Get ready to Party in Purple

Heaven Colon [Submitted photo]

The lead organizer of the Party in Purple Dance Fitness Party, which has a goal of raising awareness of domestic violence and funds to support local victims, said attendees should be ready to “make noise, cheer, root, hug, laugh and dance.”

The event, hosted by certified group fitness instructor Heaven Colon, in partnership with the Marion County Children’s Alliance’s Family Violence Prevention Workgroup, which is led by Monica Bryant, will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21^st Ave., Ocala. Other partners include the Marion County Health Department and Fully in Tune Temple, LLC.

“As a certified group fitness instructor specializing in dance fitness, I have participated in so many wonderful causes for the community as a guest instructor. However, I noticed there was not a dance fitness event representing domestic violence awareness. I saw the need. I heard the silence. And I felt called. Thus, the Party in Purple Dance Fitness Party was created,” Colon said via email.

“Violence as a whole is at a dangerous all-time high. Domestic and family violence is the root cause of a vicious, controlling, manipulative, power cycle that affects anyone in its path. Though it takes on so many forms beyond mental and physical abuse for example, it does not matter what gender, religion, culture, race, age or political affiliation you are,” Colon stated.

“Domestic violence affects our local community in more ways than one. We see and feel the impact of it in our youth, our families, single parent households, relationships and friendships. Out of the many causes to advocate for, this is one we can proactively do something about with community support. Our community needs the unity and support. And it’s times like this where it’s refreshing to know there is hope. We can end this. We will break the silence,” Colon continued.

When asked why the color purple was significant, she replied, “Purple is such a powerful yet humble color. It symbolizes advocacy and support for those who are conquerors as well as honors the lives we have lost.”

“In Ocala/Marion County, we average more than 3,000 reported cases of domestic violence each year. The Ocala Police Department had 415 reported domestic violence cases through August of this year and 58 dating violence cases. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office had 1,515 reported domestic violence cases through July of this year. They don’t report dating violence cases. Since we started tracking homicides in 1997, 154 people have died as a result of domestic violence. There have been three homicides this year,” Bryant stated.

“In 2024, the work group provided emergency assistance such as shelter, food, gas cards, bus tickets and more to 182 families (270 children) affected by family violence and also provided safe shelter in our domestic violence apartment for eight families (13 children),” she noted.

Colon said when attendees arrive on the day of the dance party, they will be greeted “with some of the amazing support team, staff and volunteers who have helped make this event possible.”

Once guests are checked in, they can purchase raffle tickets for prizes from vendors, businesses, instructors and community partners. A photo booth area will be filled with fun props.

“People can visit some of the tables full of resources on how to help someone to break the silence on violence. The main event will host a survivor story and unity in dance fitness with some local, statewide and even out-of-state instructors presenting. There will be water, snack and raffle breaks during the 2.5 hours. We will be ready to make noise, cheer, root, hug, laugh and dance with each other in support of domestic violence awareness,” Colon noted.

In addition to Colon, the instructors include Angela Hill, Anna Olivero, Coreen Cole, Ivelisse Rojas Lauren Burros Taub, DeNaya Wilkerson, Sarah Gregory, April Gregory, Paola Pichardo, Marquita Smith and Stacey Morel.

Pre-sale tickets are available online at $15 a person; $5 for ages 12 and younger. Tickets will be $20 at the door the day of the event.

Proceeds from tickets, raffles and any donations will go to the Family Violence Prevention Workgroup. There will be a few awareness T-shirts available for purchase in select sizes on a first-come, first-serve basis at event check-in.

To get tickets online, go to https://partyinpurple4domesticviolence2.eventbrite.com

To learn more about the Family Violence Prevention Workgroup, contact Bryant at (352) 438-5993 or [email protected]