Municipalities face tough decisions on whether to ban the dance
parties or set up rules so they can be held legally.

Surrey wants to prohibit them; Richmond has restricted them to three
per month and Vancouver allows "late-night dance parties" but refuses
to call them raves.

The split is between young and old and goes deep into what each group
considers acceptable behaviour.

Grownups on city councils are afraid of encouraging people to be out
late or take drugs.

"Council doesn't want to condone something where drugs are part of
the scene," said Surrey Coun. Judith Higginbotham.

Surrey is concerned about 3,000-people "high on God knows what"
spilling on to the streets in the wee hours," said Coun. Dianne Watts.

"We don't have the police force to deal with that."

Council is awaiting further information before voting on a motion to
prohibit raves.

But council has been sweet-talked by promoters, who can make $20,000
or lose $50,000 on a single night's work.

"Give us a chance to be responsible," said promoter Salim Lakhani.
"Dancing from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. is no different than dancing from 6
p.m. to 10 p.m. Drugs are everywhere in our society."

Lakhani has organized 12 events, including one attended by 3,300 at
Vancouver's Plaza of Nations.

Richmond decided to permit raves "for the protection of young folks."

Coun. Ken Johnston attended an event anonymously and said security
did a "good job. They patted me down pretty good."

Promoters pay a flat rate of $5,600 for policing in Richmond.
Expenses may include include disc jockeys, jugglers, dancers,
lighting, security guards, sound system, insurance, medical personnel
and permits. Total costs can reach $100,000 for a big show.

Admissions start at $15, and go all the way up to $75. Water, pop,
juice, candy and chips are served.

Drug dealers outwit security and sell ecstasy, a pill combining
hallucinogenics and uppers.

As a result of the crackdown, Bone says raves have gone underground
to open fields on Indian reservations.

"They are not safe," he said. "There is no security."

He plans a "massive protest" on March 17 at 2 p.m. at Vancouver's Art Gallery.

Chris Neumeyer, 17, who has attended "quite a few" raves, said
banning raves increases the danger.

"They're going to happen anyway," he said.