Bay Area nightlife veterans recall the War on Fun battles of the 1990s–early 2010s to defend the right to rave and resist criminalization amid gentrification. Those efforts helped establish non-police-centered party regulation and argue that underground nightlife is a civic good that can boost the local economy when done safely. San Francisco has shifted toward using big-name EDM and pricey outdoor concerts for economic recovery, raising concerns about privatization of public space. A local government body is sponsoring a free outdoor techno event at Salesforce Park featuring Truncate and local DJs, running 2pm–8pm. Community initiatives include panels on overdose prevention and harm reduction for the queer party scene, while longtime venues like the Edinburgh Castle close.
For many of us veterans of the War on Fun-an umbrella term for the epic, 1990s-early 2010s battles against city and state authorities for the right to rave (and have fun in general) without being persecuted/prosecuted as gentrification took hold-the idea of the San Francisco government officially backing an underground techno event, albeit one in the sunshine, in a corporate-adjacent park, is almost unimaginable.
And here we are now, in a strange era of the city leaning on big name EDM shows and pricey outdoor concerts to help SF "recover" (nevermind the privatization of public property, please). So it's a lovely turn of events that the city is helping make possible a free techno dance party from a local crew with some actual underground flavor. Baby steps, people!
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