Farima Dance

The Lioness
2022-12-04 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Legends of the Ancient Iranic Female Warriors and Commanders
In ancient Persia, women were considered living goddesses and many had important positions in court of law, ministries, military, state departments, and other official administrative positions. Many ancient Persian cities and states were ruled by women and had their army under full control of female commanders. They were known to be great warriors, had great sword skills, and went into battle side by side with their king or husband. The significant role of women in ancient Iran both horrified and fascinated the ancient Greek and Roman male-dominated societies.
In this lecture Farima will present the history and legends of:

The ancient Iranic empresses, Hamazons (Amazon warriors), and commanders.
Ardalans – “The Mighty Fighters” and great horseback riders
Sarmatians and Scythians – The great spear fighters and women archers.
Hazarabam – Known for their great sword skills and famously known as the “Immortal Army.”
The role of women in the epic book of the Shahnahmeh (The Book of Kings)

Free for those taking the full Warriors of Light workshop.
Register
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, founder of Dance of the Soul, she is the advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Eastern Arts, National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Quest of the Magi
2022-12-11 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA, 95126, United States
A Lecture by Scholar and Ethnologist, Farima Berenji
Learn the little known background of the Persian Magi who journeyed toward the sacred star on Christmas in this delightful holiday lecture by Farima Berenji. There are many stories of the Magi. Were the Persian Magi priests, a coven of sorcerers, or a class of highly educated and honored physicians, astronomers, engineers, and scientists who allied with their beliefs sought to help humankind? Farima will help unshroud the mystery of the Magi for their origins, life, and beliefs.
Hosted by the Center for Creative Living, the program starts at 11am with a song, prayer, meditation, and announcements. Farima will be introduced and speak 30 to 40 minutes.
Park in the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Center parking lot and enter through the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door, enter through the gate in the back.
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, founder of Dance of the Soul, she is the advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Eastern Arts, National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Dance of the Soul: Shebi Arus Gathering
2022-12-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Last Frontier NYC, 520 Kingsland Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11222, United States
A Sacred Dance, Music and Healing Journey with Sufi Master of Yarsan Order and Scholar, Farima Berenji
Join us on a path of healing and self-growth through the power of Sufism, Sacred Circles, music, and Sacred Dance. In that journey, the promptings of the Inner Divine are found, and love, kindness, and compassion flow naturally into our daily life.
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 Persian and Sufi dance and rituals — a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation–through prayers, whirling, music, and love. Be moved by beautiful Sufi rituals, sacred music, songs, chanting, poetry, and dance in prayers and Love!
For this workshop and gathering, we will combine the sacred phrases, chants, music, and movements from the ancient Persian spiritual traditions of Khorasan and Yarsan to help touch the spiritual essence within us and to help us recognize it in others. These fundamental elements compose the ancient, contemporary, and devotional roots of sacred dance.
In this workshop/gathering we will experience:

Presence and surrender to Love.
Practice devotional embodiment and ancient Persian healing dance rituals.
The power of healing and love through poetry, zikr, and Sufi whirling (Iranian, Central Asian, and Turkish Rituals and Zikr)
The power of the sharing circle and acts of kindness and love toward self and others.
Dance and Music as prayer and spiritual transformation.
Breathing meditations.
Basic whirling techniques for beginners (Iranian, Turkish and Central Asian Sema and Semah)
Gwati and Iranian Zikr Rituals (Sufi Prayers and Ancient Medicine Healing Circles)
Sema Gathering, Performances, and Sohbet (Sufi Whirling Gathering and Spiritual Talk/Lectures), Q&A, and Sharing Circles.

Participants are encouraged to bring a poem or story to share. Musicians feel free to bring your instruments to inspire and bring love into our circle!
Register
Register also for our Dance of the Soul workshop on December 18

Dance of the Soul: Workshop
2022-12-18 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Last Frontier NYC, 520 Kingsland Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11222, United States
A Sacred Dance, Music and Healing Journey with Sufi Master of Yarsan Order and Scholar, Farima Berenji
Join us on a path of healing and self-growth through the power of Sufism, Sacred Circles, music, and Sacred Dance. In that journey, the promptings of the Inner Divine are found, and love, kindness, and compassion flow naturally into our daily life.
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 Persian and Sufi dance and rituals — a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation–through prayers, whirling, music, and love. Be moved by beautiful Sufi rituals, sacred music, songs, chanting, poetry, and dance in prayers and Love!
For this workshop, we will combine the sacred phrases, chants, music, and movements from the ancient Persian spiritual traditions of Khorasan and Yarsan to help touch the spiritual essence within us and to help us recognize it in others. These fundamental elements compose the ancient, contemporary, and devotional roots of sacred dance.
In this workshop/gathering we will experience:

Presence and surrender to Love.
Practice devotional embodiment and ancient Persian healing dance rituals.
The power of healing and love through poetry, zikr, and Sufi whirling (Iranian, Central Asian, and Turkish Rituals and Zikr)
The power of the sharing circle and acts of kindness and love toward self and others.
Dance and Music as prayer and spiritual transformation.
Breathing meditations.
Basic whirling techniques for beginners (Iranian, Turkish and Central Asian Sema and Semah)
Gwati and Iranian Zikr Rituals (Sufi Prayers and Ancient Medicine Healing Circles)
Sema Gathering, Performances, and Sohbet (Sufi Whirling Gathering and Spiritual Talk/Lectures), Q&A, and Sharing Circles.

Register
Register also for the Shebi Arus gathering on December 17

Festival of the Oaks
2023-02-12 09:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Live Oak Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman), Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
The 74th annual international Festival of the Oaks features a morning international folk dance workshop, a hot lunch, exhibition dance performance, and a program of afternoon recreational dances. Includes a pre-owned folk dance costume sale in the dance hall. Fun for all ages! No partner needed.
Dance ethnographer, scholar, and choreographer Farima Berenji will teach a short workshop of Iranian folk dances followed by a performance by her Simorgh Dance Collective. Lenore Watson will call contras, Following lunch there will be a brief presentation by Tahitian Dance Company Te Mana O Te Ra and a program of international dance.
Schedule
All Day — Institute and Folk Dancing, $30.00

9:00-9:30am
Registration

9:30am-12:00pm
Dance workshop with Farima Berenji, Silk Road folk dance performance by the Simorgh Dance Collective, and contras with Lenore Watson, $18.00

12:00-1:00pm
Hot lunch, $10.00

12:00-1:00pm
Federation membership meeting. Includes lunch provided to Federation members attending.

12:30-4:30pm
Pre-owned folk dance costume sale

1:00pm
Brief presentation by Tahitian Dance Company Te Mana O Te Ra

1:00-5:00pm
International dance party. Dances from around the world and institute reviews. $17.00

Attendees must be fully vaccinated, including boosters. KN-95 or N-95 masks required.
Free refreshments will be served all afternoon.
To send dance requests for the afternoon party, or for more info, e-mail a request to rg94610@gmail.com or to yvonneprovaznik@comcast.net.

Download and print a flier to share with others.
Register and pay in advance
Register
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji
Farima is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, dance ethnologist, and archaeologist. She specializes in sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of the Silk Road. She is a third generation artist – her devotion to the world of arts was inspired by both her mother and grandmother – performing artists, poets, and musicians of Azerbaijani heritage. Farima has spent her lifetime studying Persian/Iranian and Central Asian dance, culture, and history. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement.
Farima has lectured, facilitated research projects, collaborated, choreographed, & performed for highly acclaimed internationally renowned companies and institutions such as Avaz Dance Company, Mosaic America (formerly Sangam Arts), ODC, World Dance Fusion of San Francisco, Istanbul Conservatory of the Arts, Vienna Conservatory of the Arts, the National Folk Organization (NFO), the Unique Circle of Manchester, the Tumata Organization of Turkey, UNESCO, SF City Hall, Kansas State University, University of Manchester, University of London, Istanbul University, Stanford University, San Francisco State University, San Francisco City Hall, the Iranian National Museum and Conservatory and many more. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, and advisory council member of Mosaic America. She is honored to be the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. The Simorgh Dance Collective was the first Iranian dance company, directed by an Iranian woman to perform during a reception for President Obama and President Biden. Recognized as one of few world experts and scholars of Persian dance history, Farima infuses spirituality into her dance and teachings to impassion, empower, and inspire. For more details and media visit http://farimadance.com
Lenore Watson
Lenore started folk dancing and contra dance in college. She has taught international folk dance since the early 2000’s with Redding International Folk Dance. And she has been calling contra dances since 2014 in Redding and Chico, as well as at special events – weddings, festivals, etc. She has called contras in previous years at the Festival of the Oaks and at other events in Northern California, including the Officers Ball and Stockton Folk Dance Camp. Lenore loves calling contras, and seeing the how the dancers connect and collaborate to make it work and have fun. Her favorite explanation of contra dance is that it’s like “an amusement park ride that we all create together.”

Sepandārmazgān: The Day of Love
2023-02-19 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Sepandārmazgān was a day when women rested and men had to bring them gifts. Learn of the history and origins of Sepandārmazgān, the Persian festival of love, with Scholar Farima Berenji. This enchanting one hour program includes lecture on the origins of the Day of Love, ritual dances honoring Goddess Diana, Iranian Goddess of Love, and instructions for mixing an ancient Iranian “love” potion based on an ancient Iranian recipe.
Sepandārmazgān is dedicated to Spenta Armaiti also known as “Diana” the Persian Goddess of love, beauty, and desire. The day Diana was born, February 24th, is known as the “Spendarmad,” which means “Day of Love.” This day is the annual celebration to honor the female being and mother earth. According to Iranian scholar al-Biruni, it was a day where women rested and men had to bring them gifts. The observation of this ancient festival has been revived in modern Iran as a celebration day of love towards mothers and wives.
Listen as Farima explains what the festival represents and its legacy, as well as the mythological origins of the Goddess of Love. Learn of the ancient festival’s rituals and those customs that are celebrated today. Follow us online as we prepare a healthy “love” potion based on an ancient Iranian recipe.
Invite your sweetheart and join us for fun in a tribute to the Iranian day of love.

Register and contact us in advance and you will receive an ingredients list in order to prepare the ancient Iranian “love” potion as we do online.
Register

Rituals, Dances, and Samas in Ancient Iran
2023-05-24 17:30 - 19:30 (Asia/Tehran) | International East Music Center
Lecture online and on-site by Dr. Farima Berenji.
Registration: http://www.eroidad.com

Caravan of Mystics Sufi Retreat
2023-06-02 - 2023-06-12 | Metanoia Wellness and Retreat Center, Baakline, Lebanon
Music and Sema Workshops, Zikr, Sema Gathering, Sacred Circles, Sohbet
Sacred dance, music, and mysticism workshops with masters Farima Berenji, Pir Salman Hosseni, Pir Darush Hosseni, Evan Phillips, and more.
Discover the magic of Metanoia Wellness and Retreat Center nestled in the heart of the Chouf Nature Reserve. Accommodation, high-quality food, and transportation included.
Join us for one or two weeks (June 2 – 5 and June 9 – 12) of ancient wisdom, dance, music, whirling and healing ritual practices of the Anatolian, Khorasan, and Yarsanai mystics. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to experience and discover the ancient roots of mysticism, to connect with your inner Divine, and to learn sacred music and dance from internationally acclaimed artists and scholars.
Retreat includes:

In-depth studies of the origin/roots of mysticism and Sufism of Khorasan and Yarsan.
Turkish, Khorasani, and Yarsani Zikr, poetry, sema and semah (Shams Sema, Rast Sema, Yarsan Sema)
Music workshops and studies of Yarsani and Iranian Sufi makhams with daf, ney, and tanbour.
Sunrise Zikr and meditation.
Sohbet (Sufi discussion) by Pir Salman Hosseini of Yarsan Order of Iran and Farima Berenji

More details…
Contact us for more info and registration. Limited availability.
+961 71 678 794
Faculty

Pir Salman Hosseini
Seyed Salman
Pir Seyed Salman Hosseini (Sufism, Sufi music, maqams, tanbur) possesses a bachelor degree in music ethnology and is an Iranian traditional music researcher, composer and a master musician of tambour, setar, tar, and rebab. He directs the traditional Persian music ensemble Cherikeh which has been performing sacred and traditional music for many years. Seyed has produced many albums including Javdanegni and Tabeh Ghaleh. He is the music director and composer for films such as Song of God and Gadam Yar. Seyed has composed and performed more than 40 concerts and TV programs including composing music for national broadcasts of Iran. He has performed professionally in Iran, Germany, Syria, and the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Additionally, he is a Sufi master and has his own school of music and mysticism.

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji (Director and master classes) is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, founder of Dance of the Soul, she is the advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Eastern Arts, National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Evan Phillips
Evan Phillips

Connecting with the Elements Retreat
2023-10-19 - 2023-10-23 | Metanoia Wellness and Retreat Center, Baakline, Lebanon
Music and Sema Workshops, Zikr, Sema Gathering, Sacred Circles, Sohbet

Join us on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and healing at Metanoia Retreat Center, Lebanon for five days of immersion of heart centric prayer and movement medicine. We will open the portal to a deeper space of healing and transformation. Your day will be filled with 6 hrs of ancient Persian and Central Asian sacred healing rituals and whirling, sacred dance, meditation, intensive training in metaphysical practices and yoga.
With Dr. Farima Berenji, Professor of Mysticism, Sufi Master/Reverend and Doctor of Metaphysics
Fire, Water, Earth, and Air are considered so valuable in Persian mystic and Sufi tradition. Among the four elements, Fire is the most holy element as it pervades the entire creation. Ancient Persian culture revered the Elements as the basic building blocks of the universe. The mystic beliefs from early times attribute the interactions between the elements as the cause of development for everything in the universe. Each element is of spiritual growth and vibrations of the root energy. Each element contains 7 sacred elements within it self that connect us to our spirit or one with the Wheel of Mitra (Divine Light). The symbolism of the four elements is found in the Tree of Life, the four directions, the four seasons, and the four Archangels.
Retreat includes:

Sharing Circle and Lecture
Dance Medicine and Healing Circles
Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation
Poetry, Music, Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance), and Sama (Sufi Whirling)
Sightseeing or Rest (your option)

Our setting is the beautiful Metanoia Retreat and Wellness Center, Lebanon. Secluded in lush forest, free from civilization’s grasp, experience the pure, healing embrace of nature within nearly 2,500 square miles of pure tranquility.
Payment and Rules
$600 – Early-bird price until September 18, 2023
$700 – After September 18, 2023
Payment does not include transaction fees or visa fees. Payment may be by Paypal or other methods. Contact us for details.
Online Registration
Space limited. Registration required. Register early to ensure your spot and obtain a discount.
A refund is given if for any reason the retreat is canceled.
Contact us for questions prior to the start of the retreat.
Payment Includes

Shared lodging in beautiful cabins
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, except as noted in the retreat schedule
Daily refreshments and snacks. Tea, coffee, and water are always at your  disposal.
All healing and dance workshops

Payment Does NOT Include

Visa fees (based on your departure country)
Airfare
Transportation or taxi fees
Personal expenses or extra stay
Personal sightseeing
Extra food and drink not included on the menu
Tips or extra services you may require

Retreat Schedule
Come with an open heart and please be receptive to what comes up for you.

Day
Timeline

Thursday
Air – An uplifting session in finding softness and length in the body and connecting with a sense of lightness.
Breakfast – Welcome
-Sharing Circle and Lecture
-Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Air
-Dance Medicine and Healing Circles: Silence – Calling the Angel of Air.
Lunch
-The Ouj – Earth to Sky: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Air.
Dinner
Sacred Circle Gathering: Poetry, Music, and Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance) and Sama (Sufi Whirling).

Friday
Water – This session focuses on extension, the fluid flow of complete range of motion movements.
Breakfast
-Sharing Circle and Lecture
-Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Water
-Dance Medicine and Healing Circle: Solitude, Water Therapy, Calling the Angel of Water.
Lunch
-The Moj – The Waves and Frequencies: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Water
Dinner
-Sacred Circle Gathering: Poetry, Music, and Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance) and Sama (Sufi Whirling)

Saturday
Rest or Sightseeing Option
Breakfast
-Sightseeing – Fun Day
Dinner and Free time

Sunday
Fire – A high intensity session to invigorate the senses, make you sweat and connect you with the power and energy that burns inside you.
Breakfast
-Sharing Circle and Lecture
-Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Fire
-Dance Medicine and Healing Circle: Fire Rituals, Gwati (Ancient Iranian Healing Dance) and Gazing – Calling on the Angel of Fire.
Lunch
-Fana – The Ecstatic Realm: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Fire
-The Calling: Farima’s Unique Healing Mediation Ritual based on the 7 Senses and the 7 Sacred Realm.
Dinner
-Sacred Circle Gathering: Poetry, Music, and Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance) and Sama (Sufi Whirling)

Monday
Earth – a grounding and stabilizing view of posture and movement that generates from natural energy relationship between your body, your heart center and the earth beneath your feet.
Breakfast
-Sharing Circle and Lecture
-Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Fire
-Yoga Session
Lunch
-Forud – The Return and Awakening: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Earth
-Dance Medicine and Healing Circle: Heart Connection and Stone Therapy – Calling on the Angel of Earth.
-Ancient Iranian Sun Set Ritual based on the 4 Elements
Dinner
-The Wheel of Mitra – Ancient Prayer and Mystical Circle Dance of Unification and Purification.
-Closing Ceremony

Tuesday
Option – People may stay or leave

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Sema Gathering - Iranian Sufi and Yarsani Gathering
2023-11-12 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Cope-a-Cabana, 433 S. Henry Ave., San Jose, CA, 95117, United States
Join us in prayer for healing and peace, live music, poetry, Iranian and ancient Mithraic whirling rituals, Yarsani Zikr and reading of Kalams (Zoroastrians, Iranic and Yarsani book of prayers and chanting). 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.
During our Sema Gathering, Master Farima Berenji will lead Zikr, Sema, and other rituals and ceremonies. Joining us will be guest samazens and musicans, including Bill Cope, Homeyra Banejad and Ensemble, Katayoon, and more.
Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!
Sliding scale donation: $10-20.
Register

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the Soul™, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Christmas and its Ancient Persian Tradition
2023-12-17 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA, 95126, United States
A Lecture by Scholar and Ethnologist, Dr. Farima Berenji
We have always known of Christmas on December 25th, with a traditional decorated tree, candles, and gifts. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ yet its rituals and traditions far precede that time. Unquestionably, our ancestors adopted the rituals from an ancient Iranian pagan religion known as Mithraism, a form of nature worship based on the Sun God/Goddess Mithra.
On the darkest night of the year (December 20 or 21) legend has it Mithra gives birth to “Light” causing each day thereafter to grow longer until the Summer solstice. In this lecture learn of the remarkable parallels between ancient Mithraism beliefs and rituals to those of Christmas today.
Hosted by the Center for Creative Living, the program starts at 11am with a song, prayer, meditation, and announcements. Farima will be introduced and speak 30 to 40 minutes. A sacred dance performance will follow in honor of light.
Park in the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Center parking lot and enter through the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door.
The program will be broadcast on Zoom. Please join or register using the following invitation:
Join by Zoom
Meeting ID: 217 611 8333
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Please remember to send a donation to the Center for Creative Living so they can keep the doors open. More details…
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Visit her online at http://farimadance.com.
Read more…

Sadeh
2024-01-28 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sacramento Zoroastrian Center, 10528 Armstrong Ave., Mather, CA, 95655, United States
Farima and the Simorgh Dance Collective are excited to be again on stage with the award-winning actor and director Sadeh Hatefi! This time we will be telling in dance and drama the mesmerizing ancient Persian legend of King Houshang and the creation of fire! Join us on a theatrical journey that sparks the flames of imagination and explores the mystics and mysteries of the element of fire that changed the course of human history. Joining us will be more than 20 talented actors, dancers, and crew that will transport you to a world where every spark tells a story.
Doors open at 2:30 PM
Tickets

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an Iranian-born scholar and an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer, instructor, lecturer, dance ethnologist, and archaeologist specializing in classical, folkloric, and sacred dances of Persia and the Silk Road. Her training spans a lifetime of intensive collaboration and research with master artists, scholars, and spiritual teachers worldwide. She is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, a worldwide collaborative devoted to teach dance technique, interpret, illustrate, present, and perform dances of the Silk Road. Farima performs, offers workshops, and lectures worldwide upon request and has appeared in the US, UK, Austria, Czech Republic, Turkey, Mauritius, and Iran. Read more..

Sadegh Hatefi
Sadegh Hatefi Sadegh Hatefi is a director, screenwriter, author, and award-winning actor, known for Ghodrat (2007), Simorgh (1987) and Battle of Oil Tankers (1994). He has been director of the films and theatrical productions Story of Rumi and Shams, Simorgh, and Muhammad: The Messenger of God.

Simorgh Dance Collective
Simorgh Dance Collective The Simorgh Dance Collective is a world community of artists devoted to cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration through traditional, classical, and sacred dance styles of the Silk Road. The Collective currently has member companies and artist affiliations in Alaska, British Columbia, Turkey, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more..
Ask a question…

Norouz Online Celebration
2024-03-13 20:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join us for an evening celebrating Norouz, the coming of Spring!
Norouz is the traditional spring and new year celebration of the Persian and Central Asian people. Norouz means “New Day” and it falls on the March equinox, the first day of spring. Families on Norouz gather together and wait for the exact time it is declared, exchange gifts and eat a feast of traditional food. It’s a time to celebrate ancestry and family. Norouz has been celebrated by people from diverse ethnic communities and religious backgrounds for thousands of years.
Presented by the Simorgh Dance Collective and Eastern Arts, activities for our online gathering will include:

Traditional performances of sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of the Silk Road
Live traditional Persian music
Story telling and lectures of Norouz and rituals across the Silk Road
Poetry reading

All are welcome! Please register in advance to obtain a link to the online presentation.
Register
Please consider making a donation at http://donate.farimadance.com to support our artists below
Simorgh Dance Collective
Simorgh Dance Collective The Simorgh Dance Collective is a world community of artists devoted to cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration through traditional, classical, and sacred dance styles of the Silk Road. The Collective currently has member companies and artist affiliations in Alaska, British Columbia, Turkey, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more..
Eastern Arts
Eastern Arts Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Eastern Arts is a non-profit organization of dancers, artists, musicians, and scholars who present the folkways and traditions of many lands and peoples. Eastern Arts originated in 1960 and has been active internationally presenting dance and music of lands from Asia to North Africa, from India to the Balkans in concerts, workshops, publications, audio and video productions.
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Spring Around the World
2024-04-11 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Leona Wagner Black Box Theater, 138 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101, United States
Eastern Arts presents a celebration of music and dance featuring special guests from San Jose, Farima Berenji and Simorgh Dance Collective. Also performing: Character Dance Ensemble, Eastern Arts, SLC Ballet, and the World Dance Company. Come enjoy music and dance from Iran, Armenia, Turkey, Ukraine and much more.
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Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Simorgh Dance Collective
Simorgh Dance Collective The Simorgh Dance Collective is a world community of artists devoted to cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration through traditional, classical, and sacred dance styles of the Silk Road. The Collective currently has member companies and artist affiliations in Alaska, British Columbia, Turkey, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more..

Awakening Peace Through Dance and Music
2024-04-28 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Cope-a-Cabana, 433 S. Henry Ave., San Jose, CA, 95117, United States
Join us in prayer for healing and peace with live music and dance, poetry, whirling rituals, and more in this community gathering. We welcome guest artists and musicians to join us in our quest for peace and harmony by means of dance and music.
Suggested sliding scale donation: $5-25.
Postponed

Register to obtain Zoom online conferencing link.

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Coordinator of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the Soul™, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Wandering with the Wind
2024-05-27 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Guild Theater, 2828 35th Street, Sacramento, 95817
Farima and the Simorgh Dance Collective are excited to again share the stage with the award-winning actor and director Sadeh Hatefi! Wandering with the Wind tells of a journey to all corners of Iran, inviting you to immerse yourself in moments enriched with poetry, song, music, and dance. It showcases a very small corner of a culture and civilization that spans thousands of years, where happiness and hope form the cornerstone of its people’s lives. With Nima Safaee, Adam Hatefi, Borzooieh Shad, Masoud Masoomi, Sima Khatami, and Salar.
Tickets

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an Iranian-born scholar and an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer, instructor, lecturer, dance ethnologist, and archaeologist specializing in classical, folkloric, and sacred dances of Persia and the Silk Road. Her training spans a lifetime of intensive collaboration and research with master artists, scholars, and spiritual teachers worldwide. She is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, a worldwide collaborative devoted to teach dance technique, interpret, illustrate, present, and perform dances of the Silk Road. Farima performs, offers workshops, and lectures worldwide upon request and has appeared in the US, UK, Austria, Czech Republic, Turkey, Mauritius, and Iran. Read more..

Sadegh Hatefi
Sadegh Hatefi Sadegh Hatefi is a director, screenwriter, author, and award-winning actor, known for Ghodrat (2007), Simorgh (1987) and Battle of Oil Tankers (1994). He has been director of the films and theatrical productions Story of Rumi and Shams, Simorgh, and Muhammad: The Messenger of God.

Simorgh Dance Collective
Simorgh Dance Collective The Simorgh Dance Collective is a world community of artists devoted to cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration through traditional, classical, and sacred dance styles of the Silk Road. The Collective currently has member companies and artist affiliations in Alaska, British Columbia, Turkey, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more..

An Evening on the Silk Road
2024-08-10 | CA
Save the date! Eastern Arts presents An Evening of Silk Road Music, a celebration of music and dance of Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and other cultures of the Silk Road. With music by Dr. Lloyd Miller and dance performances by Farima Berenji and Simorgh Dance Collective.
More details coming…
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an Iranian-born scholar and an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer, instructor, lecturer, dance ethnologist, Sufi master, and archaeologist specializing in classical, folkloric, and sacred dances of Persia and the Silk Road. Her training spans a lifetime of intensive collaboration and research with master artists, scholars, and spiritual teachers worldwide. She is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, a worldwide collaborative devoted to teach dance technique, interpret, illustrate, present, and perform dances of the Silk Road. In 2018, Farima became the first American-Iranian woman honored to be a TEDx dance speaker and performer. Farima is a member of the International Dance Council (CID – UNESCO), UNESCO, and the National Folk Organization (NFO). Read more..
Dr. Lloyd Miller
Dr. Lloyd Miller Dr. Lloyd Miller received his PhD in Persian Language and Literature from the University of Utah after spending seven years living in Iran where he had a weekly prime time television program titled “Kurosh Ali Khan va dastan”. His program featured musicians and other artists from around the world. Lloyd was urged to leave Iran during the revolution in the late 70s, though he had never planned to leave. An expert in world music including American jazz, Lloyd has made numerous recordings. The most popular being “Oriental Jazz” first released in 1968 and recently re-released by Vinyl Me Please selling thousands of copies worldwide. A film about Lloyd’s extraordinary life, including 6 years in Europe as a jazzman and university student where he played with some of the most well-known musicians of the time, is soon to be released. Titled “” the film will be screened in Finland October 25 at the World Music Expo. It was in Paris that Lloyd met Dr. Daryush Safvat who became his lifelong mentor and who taught Lloyd the importance and significance of Persian classical music. Founder of Eastern Arts, with the blessing of Dr. Safvat, Lloyd has taught music, philosophy, history, dance and culture to thousands of students at various universities for over 40 years. Read more…

Wandering with the Wind
2024-08-24 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | California Zoroastrian Center, 8952 Hazard Ave, Westminster, CA, 92683, United States
Farima and the Simorgh Dance Collective are excited to again share the stage with the award-winning actor and director Sadeh Hatefi! Wandering with the Wind tells of a journey to all corners of Iran, inviting you to immerse yourself in moments enriched with poetry, song, music, and dance. It showcases a very small corner of a culture and civilization that spans thousands of years, where happiness and hope form the cornerstone of its people’s lives. With Nima Safaee, Adam Hatefi, Borzooieh Shad, Masoud Masoomi, Sima Khatami, and others.
Presented by Up 4 Success in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
Tickets

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an Iranian-born scholar and an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer, instructor, lecturer, dance ethnologist, and archaeologist specializing in classical, folkloric, and sacred dances of Persia and the Silk Road. Her training spans a lifetime of intensive collaboration and research with master artists, scholars, and spiritual teachers worldwide. She is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, a worldwide collaborative devoted to teach dance technique, interpret, illustrate, present, and perform dances of the Silk Road. Farima performs, offers workshops, and lectures worldwide upon request and has appeared in the US, UK, Austria, Czech Republic, Turkey, Mauritius, and Iran. Read more..

Sadegh Hatefi
Sadegh Hatefi Sadegh Hatefi is a director, screenwriter, author, and award-winning actor, known for Ghodrat (2007), Simorgh (1987) and Battle of Oil Tankers (1994). He has been director of the films and theatrical productions Story of Rumi and Shams, Simorgh, and Muhammad: The Messenger of God.

Simorgh Dance Collective
Simorgh Dance Collective The Simorgh Dance Collective is a world community of artists devoted to cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration through traditional, classical, and sacred dance styles of the Silk Road. The Collective currently has member companies and artist affiliations in Alaska, British Columbia, Turkey, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more..

Silk Road Dance and Music
2024-09-10 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
Farima Berenji and Nariman Assadi perform music and dances of the Silk Road.
Save the date…More details coming.
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, founder of Dance of the Soul, she is the advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Eastern Arts, National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Nariman Assadi
Nariman Assadi Nariman Assadi was born in Hamedan, Iran on January 1, 1992. Raised in Tehran, he always felt drawn to percussion instruments. At the age of thirteen, he began studying tombak under Master Amir Mogharab Samadi. From 2008 to 2013, Nariman performed at Vahdat Hall as a soloist and with the Persian Percussion Ensemble at Pars Academy, the premier music academy for children. After mastering tombak, he then began learning Daf under the great Master Bijan Kamkar. With a strong understanding of the daf and tombak, Nariman started learning barbat (Oud) under Master Mohammad Firouzi.
In 2015, Nariman immigrated to the United States. He immediately began his professional music career by performing and attending festivals. In 2017, he started learning percussion performance and world music with Professor Daniel Kennedy at Sacramento State University. Along with being a member of various ensembles, Nariman teaches daf, tombak, other percussions, and music for children in Davis, Sacramento, and the Bay Area. He also offers music classes and workshops online. Read more..
Simorgh Dance Collective
Simorgh Dance Collective The Simorgh Dance Collective is a world community of artists devoted to cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration through traditional, classical, and sacred dance styles of the Silk Road. The Collective currently has member companies and artist affiliations in Alaska, British Columbia, Turkey, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more..

Sacred Journey of the Soul
2024-09-13 - 2024-09-20 | Potash Hill Retreat Center, 2582 South Rd., Marlboro, VT, 05344, United States
Sacred Journey of the Soul with Sufi Master, Dr. Farima Berenji

Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of ancient wisdom and rituals at our Sufi and ancient Persian mystic healing retreat, where spirituality meets music, dance, and art in perfect harmony. Immerse yourself in the teachings of Iranic Sufism and mystical tradition while also indulging in soulful music, dance, and whirling lessons that will uplift your spirit and touch your heart. Nestled in the serene surroundings of rural southern Vermont, this retreat offers a sanctuary for seekers of spiritual depth and cultural enrichment.
Don’t miss a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of ancient wisdom of Mithraism, Yarsanisim and Iranian Sufi traditions (Qaderi and Qalandar) and enhance your musical skills in a serene and supportive environment. Enjoy a enriching journey of self-discovery and artistic expression and launch on a path of enlightenment through music and Sufi wisdom. Each day is filled with 7 hours of ancient Iranic whirling, ritual dances, healing practices, daf lessons, tanbur theory lessons, chanting of the heart, ancient Persian yoga and meditative practices, poetry, metaphysical practices, art therapy, and much more.
Within the Sacred Circle, we unite hearts and delve into the roots of Sufism and mysticism. Discover the sacred arts of poetry, music, and maqams, engage in devotional dances, partake in healing rituals, and experience the mystical tradition of whirling. Our journey encompasses the rich tapestry of Iranian/Persian mysticism and Sufism, including Greater Khorasan, Yarsan, Qaderi, Mitratic, and Zoroastrian rituals, as well as Central Asian and Turkish Sufi practices.
The retreat will include:

Persian mystical and devotional dance and rituals
Study of mystical Persian poetry (Farsi and English) and the power of poetry in movement prayers.
Turns, circles, spirals: Ancient mystical and Sufi whirling practices.
Exploring Sufi and mystical music lessons and music therapy (daf, drum circles, and tanbur).

Daf (Iranian frame drum) and various Sufi and Central Asian music lessons with Alby Rene
Tanbur theory by Dr. Farima Berenji and Sara Kazemi.

Prayers, Zikr, ancient Iranian medicine movement

Sunrise and Sunset Yarsani Zikr and Mitratric rituals, meditation, visualization, and Farima’s unique breathing technique.
Ancient Huma and barsom sacred ceremonies
Jam Gathering (Mystic Yarsani Sacred Sama Gathering)
Nature Immersion: Nature awareness, healing rituals, and observation.

Sacred Steps: Integration healing walks and silent meditation
Chanting, sacred circles, and zikr

Space is limited, ensuring an intimate and deeply personal experience. Join us as we Release, Receive, and Awaken the Soul on this sacred pilgrimage of the spirit.
Schedule
Please plan to arrive before 4:00 pm, September 13th. On this day we will begin our opening ceremony ritual at 4:00 pm and continue teaching/dancing until 9 pm with breaks and dinner in between sessions.

Daily Schedule

Time
Event

8:30 – 10:00am
Breakfast

10:30am – 1:00pm
Morning Ritual and Teaching Session

1:00 – 3:00pm
Lunch and Free Time

3:00 – 5:00pm
Teaching Session

5:00 – 7:00pm
Dinner and Free Time

7:30 – 9:30/10:00pm
Evening mystical and sama gathering: sacred circles, music, drumming, dancing, whirling, singing, poetry, zikr/prayer sharing circle, and sohbet (spiritual discussion/lecture).

For detailed schedule please email us at info@farimadance.com. A full detailed schedule and guidelines will also be emailed to you when registered.
Registration and Payment
$1000 early bird payment until July 15, $1250 thereafter.
To hold your space pay a $250 non-refundable deposit to register. Balance is due by July 15th for early bird.
Retreat includes 7 day immersion (6+ hours a day teaching and evening events) and 3 delicious healthy meals by our amazing Persian/Lebanese chef! Available all day are water/juice, tea, and snacks. Accommodations are shared lodging in beautiful rooms surrounded in nature. Bedding/sheets are available for $30 or bring your own.
We will not provide to or from-airport transport. However, we can pick you up at a designated meeting area. Please email us for more info.
Register
You can also pay by Zelle, Paypal, or mail a check. Contact us for details or commuter pricing for those who live locally.
Retreat Guidelines and Rules

All programs begins promptly at start time. Please be respectful of time and arrive on time.
We kindly ask for no talking on the teaching or whirling space and to keep the areas sacred and quiet at all times. Respect yourself as well as those around you.
For this retreat please wear proper and respectful clothing, whirling skirt (optional), socks or soft-soled shoes. White or light colored clothing is preferred for evening gathering. Please also make sure to bring some warm clothing.
Absolutely no recreational drugs or smoking is allowed for this retreat. Using any illegal substance will be severely enforced. Organizers have the right to block entry to any participants who do not respect these rules.
No video is allowed during teaching hours. Anyone wanting to take pictures or videos must ask Farima for permission.
Please keep the retreat and teaching space clean. Clean after yourself and help others to keep the area clean.
We cannot accommodate every individual special food or diet needs. If you have a special diet or do not like the food, please bring your own food. A kitchen is available in the common area for your use.
Please understand we cannot control weather, mother nature, or emergency situations. We ask that you come to the retreat with an open heart, be willing to accept unexpected changes, and continue to bring joy! Everyone is part of the sacred circle… Everyone is Love.

About the Venue: Potash Hill Retreat Center
Potash Hill is located in the southern Vermont town of Marlboro, between Brattleboro and Wilmington, off Route 9. It is a lovely 560-acre property with early 19th century farm houses, arts and academic buildings, expansive views, fields, private roads, and undeveloped forests with extensive hiking trails. Hartford’s Bradley Airport is about 90 minutes away, and Boston’s Logan Airport is 2.5 hours by car. There is also daily train service to Brattleboro from east coast cities.
This expansive rural property is spread out primarily over a beautiful, rocky hilltop in the southern part of Marlboro, extending over the border to Halifax, Vermont, to the south. The total combined property consists of 59 buildings with approximately 150,000 square feet. Much of the land is forested, with smaller portions cleared for the central campus, roads, parking areas, fields, and off-campus houses. The campus buildings range from original farm structures to the recently completed Jerome and Celia Bertin Reich building. The Reich building opened in June 2021 and contains three spacious music rehearsal studios, the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation Library—a library for Marlboro’s extensive collection of some 8,500 chamber music scores—administrative offices, and social spaces.
The rest of the campus is primarily undeveloped forests. We are committed to preserving this land, which is home to wildlife and contains hiking and cross-country ski trails that are popular with our community and town residents.
Read more…
About Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji is a distinguished scholar with an MA in Anthropology, Archaeology, and an additional MA in Iranian Ethnochoreology, both earned at Cal State Hayward. Her academic journey is marked by the achievement of an M.Msc. and a PhD in Metaphysics specializing in Iranian mysticism and rituals. She is also an integrated healing practitioner and an initiated master in the Iranian Sufi and mystic order. She brings a unique blend of academic rigor and spiritual depth to her work, performances, and teachings. As an award-winning and internationally acclaimed performing artist and choreographer, Farima has been recognized as one of the foremost global scholars in ancient and mystical Iranian ethnochoreology. Notably, she is honored as the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company, showcasing performances for notable figures such as President Obama, President Biden, the EU, the UN, and other international dignitaries.
Farima is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Simorgh Dance Collective as well as the Assistant Director and Program Coordinator of Eastern Arts. Additionally, she is the founder of Dance of the Soul™ and serves as an Advisory Council Member of Mosaic America, as a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), and as a member of the National Folk Organization. Distinctively, Farima Berenji is recognized as the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of performance art and spirituality. As an artist, scholar, and spiritual guide, Farima’s contributions span the globe, encompassing research, lectures, performances, and education. Her mission is to inspire the cultivation of dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through the transformative power of dance, movement, and music. Read more…

An Evening of Sufi Dance
2024-11-10 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Los Altos Community Center, 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos, CA, 94022, United States
Come join us for dinner and a mesmerizing evening of Sufi Dance by the talented artist Dr. Farima Berenji.
Immerse yourself in the mystical world of Sufism through graceful movements and enchanting music. This in-person event promises to be a soulful experience like no other. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to witness the beauty of Sufi dance firsthand in this first ever FFEC fundraiser.
Tickets
About FFEC
The mission of the Foundation for Equal Citizenship (FFEC) is to empower low income marginalized communities globally. We focus on women and children because they have the power to change the future of a community. FFEC USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that qualifies for Corporate Matching programs. Read more…

Farima Berenji
Dr. Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji is an Iranian-born scholar and an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer, instructor, lecturer, dance ethnologist, and archaeologist specializing in classical, folkloric, and sacred dances of Persia and the Silk Road. Her training spans a lifetime of intensive collaboration and research with master artists, scholars, and spiritual teachers worldwide. She is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, a worldwide collaborative devoted to teach dance technique, interpret, illustrate, present, and perform dances of the Silk Road. Farima performs, offers workshops, and lectures worldwide upon request and has appeared in the US, UK, Austria, Czech Republic, Turkey, Mauritius, and Iran. Read more..

Wandering with the Wind
2024-11-16 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 2672 E. Alluvial Ave, Fresno, 93720, United States
http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/6d4ef630-b407-4e2e-abe7-5510d1f7e525.mp4

Farima and the Simorgh Dance Collective are excited to again share the stage with the award-winning actor and director Sadeh Hatefi! Wandering with the Wind tells of a journey to all corners of Iran, inviting you to immerse yourself in moments enriched with poetry, song, music, and dance. It showcases a very small corner of a culture and civilization that spans thousands of years, where happiness and hope form the cornerstone of its people’s lives. With Nima Safaee, Adam Hatefi, Sima Khatami, Masoud Masoomi, Sepideh Niknam, and others.
Tickets

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an Iranian-born scholar and an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer, instructor, lecturer, dance ethnologist, and archaeologist specializing in classical, folkloric, and sacred dances of Persia and the Silk Road. Her training spans a lifetime of intensive collaboration and research with master artists, scholars, and spiritual teachers worldwide. She is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, a worldwide collaborative devoted to teach dance technique, interpret, illustrate, present, and perform dances of the Silk Road. Farima performs, offers workshops, and lectures worldwide upon request and has appeared in the US, UK, Austria, Czech Republic, Turkey, Mauritius, and Iran. Read more..

Sadegh Hatefi
Sadegh Hatefi Sadegh Hatefi is a director, screenwriter, author, and award-winning actor, known for Ghodrat (2007), Simorgh (1987) and Battle of Oil Tankers (1994). He has been director of the films and theatrical productions Story of Rumi and Shams, Simorgh, and Muhammad: The Messenger of God.

Simorgh Dance Collective
Simorgh Dance Collective The Simorgh Dance Collective is a world community of artists devoted to cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration through traditional, classical, and sacred dance styles of the Silk Road. The Collective currently has member companies and artist affiliations in Alaska, British Columbia, Turkey, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more..

Mitramass
2024-12-29 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Mitramass: Christmas and its Ancient Iranic Origins
A Lecture by Scholar Dr. Farima Berenji
We have always known of Christmas on December 25th, with a traditional decorated tree, candles, and gifts. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ yet its rituals and traditions far precede that time. Unquestionably, our ancestors adopted the rituals from an ancient Iranian pagan religion known as Mithraism, a form of nature worship based on the Sun God/Goddess Mithra.
On the darkest night of the year (December 20 or 21) legend has it Mithra gives birth to “Light” causing each day thereafter to grow longer until the Summer solstice. In this lecture, learn more of the role and history of Mitramass whose beliefs and rituals were the inspiration to those of Christmas today. Dr. Farima Berenji will include fun anecdotes of Mitramass and how to prepare a table for the celebration.
The program will be broadcast on Zoom. Please register in advance
Join by Zoom
Meeting ID: 217 611 8333
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Please remember to send a donation to the Center for Creative Living so they can keep the doors open.
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Sepandārmazgān: The Day of Love
2025-02-15 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Sepandārmazgān was a day when women rested and men had to bring them gifts. Learn of the history and origins of Sepandārmazgān, the Persian festival of love, with Scholar Dr. Farima Berenji. This enchanting one hour program includes lecture on the origins of the Day of Love, ritual dances honoring Goddess Diana, Iranian Goddess of Love, and instructions for mixing an ancient Iranian “love” potion based on an ancient Iranian recipe.
Sepandārmazgān is dedicated to Spenta Armaiti also known as “Diana” the Persian Goddess of love, beauty, and desire. The day Diana was born, February 24th, is known as the “Spendarmad,” which means “Day of Love.” This day is the annual celebration to honor the female being and mother earth. According to Iranian scholar al-Biruni, it was a day where women rested and men had to bring them gifts. The observation of this ancient festival has been revived in modern Iran as a celebration day of love towards mothers and wives.
Listen as Farima explains what the festival represents and its legacy, as well as the mythological origins of the Goddess of Love. Learn of the ancient festival’s rituals and those customs that are celebrated today. Follow us online as we prepare a healthy “love” potion based on an ancient Iranian recipe.
Invite your sweetheart and join us for fun in a tribute to the Iranian day of love.
Register and contact us in advance and you will receive an ingredients list in order to prepare the ancient Iranian “love” potion as we do online.
Register

Norouz Online Celebration
2025-03-15 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join us for an afternoon celebrating Norouz, the coming of Spring!
Norouz is the traditional spring and new year celebration of the Persian and Central Asian people. Norouz means “New Day” and it falls on the March equinox, the first day of spring. Families on Norouz gather together and wait for the exact time it is declared, exchange gifts and eat a feast of traditional food. It’s a time to celebrate ancestry and family. Norouz has been celebrated by people from diverse ethnic communities and religious backgrounds for thousands of years.
Hosted by Dr. Farima Berenji and the Simorgh Dance Collective, activities for our online gathering will include:

Traditional performances of sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of the Silk Road
Traditional Persian music
Story telling and lectures of Norouz and rituals across the Silk Road
Poetry reading

All are welcome! Please register in advance to obtain a link to the online presentation.
Register
Please consider making a donation at http://donate.farimadance.com to support our artists below
Simorgh Dance Collective
Simorgh Dance Collective The Simorgh Dance Collective is a world community of artists devoted to cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration through traditional, classical, and sacred dance styles of the Silk Road. The Collective currently has member companies and artist affiliations in Alaska, British Columbia, Turkey, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more..
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Companions of the Sun Author Talk
2025-08-03 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Companions of the Sun
A Lecture by Scholar Dr. Farima Berenji
Rooted in one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the traditions of Iranian/Persian sacred dance and music embody the profound wisdom of our ancestors. Observing nature, the stars, and the rhythms of life, they crafted movements expressing love, strength, and spiritual transcendence. These rituals continue to inspire cultures worldwide, preserving a legacy of mysticism and artistic expression.
Author Dr. Farima Berenji presents her research upon the evolutionary origins and practice of Iranian rituals, beliefs, and dances, exploring how Iranian culture permeated global music and dance traditions, developing distinctly from its sister nations. All this is explored in her soon-to-be released book Companions of the Sun
The program will be broadcast on Zoom hosted by the Center for Creative Living as part of their weekly Sunday gathering. Please register in advance
Join by Zoom
Meeting ID: 217 611 8333
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Please remember to send a donation to the Center for Creative Living so they can keep the doors open.
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Iranian Dance and Ritual (Lecture & Performance)
2025-08-10 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sunnyvale Library, 665 W Olive Ave, Sunnyvale, CA, 94086, United States
Learn about the origins and practice of Iranian dance in this talk and performance by Dr. Farima Berenji. She will discuss Iranian rituals and beliefs in relation to dance, as well as how Iranian culture has impacted global music and dance traditions. There will be a short performance and audience participation dance as part of the program.
Rooted in one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the traditions of Iranian/Persian sacred dance and music embody the profound wisdom of our ancestors. Observing nature, the stars, and the rhythms of life, they crafted movements expressing love, strength, and spiritual transcendence. These rituals continue to inspire cultures worldwide, preserving a legacy of mysticism and artistic expression. Author Dr. Farima Berenji presents her research upon the evolutionary origins and practice of Iranian rituals, beliefs, and dances, exploring how Iranian culture permeated global music and dance traditions, developing distinctly from its sister nations. All this is explored in her soon-to-be released book Companions of the Sun
This event is part of the will be held in the Sunnyvale Library Program Room. Registration is not required.
This August, go back to school with the Sunnyvale Library Level Up Your Learning: Adult Lecture Series. Learn about history and culture around the world from the following talks:

Sunday, Aug. 10 – Iranian Dance and Ritual (this event)
Monday, Aug. 11 – The Silk Road: Globalization in the Ancient World
Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Muslim Women and Global Feminism
Thursday, Aug. 21 – The Chinese Exclusion Act
Monday, Aug. 25 – Transgender Histories in Imperial China

Dr. Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Book Talk and Performance on Iranian Dance and Rituals
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | North Beach Branch Library, 850 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, 94133, United States
Learn about the origins and practice of Iranian dance in this talk and performance by Dr. Farima Berenji. She will discuss Iranian rituals and beliefs in relation to dance, as well as how Iranian culture has impacted global music and dance traditions. There will be a short performance and audience participation dance as part of the program presented in the North Beach Library community room.
Rooted in one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the traditions of Iranian/Persian sacred dance and music embody the profound wisdom of our ancestors. Observing nature, the stars, and the rhythms of life, they crafted movements expressing love, strength, and spiritual transcendence. These rituals continue to inspire cultures worldwide, preserving a legacy of mysticism and artistic expression. Author Dr. Farima Berenji presents her research upon the evolutionary origins and practice of Iranian rituals, beliefs, and dances, exploring how Iranian culture permeated global music and dance traditions, developing distinctly from its sister nations. All this is explored in her soon-to-be released book Companions of the Sun
Dr. Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Sema Gathering
2025-10-02 19:30 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Golden Drum, 97 Green St, Brooklyn, 11222, United States
Join us in prayer for healing and peace, music, poetry, Iranian and ancient Mithraic whirling rituals, Yarsani Zikr and reading of Kalams (Zoroastrians, Iranic and Yarsani book of prayers and chanting). 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.
During our Sema Gathering, Master Farima Berenji will lead Zikr, Sema, and other rituals and ceremonies. Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with sacred and mystical Sufi poetry (Farsi and English), meditation, whirling with live and recorded music, then close with prayer and zikr.
Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji specializes in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been the recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Companions of the Sun Author Talk
2025-10-03 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Casa Clara, 218 E 25th St, New York, NY, 10010, United States
Companions of the Sun
A Lecture by Scholar Dr. Farima Berenji
Rooted in one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the traditions of Iranian/Persian sacred dance and music embody the profound wisdom of our ancestors. Observing nature, the stars, and the rhythms of life, they crafted movements expressing love, strength, and spiritual transcendence. These rituals continue to inspire cultures worldwide, preserving a legacy of mysticism and artistic expression.
Author Dr. Farima Berenji presents her research upon the evolutionary origins and practice of Iranian rituals, beliefs, and dances, exploring how Iranian culture permeated global music and dance traditions, developing distinctly from its sister nations. All this is explored in her book Companions of the Sun
Dr. Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…
