God’s Basement, Philadelphia
UrbanDictionary defines God’s Basement as the hottest underground rave venue in Philadelphia. Twice a month, in the basement of Bible Way Church, in crime-torn West Philly, there is a massive all-ages underground techno party, which has attracted a loyal following over the last ten years. People come from NY, NJ, DE, MD, and DC to hear diverse sometimes-international DJs spin in the two rooms of God’s Basement from 10 until morning. What’s more, the party organizers regularly organize food and toy drives for the community as well partner with Walk For Life. In a world that’s gradually commercializing everything, the legendary clubs (Twilo, Space) giving way to international chains (Pacha, Avalon) just as the hip music spots of yester-century have been replaced by well Starbucks, and in a sparsely populated part of a city with about a murder a day, you’d think they would let some people dancing in a church basement slide…
Well, NBC10 recently published their undercover investigation report on God’s Basement, blowing the lid of what used to be a pretty decently kept secret, and thus threatening one of the tristate’s last renegade venues. Armed with hidden cameras, NBC’s Lu Ann Cahn (and her flying monkey) infiltrated the underground party and captured footage of young people dancing, smoking pot, and drinking alcohol, and sucking lollipops (always a sign of ecstasy use and liking candy). Her story paints a lurid picture, labeling it an ‘underage rave party’ held ‘inside the school’, which has mothers outraged, though in fact the school rents the basement from the church, just like God’s Basement. You may remember Lu Ann for her 2005 Emmy for “Dirty Little Secret,” which revealed elected borough leaders (gasp!) drinking in the ‘dry’ town of Colwyn, PA, making this just another step in a long crusade against drink and merriment everywhere. The investigation was sparked by an anonymous mother’s concern over her daughter’s ecstasy use, but the story lists no other initial causes for concern.
Persecution is nothing new to ravers though, and in the catacombic setting of God’s Basement it vaguely echoes the rituals of the early Christians. Back then, before Medieval feudalism brought worship to its knees, seeking forgiveness for the dirty little secret, people used to pray standing up with hands outstretched upwards, singing and dancing for joy. Couple that with the fact that sacramental wine back then would have been much stronger fortified, and you have a pretty good party, provided the Romans don’t crash, they do, run. God’s Basement has developed a sympathetic relationship with the church, getting everyone to pitch-in to support the community in exchange for the privilege of throwing epic parties twice a month. After years of growing separation between church and state, schools in the northeast are no longer influenced by organized religions (no creationism, no prayer), but in this case you have the school seeking to affect the church and how it conducts its business. The divide should hold both ways. The next party is scheduled for tomorrow night, wonder what will happen.
‘God’s Basement’ rave takes over church hall, school cafeteriea, NBC10.com
Does the fact that underage kids were videotaped drinking alcohol, smoking pot and yes they are sucking lollipops which has everything to do with Ecstacy, mean ANYTHING to you??? If you think they are just kids have lollipops than you need your head examined. Hitler gave to charities too.
Comment by joan — April 11, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
as you can see on the comments board for the article, the age group of the attendees was misrepresented. the one person ‘interviewed’ is an nbc researcher and she doesnt say there were no adults there, just that she didnt talk to any. point is, you dont know if its a kid drinking, or that its even alcohol. this party has been going for many years with little incident, as far as west philly goes, it seems this wouldnt be news were people not tired of hearing about murders and heroin overdoses. but youre right, whenever i see a kid with a lollipop i do immediately assume theyre on drugs, so no, i guess i dont need to have my head examined. hitler was a vegetarian too, so if you dont eat meat youre a nazi.
Comment by alexei — April 11, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
No doubt Alexei… Joan you suck. You need to be a little more open minded and maybe get out a lil bit
Comment by Capri — May 16, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Actually, my bad for the personal attack Joan. It just makes me angry when people talk dirt about something they probably (or sound like) they know NOTHING about. These people running these venues are good people, with good taste in music and just want to enlighten minds. Not everyone does drugs, and even if they did they’re gonna do it regaurdless of where they’re at. Yupp yupp! Have a nice one
Comment by Capri — May 16, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
Yeah let’s see. Secular society is killing God, and this TV show is just proof of ONE more attack against Christians in America.
Give me a break.
Comment by Diane — June 13, 2008 @ 12:28 am
The school has every right to investigate “Christian” groups when underage children are using drugs. This has nothing to do with “separation between church and state” and everything to do with laws against illegal drugs. Sounds to me like kids who have it so strict at home that they are using church activities to let off steam.
And your parallel with the early Christians is really a poor one, used in poor parallel and poor taste. I hardly think these kids are thinking about God (or praying) while they’re having their rave.
Oh wait, no. Christians are persecuted in America. (I’m laughing so hard right now I can hardly sit in my chair). I’ve been to countries where Christians are persecuted, and let me tell you, they have no sympathy for fat and spoiled American Christians who whine every time they don’t get their way in the public sector. Laws are for everybody, and not for Christians who want to control everything in government and in the public sector.
The “persecuted” are becoming the persecutors in this country.
Comment by Diane — June 13, 2008 @ 12:37 am
if this did have to do with laws, then it would seem police resources would be better spent busting meth labs, crack dens, and hunting down murderers in west philly, instead of busting parties. this doesnt really have to do with the law, since no police were called. the party was busted thru the sheer force of the media’s eye. what annoys me slightly is that the church rents out the area to the school, and because they use it part of the time, they feel they have a right to tell the church what to do. it’s not like the same kids are going to this party, since i think that school’s an elementary one.
as for whether the kids are thinking about god while dancing, i think the rave culture has a much higher proportion of spiritual people than most other subcultures. this is partially because of the quasi-shamanic trance element, part the communal ecstatic experience. i am not saying all of them approach it as a form of worship, just that there are parallels, and that god’s basement gave back to the community, unlike many party promoters.
i’m not saying christians are persecuted now, but that ravers are.
Comment by alexei — June 13, 2008 @ 1:06 am