RAVE REVIEWS ROLL IN

Police have glowing report for all-night party at Max Bell
Centre

An all-night party at the Max Bell Centre was a raving success, say
promoters, police and patrons.

"The whole city was watching this party. We did it right," promoter
Sid Lennox said yesterday.

"Police were bored. The fire marshal walked in and walked out. This
party was very successful. Our next party will sell out."

His partner, "Hamed," of Honey Productions 2000 spent the night
fending off constant media inquiries -- reporters watching for a
repeat of mayhem seen at a rave earlier this month where partygoers
left a warehouse in the city's northeast full of trash and the
landlord with hundreds of dollars in damages.

But police still outside the Max Bell early yesterday morning reported
no problems at the rave, which attracted about 2,000 people.

"There's just lots of repetitive noise. No Garth Brooks," joked Const.
John McCarthy.

The only medical casualty was a youth with a sprained wrist caused by
overzealous dancing, said Terry Lohse of St. John Ambulance.

"They seem to take care of themselves pretty well. I've seen a lot
worse at concerts. This rave is tame," he said as hundreds of partyers
- -- mostly age 16 and up -- worked the dance floor waving glow sticks
to the boom of the DJ's mix.

Organizers credit the rave's success with good planning, hiring some
31 security guards who patted down in-coming patrons, police and
on-site medical personnel.

Three people were sent away after trying to buy the $30 tickets with
counterfeit cash, another for trying to sell fake tickets and a teen
who appeared drunk.

"There were no fights or anything. I think this is a good place to
have a rave," 18-year-old Angela Montefresco said as she headed home
about 7 a.m., some 10 hours after arriving.

Its success is well timed, especially as city hall plans to discuss
whether raves need to be restricted or banned at its June 21 meeting.

"It seemed to be reasonably under control," said Ward 10 Ald. Diane
Danielson.

She wants to see age-restrictions and some rules, but she's not ready
to support a ban.

As the night wore on, some dancers sucked on soothers, while others
wore surgical masks coated with Vicks to keep the smoke out and make
breathing easier.