Earthdance in VB steps toward realizing world peace

VIRGINIA BEACH -- No matter which race, religion or culture you come from, everyone can speak the universal language of music and dance.

That’s why people come together each year for the annual Earthdance Hampton Roads. It’s an occasion to share dance on a global level while uniting participants in a common vision of world peace.

Earthdance Hampton Roads 2010, themed “Embracing All Traditions,” is the local connection to the global event, and it will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Hunt Club Farm, 2388 London Bridge Road. 

The family-oriented celebration, which will be held rain or shine, will include multicultural dance performances, musicians, interactive workshops, children’s activities, games, raffles, vendors and food.

Chris Deckker, an Australian artist and musician, conceived the idea for Earthdance in 1996 and held the first observance the following year, with 18 countries taking part. Its reach continues to spread annually – now in more than 300 locations in 50 countries – and continues to grow in Hampton Roads, too.

Janeeda Phillips started Earthdance Hampton Roads five years ago because she feels that people are connected, despite race or religion, by their desire for world peace. “It’s needed in the world, obviously,” Phillips said.

Three years ago Marilyn Brown moved down to Virginia Beach from New York, and one of the first things she attended was an Earthdance event. “I thought it was everything a community should be,” said Brown, now one of the organizers alongside Phillips, Gabby Sutherland and Sonia Monson.

In addition to the dance and music performers, there will be a henna artist, tarot card readers, energy workers and a thrift swap sale. There will also be a children’s area with a library, arts and crafts, train track building and more.

Volunteers with Freecycle – a grassroots, nonprofit movement of people giving and getting items for free – will be on hand. Vendors will sell hammocks, hula hoops, handcrafted goods by the Women of Hope Project and other items.

Highlighted activities include the drum circle for peace at 6 p.m. (bring your own drum), the nondenominational, worldwide synchronized Global Prayer for Peace reading at 7 p.m. and fire dancers at 8.

“If you do not have peace, even within yourself,” Phillips said, “you will not survive.” 

Earthdance Hampton Roads 2010 is at Hunt Club Farm, 2388 London Bridge Road, Virginia Beach. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday , with Prayer for Peace at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but cash donations will be accepted for local charities, and nonperishable food items for Food Not Bombs will be collected.