Hey everyone, I wasn't sure if this should go in the Newbie forum or here but oh well.

I am going to my first rave in early October. I am really excited but I will admit I am kind of nervous because I don't really know what to expect. I read through the culture forums and I am sure I will reread them a few more times. Does anybody have some nuggets of wisdom or can people tell me about their first rave. Thanks. I will tell you how it goes when it happens?

My first rave was toa 08 and it was amazing. I felt like I entered a different world that I never knew existed before. I was up all night dancing and just feeling really relaxed with everyone there. I found it to be a really positive environment. Just go there to have fun and listen to the amazing music that they play there and you will probably turn out to be one of the best nights of your life.

If you're looking for specific advice, it would probbly help to tell us what your expectations are. For example, I'd give you totally different advice if you were planning on, for example, going and rolling for the first time (which i neither condone nor condemn), versus going and staying sober. They're both totally different experiences, and necessitate totally different advice. Even going alone vs. going with a group of friends is a huge difference.

If you're just looking for anecdotes, my first rave was Nocturnal 06, and was absolutely amazing. I rolled for the first time with some buddies i had just graduated high school with, and it was truly magical. Nocturnal was still at NOS, so it was mostly outdoors, I met some amazing people who I still see at parties every so often, I got to see pendulum and Infected Mushroom before they went live(blech) and it was just incredible. I danced my ass off to the point that i could barely move the next day because i was so sore. On the flip side, it was my first time rolling, so i was pretty fucking sloppy, dropped a lot of shit, chain smoked, and crashed pretty hard by the time it was all over, and it definitely would have been too much had i not been with a group of friends. Even with all that, the good still completely overshadowed the somewhat bad, and I ended up having a blast.

Regardless of what you choose to do, you'll probbly have an amazing time, but if you want specific advice, give some specifics (IMG:http://www.glowsticking.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Vick's Vapor Rub.
Burt's Bee Menthol Chapstick.
Menthol Enhalers.
Many Glowsticks. (Make sure your venue allows them. At USC 11 in Seattle, the were talking everyones sticks, because people throw them at Tiesto. But if you smuggled them in, noone hassled you.)
Menthol cigs, if you smoke.

And if you can get ahold of some of those "3d glasses" type things, the good ones, you will be a god.

You don't even need to be rolling, but partyfavors for the tards is always fun.

Nah, I am not planning to roll or smoke or anything like that (straight edge (IMG:http://www.glowsticking.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif) )

I guess I don't really know what to expect. I am going with a small group of the people here in NoA (north atlanta). It is a club venue. uh... what else. I guess in the back of my head I have the stereotype of being surrounded by my mental image (which is probably wrong) or people that are completly plastered and 99% of them want to sell me crack. I don't know, like I said, I am a n00b and 99.5% of my ideas come from stereotypes and stuff.

So yeah, don't really have much expectations or ideas of what it is going to be like.

I'm completely clean too-- if you want, "straight-edge". Have never been on anything, period; still have amazing times, because it's all about the dance, music, & people for me.

My first rave was fantastic-- it was the company I was with, being able to move freely, even look like a total idiot and not have anyone give a damn; the glowsticks. There are plenty of people rolling, plenty of people hardly in a normal state of mind, but as long as you're all enjoying the same setting, what does it matter? Don't reject the people around you because they're having a different experience, even if you don't support what they're doing. The music wasn't always totally to my taste but hell, if it had a good bass beat, I was dancing up a storm like an absolute dork with everyone else.

You know what? Don't come in with any expectations at all. That's what I did. Leave your stereotypes behind, and build your views from this experience. And do your best to have a great time! (IMG:http://www.glowsticking.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thanks for the advice. It really is all about the music and dancing for me. I mean, go to a concert to hear other bands, go to a rave to hear EDM right? Anyways, I like your idea of going into it without expectations. (IMG:http://www.glowsticking.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin2.gif)

Bingo, I was pretty much wondering if i should be giving you safety tips, or telling you exactly what you just said. Anyway just leave your reservations at the door, meet as many people as you can, and don't judge people based on what they're on or how messed up they are. Just give them a lightshow and watch their mind get blown (IMG:http://www.glowsticking.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Socializing is a must. The more people you meet the better time you will have. Ravers are all nice people so you dont have to worry about any type of drama. Just have fun and bee yourself. dont let anything hold you back.

But be safe =D

my first rave was 2 months ago
it was so much fun nothing compared to the club.
everyone is friendly as hell
and its really fun to watching people glow stick.
thats how i got into glowsticking also
i went with my bestfriend and he never dances and i actually saw him dance that day
i was amazed.
my advice have fun dont be nervous. you will probably make new friends lol