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Rave review: B.C. electronic music lovers cultivating healthier culture

Victoria害羞草研究所檚 underground music culture has developed over the years, becoming less about drugs
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Victoria has a flourishing underground music and, according to Gabriel Bettey, that culture is growing as each year passes. (Photo: Wendy Wei/Pexels)

A healthy music culture is essential for any community that hosts events.

It can act as a playground for residents interested in techno, house, and drum and bass music to express themselves freely. A dark room full of flashing lights, music and dancing raves can attract people from all walks of life.

Gabriel Bettey, founder of Dubversified Culture in Victoria, established his event promotion company in 2017 to create more inclusion and representation around the electronic music scene.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 important for harm reduction and consent,害羞草研究所 said Bettey. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 also important for radical self-expression and fostering community development. It inspires others to grow in their art.害羞草研究所

Attendees and organizers want to transform rave culture and distance it from the connotations of drug use and illegality it has garnered. Today, the underground parties don害羞草研究所檛 seem so underground anymore. Many rave venues are banning the use of drugs altogether in hopes of 害羞草研究所渢ransforming the impression that some may have on what it means to attend a 害羞草研究所榬ave,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 Bettey said.

While raves originated in the late 1950s when the term was used to describe 害羞草研究所渨ild bohemian parties害羞草研究所 during the Soho beatnik era, today the trend of underground parties has blossomed into something different.

Bettey is a member of the Victoria Rave Squad (VRS), a Facebook group 害羞草研究所渃reated to spread the word on local electronic music events and keep in touch with other music lovers. The group promotes all electronic music events in and around Vancouver Island and keeps music lovers in touch.

害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 like the term rave. It makes it sound unorganized and illegal,害羞草研究所 said Bettey. 害羞草研究所淲e prefer the music scene to be integrated at the same level as a jazz festival or rock.害羞草研究所

While some may quickly associate underground music culture with youth delinquency and drug use, many spiritual and cultural elements of raves and electronic dance music can bring communities together more innocently.

害羞草研究所淩ave culture evolved from a fringe and underground movement that was created and led by the LGBTQ+, advocating for their fundamental rights and, slowly, people are expressing themselves more healthily in an open environment,害羞草研究所 said Bettey.

With the development of new technologies, lifestyles and understandings of safety, people害羞草研究所檚 expectations have changed even faster than the rules have. Private underground parties have remained prevalent to this day.

However, gatherings in smaller circles are no longer the norm; larger entertainment companies like Bettey害羞草研究所檚 emerged and began taking organization more seriously, promoting harm reduction and naloxone education at many of their venues.

Approximately two to three underground music events are scheduled each week in Victoria, most created by event promoters. Vancouver Island has a special makeup for these events with its serene and secluded spots, and temperate weather.

害羞草研究所淥ne can think it is sort of a political movement that aims to empower the population in marginalized minorities,害羞草研究所 Bettey said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a way to regain control over the only thing we do control: ourselves and the people surrounding us.害羞草研究所

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