DANCE

“Dancing insists we take up space, and though it has no set direction, we go there together. Dance is dangerous, joyous, sexual, holy, disruptive, and contagious and it breaks the rules. It can happen anywhere, at anytime, with anyone and everyone, and it’s free. Dance joins us and pushes us to go further and that is why it’s at the center of ONE BILLION RISING” – Eve Ensler

Throughout the first few years of One Billion Rising, activists have used “Break The Chain” – written and produced by Tena Clark with music by Tena Clark and Tim Heintz – as an integral and creative aspect of their Rising events.

When the campaign was first created in 2012, choreographer Debbie Allen gifted her choreography for “Break The Chain” to One Billion Rising. Since then, activists have been doing the original dance and interpreting it; making it their own. Others have created their own new choreography and incorporated into their events.

This year, as the movement celebrates its 10th year, activists are invited to create and incorporate fresh new versions of “Break The Chain” into their rising events. For the past 8 years, communities around the world have adapted, localised and completely re-envisioned the choreography, in many places integrating the dance into their cultures so that it remains current and relevant. These incredible dances, as well as innovative versions and adaptations of the original choreography, have been shared throughout the campaign; they are unique and inspiring.

Organizers and risers are encouraged to continue to localize their artistic expressions by using any version of the choreography your community chooses, including the original choreography or a new set of moves that express the energy and message of One Billion Rising: Rise For Revolution for your communities, groups, and networks. Or multiple versions – there’s no limit to how many ways you can DANCE for FREEDOM!

Additional Solidarity Dance Actions!

LEARN THE OBR TILBURG ORIGINAL DANCE!

Students of Fontys Academy for Dance Education in Tilburg, the Netherlands rocked One Billion Rising in 2014 with this astounding original dance and song that they created called “We Are Beautiful”! Since then, the song and dance has gained much popularity among OBR global activists, particularly students and the youth. Students from Fontys Academy have been dancing it for their OBR events ever since, bringing it outside of their school and into communities and town centers.

Last February 2017, domestic workers in Hong Kong learned and performed the dance at their annual OBR event, not only because they loved the lyrics and moves, but also because they said they wanted to be in solidarity with the young artist from across the world who created such an inspiring song that gives them joy and hope in the face of everything they struggle with as migrant domestic workers.

This year we continue to encourage activists around the world to take inspiration from the radical connection of these young artists and domestic workers and learn this amazing new dance in the spirit of RISING SOLIDARITY!

OBR TILBUR – FONTYS ACADEMY
“WE ARE BEAUTIFUL”

Choreography by Nele Vandeneede
Music by students of the Fontys Rockacademy
Tilburg Vocals by: Lisa Kraak & Marleen Langevoort
Composed by: Sasha Rangas, Fleur Van Gorp, Arthur Wils
Produced by: Jonathan Pitch.

DANCE TO “WE ARE RISING”

One Billion Rising also released a new dance song “We Are Rising” by Taína Asili in 2019. This song has also been used by activists for their global risings to create dances to, or to just dance to with no specific choreography. It’s an amazing song to use at Risings to show GLOBAL SOLIDARITY!

 

VIEW activist videos dancing their own choreography.

Germany

India

Indonesia

Nigeria