World Belly Dancing Day, worldwide Flash Mob to raise awareness about domestic violence

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – World Belly Dance Day is Saturday, May 11th. Some people are celebrating the day while also raising awareness for a good cause.

The worldwide Shimmy Mob is returning to the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Josie Rabatin.,the team leader explained that, “on that day, dancers wear the same color t-shirt and perform the same choreography in order to raise awareness of domestic abuse and violence and collect funds and donations for women’s shelters.” She added that, “locally, we support Family Crisis Intervention Center in Parkersburg.”

Rabatin explained that the team, along with other registered belly dance teams around the world, will be dancing to a choreography by Samaria (Laura Salinas) of Chilé. She said that the music is “Rrraketeka” by Artem Usunov from his album “It’s Time to Play.”

If you’d like to support the group and the help raise awareness about domestic violence, Rabatin invites the public to cheer them on! She said that the Shimmy Mob Team Parkersburg will be holding their own flash mob for the 5th year on May 11, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Point Park Amphitheater followed by another performance at Grand Central Mall near the food court.

If you’d like to help the shelter, Rabatin said there will be information at the performances.

“There will be information available at our performances with the needs of the shelter such as hygiene items, cleaning products, linens/household items, as well as a QR code linking to PayPal for monetary donations. This information can also be found on the team’s Facebook page – Shimmy Mob Team Parkersburg, WV, USA. the website, shimmymob.com, has information about the why and how shimmy mob began, the goals and objectives of the event and who benefits from it.”

Rabatin said their group has about 10 people of all backgrounds.

“The team has been practicing and preparing since the end of January. It’s a fun challenge, we enjoy the time rehearsing together which has developed many friendships. while it is fun to wear the attire, jewelry, hair adornments and makeup, our ultimate reason for participating in Shimmy Mob is to support our local shelter.”

If you’re interested in getting involved with the group, Rabatin says there are weekly classes on Tuesdays at 6:30pm at Fitness with Phyllis in Vienna.

“Phyllis Brown has been a sponsor of our Shimmy Mob team for several years by providing us a place to dance and rehearse the chorography. This year we have added Heart & Veil Belly Dance Troupe, as well as KTMedia, who will be doing our photography and video.” said Rabatin.

Rabatin and Deborah Trippett., the assistant team leader of Team Shimmy Mob Parkersburg, showed Alexa Griffey a few basic moves, including what will be in the choreography during the flash mob.

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