“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
Past Events
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Sema Gathering and Workshop
Learn the basic technique of Sufi whirling with emphasis on Khorasan and Uyghur Sema, its 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. Registration: 65TL if booked prior April 11, 75TL thereafter.
Find out more »Sacred Dance Performance
Sacred dance performance by Farima Berenji accompanied by ney master, Oğuz Kaan Birhekimoğlu.
Find out more »Sufi Flamenco Workshop, Level 2
Additional and advanced technique and choreography workshop in Sufi Flamenco fusion presented by Farima Berenji. Explore Sufi Flamenco fusion as a stunning journey from Southern Spain to Persia and Turkey. Learn the history and the beautiful movements of Flamenco, combined with Sufi Whirling traditions of Iran and Turkey in this workshop lead by Master Whirler and Dance Ethnologist Farima Berenji. There is a historic, lively cross-cultural exchange between the cultures surrounding the Mediterranean sea since the 11th century. In both…
Find out more »Baba Karam Dance Workshop
Two hour Baba Karam dance workshop taught by Farima Berenji. Includes an introduction into the history of the late Qajar Dynasty. Jaheli or Baba Karam is a playful imitation of the machismo style of dance done by the working class men of Tehran. The dance illustrates typical movements inspired by tough street gang members of the Qajar era known as “Jahel”. Jâheli is part of an Iranian sub-culture that has its origins in the 9th and 10th century, a period…
Find out more »Solitude — Sacred Dance Performance
Farima performs as a guest artist in dance drama Solitude, a production directed by Ali Aminipour. Doors open at 6:30pm, April 26 and 27. Contact organizer for more details.
Find out more »Persian and Silk Road Dance — Free Class
Join us for a free introductory Persian and Silk Road dance class in honor of Bay Area Dance Week, April 21 - 30. Learn some fun classical and folkloric dances of the Silk Road and experience the beauty of its culture and history as well. See our event listing online among almost 300 Bay Area Dance Week events. Inspired by Persian poetry and miniature artwork, Persian and Silk Road dance combines swirling arabesques, sweeping gestures, shoulder isolations, footwork patterns, and…
Find out more »Sacred Dance Workshop
Farima’s signature project Dance of the Soul combines sacred and mystical whirling movements, Sufi traditions, and healing rituals of ancient Persia, Turkey, and the Altai Mountains. Learn both personal and spiritual whirling based on Farima’s archeological discoveries and research, and of Sufism and its connection to ancient Iranian Zoroastrianism, planets, stars, sacred flowers and animals—all of which have symbolic meaning in the universe to open the pathway to the soul.
Find out more »Bay Area Belly Festival 2017
Middle Eastern belly dance festival including performances by local artists, live music, and bazaar. The Farima Dance Company (Simorgh Dance Collective of San Jose) performs two Turkish folkloric dances on stage at 1:48pm.
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Sufi Dance and Sound Healing Workshop
The workshop will be held in a beautiful, historic chapel in the heart of San Francisco and will be taught by sound healer Gabriel Gold and Persian dance artist and Shamanic healer Farima Berenji. After a very successful, sold out workshop last January Gabriel and Farima decided to collaborate again, this time focusing on the "Spirals of Life" as the theme. We will seek the foundation of spiritual healing through sacred sound and movement, embodying song and movement founded on…
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