“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 2019
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 »Simorgh Dance Spring Celebration and Fundraiser
Georgian Dance Workshop with Iveria Dance Group, Silk Road Bazaar, Social Dancing, and more… Join the Simorgh Dance Community for our annual spring celebration and fundraiser. Learn and enjoy some traditional folk dances and music of Georgia, take home some ethnic treasures from a Silk Road bazaar, enjoy refreshments and sweets, enjoy dance performances and live music, then celebrate in a Silk Road dance party. All proceeds help benefit the work of the Simorgh Dance Collective. Georgian Dance Workshop This…
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 are available now Buy Tickets
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…
Find out more »April 2019
Rotunda Dance Series: Simorgh Dance Collective
The Simorgh Dance Collective will present traditional and folkloric dances of the Silk Road. The Rotunda Dance Series brings many of the Bay Area’s most celebrated dance companies to San Francisco City Hall for free monthly noon-time performances and is presented by Dancers’ Group and World Arts West in partnership with Grants for the Arts and SF City Hall. Visit the performance Facebook page..
Find out more »May 2019
Colors of Persia
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCgHpaqQI2Q?&theme=dark&autohide=1&modestbranding=1&showinfo=0&rel=0&w=560&h=315] Roya-e-Ranghin A Dance and Music Journey Through Persia Join the Simorgh Dance Collective for a dazzling concert that celebrates the diverse cultures, music, and dance traditions of Persia. Featuring ethnic dances performed in costume by the Simorgh Dance Collective, and Farima Berenji. Includes pre-show dinner banquet. Doors open at 6:30 PM The Simorgh Dance Collective gratefully acknowledges the support of the Trinity Presbyterian Church and other generous individuals. Tickets Admission includes pre-show dinner banquet. Adult: $35 advance, $40…
Find out more »Armenian Traditional Dance Workshop
Learn fun traditional and modern Armenian line dances, including some that have been influenced by Assyrian and Greek cultures. The dances will be taught by guest instructor Armen Gabrielian. All levels of skill are welcome. Price $25. Simorgh Dance Collective members receive a $5 discount. Register Armen Gabrielian Armen Gabrielian has more than 30 years of experience in folk dancing on the East Coast, in Southern California and more recently in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has attended four…
Find out more »Cultural & Mystical Tour of Iran
Cultural & Mystical Tour of Iran Discover Iran’s beautiful cultural heritage and mysticism of the Silk Road! Led by Farima Berenji, internationally recognized dance scholar and award-winning world dance choreographer and performer. This unique travel experience and opportunity focuses on the history, mysticism, art, music, and dance traditions of Iran and the Silk Road. Guests will study dance, poetry, music, history, and visit mystic and ancient sites. Destinations include Tehran, Yazd, Kashan, Isfahan, Shiraz, Qashqai and Bakhtiar Nomads, Persapolis, Pasarghad,…
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