Glowsticking

Glowsticking is an umbrella term used to describe dancing with glowstick and/or other lumiscent devices. There are two forms of glowsticking: Freehanding and Glowstringing/poi. Both disciplines of glowsticking do intersect at some point, though their roots are radically different.

Freehanding is the neon-tastic maverick sibling of other ungderground dance styles, such as liquiding, breakdancing, and popping.

Glowstringing originated from poi, a dance that the Maori people of New Zealand used to stay fit and look badass. Poi were traditionally set on fire for perfomances. It is an internationally recognized fact that fire poi is as visually enticing as an orgy. Glowstringing is essentially poi with a much wider moveset. The moveset of glowstringing is much more expansive than that of poi because the glowsticks aren't on freaking fire; as such, body wraps and the like are now possible to do without burning the feces out of your skin (note: skin does not have feces).

Glowsticking at CTY

Despite the common belief, glowsticking DOES NOT always mean the person is raving, though glowsticking is part of rave culture and also follows the philosophy of PLUR. Glowsticking has many forms, most commonly used are freehanding and glowstringing (AKA "string-raving"). Glowstringing can be narrowed down further to actual glowstringing and "hitting-self-in-the-balls-with-lanyard." The latter is limited to males.

At every dance, there are usually one or two (or more) techno/rave songs. These include the ever-popular Sandstorm and the infinitely sextastic James Brown is Dead, along with rarer songs including Liqify, a favorite of Christ.

At some sites, string-raving has been completely outlawed. At Lancaster, stringraving was limited to the hardtop in front of the cafeteria during designated rave songs, which are played more numerously due to the newly instated rule. See Hall of Fame:LAN for more details.

At every site, there seem to be one or two really awesome glowstickers every year, be they freehanders, stringers, or both. At LAN.06.2, we were exceptionally lucky, for we had 4 glowstickers of awesomeness, namely Mike Len, Christ, Yoshida, and Matt. The latter two are freehanders while the former two are stringers. Mike and Christ are godly, FYI.

We can only wonder what new glowstickers the future will bring. Because of glowsticking's anti-competition philosophy, it is hopeful all the future glowstick together in one massive glowsticking grass orgy. This may turn out to be deadly.

Glowsticking Culture

Glowsticking is a staple at raves, so glowstickers follow the rules of raves. Raves have only one rule: Follow the doctrine of PLUR. What does PLUR stand for, you ask? It stands for "Peace, Love, Unity, Respect." Follow it. Now. That means that if someone is better than you at glowsticking, respect them. If you want to learn how to glowstick from them, you simply ask. If you ask in a kind, caring, manner, they will most likely teach you, lest they happen to ask in a terribly irritating manner. Because of the culture that surrounds the art, glowstickers are normally very personable, gregarious, and open.

Things to Know About Glowsticking

In order to glowstick, you need glowsticks, obviously. Go into your hardware store or local camping outlet to find some. Military surplus stores also have them. I wouldn't recommend doing it, though, because the glowsticks they carry normally suck and cost 4 dollars a pair.

How do you get glowsticks on the cheap? You can either buy LEDs or buy these in bulk. Buy glowsticks on the cheap at this place. They also sell high and ultra high intensity sticks. They rock. Trust me.

If you want to be a a pimp, buy high intensity LEDs, or photons. These are the best photons available. Granted, they're expensive, but they rock hard. They also strobe. DUDE, THEY STROBE. That alone should warrant the 40 bucks. If you want, you can even modify them to make them trail better.

If you're a stickler and you just NEED an LED stick, go to Home of Poi. They have some awesome LED stuff in their shop along with invaluable tutorials.

How do I learn?

1. Glowsticking.com -- General awesomeness.
2. Home of Poi -- For Poi only, but still awesome.
3. Do More Poi -- More Tutorials.

Glowsticking Videos

1. CTY LAN II Talent Show Christ and Mike at Talent Show LAN.06.2.