One Billion Rising

Updated 2/22: The Outcome Event Wrap Up Here

Updated: Rehearsal Info Included!

Further updated: tips on the dance!

Further updated 2/12: MAP OF THE PARK AND WHERE TO MEET

One Billion Rising Flash Mob Washington Square Park 2.14.13

Join us on February 14th, 2013 at Washington Square Park for One Billion Rising, V-Day’s worldwide grassroots campaign, underway now, culminating on February 14th, 2013. This date marks the 15th Anniversary of when  V-Day was founded by award-winning playwright Eve Ensler with the goal of ending violence against women and girls. Major events are planned in 189 193 202 countries!

Nowhere is more happening than in New York City! “Rising” events will be happening all over the city, in Central Park, on the Brooklyn Bridge, Harlem, Hammerstein Ballroom, Prospect Park, Washington Square Park, Union Square, high schools across the five boroughs, Mount Sinai, Brooklyn YWCA, and so much more is currently being planned by people everywhere. (To find these events, go to One Billion Rising and search “Find a Rising.”)

In addition, people will be walking out of their schools, workplaces, and homes at 2:14 p.m. in solidarity with One Billion Rising to demand an end to the violence.

The One Billion Rising campaign is based on the statistic that 1 in 3 women will be beaten or raped in her lifetime; astoundingly, that adds up to 1 billion women worldwide. On 2.14.13, One Billion women, men, girls and boys will Strike, Dance, Rise to demand an end to the violence.

To date, activists, writers, movie stars, politicians, musicians, thousands of organizations have signed on as supporters; celebrities who are “rising” include: Anne Hathaway, Yoko Ono, Kerry Washington, Robert Redford, Jennifer Lawrence, Fatou Bensouda, Rosario Dawson, Jane Fonda, Thandie Newton, Gloria Steinem, Jessica Alba, Zoe Kravitz, and many more. Unions and organizations signed on include the AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood, Amnesty International, Domestic Workers Alliance, and so much more!

There are many places you can be in New York City but Washington Square Park is, of course, one of the ultimate places to BE!

Join us for a Dance Flash Mob of the One Billion Rising anthem, “Break The Chain,” written by Tena Clark and choreographed by Debbie Allen (“Fame,” “So You Think You Can Dance”).

REHEARSALS PRIOR TO 2.14:

REHEARSALS Feb. 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th at specific studio spaces — SEE FULL INFORMATION HERE

DAY OF AT WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK:

Meet by the Fountain. Wear Red & Black. 

Thursday, February 14th 1:30 p.m. arrival AT GARIBALDI PLAZA STAGE

2:14 — DANCE! (between Fountain & Arch)

You can also sign up for the event here and/or via the Facebook page to share it or just leave a comment below and your email address (email address will not be seen). Thanks!

There will be rehearsals nearby close to the date. If you have access to rehearsal space, contact me via the Contact form! However, if you can’t make it to a rehearsal, come anyway.

Details:

The Song And Dance, “Break The Chain” Music Video (The One Billion Rising anthem shot in NYC):

How To:

(New!) NOTE ON REHEARSING THE DANCE:

On learning the dance…so there are two (or more) dance instruction videos. My suggestion is that you start off with Debbie Allen because she goes slowly and really teaches the steps. However, as we’ve discussed at the rehearsals, there are a few little mix ups, so then I’d suggest you watch this video which is the Brooklyn High School girls and done as a ‘mirror routine’ so you can follow their feet exactly:

There are two things that differ here – we follow Debbie in that we don’t turn around in the very first steps (the girls spin in a circle once at very beginning) – we go side to side a la Debbie – and during the “Party” section (which repeats), the girls just go one foot side to side, then other and then ‘party.’ We do the Debbie Allen jump to the right, jump to the left. However, if you learn it one way or the other, it will be FINE. I don’t expect people to spend endless amounts of time but I’ve noticed that people are very dedicated and have been which is greatly appreciated.

This is so you can practice a bit in advance if you’d like to but – no worries – we will have rehearsals and if you can’t come to them, please show up anyway! 

 

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10 thoughts on “One Billion Rising”

  1. Hi I want my GED Plus class to participate in your dance flashmob on Feb. 14th. I signed us up but it says something about Jan 18th… is this a rehearsal?

    Reply
  2. Hi Lucy, Thanks for signing up with your whole GED Plus class!! That’s amazing. And thanks for noting that. Somehow the date must have gotten mixed up there. I corrected it. There *will be* rehearsals! (We need rehearsal space if you have ideas… ) Stay tuned. Thanks again for participating with your class.

    best,
    Cathryn.

    Reply
  3. Hi there –

    I’m a dance teacher and I rent studio space from a location not far from Washington Square Park. (440 Studios at 440 Lafayette St) I’d be willing to donate space depending on the time you need and the number of people you expect.

    KJ Grow

    Reply
  4. Hi Joy, thanks so much for joining in !! It’s actually even nicer than that – KJ teaches at the studio and she is donating rehearsal time there! Amazing, right?

    Look forward to meeting you!

    Cathryn.

    Reply
  5. Hello, I’m a student at NYU and last year I was a part of the V-Day efforts in San Diego and wanted to continue to be a part of it when I moved here to NYC. Now, if I wanted to come dance in WSP, I would be coming from a class that ends at 1:45 (or I could probably walk out early) but I would still have my backpack and everything, so could I dance while still having my stuff be safe? Will there be someone there to watch our stuff, or our we on our own with that? I know I’m responsible for my own property I just was wondering so I could plan ahead to find somewhere safe to keep my backpack while I danced with you lovely people. 🙂

    Reply
  6. This is awesome! We’ll be rising at WSP as well, but after school. If you and any of your participants care to rise again, please join us! Lord knows, we’re not dancers, so your expert moves would be greatly appreciated. 6:30pm. Lets chat!

    Reply
  7. Hi Julia,

    Thanks for writing and wanting to participate. I’m going to figure that out. I think we’ll work it out (we sort of have to because we’re all going to be in the same ‘boat’ so to speak, other than the coming from class part). 🙂 Thrilled to have you join us — if you can make a rehearsal, wonderful, or use the video.

    Hi Aly,

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I will email you. Thanks for writing and your kind words! Looking forward to the 14th at Washington Square!

    Cathryn.

    Reply
  8. Great, thank you, Cathryn! I actually participated in the original flash mob and music video, so I already know the routine, but probably just need a refresher. 😉

    Reply

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