Pubdate: Thu, 21 Mar 2002
Source: Peace River Block Daily News (CN BC)
Contact:  http://www.sterlingnews.com/Peace/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/690
Author: Mark Nielsen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raves.htm (Raves)

RAVE BYLAW WILL APPLY TO UPCOMING EVENT

Organizers of a rave set for the Crest Theatre on March 30 will have a few 
more hoops to jump through before the event can be held.

Council gave third reading Monday to a bylaw that sets out a protocol to 
help ensure that raves held within the city are safe ones.

Although it must still go through a fourth reading before it can be 
adopted, deputy administrator John Malcolm said the bylaw still applies to 
the coming event.

But it appears that the show will go on.

"We've met with them and they are complying with the requirements," Malcolm 
said Wednesday.

The bylaw makes a city-issued permit mandatory for holding a "late night 
event" like a rave. And to get that permit, organizers must employ a 
licensed security firm that would provide entrance control to ensure that 
alcohol or illicit drugs are not brought onto the premises.

The matter was first brought up more than a year ago, when members of the 
now-defunct Safer Rave Initiative Group made a presentation to council.

A bylaw was subsequently given two readings, but has remained in limbo ever 
since while the city waited for the group to draw up a list of approved 
locations.

With the group now silent for more than a year, it would be easy to assume 
there is no interest in such an event being held in Dawson Creek.

"However, it would be prudent to have regulations in place should an event 
be planned in the future," said director of development services, Greg 
Dobrowolski, in a report to council.

Administrator Jim Chute told council Monday that Dobrowolski's report was 
prepared before the city knew that a rave was being planned.

Some changes have been made to the bylaw. Rather than designating specific 
locations, raves will be allowed in areas zoned commercial general. And the 
processing fee has been increased from $187.50 to $400 per application.

A late night event remains defined as a commercial dance or other 
entertainment, performance or other event where 20 or more people are 
assembled at any time between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Dawson Creek-based Havoc Productions is putting on the rave which will 
feature four disc jockeys from Vinylution, a large organization based in 
Prince George that promotes DJs across Canada.

Tickets are on sale and are available at Selectus, the Cedar Lodge room 67 
and at Nightriders from Havoc's Ryan William on Friday and Saturday night. 
You can also contact William at 782-8531 and ask for room 67.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager