Huge Dance Party Planned for Murrieta Teens Has Some Parents Upset

Some parents are upset about a Masquerade-themed party planned for Saturday night in Murrieta.

The grandmother of two students who attend Vista Murrieta High School and Shivela Middle School said she was upset because fliers for the event were being passed out at the local schools. The admission fee was also being collected at schools, said Tiffeni Whittington, the grandparent. Her grandson bought a ticket for $20 at Vista Murrieta High School.

Masquerade Dance Party is planned between 8 p.m and midnight Saturday at Intensity All Stars Gym, 38444 Sky Canyon Drive in Murrieta. An invitation on Facebook announces there will be go-go dancers, DJ's and more than 500 in attendance.

"Costumes, masks, beads...are encouraged (available at the party also)...Come dance and celebrate at the ultimate 'exclusive dance party in town,'" the invitation reads.

Students from Vista Murrieta and Elsinore High are among those who have RSVPed to the party, as well as some middle school students.

Whittington said she doesn't think the fliers should have been passed out at Shivela Middle School.

"Kids as young as 11-years-old go to school there, and they don't need to see scantily-clad girls shaking their butts," Whittington said, referring to go-go dancers expected to be performing at the party.

Organizers of the event did not go through the district to get permission to pass out the fliers at schools, said Murrieta Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Karen Parris.

However, she said administrators cannot control information students pass out amongst themselves.

Stephanie Smith, an employee at Intensity All Star Gym, said bonded security has been hired for the event. The event is for high-schoolers only, she said. School ID's will be checked at the door, and she said no one under 14 will be permitted to enter.

She said if parents are uncomfortable, they are welcome to look around when they drop their kids off. The event was meant to give youth in the area something fun to do, she said.

Riverside County Sheriff's Investigator Matt Diaz said so long as the organizers have bonded insurance for the location, it is considered a private party.

"If things do get out of hand, then absolutely we would respond," Diaz said.

Whittington said herself and a group of others plan to picket the party.