{"id":12693,"date":"2012-05-11T11:43:24","date_gmt":"2012-05-11T18:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.57.196.122\/~gdatwofo\/theavtimes\/?p=12693"},"modified":"2012-07-03T11:12:06","modified_gmt":"2012-07-03T18:12:06","slug":"local-belly-dancers-set-to-shimmy-for-a-good-cause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2012\/05\/11\/local-belly-dancers-set-to-shimmy-for-a-good-cause\/","title":{"rendered":"Local belly dancers set to shimmy for a good cause"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The AV Shimmy Mob Team: (L to R) Michelle Hilario (Team Leader), Mindy Johnson, Tina Stephens, Dana Adoptante, Holli King, and Randi Gause (Assistant Team Leader).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LANCASTER \u2013 The Antelope Valley Belly Dancers will join thousands of dancers around the world for the 2nd Annual \u201cShimmy Mob\u201d this Saturday.<\/p>\n

Similar to a flash mob, the Shimmy Mob will involve groups of belly dancers appearing at various locations around the world and breaking into choreographed hip-shaking routines.<\/p>\n

However, unlike flash mobs, the Shimmy Mobs are being announced ahead of time in order to promote World Belly Dance Day and help raise funds for women\u2019s shelters.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us, it\u2019s the Valley Oasis,\u201d said local Team Leader Michelle Hilario. \u201cThe Valley Oasis is the only abuse shelter and rape crisis center out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hilario said, for the past two months, Antelope Valley Belly Dance has solicited donations for Valley Oasis. The group has distributed donation cans at businesses around the community urging patrons to donate to the women\u2019s shelter. Additionally, all advertisements promoting the Shimmy Mob locally encourage residents to donate to Valley Oasis.<\/p>\n

At Saturday\u2019s Shimmy Mob, there will be a donation box for spectators to contribute money to Valley Oasis after viewing each performance.<\/p>\n

The event is also aimed at promoting Word Belly Dance Day, a day to promote belly dancing as an art form and clear up public misconceptions.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people like to think immediately that we are very close to strippers or that we walk around half naked,\u201d Hilario said. \u201cThat just not true. It\u2019s just a beautiful art form and we\u2019re really trying to get rid of that shadow that\u2019s placed upon it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shimmy Mob performances locally will take place on Saturday, May 12 around 3:30 p.m. in front of BeX Bar and Grill on The BLVD; around 4 p.m. at the Lancaster International Mall; and around 8 p.m. at Sushi Zen Bistro in Palmdale.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s four minutes and 30 seconds [for each performance], we\u2019re in and we\u2019re out,\u201d said Hilario. \u201cI hope that people do come and check it out\u2026 we\u2019ll also have information on Valley Oasis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Antelope Valley Belly Dance is encouraging all residents to donate to Valley Oasis, the only abuse and rape crisis center in the area.\u00a0 You can donate directly at www.ValleyOasis.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Antelope Valley Belly Dance offers classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Danz Scene, located at 620 West Ave. L, Suite 105, Lancaster. Private lessons are also available by appointment. For more information, contact Co-Director Michelle Hilario at 661-208-6186.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s Shimmy Mob took place on May 1, 2011. The following is a video compilation of various Shimmy Mobs across Canada, the U.S. and internationally that took place on that day.<\/p>\n

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