Whip out your bell-bottoms, and put on your best afro wig because the ’70s are back.

Project Safe, a local, nonprofit organization working to end violence against women, will host its fifth annual Groovy Nights celebration tonight.

While the ’70s is a fun theme, there is significance to why the Project Safe board members chose it.

“The ’70s was the time of the birth of the violence against women movement,” said Joan Prittie, executive director of Project Safe. “It was the time when Project Safe came together, and we existed as a network of volunteer safe homes for people fleeing from domestic violence.”

Today, Project Safe consists of a 24-hour emergency shelter, a 24-hour hotline, support groups in the shelter and the community, advocacy efforts and community education about domestic violence.

“We are never taught about domestic violence. It is a ‘hush, hush’ sort of thing, and its great to be a part of something that helps people who are put down in society,” said Amy Prestera, a senior who interned at Project Safe over the summer. “Society doesn’t always look at it – domestic violence – as being wrong, but it is.”

Groovy Nights is the largest fundraiser of the year for Project Safe.

Last year the event raised more than $20,000 for the organization, and this year the board has an even higher goal of at least $25,000.

“It takes funding and leadership to be successful. We have amazing leadership but are always lacking funding,” said Lori Brooks, a Project Safe board member who spearheads the event.”Now with this fundraiser we are able to provide the services that we are supposed to provide.”

The event will be held at the Classic Center and features a dinner buffet, dancing, musical entertainment and even a giant game of Twister.

Another aspect that the board members are excited about is the live and silent auction.

“The live auction was such a success last year that we decided to do it again. We have so many incredible things,” Brooks said.

“We have a rafting trip, and lots of restaurants and businesses around town and Atlanta donated. We have autographed stuff from Widespread Panic and signed R.E.M. sheet music,” Prittie said.