A-TOWN STRINGERS, Joe, and ENERGY THURSDAYS

[DjSHAY 0]

i was personally invited by ryan b and wayne last night because as everyone here knows i dont club anymore and i dont promote for clubs anymore... I KNOW that u guys ahte the crew that they have... the A-TOWN stringers and last night was amazing.. noone was upset no fights everyone got prizes and everyone was allowed to stay onstage before and after the "contest" myself i took 3rd but it felt as if i took first i felt good everyone felt good and the guys who " lost" including myself all congradulated teh guy who won in a cirlce on stage giving him hugs hand shakes and accolades... now i dotnknow how they do things in other cities but in chicago its nothing but love... no battles... and no sorrow.. no heartbreak and noone being upset... the culture section on glowsticking.com is against crews iknow this .... tahts becasue people with Crews usually battle ex.a "bboying" and other styles of dance...... But this "crew" isnt about all that if anything this crew embodies PLUR... especially the peace and unity areas of it..love and respect are a given in any crew... noone tries to show up anyone else and noone tries to make anyone look bad... for the newer stringers we got everyone to clap jsut as loud and cheer jsut as loud for them as we did for the veterans... JOE and Wayne... and i know people on here dont like joe... but i thijk hes a nice guy..

 

 

 

DJ SH@Y

 

[Lira 38]

See, here's the thing. I had this discussion with my best friend yesterday. We hadn't seen each other for six months and during that time, he became a freehander and I became a stringer. We were talking about the raves at his university and he mentioned how he was apathetic about the crews that strung at the parties there; he said that if he were a stringer, he would like to join one in particular, and he couldn't understand why I was so against it. This is how I presented my case.

 

The very existence of a crew implies elitism. Someone is better, someone is not, and the fact that they themselves are in this exclusive group might discourage someone from stringing for fear of being seen as lesser or newer.

 

Even if the competition is good-natured, which is great, that's just good sportsmanship. Athletes can compete against one another respectfully and without punching each other in the faces (unless you're boxing) but that doesn't change the fact that you're still aiming specifically to be better than other people. People get disappointed. Not everyone will be so laid-back. Sure, the crew at his university might not really battle and stomp on other people, but they're also not encouraging newcomers, because that runs the risk of newer people being better than existing members.

 

I'm glad you had fun, and it's cool that everyone was so chill about the entire experience, but I don't agree with it. My own personal ideal and view, which falls somewhat in line with GS.C's, is that sticking of any form is an art to be shared, and not for pressure to be imposed on anyone's personal progress or self-expression. Crews, even if they don't battle, imply a superiority which is detrimental to just enjoying it. It sets them apart.

Edited June 6, 2008 by Lira

[Mindlesslogic 2]

Heh lira already beat me to it, i knew someone would submit something before i finished typing. anyways.

 

I dont see the need in forming a "crew", if they're a group of buddies getting together to string and party just do that. Calling themselves "A-townstringers" just seems elitist and doesn't promote a sense of unity at all.

Crew's generally seem to form with the purpose of proving that certain people are better than others, with that train of thought started there is bound to be other crews formed to prove that they are indeed top dogs. This resulting in battles which promote pride and ego rather than art and collaboration. Also any type of crew is reminiscence of string-e and I'm sure they don't wish to be associated with that.

 

Competitions? How is that much different than battling? The people competing are pitted against each other to prove hows best. Just because its organized dosen't mean that its any different, and still is done for the wrong reasons, profit and ego.

 

These are the reasons I disprove, along with others I'm assuming, of why the situation you described is destructive to the art. While I cant change your mind, or those in the crew already addicted to the attention they get, I hope this helps you understand.

Edited June 6, 2008 by Mindlesslogic

[KaelGotRice 0]

Yeah. I don't know what I can write that I haven't said countless times already.

 

I know Wayne. He's a chill guy, way fun to be around, and incredibly nice.

 

He hasn't posted on gs.c in a long time (2002 Chicago Comp anyone?)

 

I fought against competitions and battles against Shok, who was the main proponent for them on gs.c, and watched as the Texas scene fell through to shambles. I also watched as the Hawaiian scene went to the dogs and laughed at the Las Vegas stringers challenging the OG freehanders in southern california to battles.

 

What theme is common here?

 

None of those communities lasted long, with the LV stringers we lost duowrapping for a long time until repopularized on gs.c. Texas is a big clusterfuck of epic clusterfuckness and Norcal is still kind of disorganized from the Norcal ravers controversy.

 

For the love of God, seriously... competition just ruins the scene. I'm pretty sick of it.

 

Wayne's a good guy, maybe you're a good guy, and other people there were cool. But competition inherently brings out the WORST in human nature, when we should be working together.

 

One love for glowsticking.

[DjSHAY 0]

AND with kael i agree.... in all of those scenes it fell through the roof... maybe with this one history wikll repeat itself.. but there is one thing wrong... we dont believe in elitism and im sorry for saying this but in everything in life there is someone "better" technically which is why there are such things as veterans in every part of life... and with this crew people help each other to i guess perfect a technique if u want to call it that.. i agree battling is wrong.... showcasing... wrong... but is it wrong for an artist to put his art into an art gallery because he would like public opinion on his work?? prizes i guess u can say its wrong....profit... wrong....and bragging rights ... definately wrong i dont believe in that kidn of stuff it is what made me leave the hip hop scene and the bboying scene... i can say last night was a different kind of atmosphere and with everyhting i can say its a work in progress... just like new glowstickers who want to show the world what they have learned energy is doing its best to create a positive enviroment for us where we can feel wanted and appreciated instead of being looked at liek we are on drugs or worshipping some god or idol and or performing some ritual... it is an art form to be respected.. and i agree there are problems with contests becasue the idea of contest is that someone is inferior to someone else...thats the hard part... maybe people shouldnt get anything except self satisfaction from glowsticking but in my opinion last night did alot for glowsticking in my area.... NEVER b4 have i seen something that organized work out that well with ALL smiles from participants as well as brand new stringers/freehanders.. noones head was hung low and there was a comradery with all of them... look at me i got 3rd and i had no complaints i was happy for everyone that was there and honestly the placement doesnt matter to me i coulda got 30th and id still smile and be excited to glowstick and watch people and learn more to get well... better ....

 

 

 

DJ SH@Y

[DjSHAY 0]

On the A-town guys....... kael ur signature implies congregating is good... there crew is just a simple group of guys comming together because of glowsticking maybe they shouldnt have a name im sure that would make alot of people feel alot better.... and Real compettion does ruin the scene i agree... fighting and the what not makes me want to move away from it... i agree with u completely

 

DJ SH@Y

[Griever 0]

Thankfully, Lira was the first to respond, and she did so very exquisitely. There's a lot less for me to say here because she covered it all. The difference is that while Lira can be glad everyone had fun, congratulate them on a good evening, and respectfully disagree with the principle behind it, the website can not. This is not the first time a post like this has been made, and it won't be the last. Everything sounds jolly, as though competition did not adversely affect the scene or the individuals who participated. But we have clearly outlined time and time again that while one particular instance may not appear to make much difference, the combination of repeating competitions and more importantly, the attitude that develops because of the competitive atmosphere can and does have detrimental effects on the scene.

 

Kael said it perfectly. The scenes that allow for battling and contests do not thrive and grow. You can't expect a community built on ideals like Unity and Respect to survive when it is infused with battling and competition that promotes the exact opposite. That is why the policy exists here. DjSHAY admitted to knowing that was our policy, but he seemed to interpret "policy" to mean "belief". While our anti-battling stance is certainly a belief we hold and promote here, it is also a standard for our members here. It is such an integral part of our philosophy at GS.C that we do not welcome individuals who would not agree with it. It is the very ground upon which the site is built and the community is structured. There are other communities that accept things like battling and contests. Those who disagree with the GS.C philosophy can go there. Let it be known that this is nothing new: it's been this way for several years.

 

DjSHAY has been suspended until he is spoken to by a staff member.

Edited June 6, 2008 by Azzie
Added change. We will speak to him first before we permanently ban.

[Azzie 1]

Congregating is great, congregrating to share ideas, philosophies and enjoy the artform your practice is phenomenal and everyone has their own ways of doing so.

 

Glowsticking.com is the premiere community for sticking for a reason, our ability to still be at the forefront of the scene and still be a stimulant for it is simple and it has alot to do with our values.

1. No crews

2. No battling

 

Are the two most important.

 

When you arrived at this site, you were spoken to about performing for props, at a talent show. That is entirely different from this issue. You actively participated in a competition involving glowsticks, you just took a shit on the culture that you're trying to be a part of. Believe it or not, we're not trying to be asshole pots and pans robots and nazis about this, time has proven that people who battle and that are in crews bring and harbor negativity in a culture that is supposed to be positive, that is the opposite of what this culture stands for.

 

You reserve the right to be a part of a crew, to be in competitions and we reserve the right to ask you to take your rights elsewhere and not rape our resources and polute our culture. If you can understand our position, read our history and still feel the way that you do now, please politely bow out. This is a privately owned website and we do have rules set in place to protect the culture that this site has helped expand and build.

[Cleric 29]

You say to much shit about understanding this that and the other and then go do some bullshit like this?

 

FUCK THAT.

 

Fuck A-Town. Those fucking pricks doing everything for fucking props *cough* nbc *cough*

 

Enjoy your away time. It's going to be for a long time.

[decemberscalm 0]

 

 

Raver VS a Raver. Isn't that a bit ironic?

 

No matter how you hold the contest.

[FreakDeke 17]

Wayne from Chicago Comp 2002 a battler..

That is really disapointing..

DJ Shay..is very disapointing..

im very disapointed

[KaelGotRice 0]

Wayne from Chicago Comp 2002 a battler..

That is really disapointing..

Not a battler, but apparently just invited this guy to a "glowstick contest" - ought to set that straight.

[FreakDeke 17]

Not a battler, but apparently just invited this guy to a "glowstick contest" - ought to set that straight.

Hmmmm.......

 

[btownstringer5420 0]

wuts funny is i was actually just looking at a friend of mines facebook and he has a vid of the competition thing up there and he was the one that won i guess, but i saw dj shay up there wit his blue and yellow sticks and everyone else, looked like fun but def frowned upon in the gs.c community

[PatrickSwayze 2]

remember, we have rules and guidelines for a reason... if they weren't created here on gs.c, we would be unorganized and eventually have a huge percentage of members lose their interest in the community...

[decemberscalm 0]

I'm assuming DJ SHAY got banned than o.o.

 

Sad, he seemed like a cool guy.

[PatrickSwayze 2]

I think it's more like he got suspended until 2011...

but yeah, he knew about our policies yet he still went through with the competition...

I don't have him on facebook, but supposely, his vid of the competition is up...

[decemberscalm 0]

I think it's more like he got suspended until 2011...

but yeah, he knew about our policies yet he still went through with the competition...

I don't have him on facebook, but supposely, his vid of the competition is up...

Suspended until 2011? LOL, sounds like my girlfriend. Thats gay, if I wanted to go compete, I wouldn't have quit football and lacrosse (though lacrosse is bloody fun). Off topic: Speaking of banned people, has Teddy Glow been banned for tempting fate a bit too far?

[PatrickSwayze 2]

teddy isn't gone, I think cleric patched up the issue with him, not sure though...

 

but I think that suspension was fair, it'll give him time to think about it... (for shay)

Edited June 8, 2008 by R3DLIN3

[Griever 0]

Well, I put a max suspension on him, but he may get IP banned. That's out of my hands.

[DeCiBaL 0]

Well over the time span that i went to energy constantly, i met Joe and i consider him to be a "club buddy" for whenever i went. Someone i knew would be there to chill out with and string with. I met wayne about halfway between the time i started going to energy to when i stopped. Wayne was a cool guy, i never had a problem with him. The three of us would always string together and it was good times. It wasn't until i think a month ago i found Joe on myspace and i saw a flier for another club saying the "Special Guest: A-Town Stringers" so when i went to Joes myspace i sent him a message that i was laughing my fucking balls off at him and wayne for actually making a duo crew. He told me they've had one for a long time i guess i never knew.

 

But anyways, i got to know them both after a while and yes, i disapprove of them making a crew, but i still know them enough (and myself) that i would have no problem stringing around them, but i won't associate myself as part of their "dynamic duo". I strung with every glowsticker that came into Energy because it brings out better vibes for everyone, the more the merrier right?

 

I got the special text telling me about that night where energy had they're glowsticking comp, and i couldn't go cuz i was working, but honestly i was bummed because i wanted to go back and see everyone i knew would be there. I know damn well i wouldn't have participated but the fact that i still had friends there would've drawn me to observe at least. I don't know...basically i can't hold it against Joe and Wayne because i grew to know them and they're cool guys, they are obviously free to do as they choose and i have no right to turn them away from whatever it is they pursue. I mean those two, me, and another stringer from Joliet, IL, Jeremy, not sure if he was ever on here, but we all would have an awsome night doing what we're supposed to do, stick and learn. We all learned alot from each other so i can't shun them very much, but i certainly won't promote them or that type of "scene".

[JunO 0]

 

somehow i feel this video is related to that event .. glowsticking & competition, those 2 words dont go hand in hand . seriously it does makes me feel disgusted ..

[DeCiBaL 0]

lol i remember that vid, cleric told me about it so i went and flagged it and sent the guy PM, freakin nipple head...good job juno lol

[JunO 0]

but i wonder if anyone has the footage of dj shay in the "contest"

[wes 1]

hold up hold up hold up!! i dont think it's the same wayne as THE wayne. kael please stop making stupid assumptions.

 

THE wayne, the one in chicago compilation, have been busy and the last time even went out partying was to Armin Van Burren at Congress Theater. i am sure he wouldn't be happy to hear people assuming that he supports this type of behavior.

 

as far as the competition at Energy, i heard and know about them but i am fully against it. maybe it went well this time and YOU were okay at being labeled as 3rd. but how do you gurantee that whoever didn't win 1st place next time will be as humble as you? Is it worth it to risk losing the meaning of our dance just for a little personal fun?

 

i think that's selfish as hell.

 

also i am sure you guys learned from the pioneers on glowsticking.com too. and now you are taking what you learned and using them for your personal gain (ie. entering the competition, gaining props and prizes)... that's selfish as hell too.

 

 

EDIT:

this wayne they are referring to might be the wayne from Aurora, which i hung out with once. i know him and ryan (milla2159 or sometimes known as "sticks") used to hang out too. he seemed like a nice guy, but now that i know he's part of this a-town crap i pretty much lost all respect for him.