A Prince George belly dancer is the inspiration for the fundraising effort Shimmy Mob where worldwide participants perform identical choreography at precisely the same time.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the Shimmy Mob, which takes place in Prince George at Pine Centre Mall on May 1 at 1 p.m. to raise funds for the local Elizabeth Fry Society - as of press deadline, Prince George had the most registrants of any location in the world.
Francesca Sabeya Anastasi, best known as Sabeya, is the organizer of Shimmy Mob and said she was inspired by Sandra Tanemura of Zahirah Middle Eastern Belly Dance School, who had previously discussed organizing a flash mob.
A flash mob occurs when people seemingly spontaneously perform a dance in a public place. But in reality, people are merely pretending to be going about their business at the designated location, and when the music starts they leap into action and begin to dance. Usually a flash mob is held to help raise awareness or funds for a certain cause.
"My students have always encouraged me to organize one and when I met Sandy [Tanemura] in Victoria last October we talked about it," said Anastasi. "She got me thinking about how we could do this and everybody could benefit and that's how it all started -- from that conversation."
Flash mob performances have become very popular over the last few years, said Anastasi.
The same premise applies to the Shimmy Mob with a bit of a twist.
"Flash mob inspired and Shimmy Mob organized," said Tanemura, also known in the dance world as Halawa. "We're announcing it to get people aware of the fact that we're raising money for women's and children's shelters and that we're making history -- this is the first time we -- belly dancers -- are doing this.
"The event will also showcase belly dancing as a wonderful art form and a great way for women to express themselves. You can't be spontaneous and still raise money and awareness."
Anyone participating in the Shimmy Mob registers for $35 and for that the dancer gets a Shimmy Mob T-shirt, a hip scarf and the links to the secret choreography.
The proceeds go to the Elizabeth Fry Society along with any corporate money raised. Each dancer can fundraise on their own as well, said Tanemura. There will also be an opportunity for the audience at the mall to donate.
Deadline to register is April 2 by visiting www.shimmymob.com or www.zahirahbellydance.net or call 250-596-9245.
BREAKOUT BOX
World Belly Dance Day is May 14 and to celebrate in fine style the annual Bellydance Extravaganza, including dinner and student performance, will take place at the Civic Centre with Sabeya as the guest star.
Sabeya will hold a workshop May 15 at Zahirah Dance Studio to provide instruction on how to move with the grace and poise all belly dancers strive to achieve.
