The Rave Sub-Culture: A Short Story

The day was warm, and the scent of freshly cut grass entered my nose as I pulled my car into a parking spot in the small apartment complex. I was surrounded by 3 story white buildings. My purpose was to speak with Autumn Crevosier, a local raver, performer, hooper, and the girl I had chosen to interview for my profile sketch. I was certain it would be an enlightening experience into the more personal life of someone within the rave subculture. I exited my silver Toyota Avalon, quickly making my way up the narrow sidewalk to the first floor apartment. I gently knocked on a green door on the first floor that had a large, gold, number 4 on it. It slowly opened to reveal just the person I was here to meet. Autumn stood at about 5’5”, only a few
inches shorter than me. She had long, dark black hair with bright purple highlights. Today she was wearing a black t-shirt with large white letters that spelled out “Knife Party” and dark blue skinny jeans. She flashed me a bright, white smile and invited me in. The apartment was small, one bedroom and one bathroom from what she told me.
The carpet was tan and all the walls were white, almost blinding when the sun hit it. Her furniture however was a bit different. We sat on her large green couch, pushing away the bean bag chairs that were in the way. Autumn was very upbeat, which made me excited to start the interview. “To get started, how were you introduced to the subculture?” She put her back against the back of the couch and began to recount how her whole journey began with the rave community. “Well, I’ve always tried to be conscious of my body and wanted a new way to work out that was fun. A friend of mine was a hooper. She let me use her beginner hoop, a bright yellow hoop with red tape on it and took some time to teach me so tricks.” She continued her story explaining she practiced and practiced, toning her muscles, but also learning new moves and eventually was invited to perform with her friend. “The rest is history. I’ve been hooked ever
since”. She flashed another toothy smile as I asked her about what her favorite outfits to wear to events. “Well I would have to say, it depends on my mood and the show I go to. It’s just as easy for me to wear shorts and a crop top, or go all out with leg warmers, fish net hose, bikini tops, and some insane make-up” We both let out a laugh when she mentioned the diversity of her outfits. Like any female, she would dress how she felt which I completely understood. She led me back into her room showing me her closet full of outfits. An assortment of crop tops, leggings and pants of all colors and textures, and even the occasional tutu lined the inside of her closet. On the floor were 3 rows of shoes, ranging from converse to stiletto. I was impressed. She continued by opening her drawers and reveling more outfits, with the very top drawer of her dresser set aside for the collection of make-up she boasted. “How do you afford all this?!” I couldn’t contain the excitement in my voice. Her answer was simple, “I save a lot, I spend very little unless it’s on supplies for an outfit or show, and work overtime every week.” She explained that she had been employed at the same diner for about 3 years, and did not have a lot of bad things to say about it. “I know working at a diner isn’t really living the dream, but it pays for the supplies I need for performing. It’s the performances that bring in the extra money, and if I told you I hated my job, I’d be lying. Yes, there’s always going to be that one bad customer, but in the end, I wouldn’t trade my job for anything.” She explained how she loved the flexibility of her hours which allowed her to book performances at local shows. We ended the day by doing what Autumn loved most, hula hooping.
Now don’t get me wrong, when you think of hula hooping, you think of how you used to do it as a child. This style though is completely different. Autumn picked up a blue sparkly hoop and proceeded to do an amazing array of flips, tosses, and tricks with her hoop. I was awe struck, especially since I could barely keep the yellow hoop she had let me use, spinning on my waist. Yes, it was the same hoop that Autumn, herself had started with all those years ago. “I keep it for nostalgic reasons. It reminds me where I started and even now, I find myself picking it up sometimes to hoop with.” The day as a whole was an awesome experience which provided me the opportunity to really get to know someone within the rave subculture and learn that in reality they are no different than you, and I. They may have more make-up or clothing, but in the end you never know when one of them may be serving you breakfast one
morning.