Residents will dance their shoes off, literally, Wednesday, April 17 at Bloch Park as several area churches host “Dance Your Shoes Off Selma.” 

The event, a grassroots ministry that began in Houston, Texas, will donate new and gently used shoes to Soles4Souls and Pine Glenn Ministries. After performing a synchronized dance, residents will race off the field at Bloch Park, leaving their shoes behind.

“The visual will be really cool after everyone takes their shoes off and runs off the field,” said Tracy Stevens, one of the organizers for the event.

Residents have been learning the dance for several weeks, Stevens explained, and added that it’s nothing more than a simple dance routine that anyone can master.

“Toddlers can do it and grandmas can do it — everyone can do it,” she said. “It’ll kind of be like a flash mob.”

More than eight area churches are participating in the event, which will take place at 6 p.m.

Beverly Morgan, dance instructor for the event, said she hopes to see the whole community come out, including those who may not be familiar with the ministries the program will benefit.

“It’s to reach others through Christ and to also service our community and provide shoes for people,” Morgan said. “I’m hopeful that people will come and ask questions and people who don’t know Jesus will come to know him through this.”

The dance will be set to the song “Rise Up,” the same song that was used in the first Dance Your Shoes Off event in Texas.

“It’s a fabulous song and you just can’t help but tap your feet and throw your hands up when you hear it,” Morgan said.

If residents want to learn the dance, they can visit www.danceyourshoesoffselma.com or attend any of the practice sessions, which will be held at First Baptist Church and Church Street United Methodist Church. First Baptist will hold a session Sunday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at their youth center and Church Street Methodist on Sunday, April 14 at 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

“We’re just going to come together as a community and have one big worship service,” Morgan said. “It will definitely be a lot of fun.”