Hip Raks: The Power of Dance

Sisters, mothers, grandmothers, and daughters. Their careers vary: postal workers, accountants, graduate students, a deejay, nuclear medical technicians, marketing, and advertising managers. But one thing that unites these women, whose ages range from their 20s to their 50s, is the sense of community. The Shimmy Sisters, a Middle Eastern belly dance troupe that is based in Fargo, will be performing on Saturday to continue giving back to their community as they will be hosting a fundraiser, Hip Raks (Raks is Arabic for dance) to benefit the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center.

Rita Slator believes in community. That is why she started the Shimmy Sisters, along with three other women, over six years ago. Slator is the only original member remaining, although her friendship and communication with the others have not ceased. One thing that has not changed is the vision, or mission of the Shimmy Sisters. “We started as a group of women who came together and were treated as peers. We would support each other through exploring Middle Eastern dance.”

Slator, with 32 years of dancing experience, runs the group through the Oasis Clubhouse. The “sister” environment enhances the experience and commitment of the troupe’s members, which will be comprised of six advanced dancers, the Shimmy Sisters, ten students varying in skill levels, and two distinguished guests, from India, for Saturday night’s performance.

Anyone who is somewhat familiar with the studying and training of dance would not be surprised to find out that it usually takes two months to study and learn a new dance in Middle Eastern traditions. The troupe performs bi-annually. “It takes a long time to prepare for the show. With eighteen songs, students have a lot to remember, and the process is very extensive. You would be surprised how long it takes to train your (left) hip to make circles while you are moving your hands (in a flowing motion) to the right, for example,” states Kim Le Page Briss, a new addition to the Shimmy Sisters, but a student of Slator’s for the past year and a half.

What is the connection between Middle Eastern dance and raising awareness for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center? Slator clearly bridges the two. “It’s about power and control. Rape and abuse involve victims who are without power and control. Dance gives the power and control back to women. Women have control over their own bodies in dance, and this is a way for us to bring awareness and education about the loss of power when someone is a victim.” As the dance troupe’s message for the fundraiser reads, rape and abuse is not about sex; it’s about power.

Saturday night’s audience can expect to see a wide spectrum of musical styles, ranging from traditional Middle Eastern, as well as a number of fusion performances, which combine Middle Eastern dance with African, Hip-Hop, and Japanese forms, to name a few. The performance also requires several costume changes for the dancers. Erin Oberlander, who will be participating in her third performance, her second as one of the Shimmy Sisters, discussed the performer’s costumes. “Each performer has multiple costume changes. Some of the women make their costumes, and each costume has a significance or tie to the tradition of that specific style of dance and culture.”

After witnessing the troupe’s rehearsal, it is quite obvious that the Shimmy Sister’s vision of support for each other has flourished in their love of dance and friendship. Le Page Briss shared, “We dance for each other and we dance for ourselves.”

The Shimmy Sisters take the joy and strength they create together and share it with others.

DETAILS:

WHAT: Hip Raks : Middle Eastern dance fundraiser for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Beckwith Auditorium at the Reineke Fine Arts Center, NDSU campus
HOW MUCH: $10 in advance, $12 at the door, $5 for students with valid student ID
INFO: Rita Slator, 271-8875