Resort Manager, Ms Ciska Koekemoer admitted to the parties in the wake of complaints to the George Herald from residents in surrounding areas about events at the resort.
Koekemoer had also complained to the municipality about alleged violence, noise and drinking at the day camp, but people responded to her complaints by questioning the fact that she herself allows so-called Trance parties at the resort.
Koekemoer says the three to four annual parties at the resort attract visitors from all over South Africa. She runs the bar and sells food at the parties featuring extremely loud music by up to 10 DJ's at each event. The music plays non stop for the entire weekend.
According to Koekemoer she only rents out the resort for the duration of the party. "The money goes for the maintenance of the resort, but the income from the bar, registered in the name of Aqua Eden, is for my pocket.
"The Gwaing Trance party festivals started out as a Rasta musical festival, but it seems it turned out to be more of a Reggae music festival the last couple of times."
Koekemoer pro-mises to inform the police no less than 14 days before the next event. "The police are welcome to do an inspection during the festival. We don't allow drugs, and the rumours of sex on the beach in the open are untrue."
Marketing
The George Herald spoke to people who regularly visit these parties. They said when the party is being planned, they are sent cell phone messages, or BlackBerry messages, saying "stomp, stomp, stomp", or just "Gwaing this weekend".
According to one regular they "do get high", referring to illegal substances at the party.
On the Internet the November 2012 party was advertised as "The Cosmic Circus - Trance Party Gwaing River Garden Route. A celebration of fun, laughter, colour, life, beauty, unity, respect, creativity and the Dynamic Human Spirit. Beautifully shaded and decorated dancefloor overlooking the ocean, warm fat sound, and a beautiful line-up focusing on the joy and light that comes with psychedelic music will create the perfect environment to break the chains and shake that ass in a safe, care-free, and respectful environment".
That parties' line-up of songs and bands included DillanM (Free-Spirit), Dala (Nano), Jester (Peak), Psytist (Wacky Woods), Ant (Stress-Free).
The vibe
These events are well organised, with massive dance floors, toilets, food and clothing stalls, a camping area and a fully stocked bar.
Says an enthuiast on the internet: "Trance parties have made a name for themselves as being a drug-fuelled party. But I don't think that's true. Yes, there are a lot of drugs floating around, and yes, don't be surprised if the guy next to you on the dance floor 'sparks a fat spliff 'and offers you a puff. But on the whole, I think there's actually more alcohol going around than drugs. The drugs that do go around are generally LSD, MDMA and ecstasy - party drugs. Hard drugs like crack and heroin are a big no-no at these parties and it's unlikely that you will encounter them."
Green Smoke Room - the website where products are advertised for trance parties.
ARTICLE: CHRISTO VERMAAK, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
