The 6th annual One Billion Rising, an Open Air Dance Festival to say No to violence against women returns on Kogarah Town Square next Friday, February 9.
The dance festival will reflect the area’s multicultural community with performances by Armenian, Bollywood, Nepalese, and Samba dance groups with a little bit of Kung Fu thrown in as well.
It kicks off with a dance by 80-year-old Daphne of the St George Dance Centre in Kogarah.
And it will culminate in a Flash Mob dance of women, men and children, led by Georges River Council’s official mascot, Georgie the Dragon urging the crowd to “Break the Chain” of violence against women.
The event is being held by Kogarah Community Services to raise awareness about Domestic Violence.
“It’s a dance festival for all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, aged from six to 80 who are all joining together to say domestic violence must stop,” event organiser, Kogarah Community Services community development worker, Cathy Nisbet said.
“The Kogarah event is one of hundreds of One Billion Rising events in over 200 countries using the universal language of dance”, she said.
Since 2013, One Billion Rising Kogarah has attracted hundreds to Kogarah Town Square every year, as well an even larger audience via social media.
In addition to the many dancers, there will be representatives from Georges River Council, NSW Police, local White Ribbon Ambassadors, Federal and State MPs, The Department of Justice and local domestic violence support services.
“It will be a really joyful event but one where no-one goes away not knowing the serious message about domestic violence and that the St George area has the highest incidence of domestic violence in Sydney,” Cathy said.
The One Billion and Rising open air dance festival will be held in Kogarah Town Square, Friday, February 9 from 4pm to 7pm.
Details: www.facebook.com/events/428329540915757
