With TomorrowWorld weekend upon us, it’s time to talk safety. The tragedies from recent events like Electric Zoo and our own Paradiso are still fresh on our minds. Preventing future incidents has become priority number one for all festivals and promoters, but it’s important to remember that a lot of the responsibility is still on us as concertgoers. So with a nice hot weekend coming up in Georgia for TomorrowWorld, we here at Dance Music Northwest saw fit to provide you with a helpful guide to make sure you have the most fun possible.
1. Stay Hydrated
Georgia’s in the coastal South. The coastal South is humid and generally uncomfortable whenever it gets above 70 degrees, and the weekend forecast for the TomorrowWorld venue is considerably hotter than that.
Remember that while it’s humid and 80 degrees, you’ll be jumping around, dancing, and being generally excited about all the amazing music you’re seeing. You’ll sweat through just about everything and it’ll be important to make sure you’re drinking enough water. If you’re partaking in drugs like MDMA, keep in mind that they will raise your body temperature in an already sweaty and hot dancefloor. Plan accordingly!
2. Buddy Up
Take care of each other, and know when your friends have reached their limits. They’ll do the same for you, and everyone will get taken care of. If one of your friends needs help, take a break and go find someone qualified to assist them. Designate a meeting spot if you get separated, or even do something as simple as making sure no one wanders off alone with the tried-and-true buddy system.
Stay together, and take care of each other out there!
3. Be Educated
TomorrowWorld entered into an agreement with harm-reduction group DanceSafe, meaning about 20 of their volunteers will be wandering the crowd distributing information about drug safety. In addition they’re sponsoring a “cool-down lounge” where they’ll offer “counseling on drugs and alcohol to concertgoers taking a break from the heat.” If you plan on taking part in extra-curriculars, make sure you know what you’re taking and what its effects are. Be certain that whatever you do end up buying comes from a trusted source and not a stranger wandering the crowd. We can’t stress enough the risks of buying drugs from someone you don’t know.
The way the world views our scene can only be changed if we enact the change ourselves. Mainstream opinion is already shifting in the right direction, with the New York Times publishing a feature on the importance of harm-reduction organizations like DanceSafe. All that being said, remember why you’re here. Be there for the music and the people first and foremost; everything else is secondary. Have fun and be safe this weekend, and know we’ll be there with you in spirit!
For more information, check out “Drugs, Love, & Dance Music,” as well as the following sites to get educated:
Important things happen in Pacific Northwest nightlife, and DMNW will send you alerts!
