Gearing Up for Purple Party 8

The Purple Foundation will present "Purple 8," an annual circuit party event that this year will benefit AIDS Services of Dallas, April 18-20.

Representatives of the Purple Foundation this week presented a check for $40,000 to Don Maison, executive director of AIDS Services of Dallas. The check represents proceeds from the 2007 Purple Party. Pictured are, from left, Aaron Carrasco, Blake Baker, Don Maison and Peter Brown. – Leo Cuismano/Dallas Voice

The party will feature Roland belmares, Alyson Calagna, Jo Gauthreaux and Phil B, with special guest Deborah Cox. Host passes are available for $200, and include express admission to all events, access to the host lounge during the "Amethyst" party at the House of Blues, a gift bag and complimentary beverages during certain hours of the "Amethyst" and "Wild Orchid" parties.

Weekend passes are available for $130 and include express admission to all events. Tickets for only for the main party, "Amethyst," are $60 in advance through Ticketmaster, and $70 at the door. Tickets and passes will also be on sale at Nuvo, 3900 Cedar Springs Road. The host hotel is Magnolia Hotel, 1401 Commerce St.

The weekend begins with the "Purple Hearts" party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday, April 18, at Minc Lounge with D.J. Alyson Calagna. "Amethyst" will be held from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at House of Blues with D.J. Roland Belmares and Deborah Cox, and will be followed by the after party, "Resurrection," from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. in the Starlight Room, with D.J. Joe Gauthreaux.

The weekend concludes with the "Wild Orchid" party Sunday, April 20, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Purgatory (heaven), featuring D.J. Phil B.

Dallas Purple Party is produced annually by the Purple Foundation, a nonprofit organization. To date, the organization has raised more than $150,000 for its beneficiaries. For more information, go online to www.DallasPurpleParty.org.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition February 22, 2008