What makes a brilliant party? The Acorn Rave Review

Acorn had it’s 4th Rave last week and it was widely heralded as a fantastic event.  As a funologist, i wanted to explore a bit about why.

Regular readers of this blog know that in funological grading, events which demonstrate new themes, social constructs (games, theater, interactive events) or original party hardware can get a B grade or higher.  Parties which change the lives of the participants can get an A grade.

There was not really anything new about this event at Acorn.  [Tho i personally liked the very late techno music, which was mashed up with pop songs i knew, which i had not really heard before.]  The setting way out in the Acorn mid field with Christmas lights defining the perimeter and various different party/hang out zones was the same design as years past.  There was reliable techno music, a trampoline, glow in the dark trinkets, a lovely spread of fruits, snacks and juices, and a hopping dance floor.  Here again, all trusted party components.  Tho there was a kiddie pool this year, which was new.

the low tech, 100 person Acorn event looked nothing like this picture

There was an overhead protected couch area, nicely covered mattresses (which got a bit wet in the rain, but were still completely usable), and a private area slightly mazed off from the main party spaces.  All like previous raves.

There also appeared to be really good consent culture, which i dont think is unusual for our events, and is still worth mentioning.  Consistently, when i checked in with people about touching them, they were enthusiastic about being asked.  I feel like my community and this event were good models for the type of behavior which really does make consent sexy.  Something which is important to me.

Yet, despite being somewhat formulaic, people had a blast.  There were lots of people kissing and making out who i had never seen engaged this way before.  There was lots of laughing and engaged and animated conversation.  Wild and unusual dancing through much of the night.  The early shuttles were largely empty, because people did not want to leave.  Perhaps funological grading in it’s current formulation is too weak to handle this type of event.

My take is that beyond the party organizers efforts, what helped make this a great party was the mindset and cultural environment of the participants.  People were up for a great party.  A significant fraction of the participants came from Acorn or Twin Oaks.  The two communities are thriving and largely without divisive drama at this point in time.   In short, we had a great party, because we were up for having a great party and we brought that intention with us and manifested it.