The Advocates joins One Billion Rising and invites the community to add their voice for V-Day The Advocates 2013 benefit on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum.

One Billion Rising (OBR) is a movement responding to the estimates that one in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. OBR invite one billion women and the people who love them to rise up and demand an end to this violence. Having collective strength and solidarity is critical—women, men and children of all ages are invited and encouraged to support this powerful message.

The Advocates works to create a community free from physical, verbal and emotional abuse. The Advocates believes that people of all ages deserve relationships with their partners, families and peers that are based in safety and respect.

The Advocates invites the community to Speak Out and Rise Up through One Billion Rising-style videos to share their thoughts, feelings and stories on issues ranging from intimidation and bullying to sexual assault and partner violence. There are many ways to Speak Out and Rise Up—telling a story, dance or music.   

The Advocates will accept videos up to 2.5 minutes in length and participants may remain anonymous. They may block their face, distort their voice or simply provide a written story in words on screen. 

For individuals or groups who do not have the necessary technology, The Advocates will host open studios:

Monday, January 21, 12-2 p.m., Room 300, Community Campus, Hailey

Wednesday, January 23, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m., YMCA, Ketchum

Monday, January 28, 5-7 p.m., Room 301, Community Campus, Hailey

The Advocates can also assist with maintaining anonymity. All videos should include, in some manner, the messages of “Speak Out” and “Rise Up.” Visit www.onebillionrising.org to explore the ways in which people are “Rising” globally.

The Advocates will accept submissions through February 14. Completed submissions should be posted to YouTube and the link emailed to Travis Jones at

travis@theadvocatesorg.org. Videos will be shared via The Advocates on Facebook and YouTube and a $100 prize for the best video will be determined by the video with the most “Likes.” 

A collection of representative videos will also be presented at V-Day The Advocates 2013, on Feb. 22 and Feb 23 at 7 p.m., at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum.

Tickets for V-Day The Advocates 2013 at the nexStage Theatre are $15 for students, $30 for regular seating, $50 for reserved seating and $75 for reserved front row seats.

The event includes a performance of Eve Ensler’s  “A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer” (MMRP), coupled with a “One Billion Rising” (OBR) dance performance by the Dirty Feet Dance Company. 

One line, one story, one moment – sometimes that’s all it takes to inspire a billion. For more information on The Advocates’ One Billion Rising or V-Day 2013 events, contact The Advocates’ Events and Development Coordinator Lisa Huttinger at lisa@theadvocatesorg.org, call 208.788.4191, or visit www.theadvocatesorg.org.