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Rave organizers investigated

Promoters mislead province and concertgoers to throw massive Rafuse Creek event

Promoters of a rave expected to draw 3,000 people to Rafuse Creek last weekend are being investigated for misrepresenting the size and scope of their event.

Devils and Angels Promotions received a letter of authorization to use the site up the Mamquam Forest Service Road for “a small drum circle and camping weekend with no alcohol and no admission charge,” according to a ministry spokesperson.

Instead, they created Summer Break Music Festival 8, which included four stages and a long line-up of top names in electronic music.

“The size and scope of the event violated those terms, and we’re now pursuing it with the Ministry of Forests compliance and enforcement branch to determine what action to take against the organizers,” said the spokesperson, who declined to be named. “That would be based on the condition of the site, whether there was damage, whether there was litter, that sort of thing.”

Even if the site was left pristine, she said, “there’s still follow-up for holding an event that’s contrary to what they applied for,” which would include how egregious the offence was.

Promoters are also facing possible legal action after sending hundreds of ticket-holders to the Squamish Valley Campground. The event website and $100 tickets sold to ravers told concertgoers the show would take place at the Squamish Valley Campground, 16.5 Mile Squamish Valley Road.

"I think it's a scam," said campground owner Ali Abolfathi, adding he has no idea why organizers would send concertgoers to his site.

David Goroztietta of Devils and Angels Promotions said in an interview with The Chief on Friday (Aug. 28) that the show includes four stages in the "relaxed setting" of the Squamish Valley. Asked if organizers had done their due diligence of contacting neighbours, he said, “Considering that it’s literally in the middle of the forest, we’re there not to bother anyone. We’re in a position where everything is legal, everything is pretty much fixed so that any problems that you may have, you won’t.”

When told the campground owner didn't know about the show, he said he had no answers.

"I have no idea what’s going on.”

Shortly afterward, as he himself was on his way to perform at the event, he told The Chief he discovered the venue was actually up the Mamquam Forest Service Road at Rafuse Creek.

Abolfathi said he will contact a lawyer seeking restitution for his work and grief.

He said the situation has caused him days of grief and an untold number of encounters with angry and upset ravers.

"I've been turning people away all the time since before midnight [Thursday Aug. 27]," he fumed as cars lined the campground's entrance Friday. "How irresponsible is this? One girl came from Lethbridge, Alberta. She started crying."

It's not uncommon for rave organizers to keep the location of their shows secret until the day of the event, said Abolfathi, and that may have been the case this weekend.?

"Some people [turned away] were even excited, like it's now an adventure to find it."

By Friday, people logging on to www.summerbreakmusicfestival.com were told to phone a number for directions to the event. A message at the number directed callers to a location off the Mamquam Forest Service Road at Rafuse Creek. 

The situation also created havoc for RCMP, concerned with problems that may occur when such a crowd gathers, as well as officials at the Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), who had not issued the necessary permits for a Squamish Valley event.

RCMP visited Abolfathi's campground before discovering the new location.

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