Nocturnal Wonderland 20th Anniversary: September 4-6, 2015

How do I begin, with the rave that tops anything I have been to up until now. This was a 3 day rave that changed my whole view of things. I went into this rave to expecting to run into as many people as I did. But for one sure thing I was going to meet up with Jesse (Gizmo), to say hi and rage together for a minute. That's jumping ahead tho. To start I drive down with Sahar thursday night around 10:30pm on Sept. 3rd. We get to LA around 3am, crash at Sahar's aunts house get up a little later in the day and head to our hotel. We check in and get ready to head out to the venue. In our rave outfits and Kandi we call an Uber and get taken to the venue dropped off fairly close and head to the entrance lines. We make it through and I get a Snapchat message from Gizmo telling me where he's waiting and where he is at. We start heading over to the meeting spot. Mind you its a lot harder to find someone at these events than you might think. Yet, I found Gizmo and gave him the Kandi I made him and then was introduced to all his friends he was with, Sahar right by my side. We were on the move to the next stage listening to the music and having a blast. Moved around to another stage danced enjoying everything the event had to offer. It was only a couple hours in and Jesse went with some of his friends to a different stage when I ran into another one of my friends unexpectedly. Thomas. Said our hellos and went our separate ways. Wasn't until a few moments later that Sahar and I ran into him again. This time when we ran into each other we had a weird connection that brought us together. So he introduced me to all his friends, both of which become really cool friends (Anthony: the one in the picture on top, the bottom in the middle hands extended & Gil: not pictured). Anthony would later become one of my better friends, although from a distance. So when the final set came to start, Armin Van Buren, we were just enjoying the visuals from the stage and danced together, Thomas and I.
Day 2 was a whole different ballpark the music played that day was more intense. Meaning faster paced and had so much more energy with more people in the crowds. Getting the whole #squad together made everything much better. Dancing, messing around, just enjoying everything. Day 3 was the same and then some got to spend a weekend with a great new group of people. Wouldn't change a thing for the world. Had a blast that day. Memorable for-sure wouldn't change a thing.

HARD Summer Music Festival: August 1st & 2nd 2015

This was the first HARD event that I attended. It was different than the other events I have been to because it was a full weekend and not an Insomniac event. The weekend started off by the long drive down to LA, The Fairplex in Pomona, to get to the venue. It wasn't terrible because I had good company on the journey down with Sahar. We get to the hotel come Saturday before the event starts. Relax, eat, shower and get ready to head out to the venue.

We get to the Fairplex, park, and get ready to enter the chaotic lines to get in. Standard at music festivals you go through ID checks, bag checks, and pat downs. Make it through and walk through a tunnel before gazing at the grounds and what the HARD Summer has to offer. I was surprised at how hot it was outside but that didn't take away from the excitement of seeing performances/sets from some of my favorite DJs. Sahar and I start walking around just to get a feel for the venue and where everything is. Its a few hours until we meet up with some friends. Coming back from one of the different stages I luckily ran into my friend Lance. It was random but very much welcomed. He was with his friend Donna and we spent the rest of Day 1 jumping around from stage to stage. Most importantly on Day 1 we saw the Weeknd. There was so much to do at this event. Food, music, and attractions. Day 2 was hotter than the day before and was uncomfortable until the sun went down. But we pushed thru and made it as enjoyable as can be. Made the most of the weekend seeing so many different DJs.

Dada Life: The Voyage - July 18, 2015

The Voyage. My first introduction to the SoCal rave scene. It was a day event that was surprisingly an awesome experience that led meet to a great group of new people. Initially I was with my cousin, Ralph, and his friends but we got separated in the crowd. I was supposed to meet up with another one of my friends, Manny,

 and his group but we couldn't find each other and cell reception was poor.  Even after loosing my group I happened to run into someone I knew, my friend Jose, and then was introduced to some awesome new people, Jesse (Gizmo) and Justin. This was a totally different experience than the first time. A mixture of feelings and different vibes from the crowd surrounding me. It was an indescribable feeling. The atmosphere was completely different I had this sense of pure excitement that everyone surrounding me felt complete happiness, acceptance, and love. It is something that you have to experience on your own. Trading Kandi (rave beads) with new people that you meet along the way its just an atmosphere for enjoyment. But meeting new people and staying connected through different forms of social media (Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter etc.) is also a part of the vibes given off by keeping in touch and planning to meet up again in the future. Meeting new people and raving/going to festivals and seeing people you've met already just builds an even stronger sense of community. It was funny to think that I could meet such amazing people from one little event such as the voyage. I mean these are the types of friendships that could potentially last years. All from randomly meeting at an event.

From Start to finish the sets from different DJs were amazing all leading up to the closing set from DADA LIFE. It is funny to think that I only knew a few of the songs played by DADA Life  but completely enjoyed every song. I wasn't aware of too much going into the 'rave' scene but these two events alone really opened my eyes to it. I was completely drawn in and taken back by it all. Just the feeling of community and sense of belonging is unimaginable. That you are accepted with no judgments is a big part of what PLUR stands for. So how could I not fall in love with the whole ideals of it all.

Audio on the Bay: May 24, 2015

This event was located in Richmond Ca, at Craneway Pavillion. This was the first actual rave/festival I attended. What an experience. I bought my ticket way in advance just so I would be able to attend. Of course, I was money conscious at the time so I only attended one day.

So to start, it was the week leading up to the event that I was very anxious and could not get the event off my mind. Little did I know what I was getting into and what would soon be an addiction. An addiction to being surrounded by a community of people who do not care much about the simple minded things that makes individuals put off by one another. This was the event that made me fall in love with the PLUR lifestyle. I attended the event with my close friend. Just me and her. We soon were welcomed by a group of individuals who introduced us to so many new things. Things that enhanced the feeling of being surrounded by a group of people who are just there in the moment and are FREE. Its an experience that I recommend everyone should at least try out to see what it all means. Its a liberating experience that caught me off guard. I enjoy the music, the insane light shows, crazy visuals, and overall atmosphere. 

Music Festivals/Raves are much more than just people being intoxicated and incoherent. Its a lifestyle that impacts everyone around the world. It is more like a social gathering that brings individuals together as well as an opportunity to network with people around the world.