A Lifetime of Memories
The Rave scene is a blessing that we wish everyone in the world could experience, for even a moment. To experience our community’s love and positivity would make the world a much better place.
We’re much older now and truly understand the lasting power of electronic music and the culture that surrounds it. We are the first generation of Ravers and have a distinct honor, knowing that our love for music and each other left a lasting impression on the world.
Being the first Ravers to journey from youth through adulthood has been a unique experience, with no Mapquest printouts or GPS to follow. Sharing the history of our youth and our journey through adulthood with the Ravers of today is important. In the blink of an eye, they will be taking our place as the Old Guard of the Rave scene’s history, soul and PLUR!
We raved to music
We raved until dawn
We raved with friends
Most of our members had the opportunity to be a part of the scene as it emerged. Then, as it reached its “heyday”, or glory years, as some say.
We were in our youth and this evolving culture was a completely new and exciting experience for us all. Life was simple and we lived carefree.
Little did we know, that the music, culture and values would become a permanent part of our lives. Nor did we realize that we were shaping the future for generations to come.
What Now?
Fast forward 20 plus years for most. We’ve been adulting while life has been kicking our butt most of the way. Carefree nights and weekends of Raving non-stop with friends, have been replaced by stressful careers, building lives and raising families for two decades or more.
Now, our once youthful bodies have begun aching from arthritis and age. The closest we’ve come to dancing all night, has been rounding children up for bedtime. Fake ID’s have been replaced with AARP cards. White doves with Tylenol. Vicks with Icy Hot. Nights that began at 10pm and went until dawn, can now end by 10pm or earlier.
But one thing has never changed; our Raver spirit, built on our love of music and others, that is in our souls. It never left, nor did it lessen while we ignored it for years. It waited patiently, until our kids were nearly grown or on their own and we could stop and take a breath.
Then the music and its energy began flowing once again and drew us back to the music and culture that shaped our lives. We remember the scene of our youth, live by the values it instilled, but begin a new journey, as modern-day Rave Moms and Dads in the Rave scene of today. While the scene has changed in so many ways since we left it long ago, it’s soul is still alive and thriving, despite what some may say.
We are also the first to be blessed with another honor, that will be joyfully shared with many who come after us. We are the first to Rave with our kids; and grand kids.
A member recently posted a picture of her, with her daughter and grand daughter at a festival. It was an incredibly powerful image to see three generations of Ravers together. We weren’t thinking of such things in our youth and had no idea of how powerful experiencing the Rave scene with our children would be.
We rave at events
We rave as families
We raved then, now…
What’s Next?
Who knows how the phrase “Rave to the Grave” began and who cares. It’s a motto we Ravers share; young and old alike. As youth, it is more of an expression without context. But as much older adults, who realize how quickly decades have passed; it takes on real context and meaning.
Being the first generation, we’re also the first to experience life as a Raver in their 40s, 50s or older. We didn’t plan for it, and many are likely surprised to have made it this far; but here we are. Looking back and having the past 20 or more years seem like only a fraction, we realize how quickly our future will also pass.
We had no Google or instructions and no mentors when life took center stage and pulled us away. Our most likely regret was letting life overshadow our love of the scene and its many blessings.
Now that we have a second chance to dance once again, we never plan to stop. The music, dancing and culture gives us the same euphoria and sense of belonging as in our youth. It helps us face and overcome the new challenges that life throws at our older selves.
We meet once again, on dance floors, on rails and under starry skies, around the world, to celebrate and face life together. We may have lost contact with the Ravers of our youth, but plan to dance with those of today until we can’t dance any more.
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