“Everything in dance is poetry. Every movement describes a story, a feeling. The dancer takes the audience into a world of fairy tales.” ~Farima Berenji
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February 2019
Dance of the Soul (Sufi Whirling Workshop & Gathering)
Join us at our monthly Sufi Whirling Workshop and Sema Gathering, with live/recorded music, meditation, whirling, Zikr (Sufi Prayer) and Sohbet (Sufi Talk). We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement, music, love, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful, sacred…
Find out more »Dance of the Soul
A weekend retreat of sacred and mystical dances, healing circles and Sufi whirling with Farima Berenji and Tru Guy. Farima's Dance of the Soul is an in-depth whirling and dance journey covering various spotted and non-spotted turns, spirals and circles based on Sufi whirling traditions, sacred geometry, sacred elements, and ancient Persian rituals. We will connect with the cycles of our life and discover the power of whirling as a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation! We will discover the…
Find out more »West Valley College Persian New Year Celebration 2019
Celebrate Persian New Year with dance and musical performance, as well as food. Special guest Masih Alinejad with performances by Farima Berenji and the Simorgh Dance Collective, and Homeyra Banejad. Masih Alinejad Masih Alinejad is an Iranian women's rights activist, journalist, and author. Alinejad launched the “My Stealthy Freedom” campaign, with more than three million followers on social media and one of the many such efforts inside and outside Iran against the oppression of women in the Islamic Republic of…
Find out more »March 2019
Rumi in Spring
Observe the coming of Spring and its new beginning with peace, love, and unity. Farima Berenji and the Simorgh Dance Collective will present ancient and beautiful sacred and Sufi dances to bless and honor the coming of Spring, including a candle dance, Sufi whirling, Persian mystical dances, and sacred circle dances. Come greet the Spring and honor the Art Is Education Month with mystical poetry and sacred dances!
Find out more »Femina
Sangam Arts & Guru Shradha presents Femina In celebration of women... Local master choreographers and artists representing artistic traditions from around the globe will present 75 minutes of glorious music and dance. Featured styles include Cambodian (Charya Burt), Chinese (Haiyan Jackson Dance), Indian (Bharatanatyam – Vidhya Subramanian & Odissi- Guru Shradha), West African (Cheza Nami), Cumbia Colombiana (Daybreaker Pro). Includes a small production of The Lioness with Farima Berenji, Katy Alaniz Rous, Bani Khalsa, and Nancy Rose Aktas. The performance…
Find out more »Central Asian Dance Workshops
Once monthly dance workshop on Central Asian ethnic dance taught by Nancy Rose Aktas, Farima Berenji, and Dr. Gurbuz Aktas. Cultural styles taught include Uzbek, Tajik, Afgan, and Azeri. Workshop dates are January 13, February 10, and March 10. Both men and women are welcome! Students have an opportunity to perform in a future dance show. Azerbaijani Dance with Nancy Rose Aktas Mar 10, 11:00am - 12:30pm, $35 Learn Kafkaz and Azeri dance choreography and technique including fast footwork and…
Find out more »Houston Nowruz Festival 2019
The largest Persian New Year celebration in Texas featuring Shahram Solati, Farima Berenji and Simorgh Dance Collective, DI Shahrouz, ICF school performance, and more! Tickets available soon!
Find out more »Persian Flamenco Fusion
Explore Sufi and Persian dance infused with Flamenco with Farima Berenji. Farima Berenji will take us on a stunning journey from Southern Spain to Persia. Learn the history and the beautiful movements of Flamenco, combined with Persian and Iranian Sufi Whirling traditions. There is a historic, lively cross-cultural exchange between the cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea since the 11th century. In both Spanish and Persian traditions, rhythms and dance are a source of releasing energy and becoming one with the…
Find out more »Nowruz Dance Performances and Sema Gathering
Plan to join Farima, the Simorgh Dance Collective, and friends and celebrate the Persian New Year and Spring Equinox with dance performances followed by a Sema Gathering (Sufi Whirling) led by Farima. Learn personal and spiritual Sema (Sufi Whirling) as well as other turning practices, while listening to sacred poetry and music. Feel free to bring a poem to share or play us your favorite musical instrument. Anyone may participate in the Sema Gathering, join the whirling, move in a…
Find out more »Persian Qajar and Pop Dance Intensive
The Abbey Studio is excited to welcome back Farima Berenji for a weekend dance intensive exploring Persian classical and popular dances. In this two day weekend intensive Farima will teach 2 different styles: Dances from Early Qajar Dynasty 'A Rose Garden' and Persian Contemporary/Pop. Farima will teach history, costuming, technique, and choreography related to these dance styles. All dancers, beginners and returning students, will find new challenges and inspiration in Farima's teaching style! Price and Registration Full weekend: $200 Simorgh…
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