“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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January 2020
Journey of the Simorgh
A dance and music concert by the Simorgh Dance Collective, adapted from the Persian epic Conference of the Birds by Farid ud-Din Attar. Featuring Persian sacred, classical, and folkloric dances choreographed by Farima Berenji, Persian music performed by Homeyra Banejad and Ensemble, and expertly narrated by award winning actor and director Sadegh Hatefi. "It was in China, late one moonless night, The Simorgh first appeared to mortal sight. He let a feather float down through the air, And rumors of…
Find out more »February 2020
Whirling Workshop Series 1: Exploring Sense of Self
Learn the fundamentals of turning and how it enables you to find a sense of self and a connection between body, mind, and spirit. Discover the vital balance in the rhythm of your breathing, movement, posture, and concentration. At first, it can take great effort to combine all of these elements in harmony, but with practice, you will learn to whirl indefinitely, relax, and open the heart, body, and mind. Register online For more information, call the Montalvo Box Office…
Find out more »Tarsa
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzMwSDRvEtU&w=560&h=315] From the mystic East comes an epic tale befitting Romeo and Juliet, a tale of love between a Sufi Shaikh, a Christian maiden, and a simple love that grows despite the divisions of their beliefs. Based on the 12th century story by Attar of Nishapur, Tarsa is a dance drama accompanied by traditional Persian music played live and expertly narrated by award winning Iranian actor and director Sadegh Hatefi. The story is as follows: San'an, a celebrated sheikh,…
Find out more »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 »March 2020
Whirling Workshop Series 2: Emptiness as Fullness
Emptiness as Fullness: In Nothingness, We Find Everything Sufis believe that as you whirl, you find harmony in the motion of the universe, that as you turn with outstretched arms, you collect the energy from your environment -- enabling you to direct it within yourself and back to the earth. In this class, we will learn turning techniques and movements as we explore the notion of emptiness as fullness. Register online For more information, call the Montalvo Box Office at…
Find out more »Dance of the Soul: Sufi Whirling Workshop and Gathering
Join Farima for a Sufi Whirling Workshop and Sema Gathering, with sacred music, meditation, and whirling. 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 music. Overview Our gathering is NOT a…
Find out more »Norouz: History and Meaning
Norouz is the traditional spring and new year celebration of Persian and Central Asian people. Norouz means “New Day” and it falls on the March equinox, the first day of spring. Families on Norouz get together and wait for the exact time it is declared, exchange gifts and eat a traditional food. It's a time to get together and celebrate ancestry and family. Farima will introduce the meaning of Norouz and will speak of its fun traditions, symbolic meanings, folk…
Find out more »CANCELLED – Norouz Gala
CANCELLEDdue to concerns regarding the risk of exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in mass gatherings Celebrate Norouz with dance performances by Farima Berenji and the Simorgh Dance Collective. Nowruz celebrates the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar. Nowruz has been celebrated by people from diverse ethnic communities and religious backgrounds for thousands of years.
Find out more »CANCELLED – Naw-Ruz Performances
CANCELLEDdue to concerns regarding the risk of exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in mass gatherings The Simorgh Dance Collective will be showcasing Persian and Silk Road dances in honor of the Persian celebration of Spring--Norouz. Guests are most welcome at this joyous celebration on the occasion of the Spring Festival. Enjoy an array of international talents followed by a lunch reception.
Find out more »April 2020
POSTPONED – Dance of the Soul Workshop
Postponed until June. Discover the power and mystery of whirling as a gateway for self-growth and spiritual enlightenment through movement, music, and meditation. Inspired by nature, ancient Iranic rituals, the science of whirling, and the beautiful spiritual traditions of Sufism, join Farima to learn the essentials of whirling meditation including preparation, balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus, breathwork, and more. Whirling in the practice of devotion, healing, and meditation originated thousands of years ago with the ancient Persians using it…
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