MARS.  Syracuse, NY  April 13, 1996

Return to Planet Earth

A quick note on a "rave dance" called Mars next to the cattle farm.

A quick stop at a Friendly's off the road reminded us all how scary
the mainstream really is.

We arrive at the New York State Fairgrounds, to find ourselves
directed to the "rave dance" (did anyone photograph those signs or
even grab one??) in the Horiculture Building. Woof, off to a good
start! :) Slight rain waiting on line for the security check.
Waiting to get in, ravers left and right could not miss the big red
NE-Raves Cybertrip netmeet sign! Wow, we've hit the big time guys!
First an entire alcove at Vibration, and now the NE-Raves logo on
flyers and signs at events. Woo hoo  :-)

And then in, BOOM, NE-Ravers to the right and to the left. =)

The space was nice, with lots of room for dancing, hanging out,
socializing, and so on. However, the building felt like a big gym and
the sound suffered as a result. Granted the move from the Onondaga
County War Memorial was a hasty one. As such, the mystique took a
while to set in. I was not able to really get down and dance until
after Vapourspace's set.

The net meet at 2:00pm in the Ambient (woah - quite dancable ambient
from Visitor ;) ) went well with smiles, hellos and "oh my gawd it's
you!" going on all around. 

My highlights of the evening:
- Kevin Sauderson spinning some nicccceeee techno
- Carlos - holy cow this man is quite the entertainer. 
- Vapourspace - first time in this evening in this "room" and I really
enjoyed the laser. This is my first party where the laser has been
used to draw things, etc. [I know, this isn't uncommon, but for me a first]
- Scott Richmond giving his all to quicken our heart rate
- Dave Hollands
- Hardkiss (was it Scott or Robbie?) after Kevin Saunderson. Some crazy
stuff man.
- The NE-Raves after party at Trex. It's nice to hear our own, and the
soundsystem at this small club was understandable better than at the party.
Lots of nice gizemos and lights too. Quite a nice place. I don't
like clubs, but I like the idea of a NE-Raves Club!! I danced
hard for my remaining 45 mins/hour left of energy, and then bobed
up and down for the rest of the evening. :)

My lowpoints of the evening:

- Having to chose between Carlos and Kevin Saunderson as they spun at
the same time slots.....ARGH! :)
- Losing my backback at the afterparty. This was the major
bummer. Luckally I had nothing of value in it, but still losing a
backpack I use everyday and two shirts ditto is no fun. In addition,
my Mosaic NE-Raves tag was in the pack. *sigh* So if anyone accidently
took home a red Jansport backpack, please let me know!! My name will
be on the NE-Raves badge in the front pocket.
- A no-show by Osheen - Karin/Jeremy, this just means Raindance was oh
so much more special. Treasure it!
- What was the deal with the constant fire alarm?

Major thanks to Chris "Razour" Scanlan and Bob "Bobbles" Baxter for
making it possible to get to the event. Props to Hugh, Eric,
Tara/Formica (and of course Chris and Bob) for the friendship on the
rides up and down. 

Peace Out and *HUGS*

/Michael - sentinel

(PS: Terminata Ed asked what security took at the door - from me
they threw away a blue ballpoint pen. WHAT? How much damage can
that do?)