Host a Rave Party
So you have an empty house and an amazing DJ booked for Saturday night. It's time to plan your rave party. Strobe lights, glowsticks, drinks and a dance floor are all part of the special mise en scene of a rave, but you don't really need those things. If the music is right and the energy's high, your rave party will be a success. All you really need is a giant guest list full of people ready to dance their pants off. See Step 1 to learn how to host the best rave party your friends have ever been to.
Steps
- Find a suitable area to host a rave. A rave can be inside, or outside but make sure you have an area big enough to accommodate all the ravers. Keep in mind, this will be a loud party and no one likes the police coming over to tell you to turn the music down. Make sure the place is dark, as it adds to the effect of the lights.
- If you are still living with your parents, make sure you have their permission before you start planning the party.
- Make your guest list. Before you can worry about food or decorations, you need to know how many people you'll be serving. Unlike an actual rave, a rave party has to account for an exact number of people.
- Use decorations to create the illusion of a rave. Add as many effects as your budget will allow. Lasers, fog machines, strobe lights, black lights, and of course, glowsticks are a must. Double points if you can synchronize the effects to the music. Most everything you need can be found at the Halloween Superstore (Google them).
- Buy all of the things you'll need for the party beforehand. You don't want to be stuck having to compromise the fun of your party because you didn't get the appropriate decorations etc.
- For a dance floor, go to a garden store and buy black connecting mats (The kind that fit into each other like puzzle pieces). At a paint or party store, buy a few buckets of neon glow-in-the-dark paint in different colors. Connect the mats to make a dance floor and have you and your friends (preferably of different shoe sizes) dip your bare feet into the different paints and make footprints on the mats. During the party, you'll have an amazing light up dance floor. If you're indoors, remove the light in your lighting fixture with a black light and cover the walls with white paper. Splatter on neon paint on the paper and immediately your dance room will look like a game of laser tag.
- Be sure to provide enough food and drinks. A good rule of thumb is one pizza for every six people attending.
- Look for electronic music with some bump. Typically it needs to have a rhythmic bass, and a climax with time to rest in it too. Raves are exhausting and a break is needed in the songs. Try to avoid songs with too many lyrics. The focus of the music should be the music, itself. Organize your music in a playlist that flows well from song to song (keeping speed/rhythm in mind). Or you can go with the option of having a DJ. Make sure the DJ understands the type of music you want to play and what the ravers want to hear. The music is crucial so if the music is a load of crap, no one is going to want to be there. Try compiling a list of songs, taking a survey with your guests, and seeing what everyone prefers. Have fun with it!
- Dress up. Make sure to wear lots of neon. Look into buying a light up shirt--it will light up depending on the music you're listening to, and hardly anyone has them.
- As a problem with many parties out there, sometimes people just won't dance. They'll just stand there and feel self conscious and bring down the energy of the party in a domino effect. Stay away from the rowdy and rambunctious types as well; neither are desirable. Also, keep seating to a minimum (preferably in a separate room) to discourage people from being inactive.
Tips
- If you're hosting a rave in a residential neighborhood, notify neighbors of the event to ensure that the police don't interrupt the party.
- Always wear comfortable shoes, drink lots of water and if you see someone feeling ill sit with them and hydrate them.
- If you're not too busy, walk around and check on everyone. See if they are having a good time. If not, encourage them to get up and dance or introduce them to some people. It's a party; not only that, but one that should bring out the love in everyone.
- Look online for much of the resources needed for the party, lights, songs, even light-up clothing.
- Invite some friends, it doesn't have to be all about the ravers, make sure you're having fun too!
- For some good music, look in iTunes Music Store and find an iMix that has the music that works for you. Or, check out other online sources (if you don't want pop influenced music).
- To really impress the crowd, rave in a cave. It's an impressive display that will attract more people (but can also restrict the amount of people that can fit on the dance floor)
- Good music to add to your playlist includes music from genres like Trance, House, Hardstyle, Dubstep, Happy Hardcore, and Hardcore. Artist like Above and Beyond, Angerfist, Headhunterz, Dash Berlin, Gammer, DJ S3RL, Da Tweekas, Psyko Punkz. (but you should really know what music and theme to focus on long before you got to this point). The list goes on forever!
- Every once in a while take some requests (unless they're likely to request Katy Perry or Lady Gaga). Or at least be open to the possibility that even if you can't fulfill a request, it MIGHT give you ideas to use something else you DO have. Or dedicate a song. It's a creative way to include and appreciate the people there.
Warnings
- To avoid the destruction of speakers and other DJ equipment, set up blockades between the DJ and the crowd (whether it be a table or a platform, balcony, etc...) This will prevent people from spilling, kicking, or damaging the DJ's stuff.
- You must provide water for everyone. Since no one can fully control the drug culture you need to make sure that anyone on a stimulant is fully hydrated and won't die from heatstroke, or anything else related to dancing for long periods of time or the use of MDMA.
- Alcohol (without moderation) tends to make people more rowdy, and will be more apt to break things, destroy your speakers, get into fights, etc. Be responsible with selling it.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Electronic dance music (EDM)
- A good DJ (optional, but highly recommended if you want to get the best out of your rave)
- Glowsticks
- Effects such as: fog machine, lasers, strobe lights, blacklights, etc
- Energetic people
- A well ventilated area (it gets hot quickly)
- Tons of stamina
- Ravers
- Food
- Friends
- Black Light Bulbs
- Few buckets of neon paint
