Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 2, 1995 TAG: 9506020101
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
To curb the outdoor use of drugs and alcohol, ravers will not be allowed to leave the Civic Center and re-enter without paying, said Michelle Bono, a city spokeswoman.
Undercover police officers watching for drug sales also will be present inside, she said.
The calls began coming in after Sunday's Roanoke Times & World-News story on the rave scene.
"We've gotten a lot of calls from parents saying, `Is it safe? Should my kids go?''' Bono said.
A rave is a large dance party, usually starting late at night and ending around dawn, that features throbbing techno music and a psychedelic light show. Some ravers use drugs such as the hallucinogen LSD or the stimulant Ecstasy.
The popularity of raves is growing in the Roanoke Valley, and Saturday night's, called "Evolution," is expected to be the biggest yet.
It is open to people 17 and older. It starts at 9:30 p.m. and ends at 5:30 a.m. Sunday. Admission is $12.50.
Ravers may leave the Civic Center Exhibition Hall and re-enter, but they'll have to pay another $12.50 admission, Bono said.
A similar policy is in place for carnival-goers at The Great James H. Drew Exposition this weekend.
The carnival was marred by some fights last year, Bono said. This year, its grounds are fenced to prevent people from coming and going as they please. The promoter also is paying for additional security guards in the parking lot outside the fair.
by CNB