[ShyCammie]

I think you raise a good question.
My brother's 10 years younger than me and has worked lights for a lot of "hot" DJs for fun.
I grew up with the generational group that started raves (just a time frame, that's all). It went from Frat parties to anyone who wanted to party and pay. The raves in many states were illegal because there wasn't a license to sell alchohol and often the raves exceeded site/venue capacity numbers.
With time (and maturity) many of my age group left that behind and parties were stated either BYOA or "if you want something other than what we offer, bring it and share."
But, from my brother's experiences, raves never really went away, they got smaller. Often inviting acquaintances. And yes, they are very very profitable. (My brother bought a car off of 4 months of "house-raves.")
What I've found now is that the definition of "party" seems to have diffused. "House-raves" are being called parties (the initial entry on this thread described a house-rave, to me); pot-luck get-togethers are being called parties; even a completely pay-as-you-go get-together is called a party.
I'm too old to care what other people call it, so here's what I see as definitions. If it's a party, the host/hostess pays. If it's a get together/pot-luck, everyone chips in in one way or another. If it's a rave (no matter the size) you pay the same way you'd pay a cover charge at a bar that's licensed.
It's not that I didn't enjoy each venue for what it offered, I've just got too many other things to do with my life than spend money for a rave.
What ever the social function is called, if you go - I hope you have fun.