VEGASinsight Archives

Dear AWOL: Hell yes.

In a city where the rave scene is as close to death as it can be without yet being buried, the 11-year survival of AWOL Productions‘ annual Devils Night parties is both freakish and impressive. Chad Craig has been producing this local favorite event the entire time, and despite his own frustrations with venues, police and permits, he keeps coming back with bigger DJs, more awesome decorations and that same great party vibe that has become synonymous with AWOL events.

Devils Night 11 is being held on Halloween proper this year, Friday, Oct. 31, which is of course a double holiday for those of us in the state of Nevada: it’s Nevada Day, which celebrates the day we attained statehood – and gets a whole lot of us out of work for Halloween. Booyah, three-day weekend!

The lineup has yet to be announced for this year’s bash (as well as location, price, etc.), but last year’s headliner was The Crystal Method, so obviously expectations for the ’08 event are high. Look for this to be a 4,000-capacity party with some of the biggest names spinning house, drum-n-bass, techno, speed, garage and much more. Stay tuned for details forthcoming.

Despite his best efforts, AWOL Productions‘ Chad Craig is being forced to relocate Friday’s 10th annual Devil’s Night Halloween-themed rave from Alexis Park Resort to Empire Ballroom.

“Well, our hands are tied,” Craig wrote in an e-mail sent Saturday morning. “Moving … to Empire Ballroom is the logical and safest guarantee we will have a packed event.”

The party—featuring a headlining DJ set by the Crystal Method—was originally going to be an 18-over affair, spread out across Alexis Park’s pool, convention center, bars and more. At Empire Ballroom, however, Devil’s Night will be limited to those 21 and over.

“We are VERY SORRY to the thousands of under 21 who made plans to attend this year,” Craig wrote. “We will try and come up with something in the next few months. These circumstances are completely out of our control and there just was not enough time to find and permit a [sic] 18 and over venue.”

Unlike past events that faced location, permitting and noise pollution dilemmas, the 2007 edition looked as though it would be safely located at Alexis Park, which has been hosting a number of parties and special events lately, including a rooftop and poolside National Coming Out Day festival.

But as seems to be the continuing plague and curse of rave promoters (indeed, of all-ages club promoters as well) in Las Vegas, the Alexis Park location fell through due to a dizzying maze of permitting problems and miscommunication between the promoter, venue and county officials.

Last year’s Devils Night, held at the Fort Cheyenne Casino in North Las Vegas, was shut down by police due to noise complaints. There is no chance of that happening at Empire Ballroom. As well, Craig says the powers-that-be at Empire acquiesced to a list of 49 conditions he requested for successful execution of the event, including keeping the dance floor free of seating, discounting drink prices, reducing valet fees and amending the venue’s sound with AWOL’s own equipment.

“We promise there will be more room and more heart, love and soul being put into this event than anything you are used too [sic] in the day to day club market,” Craig wrote.