Christchurch invited to dance for peace

Press, 9 July 1986, Page 17

Christchurch invited to dance for peace

By

GARRY ARTHUR

The pursuit of peace is a serious business, but that is no reason why everyone should go around with long faces. So say a cheerful group of entertainers who have decided to celebrate the concept of world peace with a 24-hour sponsored dance marathon in Christchurch next month.

They are calling the event ‘Give Peace a Dance,’ and hope to raise money for several peace causes as well as celebrate the United Nations Organisation’s International Year of Peace.

It has not, in fact, been a particular peaceful year so far, with war still raging between Iran and Iraq, in Afghanistan, and in Central America, not to mention the American bombing attack on Tripoli, and the growing racial conflict in South Africa. So much indeed that the International Year of Peace has hardly been noticed. But the organisers of ‘Give Peace a Dance’ are determined to make the concept of peace outshine the reality of war for 24 hours at least.

They got the idea from Christchurch’s sister city, Seattle, which has held dances for peace for the last four years, the most recent one at the end of June. The Seattle peace-dancers, who call themselves Legs Against Arms, have raised up to $lO,OOO at a time.

Unlike serious dance marathons of the kind portrayed in the film "They Shoot Horses,

Don’t They?,” this one will be non-competitive, but there will be prizes for “enjoyment, firn and spontaneity,” awarded to the best, tallest, shortest, silliest, oldest, best-dressed dancers — and anything else the judges can think up. They have hired the Worcester Street youth centre, known as The Venue, for the week-end because It has everything required for the purpose — a good a small stage, a spectator gallery, and rooms where dancers can have their aching muscles relieved by therapeutic massage. ,

The dancing will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, and end at 2 p.m. the next day. Those still on their feet on the Sunday morning will be treated to breakfast.

On display will be some spectacular embroidered banners made by peace movement women in Wales for their counterparts here. Money will be raised through

the $2 registration fee, and an admission charge for spectators and casual dancers. Sponsored dancers will be encouraged to take part in teams of eight to 10, although there are bound to be some athletic individuals who will try to stay on their feet for the whole' 24 hours. The main recipients of the proceeds will be the people of Rongelaap in the Marshall Islands, whose atoll was contaminated by fall-out from a huge American nuclear test in the atmosphere over nearby Bikini Atoll in 1954. The United States conducted 66 nuclear tests there in the 1940 s and 19505. Many residents of Rongelaap were taken to Kwajalein Atoll for decontamination treatment after the 1954 test, but were returned to Rongelaap in 1957.

Because of continuing concern, island leaders asked to be moved, saying that constant exposure to radiation threatened the health of their children, but the United States authorities refused, saying that there was no need. That was where the Greenpeace organisation stepped in. On its last voyage before being sunk by the French secret service in Auckland Harbour last year, the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior sailed to the

Marshall Islands and moved 70 residents of Rongelaap to Majetto on Kwajalein Atoll, 160 km away. The Rainbow Warrior also carried the islanders’ dismantled houses so that they could rebuild straight away. “But they need money to set up the infrastructure of their new community,” says Vai Minifie, of Theatres of Peace, which is organising Give Peace a Dance.

Theatres of Peace (a play on the expression “theatres of war”) have already presented numerous peace shows in the form of satirical revues and street theatre for such occasions as

Hiroshima Day and Peace Day in the Park.

“We don’t think peace should be dull and boring — it should be worth celebrating,” says Vai Minifie. She and Biddy Grant had been involved in other worthy but earnest work for the peace movement, such as attending meetings and handing out leaflets, but nothing seemed to make much impact until they did some street theatre in Cathedral Square one Hiroshima Day. “It was exhilarating,” Vai Minifie recalls. They immediately

switched their efforts from leafletting to performing — quite undaunted by a warning from Renee Stanton (the “Bible lady”) that “You won’t get peace by flaunting your bodies.” Marian Lyftogt joined them as a performer and Alec Saunders as back-stage organiser. Twenty teams have already registered for the dance marathon, and the organisers guarantee them a good time. Theatres of Peace have close contacts with the fringe theatre and have recruited the services of many entertainers, including jugglers, fire-eaters, and clowns. Various celebrities will take part as masters-of-ceremonies. This will be a dance where anything goes, from ballroom to break-dancing, and to ensure plenty of spectactor interest, ex-; hlbition dancers will perform, under the spotlights — rock ’n’ rollers, Latin American, squaredancers, and even a women’s Morris-dancing team. Music will be provided by a mixture of bands and recorded music.

Give Peace a Dance has received funding and. support from the New Zealand International Year of Peace committee. The organisers are keen to hear from people and organisations willing to form teams large enough to keep at least one dancer on the floor — and moving — at all times. They can be reached through the Christchurch Arts Centre.

Banners from Welsh women

‘Peace worth celebrating’