Lotus Magazine was a pop cultural blip, a rave publication that catered to a niche of a subculture. Independently published from 1996 – 2002, Lotus served the West Coast's underground rave community. It was a free magazine, half electronica rag, half semi-spiritual/environmentalist youth outreach project. This online archive presents a sliver of the material published in the magazine during its six years of bi-monthly publication. Some of the content is still relevant, and some of it's just silly. All of it's very, very earnest. Enjoy! – A Community Without Babies, Summer 2000
Why is it that the ultimate raving mentors (dancers who
are parents) aren't included in our celebrations? How can we make our community
more inclusive?
By Alison Pugh
With Jennifer Ingram
Have you noticed how many ravers are having babies these days? Yep, you saw all those babies and toddlers at that last potluck you attended, or you noticed that pregnant mama groovin' out at that last party. Dancers are growing up and taking on new roles. The PLUR community is expanding, but does the community support this expansion? Will you see that groovy pregnant mama after the baby is born? If you don't, I'd bet it's not by her choice. All too often, mamas (and papas, but to a lesser extent) are relegated to the home, and those fun-filled nights of dance, sweat, and joy are history.
Raver parents lament the loss, believe me.
Parenting changes your life in ways you can't imagine unless you're experiencing it—I mean, when you are a breastfeeding mother, just taking a bath is a luxury! With the roles of Mom or Dad consuming their lives, parents struggle to retain identity and independence. Just when we need the dancing, the love, and the music the most, we are cut off by our community's refusal to come to terms with the growth that is needed to transform. Leaving the children at home while we go play is not always an option; nursing moms cannot leave their children for long periods of time, it can be hard to find babysitters willing to pull all-nighters, and we hate to leave our kids that long. Besides, do we want to foster separation or connection? As a member of the dance community, I do not want to tell my child that she has to stay home because she does not belong in this places I go. My daughter should belong, because she is an extremely important part of this cycle of life that we celebrate every time we gather. She deserves to experience the joy of these sacred events. And, she is my child! She belongs anywhere I am!
It is also important for parents to be able to get out and socialize; gathering with other parents and old friends is just the medicine parents need to alleviate everyday stress. Even with a young nursing babe in arms, raver mamas would love the opportunity just to listen to some good music. Babies also love the experience of meeting new people and checking out new environments; all the babies I know are natural-born groovers, rhythm-filled from day one of their lives.
Parties, at first glance, may not seem like the most appropriate place for a baby, but days and nights filled with rituals, drumming, dancing, and magic are. We need to transform our parties into environments conducive to children of all ages. Daytime or weekend-long events allow a more normal sleep-wake cycle, increasing the likelihood that families will feel comfortable participating. Cold winters lead to indoor parties that could be made family-friendly by simply bringing back the chill room. Set aside a space for babies and parents (and others needing some rest), that is clean, and has comfy seating like bean bags, big pillows, and such. Smoking should be kept outside—it is unhealthy for ravers to exert themselves by dancing and inhaling a bunch of smoke anyway (whether it's first or second-hand). Music can be quiet ambient tracks, or even just the sound of our own voices.
Another important way for the community to embrace raver families is to hold as many outdoor events as possible. When the weather is decent, have gatherings all the time, daytime, nighttime, in city parks, on the beach, in the mountains, and in the woods. Outdoor day events (like Sunset in San Francisco, Sundazed in Seattle, and Earthdance across the country) promote connection on another level, not only between people but also between the individual and nature. Urban children may have limited opportunities to connect with the beauty and majesty of nature; raves in mountain or desert locales supplemented by teaching a child about environmental principles can foster a lifelong appreciation of our Earth.
This is a call to action for promoters, organizers, and anyone interested in fostering growth and maturity within the dance community. Parents are among the busiest people I know; we would love to help bring about these needed changes, but we need your help. When planning your next gathering, ask a mama what she thinks. If you are planning a baby/parent chill room, get people to help clean the room, then ask the parents to help set it up. If we all work together, we can bring these parents out of hiding (sometimes these parents are the very same people who threw the parties that changed your life) and embrace their children into our circle of dance. And when you see a mama or papa with child at a party, smile and introduce yourself because in time, it may be you.
Negri Family, Los Angeles, CA
Lee (29), Silvia (28), and son Rylan Lee (3 ½). Raving since 1990-91.
"Music has always been important to us, so as a family we are always groovin' to something. Whether we are having a little get-together, or when I am making a new tape or trying to put a new track together, we are always dancing. It's so funny, when Rylan sees me spinning or making new music, he will come over and put the headphones on and start dancing or pushing the keys on the keyboard," Lee chuckles. When we asked if he had any ideas for how the community could better integrate parents, his answer was "MORE DAY EVENTS!"
Manahan/Short Family, Seattle, WA
Michael Manahan (33), Jennifer Short (30) and son Zendl (1). Raving since 1990.
"We dance at home at least every few days, Zendl loves to dance to beats…he's not really into ambient yet," laughs Seattle DJ Michael Manahan. "We have taken Zen to some parties but the party environment is not good for kids--especially babies, the music is way to loud for them and the smoke is pervasive and offensive even to non-babies. Outdoor parties are better."
Holtz Family, Gainseville, FL
Mark (22), Jessica (24), and son Isaac (Born 1/17/00). Mark's been raving since '94, Jessica since '98.
"Isaac seems to like electronic music," Jessica explains. "Mark has made the wonderful discovery that, if the baby gets fussy, a little bass will sometimes calm him down." When asked for ways to integrate parents back into the community, Jessica suggested opening "a techno-cafe that featured the latest electronica music publications, the music we love at a kid-safe level, and it might be a great place to meet other raving parents." Mark says that "I can't wait to teach my son to dance. I want him to know that life, just like this scene, is about family, friends, being yourself, and always staying high on the vibe!" Jessica agrees, explaining "I can't think of a better set of values to raise my son with than that of 'peace, love, unity, respect, and responsibility.'"
Ingram/Villagrana Family, Seattle, WA
Jennifer Ingram (23), Roman Villagrana (28), and daughter Naiya Ingram-Villagrana (2). Raving since the early '90s.
Jennifer and Roman feel that "dance is the celebration of life, all life--including children. If the dance community contradict the family vibe it will surely die, because children are the promise of tomorrow. Dance parties are a way to cleanse and meditate on relationships. When we close our eyes we realize we belong to the flow of our own individuality; when we open our eyes we can realize that we have others to share our flow with."
Pugh/Drake Family, Seattle, WA
Alison Pugh (28), David Drake (29), and daughter Ursula Drake (13 months). Involved with dance music since the early '90s.
"Ursula just loves a good beat. Babies dance as soon as they can hold their weight." Alison explains that "many things keep me from going out, including a dearth of parties that are intimate and family-centered (literally and figuratively) where the vibe flows free and the music moves the soul. I love parties that smell good, look good, and feel good - burn some incense, make an altar, make a circle, hold a hand."
By Alison Pugh
With Jennifer Ingram
Have you noticed how many ravers are having babies these days? Yep, you saw all those babies and toddlers at that last potluck you attended, or you noticed that pregnant mama groovin' out at that last party. Dancers are growing up and taking on new roles. The PLUR community is expanding, but does the community support this expansion? Will you see that groovy pregnant mama after the baby is born? If you don't, I'd bet it's not by her choice. All too often, mamas (and papas, but to a lesser extent) are relegated to the home, and those fun-filled nights of dance, sweat, and joy are history.
Raver parents lament the loss, believe me.
Parenting changes your life in ways you can't imagine unless you're experiencing it—I mean, when you are a breastfeeding mother, just taking a bath is a luxury! With the roles of Mom or Dad consuming their lives, parents struggle to retain identity and independence. Just when we need the dancing, the love, and the music the most, we are cut off by our community's refusal to come to terms with the growth that is needed to transform. Leaving the children at home while we go play is not always an option; nursing moms cannot leave their children for long periods of time, it can be hard to find babysitters willing to pull all-nighters, and we hate to leave our kids that long. Besides, do we want to foster separation or connection? As a member of the dance community, I do not want to tell my child that she has to stay home because she does not belong in this places I go. My daughter should belong, because she is an extremely important part of this cycle of life that we celebrate every time we gather. She deserves to experience the joy of these sacred events. And, she is my child! She belongs anywhere I am!
It is also important for parents to be able to get out and socialize; gathering with other parents and old friends is just the medicine parents need to alleviate everyday stress. Even with a young nursing babe in arms, raver mamas would love the opportunity just to listen to some good music. Babies also love the experience of meeting new people and checking out new environments; all the babies I know are natural-born groovers, rhythm-filled from day one of their lives.
Parties, at first glance, may not seem like the most appropriate place for a baby, but days and nights filled with rituals, drumming, dancing, and magic are. We need to transform our parties into environments conducive to children of all ages. Daytime or weekend-long events allow a more normal sleep-wake cycle, increasing the likelihood that families will feel comfortable participating. Cold winters lead to indoor parties that could be made family-friendly by simply bringing back the chill room. Set aside a space for babies and parents (and others needing some rest), that is clean, and has comfy seating like bean bags, big pillows, and such. Smoking should be kept outside—it is unhealthy for ravers to exert themselves by dancing and inhaling a bunch of smoke anyway (whether it's first or second-hand). Music can be quiet ambient tracks, or even just the sound of our own voices.
Another important way for the community to embrace raver families is to hold as many outdoor events as possible. When the weather is decent, have gatherings all the time, daytime, nighttime, in city parks, on the beach, in the mountains, and in the woods. Outdoor day events (like Sunset in San Francisco, Sundazed in Seattle, and Earthdance across the country) promote connection on another level, not only between people but also between the individual and nature. Urban children may have limited opportunities to connect with the beauty and majesty of nature; raves in mountain or desert locales supplemented by teaching a child about environmental principles can foster a lifelong appreciation of our Earth.
This is a call to action for promoters, organizers, and anyone interested in fostering growth and maturity within the dance community. Parents are among the busiest people I know; we would love to help bring about these needed changes, but we need your help. When planning your next gathering, ask a mama what she thinks. If you are planning a baby/parent chill room, get people to help clean the room, then ask the parents to help set it up. If we all work together, we can bring these parents out of hiding (sometimes these parents are the very same people who threw the parties that changed your life) and embrace their children into our circle of dance. And when you see a mama or papa with child at a party, smile and introduce yourself because in time, it may be you.
Negri Family, Los Angeles, CA
Lee (29), Silvia (28), and son Rylan Lee (3 ½). Raving since 1990-91.
"Music has always been important to us, so as a family we are always groovin' to something. Whether we are having a little get-together, or when I am making a new tape or trying to put a new track together, we are always dancing. It's so funny, when Rylan sees me spinning or making new music, he will come over and put the headphones on and start dancing or pushing the keys on the keyboard," Lee chuckles. When we asked if he had any ideas for how the community could better integrate parents, his answer was "MORE DAY EVENTS!"
Manahan/Short Family, Seattle, WA
Michael Manahan (33), Jennifer Short (30) and son Zendl (1). Raving since 1990.
"We dance at home at least every few days, Zendl loves to dance to beats…he's not really into ambient yet," laughs Seattle DJ Michael Manahan. "We have taken Zen to some parties but the party environment is not good for kids--especially babies, the music is way to loud for them and the smoke is pervasive and offensive even to non-babies. Outdoor parties are better."
Holtz Family, Gainseville, FL
Mark (22), Jessica (24), and son Isaac (Born 1/17/00). Mark's been raving since '94, Jessica since '98.
"Isaac seems to like electronic music," Jessica explains. "Mark has made the wonderful discovery that, if the baby gets fussy, a little bass will sometimes calm him down." When asked for ways to integrate parents back into the community, Jessica suggested opening "a techno-cafe that featured the latest electronica music publications, the music we love at a kid-safe level, and it might be a great place to meet other raving parents." Mark says that "I can't wait to teach my son to dance. I want him to know that life, just like this scene, is about family, friends, being yourself, and always staying high on the vibe!" Jessica agrees, explaining "I can't think of a better set of values to raise my son with than that of 'peace, love, unity, respect, and responsibility.'"
Ingram/Villagrana Family, Seattle, WA
Jennifer Ingram (23), Roman Villagrana (28), and daughter Naiya Ingram-Villagrana (2). Raving since the early '90s.
Jennifer and Roman feel that "dance is the celebration of life, all life--including children. If the dance community contradict the family vibe it will surely die, because children are the promise of tomorrow. Dance parties are a way to cleanse and meditate on relationships. When we close our eyes we realize we belong to the flow of our own individuality; when we open our eyes we can realize that we have others to share our flow with."
Pugh/Drake Family, Seattle, WA
Alison Pugh (28), David Drake (29), and daughter Ursula Drake (13 months). Involved with dance music since the early '90s.
"Ursula just loves a good beat. Babies dance as soon as they can hold their weight." Alison explains that "many things keep me from going out, including a dearth of parties that are intimate and family-centered (literally and figuratively) where the vibe flows free and the music moves the soul. I love parties that smell good, look good, and feel good - burn some incense, make an altar, make a circle, hold a hand."