“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
Dr. Farima Berenji, Dr. Anne Huang, and Samuel Cortez form a discussion panel on "Non-Western Dance & Healing." The 2025 World Arts West Dance Festival will focus on the theme “Dance as Health and Healing,” exploring what constitutes a healthy community. It aims to showcase dance and art forms rooted in cultural traditions, including sacred, […]
Dr. Farima Berenji presents a one hour Sufi whirling workshop at the 2025 World Arts West Dance Festival. Learn the basic technique of Sufi whirling (Iranian and Turkish style), history, and theory. Farima’s teachings are based on Indo-Iranian ancient rituals, science of whirling, and the sacred geometry of whirling. We will learn essential techniques of […]
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 […]
Join us for a special free celebration of the Fall 2025 Art Center exhibition "Pushing Boundaries: Ceramics and Identity." Enjoy a cash bar, hands-on art activities, and a chance to meet the artists in the exhibition. Palo Alto Art Center members join early at 5 p.m. for a special curator walk through. Special performances by […]
The Simorgh Dance Collective is a featured dance group of SpARC 2025. Mark your calendars for SpARC 2025 at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San José! This exciting festival will showcase incredible dance talent from around the South Bay, along with free dance classes and local artist vendors. Don't miss out on the opportunity to […]
The Roya Foundation Mehregan Festival features live music, performances, entertainment and food, arts, and craft vendors and more! Come to watch performances by the Simorgh Dance Collective. Roya Foundation Providing Humanitarian, Educational Assistance, Health Care, and Medical Aid Globally The Roya Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian, educational assistance, and medical aid to […]
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, […]
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 […]
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, […]
Discover the power and mystery of whirling as a gateway for self-growth and spiritual enlightenment through movement, music, and meditation. Inspired by nature, ancient Iranic rituals, the science of whirling, and the beautiful spiritual traditions of Sufism, join Farima to learn the essentials of whirling meditation including preparation, balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus, breathwork, […]