Frat parties just don’t do it anymore
A fix for your quarter-life crisis
BY AVA RAUSCH WITH ART BY JACQUELYN FAY
If you’re 20 years old and having a quarterlife crisis, don’t be surprised if you find yourself at a rave. Or in my case, standing in front of the barrier.
One month ago, my friend David called and asked if I wanted to go to a rave downtown. I was recently single and was willing to do anything that sounded remotely interesting. Besides, I went through a phase where I religiously listened to EDM music while doing homework. So at least I wasn’t totally lost.
The only thing I knew about rave culture was that there were a lot of people doing different substances and wearing next to nothing. And I wanted to be a part of that. If there was anything I considered to be the most crazy thing I would do in my life, it would be going to a rave.
The lights were blinding and the bass was shaking my body in anticipation. Four different DJ’s performed their sets all creating a unique techno vibe. The only thing you could hear was the music, there were no other screams or reactions from the audience.
The people I encountered were all part of the experience as well. A colorfully dressed girl, slipped one of her many vibrant bracelets onto the hand of an angry looking security guard. Their interaction seemed like a peace offering from the inside to the outside world.
Once the show ended we rode with the wave of the crowd, through the doors of the venue and flooded the streets of Minneapolis. I felt a wave of relief rush over me as I finally felt the breeze of the wind– I was free.
I experienced the craziest thing that I will probably ever experience, and now I can relax.