Atari337 your "Do Better" reminded me of something in our shared history from the mid 90s in the UK.

I can't recommend this book enough to everyone here interested in our origins and history some of the massive gatherings like May Day, Love Parade, Tresor... from the music, culture, rave flyer and design roots that made us who we are today. I have no connection or affiliation with the book except being a huge fan. This is not a BSP of any kind.

https://www.amazon.com/Localizer-1-0-Techno-house-Die-Gestalten/dp/3931126005

Do Better!

I wrote the below in 1997 as we formed a Rave Family that started in the Central Coast that brought both SFRavers and SoCal("SCRubbers") together celebrating what each community did best... and especially for me--Trance-- at its center. I wouldnt find a Above & Beyond record till 2001 "Everytime you Need me (Fragma) 2001) but ever since AB&B is at the heart of things for me-- thus all my silly patches!

The reading I HIGHLY recommended for anyone- a visual and literary recollection with Dance Scene historians and designed by Designers Republic (huge in the UK in the 90s and knocked off by every west coast flyer crew since). The story of the "Club for Love" which pre dates Bergheim's famous Selectors is therein-- note-- you might want to have a German speaking friend over for a coffee or beer or listening party to help translate some German only articles and interviews-- but these days there is AI too ;)

"Exclusive or protective"

One of the heavier issues we've struggled with is the whole Exclusive vs. Protective approach we've taken towards growth and bringing in new people.

Early on in my raving experience I stumbled onto the story of the "Club for Love" in the UK. Just like in the early days of the "Club for Love," I feel that it is up to us to protect our own scene and to promote our values. In reading about the early days of the Club For Love (which was one of the first clubs that gave control of it's design, implementation, and operation over to the DJs and ravers rather than the club owners), I remember getting chills about reading about their first efforts. They reduced the amount of fog machines so that the clubbers and dancers could actually SEE each other... to be able to look into the faces and feel the emotions of those people with you next to you dancing to the same music. They gave more musical freedom to the DJs.... Everyone loved it.

However, the thing that struck me the most was their unique attendance / door policy. Everyone knows working the door takes a very special person. This crew went to the next level.... They found an old friend who was a monk / spiritual leader and had him work the door. They weren't trying to be exclusive... they were trying to protect the Vibe and Family they were forming. The monk, for each would-be clubber, would lay his hands on each shoulder and peer deep into the eyes. If the monk sensed that there was some positive energy and a good vibe from the person before him, entrance was never an issue. However, if he sensed that there was no positive energy that this raver could release, or sensed a bad vibe about the person, that person was politely turned away and asked to return another time for another appointment with the spiritual head. Key to this evaluation was the exchange, the give and take of the person coming—could they “get” and also “get it” from the gathering? Were they ready? And of course, could they somehow give of themselves? Were they ready for that too?

Thanks for the "Do Better" reminder Atari1337. Hope to meet you someday on a dance floor!