Glowsticking

Glowstringing (on the left), and glowsticking (on the right). Either activity can involve LEDs (on the left), glowsticks (on the right), or other forms of light-production.

Glowsticking, known colloquially as Raving at CTY, is an umbrella term used to describe dancing with glowsticks and/or other luminescent 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 rogue sibling of other underground 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 performances. It is an internationally recognized fact that fire poi is as visually enticing as an orgy. Glowstringing is essentially fire poi with a different moveset. The moveset of glowstringing is more expansive than that of fire poi because the glowsticks aren't on freaking fire; as such, body wraps and the like are possible without burning skin. However, with the use of LEDs instead of fire for poi, the distinction between poi and glowsticking has blurred; poi tends to have heavier weights. As a result, poi spinners are able to do some moves that glowstringers are not, but glowstringers are able to do many moves that poi spinners are not (especially wraps).

Glowsticking at CTY

Despite common belief, glowsticking DOES NOT always imply that a person is raving, although 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/poi and "hitting-self-in-the-balls-with-lanyard." The latter is limited to males.

At every dance, there are usually 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 "Liquify" by Toby Emerson, a favorite of Christ. "Every Time We Touch" is also a favorite among glowstickers, and "Satisfaction" is suitable for freehanding.

At some sites, stringraving has been completely outlawed. At Lancaster in 06.2, 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 Lancaster's Hall of Shame for more details. This rule, however, expired immediately upon the end of the session and has not been embraced by the Baltimore JHU overlords or subsequent Lancaster administrations.

At every site, there seem to be one or two really awesome glowstickers every year, be they freehanders, stringers, or both. Lancaster was exceptionally lucky in 06.2, having four glowstickers of such 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.

At Lancaster, the organization and management of the stringers and breakdancers during songs such as James Brown is Dead and Sandstorm is the duty of Jack Flash. Jack Flash is a first session position held by a nomore glowsticker who performs in the circle along with other glowstickers and breakdancers. Jack Flash is also charged with promoting and teaching glowsticking among the students. Lastly, Jack Flash plays the role of Jack Flash in the students' circle during American Pie. This position was created in 08.1 by Wes McClung, and he was followed by J.T. Booth.

Carlisle has had its share of sextastic ravers as well; Arthur Schlechter (also of fame for conserving water through alternate showering schedules) raved until his nomore year in 09.2. His tradition was carried on my ravers Kyj Nohachevsky, Whitney Wu, and Ross Rheingans during 10.2. In addition, Whitney Wu and Max Umland performed glowstringing acts for the 10.2 talent show, earning the eternal admiration of the crowd with their mad skills.

At LOS, raving is quite popular. Most ravers are stringravers, although a few freehand. An interesting note is the recent abundance of female ravers, with males actually being on the rarer side. 08.1, the main ravers were Lizzy H, Sarah Sch., and Josh Q. 08.2, the ravers were John Xia and Andrew 'AJ' Casner, who both participated in the Talent Show with their Raving skills. In 09.1, the scene grew. Lizzy H, Sarah Sch., and Maggie G (who raved at one dance in 08.1) generally started at the beginning of "Sandstorm", then periodically handed off their poi to Declan M-H, Matt G, and Molly S. In 09.2, Lizzy returned, as well as Alfred Wallace, who had his own poi. During the Second Dance, Jackie Allegra Choi used Lizzy's poi, and during the third dance, Matt Ha tied Alfed's poi to his feet and breakdanced. Jason Boring often borrowed poi or glowsticks to rave at dances, until his 09 disappearance. In 2010.1, the raving crowd included Maggie G, Molly S, Declan M-H, as well as a return of Jason Boring. Others, such as Louisa C, Erika C-S, Vera G, Miranda G, and Gilbert P. knew or learned how to rave, and demonstrated at other times. The raving song at LOS is Sandstorm.

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. Because of the culture that surrounds the art, glowstickers are normally very personable, gregarious, and open.

Things to Know about Learning Glowsticking

If you are teaching yourself how to glowstring, be prepared to whack yourself by accident. Everywhere. A lot. Face, legs, sides, crotch, arms, ears, crotch, etc.(So start off wearing jeans) You're gonna have to get used to it, but don't let it discourage you, even though it does hurt like a son-of-a. Eventually, you don't even notice the pain, seriously. (Although hopefully you won't whack yourself as much when you've practiced for a while.)

You can just start off using a pair of dead glowsticks (almost any CTYer can get you some of these) and a pair of shoelaces. That's it. Check out this video to get you started with the basics, and you can use youtube videos or any old glowstringer to teach you the rest.

Tutorials

1. GenXGlow.com -- Better than GS.C, tutorials are frequently updated in addition to a more 'open' forum for beginners.
2. Glowsticking.com -- General awesomeness.
3. Home of Poi -- For Poi only, but still awesome.
4. Do More Poi -- More Tutorials.
5. Play Poi -- Great tutorials and structure; entertaining.

Where to Buy Glowsticks/Poi

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. This is not recommended, however, because the glowsticks they carry normally suck and cost 4 dollars a pair. Glowsticks can also be found at some Wal-marts and at many dollar stores (although they are usually not sold for exactly a dollar, but rather for slightly more). Occasionally, RAs may be able to buy glowsticks on supply runs.

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

Another trusty source is ExtremeGlow, which has many bulk deals such as 50 assorted standard 8-hour glowsticks for only $25, which is pretty nice, along with the ability to buy glowsticks in small numbers. Ultras, industrial, and non-standard lengths (15" anyone??) are also available.

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.

And if you really feel like splurging on probably the sickest LEDs glowsticks and poi you will ever see, check out Flowtoys. Albeit expensive, these will be the source of plurgasms for sessions to come. The flowlights are a good place to start if you just want some LED sticks, but their different setups are also great if you want to go more all-out, such as the soft covers for glowstringers and multi-stick poi units for an intense light show.

A good place to begin is with the soft LED poi manufactured by YOHO. Bear in mind that these are toys, not the real thing. You can keep using them, if you gradually replace every piece of the apparatus with duct tape. The cool thing- they can stay any color of your choice, slowly change colors, or strobe different colors, creating rainbow-colored trails. The downside, the batteries cost as much as the poi themselves.

Glowsticking Videos

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