To some degree, glow sticks have become synonymous with rave parties. For those of you not particularly well versed in the latest trends with young people, a rave is an all night dance party. They are generally staged in a warehouse, where thousands of people show up to dance. They usually involve intense light shows and a roster of DJ's to keep the beats fresh. The music played at raves is referred to as Techno, although there are many sub-genres of that style of music including breakbeat, trance, and jungle to name a few.
The popularity of these types of parties peaked in the mid 1990's, and it was not uncommon to have 20,000 people at a single event. They are still very popular in certain places, with most major metropolitan centers still having a thriving rave scene.
These rave parties established the framework for the creation of the new dance music subculture. As they became more and more popular, they began to attract the attention of the authorities. Many communities banned them outright since they were usually held in warehouse settings without proper oversight regarding public safety. In other cases, party organizers would hire off-duty police officers to provide security at their events.
Glow sticks became a popular rave accessory since they complemented the style of the dancers and the rave environment. Glow stick dancing is also known as glowsticking, liquid dancing, or raving. It is performed by twirling glow sticks while simultaneously dancing to the repetitive beat of techno music. The dancers move in a variety of patterns which flow with the music- fluidity and consistency are the name of the game.
There are some very basic moves for those interested in glowsticking. One of the basic moves is making a simple figure eight pattern in the air with the glow stick in hand. It may look difficult in the darkness of the nightclub or warehouse, but it is quite easy.
Hold the glow stick however you feel most comfortable, and practice making the figure eight with your wrist while dancing. Once you have mastered it with one hand, practice with the other. When you are able to create a figure eight with both hands simultaneously, start incorporating the move into your dancing.
The rave culture is very open-minded and accepting. Do not let your inexperience in dancing deter you from having fun, because fun is the reason that everyone is there. In order to truly grasp the style and various types of dance moves, you have to experience a rave firsthand. Once you overcome the initial shock of being in a warehouse with 20,000 other people dancing to pulsating, pounding beats, you should be relaxed enough to practice glow stick dancing with reckless abandon.