Valentine's Day flash mob to raise awareness about violence against women
February 11, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue Contemporary Dance Company, along with other dance groups and individuals, will be performing flash mobs at 10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 14) outside the Stewart Center.
The event is part of the global awareness campaign "One Billion Rising," which asks people to "Dance, Rise up and Demand" an end to violence against women. The campaign's goal is to have 1 billion women and men around the world take part in the Valentine's Day dance.
Purdue student Amberly Simpson, who is helping teach and organize Purdue's flash mobs, sees this as more than just another cause to support. For her, leading the group of 20-40 students in a dance against violence is a much more personal statement.
"As a young woman who has been directly affected by the type of violence that this organization is rising up to prevent, I realize how incredibly important it is to increase this sort of awareness and, most importantly, end it," Simpson said. "There has been a lot of interest. I get emails about this event almost every day."
Due to that increase in interest, Simpson will be teaching a last-minute choreography session for anyone who would like to be involved at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 13) in the Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts, Room 1179.
"One Billion Rising" is sponsored by the V-day organization, the group that started the popular "Vagina Monologues" series. The group says that approximately 1 billion women worldwide have experienced sexual violence against them. This dance event marks the organization's 15th anniversary.
The Purdue flash mob will be held inside the Stewart Center should weather become an issue.
Writer: Morgan Stephens, 765-490-4855, MorganLStephens@gmail.com
Source: Amberly Simpson, 818-726-1214, Simpsona@purdue.edu
Related websites:
Purdue
Flash Mob Facebook
