V-Day in New Paltz features flash mob dance downtown for One Billion Rising

“Then the UN [United Nations] released a report that had a devastating, unbelievable statistic,” noted Goggin, “that one in every three women will be raped or beaten at some point in her life.” That statistic roughly equals a billion women and girls, which is where One Billion Rising got its name. Ensler wanted to do something on V-Day as part of the 15th anniversary, but in a massive and global way that would inspire women to rise up, let their voices be heard and demand that the rape and violence against women be acknowledged, stopped and treated as a gender issue, as a civil rights issue, which many argue that it is.

Dance is the anti-violence, the life-affirming form of movement and celebration of the body, spirit and soul that speaks of empowerment and love and life, in great contrast to the statistics of violence, rape and death being committed against women every day throughout the world.

Goggin thought that it would be a great thing if local women could take part in this global rally in New Paltz, and within a short period of time, the rally began to rise. She had a good friend, Johanna Longbotham, who committed to help organize the event. “We did the initial legwork, and part of that was reaching out to other groups, organizations and women we know. There are so many incredible women in New Paltz and the surrounding towns that it quickly spread and became something that so many people wanted to be a part of, work on and felt passionate about.”

There is a website, www.onebillionrising.org, filled with information, as well as a template of a dance that women can practice and dance together at the worldwide rally to the theme song, “Break the Chain.” “We had our first practice or ‘rehearsal’ this past Friday, and it was so great. We had more than 40 women come,” said Goggin.

The rally, which everyone is encouraged to attend, participate, lend their support and voice and dance, will take place at 3 p.m. at the four corners in downtown New Paltz: the intersection of Plattekill Avenue, Main Street and North Front Street, in between P & G’s and Starbucks.

Longbotham and Goggin went to the Village Board to get its permission, and said that they were given complete support. Then they went to meet with New Paltz Police chief Joe Snyder, who, according to Goggin, “was very helpful, kind and supportive, and will actually allow us to close that portion of the street off for our flash-mob dance.”

A flash mob is a preorchestrated group dance that is done without warning in public spaces at a specific time. It has been done in Grand Central Station, in streets and stadiums, where a horde of people break out into a dance at the same time. The women who have already decided to participate in the flash-mob dance are getting assistance from Corrina Caracci from SUNY-New Paltz, who Goggin says “is great dancer and a phenomenal, energetic person. She’s been so helpful.”

The rally will begin with a drum performance led by Rosendale business-owner and drummer Fre Atlast, who runs a weekly women’s drum class. “She’s so talented, and her group of women drummers are so good. They typically dress in all white, and we thought, ‘What a great way to start the rally!’”

While being called a “rally,” the entire thing is slated to last approximately a half-hour. Fre Atlast will be followed by a brass band from Rosendale, and then someone to lead the group in song. The flash-mob dance will take place in the streets, and then the Rising event will move to the New Paltz Community Center, located behind Town Hall off Route 32 North.

Beginning at 4 p.m., Amy McTear, a local musical healer who utilizes crystal sound bowls and frame drums, will welcome all by creating a peaceful, reflective atmosphere. She will be followed by West African master drummers and dancers including Amadou Diallo, Assane Badji and Moustapha Diedhiou. “That should get the crowd moving and ready to dance,” said Goggin, adding that they have a deejay, Dana Rudikoff, who will follow the West African drummers and get the whole crowd moving.

There will also be information at the Community Center on ways in which people can help, support and donate to local women and children’s domestic violence shelters, as well as female and child anti-violence movements locally, throughout the US and the world.

“It’s great to be part of this global event, but it’s also great to do it in our community, to come together and take a stand that violence against women and children are not isolated events. It happens anywhere and everywhere, irrespective of socioeconomic class, ethnicity and culture. One Billion Rising will hopefully bring great attention, awareness and change to those numbers.”