Arts & Culture
Belly dance your way to a more peaceful future
The Pointer
lgern177@uwsp.edu
Belly dancers and musicians from around Wisconsin will gather in Stevens Point this Friday, Nov. 8, for the fourth annual belly dancing fundraiser to end domestic violence. All proceeds from the event will go toward local non-profit agencies.
The event, which also coincides with National Domestic Abuse Awareness month in October, will be held from 5-9 p.m. at the Moose Family Center #1572 located at 1025 Second Street North, Stevens Point.
Now sponsored by Shama, Inc. and Ray-One Women, the fundraiser was originally started by Pam Luedtke, an associate lecturer of dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Luedtke said she was prompted to create the fundraiser when a local woman was murdered by her husband. The man also killed himself, thereby orphaning their two children.
Although the elderly and children are affected, she said women like her are the main victims of domestic abuse.
“The key problem is that the women don’t talk about it,” Luedtke said. “There are so many challenges in dealing with this. It may be financial issues, it may be fear … all of these things become roadblocks to addressing the issues.”
The belly dancing fundraiser acts as a voice on behalf of these silent women, aiming to educate people and raise awareness.
Luedtke said in her nine years of teaching belly dancing, she has observed women form close bonds with one another. This network, she said, is the symbolic foundation of the fundraiser.
“It’s about celebrating support and demonstrating personal power,” she said. “The group dynamic of women coming together and dancing is a way of doing that.”
The event has grown substantially over the past four years as word spreads. Proceeds grew from $150 the first year to about $2,000 last year.
“Since this is the fourth year, we hope to continue to expand fundraising and awareness,” Luedtke said.
This year, the event will kick off with a silent auction of gifts and services donated by local businesses and area artists. Dance performers and live musicians will entertain throughout the evening. An open dance will also be featured later on.
The suggested donation for the evening is $5, which can be paid at the door. Indian cuisine and beverages will be available for purchase as well.
For further information, contact Luedtke at 715-592-4140.
