New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ OP Music House) Breaking the silence, starting with her own, Suzanne Perry is setting an example.
Perry was held hostage in her own home; abused, humiliated, assaulted and tortured at the hands of her husband. Lost in the cycle of domestic violence, she left and returned, wanting to believe the love would last and the abuse would stop. Finally, at the threat of her teen running away, Perry made the decision to have her husband arrested following the next beating and today is a public speaker, radio host and DV advocate.
Based on her theory if batterers were in the spotlight - exposed, that they wouldn't abuse, she created the 'EXPOSURE Concert: because love shouldn't hurt,' a 3-day live musicfest where over 40 bands perform and stream live around the world. The 1st show in August, 2010, was viewed from 8 countries and 34 states.
In barely over a year, her nonprofit, "OP
Music House," has accumulated over 4,000 Facebook friends as Perry saturated the Buffalo NY music scene - photographing bands and fans, and handing out "prizes" with her logo featuring the words, "love shouldn't hurt."
She has live music "Suzapalooza" shows booked throughout Western New York, bringing 2 selected bands, games, prizes and branded merchandise. The shows underline domestic violence awareness but in a counter-approach, "putting unity back into the community, through music," Perry commented.
In June, she is holding "RUMBLE to break the silence," a motorcycle run followed by a bike/classic car show and vendor fair with live music all day, food and games.
July 29-31, the 2nd annual EXPOSURE Concert takes place. A historical highlight happens Saturday night, when
Julie Faery of Your Loving X will be joined by others onstage and performs John Lennon's, "Imagine," in unison with the entire planet. Perry wrote to Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, to ask for her recognition. Perry reports, 'This event is to promote peace through music, and to expose abusers to the world, saying its never okay to control or hurt others.'
The events are fundraisers to help OP
Music House open in a public setting, upgrading from Perry's current home-based office.
Summer 2012 puts Suzapalooza on the road in a US tour, as she brings local 'Southern meets Metal' band, 100 Proof Justice, and fellow-survivor turned quickly up and coming musician Sharen Wendy Robertson. Called the EXPOSURE Tour, stops are already confirmed in Boston, DC, Louisville, Miami, Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Perry will speak at colleges and organizations by day and host the musical performances in the evening. The idea is to involve bands across America, who have agreed to donate a set of music when EXPOSURE comes to their town, supporting her cause.
Perry has a Facebook group called "Eddie Vedder to cut ribbon when we open - domestic violence intervention" with nearly 700 supporters. She hopes to have
Pearl Jam's frontman cut the grand opening day ribbon once she is ready to open in a public facility. Perry painted the music to "
Alive" in her bathroom.
