EDITOR’S NOTE — See ‘1 Billion Rising’ planning video, below
A global effort to call attention to violence against women touches down in Port Townsend and Port Angeles on Thursday.
The two cities are joining more than 1,000 cities worldwide in the One Billion Rising Valentine’s Day, aimed at ending violence against women.
Port Townsend organizers plan an all-day schedule of dance, discussion and celebration, including a “flash mob dance” at 4 p.m. at the Haller Fountain at Taylor and Washington streets.
In Port Angeles, an outdoor dance will begin at 4 p.m. at the Conrad Dyar Memorial Fountain at First and Laurel streets.
Port Townsend
In Port Townsend, the day will begin at Madrona MindBody in Fort Worden State Park, where Allison Dey, an organizer, and Bainbridge Island dance teacher Tanya Agnew will lead a Nia dance from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. as a by-donation benefit for Dove House, which provides services for children and adults who have been victims of domestic violence.
That will be followed by “Communit-Tea Talks” from 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., when the discussion will center around creating a “dancing revolution” to join people in an effort to end violence against women and girls.
“Dance is the language of empowerment,” said Dey. “It’s a declaration of freedom from violence and allows a woman to live in her body without fear.”
A “dance strike” from work is set from noon to 12:15 p.m. in the courtyard adjacent to Sweet Laurette’s Cafe and Bistro, 1029 Lawrence St.
A flash mob dance from 4 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Haller Fountain will be a choreographed accompaniment to “Break the Chain,” the event’s theme song.
A community dance is set from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. with DJ music from Silace Amaro and will be followed by a closing ceremony.
Port Angeles
In Port Angeles, Rage Productions was hired to play all kinds of dance music for two hours at the fountain — anything that will get people on their feet, said organizer Naomi Davidson, 37, of Port Angeles.
“We want to have people dancing all the way through,” Davidson said.
The event includes a raffle of items donated by downtown Port Angeles businesses.
Donations will cover expenses; any funds will be donated to Healthy Families of Clallam County, Davidson said.
Visit www.onebillionrising.org. In Port Angeles, email ndavison2010@gmail.com or call 360-504-2760. In Port Townsend, visit http://tinyurl.com/a7vccf4.
