attention!

[djflail2007]

Hey guys, So I'v got some good ideas for a party. I want to throw it, but as I'm going along I am realizing I know less and less of I am doing and how to do it. Can someone please give me a heads up. Maybe a list of do's and don't.

thanks

[dough mayne]

tip #1: change your name to something that doesn't so closely resemble "dj fail"

[tripwave]

HAHA lmao thats what i thought it was at first.. 2 points for domain for pointing it out :D

Tip#2 - you are thinking too hard! pretty much u go to a rave; what you see is what you get. Venue, Performers, Equipment, Partiers. boom. cover those bases. Get a venue that wants this type of show, get your performers lined up, make sure you have cash to put down (a few grand never hurts), book your sound/light gear, advertise. and book all in advance. get people to help set up/clean up..and u should be good to go.

Think of it as a house party, only much bigger, and you are renting the 'house' for a night for an exorbinant (is that even a word) amount of cash.

plus im drunk so im just talking out of my mouthass

[STREEETS]

dude i talk outta my mouthass everyday.

[DocShay]

I'd try and get in touch with another production crew and ask them about security, which they use, costs, booking, etc etc. I'm sure the majority of the crews out there are more than willing to give you advice to throw a good party - not only for your sake but for "the scenes", to give it a good reputation.

[ThaRegger]

Don't call it Spinfest

[LSDave]

Don't call it Spinfest

or sheizen fest for that matter lol

[Berbs]

Well, as long as people throw them (DIY: Do It Yourself), there will always be raves, so here are some hints I hope you have fun. Here is a brief description of the how to.

1) get the word out to "helpful" people.
You can't do it all yourself you need dj's, organizers, people to work the door, everyone to help with security and cleaning up. But delegate well. Make sure everyone knows their task.

2) rent lights.
Spend$200-300 on lighting equipment for 2 days. Fog machine, bubble machine, 4 100 watt spots, 2 strobes, one MIG, chasers, 4 3 ft black lights, a comet, etc.

3) rent DJ equipment.
Spend approx. $220-320 on 2 sl1200's, two Denon DJ cd players and one 5 channel mixing board. You may want to rent a 600 watt PA system from a friend or rent one with the rest of the equipment.

4) try to get a live PA.
There are many people in the scene who perform live techno/trance/ambient. They are great look to pay them around $100.

5) buy beer and/or organize a smart bar.
Both a smart bar (organized by a local guy who does a lot of them in the area) and an alcohol bar(licensing can be a bitch so if you can't do the alcohol do it non-alcohol) .

6) location
Check out local bars which aren't doing very well. For a $100-$200 they would rent you the place for the night. Or for all the alcohol sales. When the weather is good, do it outside. Use an old garage. Check the warehouse district or community centers, this won't be easy but you will find one willing to let you do it.

7) decorate.
Hang tie dies (looks cool with strobes), use flourecent paint, etc. Have old couches/chairs to sit on.

8) cover all windows so no one can see in.
You don't want Mr. Police bugging you ... raves are getting a bad rep. with all the idiotic press.

9) charge at the door to cover costs and so you can pay people.
You should charge somewhere around $5-10, for your first party don't sell tix in advance just at the door should be fine.

10) invite people THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART
The people in (1) will help, flyer your ass off and promote as much a possible, A rave-infoline is recommended.

11) OR have it by-invitation-only.
Have a list of people and their guests who were allowed in, you can do this though a forum or an email service. You will turn some people awayif you think they might cause a problem simply say ("I'm sorry, this is a private party and you are not on the list. We are also at capacity and people won't be leaving for a long time. If you leave your name and number we will try to get you on for the next event". THIS CAN SAVE YOUR PARTY, HAVIN INVITE ONLY IS A VERY GOOD WAY TO HAVE A SAFE FIRST PARTY.

Things to remember:

1) alphabetize the guest list.

2) make sure that everyone knows the schedules (which dj's perform when and for how long, what time the live PA has to be set up, etc.)

3) rent a better mixing board and rent a p.a. system. You don't want to blow a friends pa.

4) Everyone pays at the door. Not guests/elitism. Some people get pissed off when they find out that others got in for free.

5) ensure that no one else in the building/area is having another party.

6) have only 1 person in-charge of the door. Only 1 person handles the cash.

7) get more people to help do decorating ... borrow tv's, video cameras, computers, etc. Do "installation" art. Make the place even more visually impaired.

8) have a chill out area, with pre-recorded chill-out music (no dj).

9) think about where people will put their coat's/boots. Have coat check or hang huge metal rod from chains from the ceiling with lots of hangers.

Yep thats about it, good luck

[freaky_alien]

do not rent a bubble machine!!!!!! it leaves bubble residue wherever the bubbles land. Don't know what bubble residue is? Its liquid soap!! Now imagine a dance floor covered in liquid soap. been there done that, no thank you.

[Berbs]

Oh shit your right Freaky, my bad, or if you do want a bubble machine put it in the chill room with a sheet or garbage bags under where the bubbles fall and position it so that where no one is walking/sitting where the bubbles are.

[NeferTT]

make sure you get someone that knows a thing or two about design to make the flyers/posters. put them up EVERYWHERE i never see posters or flyers anywhere I go, I had to eventually just lurk around TvT..

post on all applicable internet forums, TvT, mixhard, that junglist forum, nexopia electronica forum (mostly edmonton based but i know some Peggers go there on occasion as well.

PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE

I would also agree that its a good idea to get in touch with some production comapnies in the area, they know whats up and if you work with them they will have more resources than you. Adding their name to your flyer can probably help alot with legitimacy and bringing people out.

don't expect to make any money off your first party either, it'll probably put you back some, make sure you have enough funds to cover the costs... sometimes places like mothers and Long and McQuade (and radio stations and stores, etc) will help sponsor your party if you ask nicely, which can bring in the moneyz, which can be really helpful

[dough mayne]

Keep It Simple

[loprogression]

Berbs' list is pretty detailed on what you may need.

I just wanna stress a few things:

Advertise: Think about it this way, how many people pick up a flyer, read it, put it down, and forget about it. How many people see a flyer only once, would like to go, but didn't remember it. Also consider that for every 10 people that see your flyer, what is your conversion rate from those exposed to your flyer to those that walk through your door and pay cover? 10%? 40%? 60%? Calculate how many flyers you will need based on that conversion rate, the amount of times the average person should see your flyer, etc, and go from there.

Anyway, point is, you need lots of flyers and posters, you need to distribute everywhere includes outside of 'the scene' and DO NOT advertise only on message boards. You need to make sure people see your flyers more than once.



Other points to remember:

-If you are throwing your party, and you are not a DJ, get the help of a DJ to tell you what you need. Equipment, equipment placement on the stage, proper monitor setup, etc. Hire a sound guy, or a competent buddy. You don't wanna start an hour late cuz you don't know what XLR means.

-Pay your DJs, or at least get them drunk.

-Don't let your amp clip or 'red-line'.

-Sponsors aren't a necessity, but they do help.


MOST IMPORTANTLY: - DO something different. Stand out and be unique. Over the years the best parties, the ones people remember thru booze and drug fueled hazes, are the ones where something new was done. At the same time, know your scene and know the limits of the people attending. Don't try to be too avante garde and freak people out. Ravers scare easy. :P.. Unique venues, different music than what you'd usually hear, interesting guests, etc, are what make a party stand out.





two Denon DJ cd players


NO NO NO!!!

Denons are crap. It would be like renting Numark vinyl turntables or something. Pioneers are industry standard, like tech 12s, for a reason. Rent either Pioneer MK2 800s or Pioneer MK3 1000s.

Your rented mixer should be a Pioneer DJM 600 or 800 or Allen & Heath Zone:42 or Xone:92.

4) try to get a live PA.
There are many people in the scene who perform live techno/trance/ambient. They are great look to pay them around $100.

Is this where I'd stick in a shameless plug?

*pick me* *pick me* :P

[NeferTT]

oh did I mention GET SOMEONE WHO PLAYS SOME BUMPIN BREAKS?!?!!


seriously there are not enough breaks in this town... i would come just for the breaks.

(and if it says "electro-breaks", "jungle/breaks", "breakscore" THAT DOESNT COUNT).


breaks, seriously.

[Subotica]

"oh did I mention GET SOMEONE WHO PLAYS SOME BUMPIN BREAKS?!?!!"

Hear hear! :cool:

Also to getting your dj's drunk... but not too drunk until they're done.. then get them smammered

[Berbs]

oh did I mention GET SOMEONE WHO PLAYS SOME BUMPIN BREAKS?!?!!


seriously there are not enough breaks in this town... i would come just for the breaks.

I would like to perform a shameless plug too, I play breaks!

Check my mixes

http://waxdj.com/djs/4821/

[Berbs]

Side note: I would also love to hear more breaks at parties, the Crown and Afterglow crews have put together a decent selection of locals who play the broken-ness for their fifth installment of Back to the Future at new years, should be a stellar night all around.

[dough mayne]

oh did I mention GET SOMEONE WHO PLAYS SOME BUMPIN BREAKS?!?!!


seriously there are not enough breaks in this town... i would come just for the breaks.

(and if it says "electro-breaks", "jungle/breaks", "breakscore" THAT DOESNT COUNT).


breaks, seriously.

what he said

and who has two thumbs and plays the straight up breaks you speak of??

aw yeah

[dough mayne]

but yeah... a breaks headliner every once and a while would be nice too !

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[NeferTT]

what he said

and who has two thumbs and plays the straight up breaks you speak of??

aw yeah

she. and yes i am a b-girl breaks MONSTER

seriously though, stanton warriors, krafty kuts, a.skillz. these guys have been touring around western Canada over the past couple of months and have any of them hit up Winnipeg?!?!?! NOOOO!! someone start promoting fast (believe me I would but being a student kind of dampens the party funds) WE NEEDS US SOME RBEAKS, GUYS!!!

revolution revolution!!! hahaha

[yummy mummy]

we've done a little investigation into some of le fave breaks heads. don't you fret, things are a cookin'......

[Aphotik]

He's'a'cookin' somethin'!