February 07, 2015
Saturday AM

Ketchikan is an amazing community where amazing people come together regardless of how busy their daily lives are. The first time I heard of one billion rising, was last year. I went online and listened first to the song, and then I watched several videos from around the world where communities from the Philippines to Africa joined together for this 5-6 minute flash mob dance. I was drawn in simply because I was a student of dance throughout grade school and middle school and always felt this great freedom of expression, and happiness from it. I am older and slower today, and yet I am still drawn as I believe so many of us are to dance.

Watch the one billion rising in Pariser Platz, Berlin and see what I mean. http://youtu.be/l1UO8-UiFo4

This year has been busy as ever for me and all those who have worked to put this event together, and although we haven't even gotten to it, I know it will be amazing, and I worry that I will forget to thank someone or a group. I hope you all know that you are appreciated in so many ways!

I am so blessed and privileged to live among such a wonderful community.
I want to thank Alma with Studio Max who with her amazing and busy life, has in so many things been extremely helpful and will be joining us with her Schoenbar Dance team, and her students at Studio Max, who are busy getting ready to perform at the Wearable Art Show this weekend!

I want to thanks the Ketchikan Theater Ballet who has also been extremely helpful and is volunteered to teach the dance and join us at the one billion rising the week before their Evening of Dance on February 19th at the Kayhi Auditorium at 7:00 pm in which they will also be serving dinner before the show, make sure to get your tickets for that too! WOW you guys are amazing!

There is so many ways I could explain what One Billion Rising is, yet so little time so I thought what better way than to write a letter ahead of time with everything as to why I am involved to why we should all get involved.

One Billion rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women in human history. The campaign, launches on Valentine s Day, and is a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime.

The world population is at 7 billion, so that comes out to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS who experience violence in their life time.

On February 14, 2015, people across the world will come together and dance in defiance of the injustices women suffer on our planet and demanding an end to violence against women.

Ketchikan Promoting Respectful Relationships (PRR) has put together free classes with both Studio Max and The Ketchikan Theater Ballet School who will teach all those who would like to learn the dance! I will be there and will learn it along side you too! Yes I will be on the floor!

The Ketchikan Theater Ballet s free class will be at the Ketchikan REC Center from 12:30pm to 1:30pm on Sunday February 8th.

Studio Max s free class will be on February 12th at their studio Studio Max located at 2544 Tongass ave from 5:15pm to 6:30pm.

Or you can go to the website www.onebillionrising.org and watch the video on how to do the dance. you can also order T-shirts, get more information, download the song, and watch videos from all over the world at last year s event.

I recommend you watch the one in Pariser Platz Berlin, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1UO8-UiFo4 .

It was this video that made me feel and want to pursue this event, it gave me chills.
Also last but not least I want to thank the Ketchikan High School, students, and staff, and all those who plan to participate, and have worked hard behind the scenes to give us the opportunity to bring one billion rising to the gym between the 4:15pm and 5:30pm games on February 14, 2015.

I hope you Join us at the Ketchikan High school in the Library on Saturday February 14th at 4:45pm for further instructions, and remember to bring indoor gym shoes, dance shoes, socks or go bare foot . And be a part of Ketchikan s commitment to ending violence against women, at home and across the planet. Dancing doesn't require perfection, only heart.... You don't have to even know the dance, just join us on the floor and move to the beat. We will be videotaping this event and posting it to the One Billion Rising to show our support worldwide!

"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."

Again thank you everyone who has been working tirelessly to make this event happen and all of you who will be joining us.

If you would like to get more info regarding this event go to www.onebillionrising.org
or facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1004516359561833/

Janalee Minnich Gage
Ketchikan, Alaska

About: "Janalee Minnich Gage is a photographer who recently did a show in October 2014 at the Main Street Gallery Called: Look, See, Hear, & Listen, which can currently be viewed at the Southeast Discover Center. The show is in Regards to the treatment of those with disabilities. Janalee lives with a disability and is a lifelong resident of Ketchikan; she is the daughter of Janet and John Minnich, Grand Daughter to Jane & James Church, Thelma and John Minnich, Great Granddaughter of Jack and Elaine Talbot, and the Great -Great Granddaughter of Harriet and Forest Hunt. She attended Otis Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles from 1986 to 1990 to study a Bachelor in Photography.:

Received February 04, 2015 - Published February 07, 2015

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