Aaliyah Dance & Friends to host fundraiser for Victim Services of Leeds and Grenville
Dancers with Aaliyah Dance & Friends are inviting the public to enjoy the beauty of Mediterranean and the Middle Eastern dance, all while contributing to a good cause. The group of dancers and artists from Brockville, Montreal, Toronto, Smiths Falls and beyond will be showcasing their talents in an annual fundraiser, to share their love of dance and give back to those most in need.
On Saturday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m., Aaliyah Dance & Friends will be performing HAFLA2025! at Maitland Hall at 120 McLean Blvd East. All funds raised by the event will go towards Victim Services of Leeds and Grenville in a show of support for victims of violence in the community.
According to organizer Karen Robertson, all dancers and professionals in the show are donating their time and accepting honorariums in lieu of fees in support of people suffering from violence and domestic abuse.
Roberston, who has been hosting Haflas for over a decade, told Brockvilleist, “My first middle eastern dance instructor was a victim of domestic violence and I was about 17 when I helped her run away from her husband.”
Inspired by that experience, Robertson began fundraising for victims of domestic violence in 2013.
All the proceeds for the event will go toward Victim Services. Robertson shared that last year, they were able to donate a total of $2,833.51 between their two fundraising dance shows.
This year’s fundraiser, Hafla2025!, will feature musical guests Janessa Van Koppen and duo ‘Syd x Dex’. They will also be hosting dancers from Duniya dance studio in Ottawa, Shimmy Kingston and Embers and Honey from Hamilton..
“Robertson shared, “The theme is music and dance and community. We strive to promote the culture and dances of the Middle East and we also display some of the more American style modern versions of the dance such as Fat Chance belly dance and group improv. It really is a chance for us to gather in our love of the dance and our friendships. “
Tickets for the show are $25 per person and can be purchased by emailing aaliyahcommunityfundraising@gmail.com.