Purple Foundation is extremely happy to announce
record attendance at Purple Party Weekend 2012!

We would like to thank all of our partners, sponsors, and the countless volunteers who worked so tirelessly to make this weekend a success. Keep an eye out for all the exciting photos and videos being posted over the next few weeks.
Save the date for our 13th annual event, May 3-6, 2013!

2012 Attendee Survey

How do you think we did this year?  Let us know!  Please take a moment to complete our attendee survey.  We take every suggestion and comment into consideration when planning next year.  You may optionally provide your e-mail address to be entered to win a pair of weekend passes for 2013. Entries must be submitted by June 15th.
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Memorial Weekend 2012, Pensacola Beach, FL

Announcing the latest addition to the Memorial Weekend lineup on Pensacola Beach.

SPLASH Beach Fest will be held at Park East on Pensacola Beach Friday-May 25, Saturday-May 26th & Sunday-May 27th from noon until 7pm daily.  The weekend festival will feature bar service, food & entertainment as well as a lineup of incredible DJs.  All this and more under our 11,000 square foot pavilion.

The daily festivities from noon until 7pm are open to the public with free admission for 18 and up.  Bring your tents, cabanas & beach gear and leave the rest to us.  We will have available a wide assortment of your favorite foods & snacks.  It goes without saying that our bars will be overflowing with ice cold cocktails, beer and other beverages.

On Friday, DJ Dewight Barkley kicks off the SPLASH Beach Fest at 2pm with our Welcome Party.  The weekend continues on Saturday at 2pm when DJ Jay-R turns up the heat for a sizzling afternoon of fun in the sun.  DJ Tim Pflueger rounds out the weekend on Sunday at 2pm with Pensacola’s hottest tea dance ever!

The highlight of the weekend will be Saturday night’s much anticipated WAVE dance party from 10pm until 4am featuring the international talent of DJ/Producer Joe Gauthreaux and direct from New York, the infamous Bianca del Rio.  The ‘glowing’ theme for this year’s party is a Black Light Beach Bash.

Tickets to WAVE can be purchased in advance for $40.00 at our website or at the Hampton Inn on the beach Welcome Center on Friday & Saturday from noon until 6pm.

For more weekend information or to purchase tickets go to:
www.memorialweekendpensacola.com

Join us on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/MemorialWeekendPensacola

Production by Johnny Chisholm

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

WAVE, Black Light Beach Bash – $40.00 (in advance)
Click Here to Order Tickets On-Line

RuPaul’s Drag Race superstars Manila Luzon & Sahara Davenport
to perform in the famous Rose Room during Ignite,
the Purple Party Weekend opening party!

They’ll be joining the fabulous Rose Room cast for this extra special event benefiting AIDS Services of Dallas. Purple Party Weekend starts with Ignite at Station 4 with DJs Joe Gauthreaux and Paul McElroy. Joe Gauthreaux is one of the country’s most popular DJs, headlining events such as White Party Week, Winter Party Festival, The Zoo Party, Halloween in New Orleans, and of course The Purple Party in 2010. Station 4 is one of the largest nightclubs in Texas, comprising 24,000 square feet of multilevel dance space, the Southwest’s premiere show bar for gender illusion, and an enormous outdoor patio. The Rose Room Theatre and Lounge are located upstairs at Station 4. It also has one of the most impressive intelligent-lighting and laser systems in the country. This is one incredible start to an amazing weekend!

Purple Foundation is thrilled to announce that the DJs for Glow,
the closing event for Purple Party Weekend 2012,
are DJ Paulo and Michael Tank.

With Michael playing the first half and Paulo closing out the weekend, you can expect an incredible musical journey from tea dance to late night at this extended eight-hour event.

We are also very excited to be returning to one of the most amazing venues in Dallas, if not the entire country: Plush. This beautiful, multilevel nightclub with a new rooftop deck boasts one of the best audiovisual systems around, complete with a Funktion One sound system, a 25-foot LED wall, and liquid nitrogen blasters. It will be a perfect ending to a spectacular weekend!

 DJ/Producer Paulo
(L.A.)
www.djpaulo.com

To use a single word to describe DJ Paulo’s signature percussive tribal and progressive sound…unique. Fans both new and seasoned often remark on their renewed energy and sense of faith in the dance scene after savoring a musical night that DJ Paulo provides. It is Paulo’s live performances and unique sets of tribal-injected house music mixed with hypnotic vocal tracks and his original productions that has helped him gain both praise both amongst his peers and countless fans both in the US and around the world.

During the past decade this truly international DJ–he hails originally from Portugal–has planted himself firmly among the ranks of headlining DJs; performing at numerous prestigious parties: Black and Blue Montreal , New York ‘s Saint at Large “Black Party”, ”Alegria”, Peter Rauhofer’s “Work” events , Fire Island’s “Pines Party” and “Dancing on the Bay”, Orlando’s Gay Days, White Party Miami and Palm Springs , Sydney ‘s Mardi Gras , Rio’s Carnival, and Taiwan ‘s “Ministry of Sound” just to name a few. Paulo also holds residencies at esteemed club events such as New York ‘s “Alegria”, Parking in Montreal, Score in Miami, Karmabeat in Mexico City, Hydrate in Chicago and Los Angeles ‘ Atlas and Reflex. Outside of his Southern California home base, booked and traveling to a gig almost every weekend of the year, his club dates are as impressive at his party credits. These include the Roxy, Crobar (M2) and Pacha in NYC, Crobar and Hydrate in Chicago, Space in Miami. Internationally, he has played various locations in Brazil (such as Revolution and The Week), Thailand, Hong Kong, Mexico (Karmabeat) , Amsterdam (Rapido) and Paris and wowed the entire country of Canada with appearances in Montreal , Toronto , and Vancouver. Paulo has had playdates in Ibiza at Amnesia and Trade in London, an achievement that few Americanbased DJs can claim.

Paulo’s remix credits include most recently Christina Aguilera’s “Not Myself Tonight” (#1 Billboard). Other remixes to his credit are Chaka Kahn and Mary J Blige’s ”Disrespectful” (#1 on Billboard), Kristina Debarge’s “Goodbye” and Ralphi Rosario’s ”Everybody Shake It” as well as Anjulie’s “Boom” all of which reached #1 on Billboard. Older remixes include “Luv To Luv” and “Fascinated”, Suzanne Palmer remixes on *69 Records, Tommy Boy Records “Love Song”(an ode to the legendary Israeli songstress Ofra Haza ) and “Lift It Up” by Inaya Day (which spent time at #1 on Billboard) and a remix for DJ Chus ” Black Rain ” on Stereo Productions. His unique and private mixes (such as his most recent mixes of Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro” and “Bad Romance”) can be found on numerous DJ compilations and set lists.

Co-founder of Pure Music Productions, Paulo has built one of the hottest independent record labels; providing top-10 progressive tracks on Beatport and various digital download sites. Together with Todd Dutkevitch, Paulo has created deep rhythms with original tracks such as “Ride The Beat”, “Slave To The Rhythm”, and “The Brazilian Rainforest” for Tribo Recordings.

“My goal is to continue the production route and bring new things to my events that aren’t available anywhere else.” If you haven’t already spent an evening being transported by DJ Paulo’s unique sets of tribal-injected deep house mixed with soaring diva vocals… rest assured, you will experience a night on the dance floor unlike any other, and you will be back for more!

DJ/Producer Michael Tank
(Fort Lauderdale)
www.facebook.com/djmiketank

Freedom of expression is the ultimate form of art and in the immortal words of George E. Woodberry “It is not in life, but in art that self-fulfillment is to be found.” No where does this ring brighter than in the talents of Producer/DJ Michael Tank, who continues to be fulfilled from his ability to make others dance by enlightening audiences around the world with his incredible works in the studio and in the DJ booth.

His abilities in the booth have been sought by such great parties and events as White Party Week and Winter Party Festival in Miami, Halloween’s in New Orleans, White Party (Buenos Aires), Purple Party (Dallas), Snowball (Fridae Asia, Singapore), Pride (San Francisco), Splash ( Austin), Carnival (P-town) and Mardi Gras (New Orleans). This award-winning DJ has further honed his skills in such surreal clubs as Cameo (Miami Beach), Palacio Alsina (Buenos Aires), Jungle (Atlanta), Heaven (Querétaro, Mexico), Rich’s (Houston), The Manor (Fort Lauderdale), Oz (New Orleans), Universe (San Francisco) and South Beach Nightclub (Houston) to name just a few. More recently he wowed the floor with an amazing performance at one of the best events of 2011, White Party Week’s Muscle Beach.

Michael’s high standards and detailed perfection in mixing music has earned him multiple residencies throughout his DJ career and amazing opportunities to spin for world renowned events that raise money for the most honorable of causes. Maintaining this skilled integrity has mobilized Michael to keep ahead in such a fast paced market as other DJs have come and gone during the 16 years he has been shaking dance floors. His level of performance has advanced his creative stage and desire to perform. In the world of music production, DJ/Producer Michael Tank has taken a back seat to no one. One of Michael’s collaborations with remixing partner Michael Brown generated his first #1 on Billboard Magazine’s Dance Chart. Jason Walker’s “Set It Free”, on Junior Vasquez’s infamous label JVM, not only shot to the #1 spot, but gave Jason his second #1 song and gave Michael his first sanctioned #1 remix. Other popular projects include Gioia Bruno’s “Why Did You Call”, “Caught Up” by Joa on Seth Cooper’s label Greenlink, Ron Perkov’s “It Doesn’t Matter”, the classic Veronica track “Someone to Hold”, and from Glee, The Warbler’s “Bills Bills Bills”. His latest project with Michael Brown is the R&B hit “Tired” by Kelly Price, which was nominated Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for 2011.

DJ/Producer Michael Tank has only just begun to scratch, burn and spin the surface of his creativity. Michael eagerly awaits his next adventure which will certainly find his audience dancing with delight throughout the evening or morning.

Purple Foundation is extremely proud to announce
DJ/producer Alyson Calagna will headline Resurrection,
the afterhours event, for Purple Party Weekend.

Alyson Calagna’s impressive resume includes headlining appearances at Alegria, Winter Party Festival, Songkran in Thailand, Gay Village in Rome, Stereo Montreal, Heaven & Hell in Brazil, Arabian Nights in Orlando, and Masterbeat Los Angeles just to name a few. Opening the event will be Texas-resident DJ Gabriel Marestein.

Alyson has been a veteran on the Purple Party Weekend roster for years and will be bringing her signature sound to an all new event in a brand new venue: the enormous underground ballroom at The Crowne Plaza, the 2012 host hotel. You will definitely want to stay at The Crowne Plaza during Purple Party Weekend. It will be the center of all the weekend’s exciting action. In addition, hotel guests will have in-and-out privileges all night! Book today — rooms are selling at a record pace!

DJ/Producer Alyson Calagna
(Miami)
www.djalysoncalagna.com

DJ Alyson Calagna’s dance floor is where faith and fable; gods and goddesses; and discovery and desire meet in a new truthology of sound.

With an international list of appearances – across the United States and in Brazil, Mexico, Montreal and beyond – Calagna has perfected a sound that is globally influenced and instantly recognizable. Her music has appeared on NBC’s Trauma and MTV’s Cribs, she has had releases on major dance labels such as Nervous, Stereo Productions, Intenso and Star69. She has also headlined some of the world’s biggest dance and circuit events and regularly plays to sold out crowds at some of the largest venues around the world including Pacha, Space, Crobar, The Government, and more. Critics have lauded her for discovering an unmistakable “sound of her own,” and she has garnered a dedicated following in nearly every corner of the world.

By creating a world both personal and external – of both breathing and breathlessness - Calagna, and those tuned into her, become lamas of the mind . . . the mantra . . . the mat . . . and the floor.

Purple Foundation is excited to announce DJ/Producer
Joe Gauthreaux  will headline the opening event
for Purple Party Weekend, Ignite!

Joe Gauthreaux is one of the country’s most popular DJs, headlining events such as White Party Week, Winter Party Festival, The Zoo Party, Halloween in New Orleans, and of course The Purple Party in 2010.

Purple Foundation is also very proud to announce the venue for Ignite is mega dance club Station 4! Located in the heart of the gay entertainment district, Station 4 is one of the largest nightclubs in Texas, comprising 24,000 square feet of multi-level dance space and an enormous outdoor patio. They also have one of the most impressive intelligent lighting and laser systems in the country. Joining Joe Gauthreaux will be Station 4 resident DJ and lighting engineer DJ Paul McElroy. Look for more exciting entertainment announcements for Ignite coming soon!

DJ/Producer Joe Gauthreaux
(NYC)
www.djjoeg.com

For Joe Gauthreaux, DJ-ing is a journey.

As one of the most sought after DJs in the industry, DJ/Producer Joe Gauthreaux (pronounced GO TROW) has a resume full of club appearances and main events that span the last 14 years – with the list growing each passing year. From events during Winter Party Festival to Atlantis Cruises to Black Party New York to San Diego Pride, his name is notorious for an amazing musical experience.

The New Orleans native began his career there at age 16 and he quickly became the resident DJ at Oz Nightclub in the famous French Quarter. Joe became quickly in demand at events around the Circuit and at nightclubs around the world as club goers recognized his ability to read the crowds and offer a diverse musical experience, which served to set him apart from the DJs of the day. Centaur Entertainment tapped Gauthreaux for his first CD compilation in 2002 with Party Groove: Blue Ball and other CDs followed. He remains a reporting DJ for Billboard Magazine.

In 2003, Gauthreaux said goodbye to New Orleans and set his sites on New York City. It wasn’t long before he became a favorite at clubs such as the renowned Roxy, Avalon, Splash, and at the Pavilion in Fire Island Pines. In 2008, he moved yet again and this time to Los Angeles as his international presence grew into new Asian and South American markets, among others. Joe is now recognized and in demand around the world with some bookings coming nearly two years in advance.

The competitive DJ market is not a match for this DJ. In 2009, Joe raised the bar for himself as he began producing his own remixes, which include !”You Are” by Tony Moran featuring Frenchie Davis, “The Power of Music” by Kristine W, “Feel Good” by Edson Pride featuring Jeanie Tracy, among many more.

Purple Foundation is proud to announce DJ/Producer Corey Craig (NYC) will headline the 2012 official pool party: Rise!

Corey has become one of the most in-demand talents in the U.S. playing events such as White Party Palm Springs, NYC Pride Pier Dance, and Sandblast Asbury Park. Opening the 6-hour event will be Dallas’s own DJ Adam Metts.

We’re returning to the amazing rooftop of our host hotel, the Crowne Plaza, overlooking downtown Dallas. After last year’s inaugural event, we’re making 2012 even bigger and better. We’ve improved the admission and ticketing process to make your entry quick and easy, especially for weekend pass holders. We’ll also have an expanded, indoor/outdoor area, with more room to drink, dance, and enjoy the breathtaking views atop the city.

DJ/Producer Corey Craig
(NYC)
www.coreycraig.com

Corey Craig’s award-winning signature mix of Disco House, Electro Funk and updated classics cements his position as one of the hottest most sought after new DJ’s across the globe. His current New York City residency is Rockit at Crimson. Previous residencies include Club 57, Chelsea Hotel, 747, and the Garden of Ono . Corey returns for his 6th season as a Fire Island Pines favorite performing special sets for Teas, Holiday events and private VIP ONLY parties.

His special opening guest sets include Bootleg @ Santos Party House (Junior Vasquez), XXL (Moto Blanco), Pines Party 2010 and on Governor’s Island (Freemasons). Headlining work includes the 2009 NYC Pride Pier Dance, Black and White Ball 2010 with Deborah Cox, Out at La Ronde (Montreal) Big Chill Gay Ski Weekend 2010, GLAAD Media Awards (NYC) 2010 and his 5th return to Sydney Gay Mardi Gras 2011 for 5 VIP events.

Globally, Corey Craig has performed special sets for XXL (London), Parking (Montreal), S4 (Dallas), Sandblast (Asbury Park), as well as Los Angeles sets at The Abbey, Here, Mickys, Katsuya, Industry and LASC. Corey has also provided live sets for “National Underwear Day”, Diesel, Perry Ellis, 2Xist, Marc Ecko, Loris Diran, OUT 100, Revel and Saint At Large. His legendary podcasts are an iTunes favorite and recently provided the poolside soundtrack for the 2009 and 2010 Atlantis Cruises.

Purple Party Weekend is back and better than ever for 2012 and promises a fantastic, world-class entertainment line-up and some amazing new venues. You won’t want to miss this incredible weekend benefiting AIDS Services of Dallas.

We are proud to announce that international superstar DJ/Producer Wayne G (UK) will be making his Texas debut at the main event, The Purple Party. Wayne G has become one of the most sought after names in the dance-music industry, headlining international events around the world, including White Party Palm Springs, Sydney Harbour Party, San Diego Pride Zoo Party, and the Atlantis Cruises. He will be joined by local favorite, DJ Brandon Moses. Expect an exciting journey of sound and high-tech lighting productions in an all new venue, South Side Music Hall inside Gilley’s Dallas.

DJ/Producer WAYNE G
(United Kingdom)
www.djwayneg.com

From “Twisted” hard house to “Heaven”-ly Hi-NRG, Wayne G’s music production and DJ career has certainly been diverse. Starting in the mid 90s, Wayne was part of the nu-NRG scene championed by contemporaries Tony de Vit, Mrs. Wood, and Blu Peter.

A satirical track featuring the voice of Stewart Who?, “Twisted,” launched Wayne into stratosphere making him one of the most in-demand DJ / Producers internationally with major success in Australia and the US (thanks to a Danny Tenaglia remix). The track has sold more than 150,000 worldwide and was the biggest selling dance single of 1998 globally, going Gold in Australia and remaining in the top 20 for over 6 months.

The follow up single ‘Breakdance’ went Top 40 in OZ and led to the critically acclaimed album on Sony Records.  Wayne & Stewart Who? toured Australia, Japan and South Africa to promote the album. The two still collaborate on projects and are currently working on their latest track with house legend Ralphi Rosario.

As a solo artist, Wayne G’s production and remixing skills have been much in demand, credits include remixes of tracks by Cher, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minouge, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys, Deborah Cox, Whitney Houston, Darren Hayes, Erasure, Jerry Springer The Opera, Lonnie Gordon, Kelis, Alexis Jordan, Olive, Holly Johnson, Jimmy Somerville, Belinda Carlisle, to name a few.

His recent productions have seen his output on labels as diverse as Fierce Angel, Hed Kandi, Flawless Recordings, Tommy Boy, Centaur and Almighty Records and artists as diverse as 2010 Tony Award Winner ‘Levi Kries’ on his single ‘Be Alright’, Darren Hayes producing a future B side of the classic ‘Love Hangover’, Dolly Partons classic ‘Peace Train’ to current R&B sensation Alexis Jordan, turning her chart hit ‘Happiness’ into a billboard hit. His productions under many guises include Funky G, E-Volution, Grip, Dark Forces, Almighty Allstars, Club Junkies and more.

His compilations CDs have garnered huge sales and top reviews globally, his last release, ‘REMIXXER’ released internationally to tie in with his performance at Sydney prestigious Harbour Party for part of the Sydney Mardi Gras celebrations got rave reviews around the globe:

“His beats just keep getting hotter. “Remixxer – Wayne G.” shows off his artistic growth and fresh sounds.” – Project Q Magazine

DJ Brandon Moses
(Dallas)
www.TheDanceCommandment.com

Brandon’s unique style of vocal-infused dance music is very much a product of his past experiences as a professional musician.  Starting in fourth grade, Brandon sang in his school and church choirs and continued to sing all the way through his years at his University.  After receiving a bachelor’s degree in music education, Brandon taught middle school choir for six years.  “I love to sing.  It’s always been a huge part of my life.  When I’m spinning, you’ll often see me singing along.”

This aspiring DJ started releasing podcasts in 2008.  After gaining a small group of fans that encouraged him to keep putting out more mixes, Brandon was soon DJing live at small venues throughout the Dallas area.  This soon led to a residency at The Tin Room and the Drama Room, two well-known nightclubs in the Dallas gay scene.

In October of 2010, Brandon left his residencies to allow for more travel.  Since then, he has opened several times for visiting DJs at Brick and also headlined for One Night In Bangkok at Brick. In April 2011 he opened for The Perry Twins at the main event for Dallas Purple Party, and a few weeks later spun at the pool of The Portofino Island Resort in Pensacola Beach, Florida over Memorial Day weekend.

He has spun the Dallas Red Party two years in a row and The Lambda Legal White Party in Dallas. Brandon will spin the official Black Tie Dinner After Party and will open the main event for Dallas Purple Party 2012…for the second year in a row.

“I’m extremely excited about what the future holds,” said Brandon.  “I have big dreams, and an even bigger passion for dancing and music.  It gives me great joy to see friends having fun on the dance floor, with smiles on their faces.  It’s really quite simple…I love music, I love to dance, and I love making people happy.  What could be better than being a DJ?”