“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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March 2018
Annual Student Norouz Show and Fundraiser
Celebrate Norouz, Persian New Year, in this cultural dance and music studio gathering with dance performances by the Simorgh Dance Collective, Farima Berenji and Bay Area guest artists, live music, and potluck. Includes silent auction of elegant costumes, jewelry, accessories, and many treasures. Stay for open floor dancing at the end. Musicians and dancers feel free to come show your talent. Bring a potluck dish to share. Suggested admission: $10-15 donation. Donations gratefully appreciated. All profits help fund dancers of…
Find out more »Workshops, Sema Gathering, and Norouz Performance
Friday March 9, 7:30-10:00pm: Dance Performances and Sema Performances and Sema GatheringPlan to join Farima Berenji and her Comox Valley Simorgh Collective at the Abbey Studio on for an evening of Persian traditional and sacred dance performances. The show will be followed by a Sema Gathering (Sufi Whirling) facilitated by Farima. With Farima’s guidance we will learn personal and spiritual Sema or Sufi Whirling as well as other turning practices, while listening to sacred poetry and music. Feel free to…
Find out more »Sufi Whirling and Sufism
A class lead by Farima upon Sufi Whirling and Sufism. Contact us for details and location.
Find out more »Journey of the Simorgh
A dance concert by the Simorgh Dance Collective of Alaska, adapted from the Persian epic Conference of the Birds by Farid ud-Din Attar. Featuring Persian sacred, classical, and folkloric dance choreographed by Farima Berenji. Admission includes ethnic dance performances, dinner, silent auction, and open dance floor. "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 its fame spread everywhere." ~Farid ud-Din Attar…
Find out more »Sacred Spring Gathering
A sacred dance gathering with whirling, meditation, and poetry in nature celebrating the new life that surrounds us in nature. Lead by Farima to honor the Spring Equinox. Contact us for more details.
Find out more »Houston Nowruz Festival
The 11th Annual Houston Nowruz Festival is the largest Persian New Year celebration in the state of Texas. Featured artists include Kamyar, Hamid Talebzadeh, Nikita, DJ Alireza, and dance performances by Farima Berenji and the Simorgh Dance Collective. Tickets: $25 (if purchased in advance) and $30 at the door Nowruz Festival Tickets
Find out more »April 2018
Sufi Whirling Workshop
Learn the basic technique of Sufi whirling (Iranian and Turkish style), history, and theory. Farima’s teachings are based on Indo-Iranian ancient rituals, science of whirling, and the sacred geometry of whirling. We will learn essential techniques of whirling preparation, maintaining balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus during turning, breath work, and more. For this workshop please wear comfortable clothing, whirling skirt (optional), socks or soft-soled shoes. Avoid eating a large meal 2 hours prior. Register online
Find out more »June 2018
Poetry in Motion
Where Movement Becomes Devotion An interpretive, improvisational, and devotional dance form inspired by mystical and classical Persian poetry. Persian poetry contains spiritual messages representing the Divine essence. The words in Persian poetry speak to us, revealing the emotion of our soul. Persian poetry is rhythmic—it has an essence of melody, which guides us to dance. The great Persian poets extolled dance in their poems to symbolize the power of life. Hafiz, Saadi, Omar Khayyam, Attar, and Rumi each represented dance…
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 »“Hu” Meditation and Sema
Open your heart, body, and mind in this mystical session of meditation, breath work, and whirling led by Farima Berenji. We will seek the foundation of spiritual healing in the mysticism of vibration and sound, realizing how all life emerges from silence, and all things have sound hidden within them. We will open by awakening the soul in meditation to the word “Hu”, the breath of the devine, God, then journey into healing with Farima’s unique 5 element breath therapy.…
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