GypsyRaQ

Cancer, in one way or another, has affected most of our lives. Many of us know someone who has cancer, have cancer ourselves, or even know someone who died from the debilitating disease.

Annette Sotus and the Shimmy for a Cure committee, along with help from Carla Fleming of The Fleming School of the Arts, will be hosting Erie's first ever Shimmy for a Cure, a bellydance Gala Show and workshops, to benefit the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation (JKCRF).

Kanzius, an Erie native, developed a cancer treatment which uses radio waves and gold particles to kill cancerous cells. According to his website, www.johnkanziuscancerresearchfoundation.org, "a patient is injected with tiny metal nano-particles, which are carried through the bloodstream by a targeting molecule and attach only to cancerous cells. The patient would then be exposed to an energy field created by radio waves, and feel nothing, while the nano-particles would generate enough heat to destroy their cancerous host cell."

Non-cancerous cells are not affected by the therapy. The technique is noninvasive, and can be provided without the need for auxiliary chemotherapy or radiation.

"In the bellydance community, there was some talk about doing a presentation to benefit the JKCRF," explained Sotus. "Erie could be the city that cures cancer. We're really trying to get everyone to rally behind John Kanzius."

Shimmy for a Cure will feature locally, nationally and internationally known bellydancers including headliners, Zafira Dance Company and Sadiqa of Pittsburgh, Kamille of Rockabelly of San Francisco, and Shades of Araby of Toronto, as well as, live music by Girard/Lake City's own GypsyRaq, a rock/bellydance band comprised of music teachers, Miss Carla Fleming, Chris Dearbeck, Ray Brown, and James Fehl. "All of the performers have donated their performances," explained Bleming. "Even our webmaster, Erin Anderson, has graciously donated her time and talents for this cause."

A special "Memorial Candle Bellydance" will be held in honor and memory of cancer survivors and victims.

Shimmy for a Cure will be held Sat., May 31 at 7:30pm at the Erie Playhouse.

Tickets for the performance are $15 each for general seating and $30 each for gold seating. Tickets are available for advance purchase at the Erie Playhouse Box Office and via www.shimmyforacure.com, and at the Fleming School for the Arts. Shimmy for a Cure t-shirts are also available for purchase online and at the event, and all proceeds go toward the cause.

The event will feature a Chinese auction. Items include bellydance costuming and jewelry, pottery, artwork, Yankee Candles, Romolos chocolates, Bath and Body works items, and lots of gift certificates, including a free month of lessons or classes at The Fleming School of the Arts, to name a few.

"We are floored by the generosity of the vendors who have donated to our auction for this cause," said Fleming.

On Sun., June 1, join Maria Hamer and Olivia Kissel of the Zafira Dance Company (www.Zafiradance.com) for bellydance workshops, but don't worry if you've never bellydanced before. "If ou're female, you can bellydance," Sotus said. "Women naturally have the body for it." "Anyonecan take the workshops," Fleming said. "What better way to get involved in bellydance than by going to this workshop and learning from the professionals."

The Fleming School of the Arts will begin bellydance classes this fall, explained Fleming, who recently obtained her certification to teach bellydance.

Current programs at the school are open to students of all ages and levels and include: art, voice, violin, drum set and drumline, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, piano, and pianimals classes, as well as a Summer Music and Arts Camp which will feature all of their programs, with the addition of a theater module, and end in a recital.

For more information about the Gala Show and Wrokshops, or to register or donate to Shimmy for a Cure, visit www.shimmyforacure.com, or www.theflemingschool.com