BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Farima Dance - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Farima Dance X-ORIGINAL-URL:http://farimadance.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Farima Dance REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20190310T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20191103T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20200308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20201101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20210314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20211107T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20220313T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20221106T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20230312T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20231105T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Istanbul BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0300 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:+03 DTSTART:20210101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20200308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20201101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20210314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20211107T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20220313T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20221106T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Asia/Beirut BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:EEST DTSTART:20200328T220000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0300 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:EET DTSTART:20201024T210000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:EEST DTSTART:20210327T220000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0300 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:EET DTSTART:20211030T210000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:EEST DTSTART:20220326T220000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0300 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:EET DTSTART:20221029T210000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Helsinki BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:EEST DTSTART:20190331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0300 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:EET DTSTART:20191027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:EEST DTSTART:20200329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0300 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:EET DTSTART:20201025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:EEST DTSTART:20210328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0300 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:EET DTSTART:20211031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20220227T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20220227T130000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20220126T042806Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220314T012118Z UID:25633-1645963200-1645966800@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Sepandārmazgān: The Day of Love DESCRIPTION: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\, in this enchanting one hour lecture by Persian Scholar Farima Berenji. \nSepandārmazgān 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. \nListen 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. Invite your sweetheart and join us for fun in a tribute to the Iranian day of love. \nDr. Mehravar Sorush Kaboli We are also very privileged to have Dr. Mehravar Sorush Kaboli as guest speaker. Dr. Sorush Kaboli is a scholar of Iranic Studies and Mythology and Zoroastrianism. Her doctoral thesis was on the Gathas of Zoroaster. \nRegister URL:http://farimadance.com/event/day-of-love/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Lecture,Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Sepandarmarzgan-Day-of-Love-2-scaled.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20220220T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20220220T140000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20200604T003931Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220220T044142Z UID:22652-1645358400-1645365600@farimadance.com SUMMARY:The Art of Improvisation DESCRIPTION:Master the art of improvisation in Persian dance in this workshop with Farima Berenji. Learn the secrets for effective improvisation in Persian dance to different styles of music \n\nAs a single dancer\, in couples\, or in groups\nAs a solo performer\, dancing with a partner\, or in a group\nTo different music rhythms and tempos\nWith eight essential rules of improvisation in Persian dance.\n\nClassical Persian poetry and dance is delicate\, intricate\, subtle\, and full of meaning. Improvised dance movements often reflect the swirling of a birds\, mystical creatures\, beautiful gesture and feelings\, and dazzling spins. Delicate hand movements\, gentle upper body undulations\, and facial expressions are the essential elements of this dance. The dance emphasizes feeling\, rather than movement. The dancer tells a story\, teases the audience with her coquettish glances\, or can display a variety of expressions: reluctance\, joy\, sensuality\, pride\, laughter. \nIn Persian dance\, each dancer develops her own style and improvises within a recognizably Persian framework of movements. Persian women begin to learn to dance within their family when they are small. A third generation dancer in her Iranian family\, Farima will share her secrets for effective dance improvisation in this two hour dance workshop online. \nStudents are encouraged to be ready with poetry\, music\, or art image to create an improv. dance. Includes lecture and break time for creation of dance. \nRegister URL:http://farimadance.com/event/the-art-of-improvisation-22/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Online,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ArtOfImprovisation-3-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20220108T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20220108T180000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20220104T212417Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220104T212653Z UID:25098-1641654000-1641664800@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Dance of the Soul (Sema Gathering and Workshop) DESCRIPTION:Discover the power and mystery of sacred dance with mediation\, music\, poetry\, whirling and ancient Healing Practices. \nJoin Farima for a Sufi Whirling Workshop and Sema Gathering\, with sacred music\, meditation\, whirling\, Zikr (Sufi Prayer) and Sohbet (Sufi Talk). We will create a sacred\, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us\, relax and open our heart\, body\, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement\, music\, love\, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful\, sacred music \nOverview\nOur gathering is NOT a performance. More details about sacred dance and Sema training may be found here. \n\nFirst join for a welcoming circle and Farima will lead us into her unique 4 element breathing meditation or 7 mode music meditation and relaxation.\nWe will progress into various Sufi whirling workshop techniques and styles.\nNext we will progress into a prayer and open floor whirling with both live and recorded world sacred music\, poetry\, and drumming.\nWe will close with a Zikr (Sufi Prayers)\, ancient Iranian Shamanic rituals\, sharing\, a gratitude circle\, and Sohbet (Sufi Talk) by Dervish and Semazen\, Farima Berenji.\n\nFarima’s teachings are based on ancient Iranic 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. \nBy donation \nIn advance:\n\nWe kindly ask for no talking on the whirling floor and to keep the Sema area quiet at all times. Respect yourself as well as those around you.\nPlease wear comfortable clothing (white or light colored if possible) and wear socks or soft soled shoes.\nAvoid eating a large meal 1-2 hours prior\nBring poetry to share.\nBring a musical instrument that you play.\n\nNo experience necessary to begin participating. With help anyone can learn and master whirling techniques while respecting one’s own limitations. \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/workshop-and-sema-turkey/ LOCATION:Addar – Istanbul\, Kumbaracı Ykş. No:50\, 2XHG+FJ Beyoğlu\, İstanbul\, Turkey CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SemaGatheringTR2022.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211221T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211221T223000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20211103T175913Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220227T021144Z UID:24732-1640115000-1640125800@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Yalda: A Festival of Light DESCRIPTION:Join us for an evening celebrating Yalda (winter solstice)\, the longest night of the year. \nShab-e Yalda (Yalda Night) is the Persian Winter Solstice Celebration on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The Persians believed that this night is the night of the birth of Ahura Mazda and Mithra\, Persian God of Light and Truth. \nThe longest and darkest night of the year is a time when friends and family gather together to eat\, drink and read poetry (especially Hafez) and Shahnameh until well after midnight. Fruits and nuts are eaten and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant. The red color in these fruits symbolizes the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life. The poems of Divan-e Hafez\, which can be found in the bookcases of most Iranian families\, are read or recited on various occasions such as this festival and Nowruz. Shab-e Yalda was officially added to Iran’s List of National Treasures in a special ceremony in 2008. Yalda is observed in Iran\, Azerbaijan\, Afghanistan\, Tajikistan\, by Iraqi Kurdistan\, and in Turkey by Kurds and Azeris. \nPresented by Eastern Arts and the Simorgh Dance Collective\, this second annual online gathering will be accompanied by traditional music\, dance\, poetry reading\, presentations\, quizzes\, stories\, and more! \nAll are welcome. Please register in advance to obtain a link to the online presentation. \nRegister \nPlease consider making a donation at http://donate.farimadance.com to support our artists below \nArtists\nSimorgh Dance Collective\nSimorgh 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..\nEastern Arts\nEastern 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.\nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. \n\nSeyed Salman Hosseini\nSeyed Salman Seyed Salman Hosseini 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.\n\nNariman Assadi\nNariman 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. \nIn 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..\nDr. Lloyd Miller\nDr. 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\, was released in 2019 as Sufi\, Saint & Swinger. 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… \nKatherine St. John\nKatherine St. John Katherine St. John received a Master’s degree in dance pedagogy from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Persian from the University of Utah and completed coursework for a PhD in dance history and theory from the University of California. Katherine has performed and choreographed for theater\, dance companies\, operas and at universities for 30 plus years. She was an artist in residence teaching world dance to students throughout Utah and neighboring states for 20 years. Her Master’s thesis is about dance in Herat Afghanistan from 1970-1980 during Russian interference. Read more.. \nand others… URL:http://farimadance.com/event/yalda-2021/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Lecture,Meditation Gathering (Sema),Online,Party,Performance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Yalda-2021.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211219T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211219T123000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20211127T161942Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211221T184951Z UID:24863-1639911600-1639917000@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Christmas and its Ancient Persian Tradition DESCRIPTION:A Lecture by Scholar and Ethnologist\, Farima Berenji\nWe 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. \nOn 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. \nHosted 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. \nPark 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\, show proof of vaccination\, and wear a mask. \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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… URL:http://farimadance.com/event/xmas-persian-origins/ LOCATION:Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center\, 938 The Alameda\, San Jose\, CA\, 95126\, United States CATEGORIES:Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Xmas2021.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Center for Creative Living":MAILTO:safecorky@aol.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211212T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211212T113000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20211128T015455Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220227T021116Z UID:24855-1639303200-1639308600@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Whirling and Sema Celebrating Sheb-i Arus DESCRIPTION:Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with whirling dance (Sema)\, meditation\, music\, prayers\, and poetry. Sheb-i Arus commemorates the death and thereby union between the Persian mystical poet Khodavandeghtar Jalaludin Mohammad Balkhi (Rumi) and the universe. \nOur ceremony will be shared multi-nationally online with Master Seyed Salman Hosseini\, Master Farima Berenji\, and with live music by Dr. Lloyd Miller\, Nariman Assadi\, and Evan Phillips. \nThere will be sacred and mystical Sufi poetry (Farsi and English)\, meditation\, whirling with live Sufi music\, and Yarsani zikr. Please join masters and dervishes of the Yarsani and Mevlevi Sufi order for this sacred commemoration. \nWe will whirl and journey together to celebrate love\, unity\, and allow the light to enter our soul. Open your heart! Listen! Turn\, dance\, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive! \n$10-15 sliding scale donation. Your donation is greatly appreciated. \nOur gathering is not a performance. Come and join our sacred circle. Everyone is welcome to practice and/or observe. \nRegister \nGuidelines and Tips\n\nWe kindly ask for no interruptions during the ceremony. We will mute all participants during the ceremony then unmute for open participation. \nIf you are whirling from home prepare to wear comfortable clothing\, whirling skirt (optional)\, socks or soft-soled shoes. Avoid eating a large meal 2 hours prior.\n\nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. \n\nSeyed Salman Hosseini\nSeyed Salman Seyed Salman Hosseini 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.\n\nNariman Assadi\nNariman 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. \nIn 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..\nDr. Lloyd Miller\nDr. 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\, was released in 2019 as Sufi\, Saint & Swinger. 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… URL:http://farimadance.com/event/sheb-i-arus-2021/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DanceOfTheSoul-ShebiArus2021.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211122T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211122T200000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20211014T183644Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T174106Z UID:24635-1637604000-1637611200@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Whirling Workshop: Dance of the Soul DESCRIPTION: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 Persian rituals\, science\, 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\, and more. \nWhirling in the practice of devotion\, healing\, and meditation originated thousands of years ago with many ancient cultures using it as way of connecting the body and soul. Today\, Sufis use it as a powerful meditation ritual with music\, poetry\, and movement. Based on this centuries-old Sufi ritual\, whirling can unite mind\, heart\, and body. \nIn advance: \n\nWear comfortable clothing and plan to wear socks or soft soled shoes.\nAvoid eating a large meal 1-2 hours prior.\n\nNo experience necessary to begin participating. With help anyone can learn and master whirling techniques while respecting one’s own limitations. \nRegister \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/whirling-dance-of-the-soul/ LOCATION:Historic Villa\, Montalvo Arts Center\, 15400 Montalvo Road\, PO Box 158\, Saratoga\, California\, 95071\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/danceofthesoul-5-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211004T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20211004T200000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210911T002557Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210911T002839Z UID:24431-1633370400-1633377600@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Whirling: Dance of the Divine Nature DESCRIPTION:Discover whirling and ancient Persian mystic dance movements\, incorporating meditation and breath work as you unlock new ways of exploring connections between body\, mind\, and nature. \nInstructor Farima Berenji will guide you through the process as you open yourself to a deeper level of communication and interaction with your spiritual self. Whirling is a practice of devotion\, healing\, and meditation. Originating thousands of years ago\, it was seen as way of connecting the body and soul. Everything in nature was believed to have a soul\, and dance was used as a rhythmic ritual that helped us form connections with the world around us. Together\, we will learn these techniques and seek to discover the many ways in which the Earth speaks to each of us. \nRegister \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/divine-nature-montalvo/ LOCATION:Historic Villa\, Montalvo Arts Center\, 15400 Montalvo Road\, PO Box 158\, Saratoga\, California\, 95071\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210929T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210929T210000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210924T024338Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220227T021251Z UID:24487-1632943800-1632949200@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Dance of the Soul DESCRIPTION:Celebrating Rumi’s Birthday\n“Love is the bridge between you and everything.”\n~ Rumi \nJoin us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with whirling dance (Sema)\, meditation\, live music\, prayers\, and poetry. We will be celebrating the birthday of Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Rūmī \nOur ceremony will be shared multi-nationally online with live music including Pir Seyed Salman\, Master Farima Berenji\, Dr. Lloyd Miller\, Evan Phillips\, and Homeyra Banejad. \nJoin us for sacred and mystical Sufi poetry (Farsi and English)\, meditation\, whirling with live music\, prayer\, and zikr. \nWe will whirl and journey together to celebrate love\, unity\, and allow the light to enter our soul. Open your heart! Listen! Turn\, dance\, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive! \n$10 sliding scale donation. Your donation is greatly appreciated. \nOur gathering is not a performance. Come and join our sacred circle. You are welcome to set and feel the healing energy and prepare a poem to share as we journey together to be closer to the light. \nRegister \nGuidelines and Tips\n\nWe kindly ask for no interruptions during the ceremony. We will mute all participants during the ceremony then unmute for open participation. \nIf you are whirling from home prepare to wear comfortable clothing\, whirling skirt (optional)\, socks or soft-soled shoes. Avoid eating a large meal 2 hours prior.\n\nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. \nSeyed Salman Hosseini\nSeyed Salman Seyed Salman Hosseini 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. \nDr. Lloyd Miller\nDr. 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… \nHomerya Banejad\nHomerya Banejad and Ensemble Homerya Banejad is an Iranian daf player and vocalist. As a member of the Iranian Musician Union of Iran she has performed in Iran and the US with Sima Bina\, Hamed Nikpay\, Simin Ghanem\, and many more artists! URL:http://farimadance.com/event/sema-gathering-21/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DanceOfTheSoul-9-21.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210905T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210905T163000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210705T010817Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210813T075756Z UID:23907-1630850400-1630859400@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Dance and Rhythm of the Soul DESCRIPTION:Sema Gathering (Sufi Whirling) and Workshops \nLearn essential sacred rhythms on percussion with Nariman Assadi and Sufi whirling with Farima Berenji in this combined Sufi sacred music and dance workshop for musicians and dancers. Following the workshop participants will drum and dance in a Sema lead by both masters. \nMusic makes it possible to bring our awareness to the present and feel united with ourselves and the universe. Music is like a journey from the mind to the heart. Whirling dance originated thousands of years ago with the ancient Persians in the practice of devotion\, healing\, and meditation. Then as today\, music\, poetry\, and movement unite to help connect the body\, mind\, and soul in harmony and healing. \nFarima will teach the essentials of whirling meditation including preparation\, balance and posture\, controlling dizziness\, self-focus\, breathwork\, and more. Nariman will illustrate common Sufi drum rhythms for practice with the participants. \nGuidelines and Tips \n\n Dancers please wear comfortable clothing (white or light colored if possible) and wear socks or soft soled shoes. Avoid eating a large meal 1-2 hours prior.\nMusicians should attend ready to practice Sufi rhythms with their own daf or hand drum.\n\nThe workshop and Sema will be held online however we invite participants to join us in the studio with a mask. \nRegister \n\nNariman Assadi\nNariman 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. \nIn 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..\nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/dance-and-rhythm/ LOCATION:Center for Creative Living\, 1460 Koll Circle\, Suite C\, San Jose\, CA\, 95112\, United States CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DanceAndRhythm-2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20210822T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20210822T210000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210816T194357Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210816T194642Z UID:24212-1629658800-1629666000@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Dance of the Soul (Sema Gathering and Workshop) DESCRIPTION:Discover the power and mystery of sacred dance with mediation\, music\, poetry\, whirling and ancient Healing Practices. \nJoin Farima for a Sufi Whirling Workshop and Sema Gathering\, with sacred music\, meditation\, whirling\, Zikr (Sufi Prayer) and Sohbet (Sufi Talk). We will create a sacred\, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us\, relax and open our heart\, body\, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement\, music\, love\, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful\, sacred music \nOverview\nOur gathering is NOT a performance. More details about sacred dance and Sema training may be found here. \n\nFirst join for a welcoming circle and Farima will lead us into her unique 4 element breathing meditation or 7 mode music meditation and relaxation.\nWe will progress into various Sufi whirling workshop techniques and styles.\nNext we will progress into a prayer and open floor whirling with both live and recorded world sacred music\, poetry\, and drumming.\nWe will close with a Zikr (Sufi Prayers)\, ancient Iranian Shamanic rituals\, sharing\, a gratitude circle\, and Sohbet (Sufi Talk) by Dervish and Semazen\, Farima Berenji.\n\nFarima’s teachings are based on ancient Iranic 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. \nPrice is $15 – 20. \nRegister \nIn advance:\n\nWe kindly ask for no talking on the whirling floor and to keep the Sema area quiet at all times. Respect yourself as well as those around you.\nPlease wear comfortable clothing (white or light colored if possible) and wear socks or soft soled shoes.\nAvoid eating a large meal 1-2 hours prior\nBring poetry to share.\nBring a musical instrument that you play.\n\nNo experience necessary to begin participating. With help anyone can learn and master whirling techniques while respecting one’s own limitations. \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/dance-of-the-soul-salem/ LOCATION:Purple Door Yoga\, 10 Colonial Road\, Salem\, MA\, 01970\, United States CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/1-copy-5-2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Beirut:20210623T110000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Beirut:20210623T170000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210617T184712Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210619T170123Z UID:23812-1624446000-1624467600@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Whirling And Sacred Dances Of Nature DESCRIPTION:Due to overwhelming demand and for those who were unable to join Farima’s recent workshop\, we invite you to join us for a special spiritual Sufi and Sacred workshop in nature with Master Farima Berenji. Together we will call upon the spirit of nature (the trees\, flowers\, and the forest) and learn sacred dance and Sema (whirling) found in the spirals of nature. \nWe will explore the sacred geometry and the spirituality of nature and the seven sacred flowers/trees through Sufi whirling\, ancient Persian mystic dance movements\, meditation\, poetry\, and music. We will open to a deeper level of communication and interaction with nature and discover the many ways in which the Earth speaks to us. \nThe day’s activities include: \n\nFive Element Sufi Breathing\, Meditation\, and Nature Walk.\nBasic Whirling Technique for beginners.\nCommunication with plants through dance\, prayers\, and rituals.\nSema of Nature – Sufi whirling (Iranian Sufi Tradition) of the Seven Sacred flowers/trees among its mystical and healing meanings.\nPoetry\, Music\, Chanting\, Sharing Circle.\nZikr (Sufi Prayer) and Ancient Zoroastrian Prayers based on Nature\n\nThe location chosen is Pine Forest in Beit Mery \nArrival time is 10:30am. The workshop will start 11:00am sharp. \nWhat to bring: \n\nYour mask and preferred disinfectant/sanitizer. \nA poetry book or prose from which you might read and share.\nPotluck – light food like sandwiches\, pastries and fruits. Your lunch\, snacks and drinks\, and most importantly drinking water. (Please keep your choices vegetarian!)\nYoga mat or something comfortable to place and sit on the ground.\nPractical and comfortable walking shoes. (There is a downhill walk to the area where the retreat will take place)\nSoft soled shoes\, socks\, and whirling skirt (optional) for whirling\n\nRules & Guidelines: \n\nAll programs begin promptly at 11:00am. Please be respectful and arrive on time. Farima will give a single basic whirling technique training only at the start of the workshop so arrive on time. We will not go over the basic technique again that day.\nWe kindly ask for no talking on the teaching or whirling space and to keep the area quiet at all times. \nFor this gathering please wear comfortable and discreet clothing\, a whirling skirt (optional)\, socks\, or soft-soled shoes. White or light colored clothing is preferred.\nNo drugs\, alcohol or smoking are allowed for this event.\nNo video or photography is permitted unless permission is granted by the teacher/master.\n\nPlease keep the area clean and help each other to do so.\nCome with an open heart and be receptive to what comes up for you.\nIt’s a time to be of support and balance altogether in this sacred circle. We are all Love.\n\nKindly RSVP for registration\, and let’s whirl one last time! \nRSVP \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. \nThe Wellness Project\nThe Wellness Project aims to raise awareness and support community by presenting relevant and emerging information in the field of holistic well-being and environmental health. Read more… \nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WellnessMiddleEast\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessproject_me/ URL:http://farimadance.com/event/sema-of-nature-lebanon/ LOCATION:Beit Mery Pine Forest\, VJ64+62\, Ouyoun\, Lebanon CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/image003.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Beirut:20210611T193000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Beirut:20210613T170000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210525T174647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210525T183445Z UID:23700-1623439800-1623603600@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Sufi Woman's Circle Retreat DESCRIPTION:“From the beginning of time\, sacred movements and music have brought people together and healed the soul.” \nBased on the success of her last workshop in Lebanon Love is Calling\, The Wellness Project welcomes Sufi Dance Master and Ethnologist Farima Berenji for another weekend workshop dedicated to women\, entitled “Sufi Woman’s Circle Retreat”. \nWomen’s ritual dances and gatherings observe marriage\, fertility\, rites of passage\, children\, gratitude\, death\, and their unique connection of their body to the moon and cycle of nature for invoking the spirit and embodying the elements. You will be introduced to rituals celebrating the grace and joy of life and to a society where and when women were honored and people lived in harmony with each other and with nature. \nIn many cultures it is believed that each woman is the embodiment of a Goddess\, Divine Feminine Energy; and to stay in harmony with ourselves\, it is important to acknowledge and embrace them. In this journey\, we will gather in the mystical circle of women and honor the Goddess within. We will create a sacred\, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us\, relax and open your heart\, body\, and mind. We will explore the magic within us\, and spirituality about us. \nIn this retreat\, Farima has combined the sacred phrases\, chants\, music\, and movements from ancient Persian spiritual traditions and Sufism 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. \nThe full immersion workshop will include: \n\nWomen’s Sufi Dances and Zikr (Iranian\, Central Asian\, and Turkish Traditions)\nSacred Dances of the Silk Road\nAncient Persian and Central Asian Healing Circles and Rituals (Zar\, Gwati\, Chupi)\nHistorical Lectures\nEvening Gatherings\, Drum Circles and Sharing\nDances of the Sun and Moon\n\nSchedule\nFriday\, June 11: Welcome at 7:00 pm\, Program: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm.\nSaturday\, June 12: Welcome at 10:30 am\, Program: 10:45 am – 8:30 pm.\nSunday\, June 13: Welcome at 10:45 am\, Program: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. \nRegistration\nFull event admission fee is at LL350\,000 per person for the entire workshop\, to be paid up front upon arrival. You are responsible for your own accommodations. \nRSVP \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. \nThe Wellness Project\nThe Wellness Project aims to raise awareness and support community by presenting relevant and emerging information in the field of holistic well-being and environmental health. Read more… \nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WellnessMiddleEast\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessproject_me/ URL:http://farimadance.com/event/sufi-womans-circle-retreat/ LOCATION:Houna Center Hamra\, VFWP+2J\, Beirut\, Lebanon CATEGORIES:Retreat,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2438a62c-0848-ebc9-61de-c63f127cbadb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Beirut:20210528T170000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Beirut:20210528T210000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210520T214044Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210520T214120Z UID:23685-1622221200-1622235600@farimadance.com SUMMARY:ReBirth DESCRIPTION:Mina Image Centre is delighted to invite you to ReBirth\, a night of improvised Sufi dance\, music and poetry. \nPerforming artist Farima Berenji and musician Hanan Halwany unite for a magical performance of improvised Sufi dance and music. Joining them on stage will be Nicole Farah reciting a selection of poetry by some of the great Sufi poets including Rumi and Hafez. The performances will take place as part of Mina’s ongoing intervention “Beirut Kaputt?” curated by Stéphane Sisco\, with Ayman Baalbaki’s painting “All That Remains” as the backdrop. \nDates: 27th & 28th May\nTimes: 5 – 6.30 pm & 7.30 – 9 pm \nAdmission\nAdmission is free. Donations greatly appreciated.\nSpaces are limited so please RSVP in advance to: info@minaimagecentre.org\nOtherwise entrance will be on a first come\, first serve basis. \nDrinks will be sold at the bar. Please respect Covid distancing rules and wear your mask. \nSpecial thanks to Greta Khoury\, Bernard Khalil\, Jean Gibran\, Mersel Wine\, The Blue House Tea\, Riwaq Beirut\, The Saadallah & Loubna Foundation\, and Géraldine Blache. \nArtists\nPerforming artist: Farima Berenji\nMusician: Hanan Halwany\nPoetry recital: Nicole Farah\nProduction manager: Géraldine Blache \nFarima Berenji\nFarima Berenji Farima Berenji is an Iranian-American award winning Dance Ethnologist and internationally acclaimed dance artist\, choreographer\, instructor\, and Sufi Dance Master. Recognized and certified as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical Iranic dance ethnology by UNESCO\, she travels worldwide to record\, research\, lecture\, perform\, educate\, heal and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Farima is passionate about the role dance has played in her life. At her core\, she believes dance rituals invoke healing and harmony and feels strongly that bringing these ancient rituals back to life will help bring positive change to our lives. 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). More details… \nHanan Halwany\nHanan Halwany is a renowned Buzuq player and composer who has been passionate about playing and composing music since she was young. She studied music and specialized in the Oud and later the Buzuq. She is a solo Buzuq player and has also performed with a number of other renowned musicians\, bands and orchestras since 2011. Her music compositions have been broadcasted on radio stations and TV channels\, and were adopted in the musical score of a Lebanese movie. She was awarded a medal and certificate in 2019 by The Beirut Popular Assembly for her Buzuq playing and composing. Hanan is currently working on a solo album\, and continues to collaborate with local and international artists. She is also putting together a new band together with fellow musicians through which she is experimenting with new styles and compositions. \nNicole Farah\nNicole Farah is a human rights activist and a certified psychologist. She is currently working with KAFA\, a feminist\, secular\, Lebanese\, non-profit\, non-governmental civil society organization seeking to create a society that is free of social\, economic and legal patriarchal structures that discriminate against women. Nicole is a yoga teacher and 5rhythms practitioner with a passion for expressive dance and Sufi whirling. She has collaborated with artists and musicians on a number of improvised dance projects and live performances. Nicole also finds expression and rhythm in poetry and writing\, and has performed at a number of spoken word events URL:http://farimadance.com/event/rebirth-2/ LOCATION:Mina Image Centre\, Stone Gardens Building\, Darwich Haddad Street\, Beirut\, Lebanon CATEGORIES:Performance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/187006194_786978418873740_8522108556074995219_n-scaled.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Mina Image Centre":MAILTO:info@minaimagecentre.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Beirut:20210527T170000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Beirut:20210527T210000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210520T213641Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210520T213900Z UID:23679-1622134800-1622149200@farimadance.com SUMMARY:ReBirth DESCRIPTION:Mina Image Centre is delighted to invite you to ReBirth\, a night of improvised Sufi dance\, music and poetry. \nPerforming artist Farima Berenji and musician Hanan Halwany unite for a magical performance of improvised Sufi dance and music. Joining them on stage will be Nicole Farah reciting a selection of poetry by some of the great Sufi poets including Rumi and Hafez. The performances will take place as part of Mina’s ongoing intervention “Beirut Kaputt?” curated by Stéphane Sisco\, with Ayman Baalbaki’s painting “All That Remains” as the backdrop. \nDates: 27th & 28th May\nTimes: 5 – 6.30 pm & 7.30 – 9 pm \nAdmission\nAdmission is free. Donations greatly appreciated.\nSpaces are limited so please RSVP in advance to: info@minaimagecentre.org\nOtherwise entrance will be on a first come\, first serve basis. \nDrinks will be sold at the bar. Please respect Covid distancing rules and wear your mask. \nSpecial thanks to Greta Khoury\, Bernard Khalil\, Jean Gibran\, Mersel Wine\, The Blue House Tea\, Riwaq Beirut\, The Saadallah & Loubna Foundation\, and Géraldine Blache. \nArtists\nPerforming artist: Farima Berenji\nMusician: Hanan Halwany\nPoetry recital: Nicole Farah\nProduction manager: Géraldine Blache \nFarima Berenji\nFarima Berenji Farima Berenji is an Iranian-American award winning Dance Ethnologist and internationally acclaimed dance artist\, choreographer\, instructor\, and Sufi Dance Master. Recognized and certified as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical Iranic dance ethnology by UNESCO\, she travels worldwide to record\, research\, lecture\, perform\, educate\, heal and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Farima is passionate about the role dance has played in her life. At her core\, she believes dance rituals invoke healing and harmony and feels strongly that bringing these ancient rituals back to life will help bring positive change to our lives. 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). More details… \nHanan Halwany\nHanan Halwany is a renowned Buzuq player and composer who has been passionate about playing and composing music since she was young. She studied music and specialized in the Oud and later the Buzuq. She is a solo Buzuq player and has also performed with a number of other renowned musicians\, bands and orchestras since 2011. Her music compositions have been broadcasted on radio stations and TV channels\, and were adopted in the musical score of a Lebanese movie. She was awarded a medal and certificate in 2019 by The Beirut Popular Assembly for her Buzuq playing and composing. Hanan is currently working on a solo album\, and continues to collaborate with local and international artists. She is also putting together a new band together with fellow musicians through which she is experimenting with new styles and compositions. \nNicole Farah\nNicole Farah is a human rights activist and a certified psychologist. She is currently working with KAFA\, a feminist\, secular\, Lebanese\, non-profit\, non-governmental civil society organization seeking to create a society that is free of social\, economic and legal patriarchal structures that discriminate against women. Nicole is a yoga teacher and 5rhythms practitioner with a passion for expressive dance and Sufi whirling. She has collaborated with artists and musicians on a number of improvised dance projects and live performances. Nicole also finds expression and rhythm in poetry and writing\, and has performed at a number of spoken word events URL:http://farimadance.com/event/rebirth/ LOCATION:Mina Image Centre\, Stone Gardens Building\, Darwich Haddad Street\, Beirut\, Lebanon CATEGORIES:Performance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/187006194_786978418873740_8522108556074995219_n-scaled.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Mina Image Centre":MAILTO:info@minaimagecentre.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210328T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210328T120000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210228T020412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210303T223321Z UID:23364-1616929200-1616932800@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Traditional Afghan Dance DESCRIPTION:This lecture will present an overview of traditional dance in Afghanistan and influences by neighboring countries India\, Iran\, Central Asia and Russia. Katherine will be sharing her field experience and stories researching dance within Afghanistan. \nAll are welcome. Please register in advance to obtain a link to the online lecture. \nRegister \nPlease consider making a donation at http://donate.farimadance.com to support our artists below \nKatherine St. John\nKatherine St. John Katherine St. John received a Master’s degree in dance pedagogy from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Persian from the University of Utah and completed coursework for a PhD in dance history and theory from the University of California. Katherine has performed and choreographed for theater\, dance companies\, operas and at universities for 30 plus years. She was an artist in residence teaching world dance to students throughout Utah and neighboring states for 20 years. Her Master’s thesis is about dance in Herat Afghanistan from 1970-1980 during Russian interference. Read more.. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/afghan-dance/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Online,Party,Performance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210320T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210320T220000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20210213T202734Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220227T021339Z UID:23284-1616263200-1616277600@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Norouz Celebration DESCRIPTION:Join us for an evening celebrating Norouz\, the coming of Spring! \nNorouz 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. \nPresented by the Simorgh Dance Collective and Eastern Arts\, activities for our online gathering will include: \n\nTraditional performances of sacred\, classical\, and folkloric dances of the Silk Road\nLive traditional Persian music\nStory telling and lectures of Norouz and rituals across the Silk Road\nPoetry reading\nDance and music workshops\n\nAll are welcome! Please register in advance to obtain a link to the online presentation. \nRegister \nPlease consider making a donation at http://donate.farimadance.com to support our artists below \nSimorgh Dance Collective\nSimorgh 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..\nEastern Arts\nEastern 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.\nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. \nDr. Lloyd Miller\nDr. 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… \nKatherine St. John\nKatherine St. John Katherine St. John received a Master’s degree in dance pedagogy from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Persian from the University of Utah and completed coursework for a PhD in dance history and theory from the University of California. Katherine has performed and choreographed for theater\, dance companies\, operas and at universities for 30 plus years. She was an artist in residence teaching world dance to students throughout Utah and neighboring states for 20 years. Her Master’s thesis is about dance in Herat Afghanistan from 1970-1980 during Russian interference. Read more.. \n\nNariman Assadi\nNariman 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. \nIn 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..\nRashid Sadat\nRashid Sadat Rashid Sadat is a well-known performer\, originally from Tashkent\, Uzbekistan. His work in Central Asia included lead roles in popular films during early 2000’s\, plus regular TV appearances and as a daily radio host on Auto Radio Hamroh FM102. With over 10 years of theatre experience including acting and directing\, Rashid is also a well known folk dancer\, having performed at dance and music festivals in London\, Sweden\, Greece\, and Germany. Now living in London\, Rashid has expanded his portfolio to include work as an extra in big budget films. In 2015 alone he worked on Spectre (James Bond)\, Star Wars: The Force Awakens\, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation\, and others. In addition to film\, Rashid is also well known in London as a host for cultural and arts events\, and starred in his own one-man show\, Dervish\, at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre in 2012. \nSeyed Salman Hosseini\nSeyed Salman Seyed Salman Hosseini 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. \nHomeyra Banejad\nHomeyra Banejad Homeyra Banejad is an Iranian daf player and vocalist. As a member of the Iranian Musician Union of Iran she has performed in Iran and the US with Sima Bina\, Hamed Nikpay\, Simin Ghanem\, and many more artists! URL:http://farimadance.com/event/norouz2021/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Online,Party,Performance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NorouzGala-3a.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210220T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210220T123000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20171015T233045Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210129T234510Z UID:17165-1613820600-1613824200@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Dance of the Soul (Sufi Whirling & Virtual Gathering) DESCRIPTION:Join us at our monthly Sufi Whirling and Sema Gathering\, with live/recorded music\, meditation\, whirling\, Zikr (Sufi Prayer) and Sohbet (Sufi Talk). We will create a sacred\, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us\, relax and open our heart\, body\, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement\, music\, love\, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful\, sacred music. \n \nThis will be an online event only with participation by Zoom conferencing. \nOverview\nOur gathering is NOT a performance. \n\nFirst join for a welcoming circle and Farima will lead us into her unique 4 element breathing meditation or 7 mode music meditation and relaxation.\nWe will progress into Sufi whirling following facilitation by Farima.\nWe will close with a Zikr (Sufi Prayers)\, ancient Iranian Shamanic rituals\, sharing\, and a gratitude circle\n\nFarima’s teachings are based on ancient Iranic 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. \nFarima’s monthly Sema Gathering offers a unique expression of sacred culture\, inspired by nature\, ancient Iranic rituals\, and the beautiful spiritual traditions of Sufism. We will whirl and journey together to celebrate love\, unity\, and allow the light to enter our soul. \nOpen your heart! Listen! Turn\, dance\, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive! \nRegister online \nGuidelines and Tips\n\nWe kindly ask for no talking on the whirling floor and to keep the Sema area quiet at all times. Respect yourself as well as those around you.\nPlease wear comfortable clothing (white or light colored if possible) and wear socks or soft soled shoes.\nAvoid eating a large meal 1-2 hours prior\n\nFarima Berenji\nFounder and Artistic Director\, Worldwide Simorgh Dance Collective\, 2007\nFounder and Director of Dance of the Soul ® and the Awakening and Lioness Project ® (Ancient Iranic Warrior Dances and Rituals\, 2013) \nFarima Berenji is an award winning Dance Ethnologist and internationally acclaimed dance artist\, choreographer\, instructor\, and Sufi dance master. Recognized and certified as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology by UNESCO\, she travels worldwide to record\, research\, lecture\, perform\, educate\, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. She is a Magi (Iranian Shaman Master) and a Sufi. \nFarima has worked as a UN scholar\, researching and led an excavations team of Iranian archeology emphasizing the preservation of ancient and mystical Iranic dances. Farima’s dance and spiritual training spans years of intensive research with master artists\, scholars\, and spiritual teachers worldwide. She comes from the Sufi Order of Yarsan of Iran and has devoted her life into researching and brining back the ancient Sufi traditions of Iran and the origin of Sema (Khorasan Sema). \nFarima teaches her own original research findings\, methods\, techniques\, and exercises to uncover the connection between the soul and dance movements based on the book she is writing ‘Seven Sema’ the connection of human soul and the 7 sacred elements of life. Her signature dance projects (dance of the soul and the lioness) combines Persian and Near Eastern sacred and mystical dance forms\, history\, poetry\, and the Sufi and healing rituals of ancient Iran Persia\, the Altai Mountains\, and Central Asia. \nAs a scholar\, Farima presents new archaeological discoveries and research upon Sufism and its connection to the ancient Zoroastrianism and Sufism\, the human body\, and its symbolic meaning in the Universe along the pathway to the soul. She will introduce you to ritual movements celebrating the grace and joy of life and to a society where and when people lived in harmony with each other and with nature. She teaches her own unique movement and techniques that are researched and inspired during her various studies in Khaneqas (Sufi Houses) and Fire temples of Khorasan\, Kurdistan\, Tehran\, and Shiraz. \nFarima is one of the few Iranian women who has been allowed to teach\, write and perform the Gwati and Vahishta Sema Rituals in Iran and around the world and has been recognized by Iran and UN as the pioneer of bringing back the original mystic Rituals of Khorasan. She is the first Iranian woman to have received the CID-UNESCO award and certification and is currently the dance ambassador of UNESCO\, the first Iranian woman artist to receive the National Folk Dance Association award\, and the first Iranian woman healer and dancer to have been chosen for TED Talk. Farima is the recipient of the prestigious UN award and has been recognized by Congressman Mike Honda\, by the Iranian Women’s Rights Committee “30 Voices\,” Music and Cultural Organization of Turkey. Farima was the first Iranian\, to have been invited and perform during a reception for US President Obama\, Governor of Alaska\, UN\, EU\, Ambassador of Canada\, and Ambassador of Spain. Read more… URL:http://farimadance.com/event/sema-gathering/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Dance-of-the-Soul-Feb2021.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201221T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201222T000000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20201215T084605Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201221T024556Z UID:22668-1608573600-1608595200@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Yalda: A Festival of Light DESCRIPTION:Join us for an evening celebrating Yalda (winter solstice)\, the longest night of the year and the birth of Mithra. \nShab-e Yalda (Yalda Night) is the Persian Winter Solstice Celebration on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The Persians believed that this night is the night of the birth of Ahura Mazda and Mithra\, Persian God of Light and Truth. He was born on the morning of the longest night of the year. \nPresented by Eastern Arts and the Simorgh Dance Collective\, this first annual online gathering will be accompanied by music\, dance\, poetry reading\, Persian mythology and stories\, and more! Portions are recorded and live. \nAll are welcome. Please register in advance to obtain a link to the online presentation. \nRegister \nPlease consider making a donation at http://donate.farimadance.com to support our artists below \nSimorgh Dance Collective\nSimorgh 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..\nEastern Arts\nEastern 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.\nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. \nDr. Lloyd Miller\nDr. 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… \nKatherine St. John\nKatherine St. John Katherine St. John received a Master’s degree in dance pedagogy from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Persian from the University of Utah and completed coursework for a PhD in dance history and theory from the University of California. Katherine has performed and choreographed for theater\, dance companies\, operas and at universities for 30 plus years. She was an artist in residence teaching world dance to students throughout Utah and neighboring states for 20 years. Her Master’s thesis is about dance in Herat Afghanistan from 1970-1980 during Russian interference. Read more.. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/yalda-festival-of-light/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Online,Party,Performance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Yalda-SJ-2020-2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201216T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201216T113000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20201210T180805Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220227T021423Z UID:22667-1608112800-1608118200@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Whirling and Sema Celebrating Sheb-i Arus DESCRIPTION:Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with whirling dance (Sema)\, meditation\, music\, prayers\, and poetry. Sheb-i Arus commemorates the death and thereby union between the Persian mystical poet Rumi and the universe. \nOur ceremony will be shared multi-nationally online with Master Seyed Salman\, Master Farima Berenji\, and with live music by Dr. Lloyd Miller and other musicians. \nJoin us for sacred and mystical Sufi poetry (Farsi and English)\, meditation\, whirling with live and recorded music\, then closure with prayer and zikr. \nWe will whirl and journey together to celebrate love\, unity\, and allow the light to enter our soul. Open your heart! Listen! Turn\, dance\, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive! \n$5-10 sliding scale donation. Your donation is greatly appreciated. \nOur gathering is not a performance. Come and join our sacred circle. You are welcome to set and feel the healing energy and prepare a poem to share as we journey together to be closer to the light. \n \nGuidelines and Tips\n\nWe kindly ask for no interruptions during the ceremony. We will mute all participants during the ceremony then unmute for open participation. \nIf you are whirling from home prepare to wear comfortable clothing\, whirling skirt (optional)\, socks or soft-soled shoes. Avoid eating a large meal 2 hours prior.\n\nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. \nSeyed Salman Hosseini\nSeyed Salman Seyed Salman Hosseini 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. \nDr. Lloyd Miller\nDr. 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… URL:http://farimadance.com/event/sheb-i-arus-2020/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Meditation Gathering (Sema),Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ShebiArus2020A-2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201215T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201215T230000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20201201T185656Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201216T164652Z UID:22665-1608066000-1608073200@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Sema Dance in Yarasan Culture DESCRIPTION:Free lecture on sacred and Sufi dance and music of Iran followed by Q/A. Presented in collaboration with the Center of Eastern Music of Iran\, University of Tehran\, and the Yarasan Sufi Order. Special lecturers include Dr. Lloyd Miller\, Seyed Salman Hosseini\, Farima Berenji\, and Rouhollah Kalami. Online webinar is in Farsi and English. \nRegistration\nTo register for this free webinar send an e-mail with your name and return e-mail to emc.ir@yahoo.com. \nRequest Registration URL:http://farimadance.com/event/sema-dance-in-yarasan-culture/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Lecture,Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/SamaInYaressanCulture-1-2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20201204T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20201206T150000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20201124T031347Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210202T152414Z UID:22662-1607094000-1607266800@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Love is Calling DESCRIPTION:Farima Berenji\, Sufi Dance Master\, Dance Ethnologist\, Choreographer and Archaeologist\, comes to Lebanon for a special 3-day Sufism workshop on December 4th\, hosted by The Wellness Project! \nJoin us in the ‘Valley of Love’\, a path for healing and self-growth through the power of Embodiment\, Sacred Circles\, music\, and stillness. In this journey\, the promptings of the Inner Divine are found and love\, kindness and compassion flow naturally into our daily life. \nWe 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 rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation–through prayers\, whirling\, music\, and love. \nIn this workshop/retreat we will experience: \n\nPresence and surrender to Love.\nPractice of Devotional Embodiment and ancient Persian healing dance rituals.\nThe power of healing and love through poetry\, zikr and Sufi whirling.\nThe power of the sharing circle and acts of kindness and love toward self and others.\n\nThe workshop/retreat will also include: \n\nFarima’s unique 5 Element Breathing.\nBasic whirling techniques for beginners (Turkish & Iranian Sema and Semah)\nGwati and Zikr (Sufi Prayer and Iranic Medicine Dance)\nNightly Sema Gathering and Sohbet (Sufi Whirling Gathering and Spiritual Talk/Lectures).\n\nRegistration\nEvent fees are 500\,000 LBP\, to be paid in cash. This excludes accommodation rates which are 450\,000 LBP (inclusive of VAT and Breakfast)\, and an additional 245\,000 LBP inclusive of F&B for the whole weekend (Lunch\, Dinner\, Coffee/Tea). \nPayments with the hotel can be settled by cash or credit card. \nRegister \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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… URL:http://farimadance.com/event/love-is-calling/ LOCATION:Beit El Hana\, Maaser El Chouf\, Lebanon CATEGORIES:Retreat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/WEBSITE-WEB-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201124T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201124T220000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20201124T034940Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201216T163058Z UID:22663-1606251600-1606255200@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Musical Instruments and Sema Dance in Yarasan Culture DESCRIPTION:Free lecture on sacred and Sufi music\, musical instruments\, and dance of Iran followed by Q/A presented\nin collaboration with the Center of Eastern Music of Iran\, University of Tehran\, and the Yarasan Sufi Order. Special lecturers include Dr. Lloyd Miller\, Seyed Salman Hosseini\, Farima Berenji\, Rouhollah Kalami\, and Koroush Shokouhi. Online webinar from Iran in Farsi and English. \nRegistration\nTo register for this free webinar send an e-mail with your name and return e-mail to emc.ir@yahoo.com. \nRequest Registration URL:http://farimadance.com/event/yarasan-music-and-sema/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Lecture,Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FarimaWebinar-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201107T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201107T123000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20200904T212032Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201020T072352Z UID:21832-1604746800-1604752200@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Vahishta: The Calling of the Angels DESCRIPTION:Vahishta is a multinational performance of traditional dance and music\, acting\, song\, poetry\, and art with artists from and representing countries of Iran\, Lebanon\, Azerbaijan\, Uzbekistan\, England\, Italy\, and the United States. \nVahishta comes from the word “Asha Vahishta” (the creators of the cosmos). Their name means “immortal spirits”. They are angels of Devotion\, Truth/Righteousness\, Wholeness\, Good Purpose\, and are the protectors of humanity. When humanity calls\, the Vahishtas unify their power and enter a human body so that they can contribute to the fight against evil in a physical form. Only the pure of heart can call the Vahishta! \nEach performer possesses a talent that will embody the pure essence of their Angel/Vahishta. It is believed that this essence contains great power\, this can ignite each human being watching to create personal change. Collectively we can use this energy to create global change and unify the Earth. \nIt has been more than 7000 years since the Vahishtas have been summoned. In the Book of Avesta (The Zoroastrian Holy Book) it is stated that a time will come that Ahriman (The Dark Lord) will rise to power creating war\, destruction\, disease\, hatred\, and drought. Thus the battle between Good and Evil will begin. \nThe time is now to defeat the Dark Lord and evil that threatens to consume the planet. We are the Vahishtas! \nTickets\nOnline Event via Zoom with live and recorded performances: $20 \nTickets \nPerformers\nOur performing angels include Maliheh Shirvanian\, Paria Parvizi\, Roger Azar\, Jeffrey Ames\, Yasaman Ahmadbadi\, Laaya Hamsi\, Kiana Gholamy\, Alisha\, Maryam\, and… \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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.. \nNariman Assadi\nNariman 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. \nIn 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.. \nRashid Sadat\nRashid Sadat Rashid Sadat is a well-known performer\, originally from Tashkent\, Uzbekistan. His work in Central Asia included lead roles in popular films during early 2000’s\, plus regular TV appearances and as a daily radio host on Auto Radio Hamroh FM102. With over 10 years of theatre experience including acting and directing\, Rashid is also a well known folk dancer\, having performed at dance and music festivals in London\, Sweden\, Greece\, and Germany. Now living in London\, Rashid has expanded his portfolio to include work as an extra in big budget films. In 2015 alone he worked on Spectre (James Bond)\, Star Wars: The Force Awakens\, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation\, and others. In addition to film\, Rashid is also well known in London as a host for cultural and arts events\, and starred in his own one-man show\, Dervish\, at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre in 2012. \nHomeyra Banejad\nHomeyra Banejad Homeyra Banejad is an Iranian daf player and vocalist. As a member of the Iranian Musician Union of Iran she has performed in Iran and the US with Sima Bina\, Hamed Nikpay\, Simin Ghanem\, and many more artists! URL:http://farimadance.com/event/vahishta/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Performance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Vahishta-2a-scaled.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201004T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201004T170000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20200917T235410Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200920T122044Z UID:21885-1601809200-1601830800@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Mehregan Celebration 2020 DESCRIPTION:Mehregan is the Persian festival of autumn\, one of the most ancient Iranian festivals known\, when the community gathers together for prayers of thanksgiving and blessings. On Mehregan\, friends and family gather to celebrate the beginning of fall and its colors. \nHosted by the Roya Foundation\, the 2020 Mehregan Celebration is held entirely online with music\, dance performances\, and lectures. Includes prizes and auction by Gallery Eshah. Farima and the Simorgh Dance Collective will perform. \nView Program \n \n  \nRoya Foundation\nThe Roya Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian\, educational assistance\, and medical aid to disadvantaged children. Provide aid in the expansion of schools\, orphanages\, and hospitals towards the betterment of the lives of children globally. Their mission is to help provide the children with a well-equipped\, safe\, and nurturing educational environment enabling them to thrive as healthy and productive adults. Read more… URL:http://farimadance.com/event/mehregan-celebration-2020/ CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Lecture,Performance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_8596.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201003T103000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201003T113000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20200922T162456Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200922T162807Z UID:21918-1601721000-1601724600@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Persian Folktales and Fables DESCRIPTION:Enjoy amazing folk stories from Persia in this one hour lecture by scholar Farima Berenji. Hear of the ancient stories that inspired and have been adapted many times throughout history to become classic tales as well as Disney films such as \n • Rapunzel\n • Sword in the Stone\n • Romeo and Juliet\n • The Game of Thrones epic by HBO\n • 1001 Nights\n • Tristan and Isolde \nand more. Enjoy a retelling of these fascinating folk stories and fables from the history and folklore of Persia and its iconic land. \nRegister \nFarima Berenji\nFarima 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… URL:http://farimadance.com/event/persian-folktales/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Folktales.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200912T103000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200912T123000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20200818T054906Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200911T003734Z UID:21735-1599906600-1599913800@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Poetry in Motion DESCRIPTION:Where Movement Becomes Devotion\n“Everything in Persian dance is poetry. Every movement describes a story\, a feeling. The dancer takes the audience into a world of fairy tales.”~ Farima Berenji \nPoetry in Motion is interpretive\, improvisational\, and devotional dance form popularized by Farima Berenji that is inspired by mystical and classical Persian poetry. It originates from her research and life long experience in Persian sacred and classical dance. \nPersian poetry contains spiritual messages representing the Divine essence. The words in Persian poetry speak to us\, revealing the emotion of our soul. Persian poetry is rhythmic—it has an essence of melody\, which guides us to dance. The great Persian poets extolled dance in their poems to symbolize the power of life. Hafiz\, Saadi\, Omar Khayyam\, Attar\, and Rumi each represented dance in their verses as a spiritual instrument to become one with the Divine. \nIncludes live music and lecture by Persian musician Nariman Assadi. \nIn this two hour workshop we will \n\nDiscover Persian poetry mysticism and some of the fundamental Sufi poets of Iran and their perspectives on the divine love. \nLearn to bring the graceful words and symbols of Persian poetry to life. \nMove\, write\, and practice to various Persian poetry and poetic styles (working individually and as a group). \nLearn to use imagery from the verses of poetry for improvisation.\nLearn techniques to recite Persian Poetry\, find hidden messages\, and use it as guidance and healing.\nCreate devotional dances and whirl to the sacred words of Persian Poetry (both in Farsi and English).\nSing\, chant\, and dance either indoors or outdoors\, and whirl into ecstasy by listening to beautiful live music and poetry.\n\nBe sure to bring inspiring poetry\, prose\, or quotations to read and be ready to dance with others. Farima will help demonstrate movements\, illustrate technique\, and lead us in recitation of Persian poetry and Poetry in Motion. \nPoetry in Motion is Farima’s signature workshop that matches Persian and Near Eastern sacred and mystical dance to poetry as a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation through movement\, music\, and moving meditation. \nRegistration\nBy online video conferencing. Register for video link. \nRegister \nFarima Berenj\nFarima 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.. \nNariman Assadi\nNariman 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. \nIn 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 also teaches daf\, tombak\, and music for children. Read more.. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/poetry-in-motion-2020/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PoetryInMotion-5.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200905T103000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200905T113000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20200818T075811Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200818T195305Z UID:21747-1599301800-1599305400@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Witches and Demons of Ancient Persia DESCRIPTION:In ancient Persia\, much of Persian mythology is based on the idea of a good or positive force battling an evil force for control of humankind. This universal struggle between the forces of good and evil was the central vision of Persian religion. In this lecture by Farima Berenji \n\nLearn how ancient Persian gods were related to their demons\nListen to tales of witches that possessed mortals.\nLearn some of the names of the arch demons in Persian mythology\, their powers\, and vices.\nLearn some of the names of the witches and sorcerers in ancient Persia and their powers.\n\nJoin an hour of folk tales and stories of ancient Persian mythology and occult with scholar Farima Berenji. \nRegister \nFarima Berenj\nFarima 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.. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/witches-and-demons/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/witchesDemons4.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200711T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200822T123000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20200623T214436Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200623T215328Z UID:21582-1594467000-1598099400@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Haft Dastgah\, Haft Gham: Music and Dances of the Seven Persian Dastgahs DESCRIPTION:Poetry in Music and Motion for a Millennium \nAn online workshop for musicians and dancers with Persian dance scholar Farima Berenji and music scholars Dr. Lloyd Miller and Nariman Assad.\nA dastgah is one of the basic melody types of traditional Persian music as identified by music masters originating from the nineteenth century. It is a melody type that serves as the basis for a performer’s extemporized pieces. Each dastgah has come to identify a mood\, color\, poetry\, song\, movement\, dance style\, and recognizable beauty in classical Persian dance. \nLearn the character and history of each of the seven classical Persian dastgahs. Includes lectures and music and dance improvisation workshops for a program of seven classes over seven weeks. The program culminates in a student performance presented online. \nRegistration\nMeets Saturdays for 7 weeks\, July 11 – Aug. 22.\n$150 for full 7 week course\, $25 per class otherwise.\nSimorgh Dance Company members are eligible for a discount. \nRegister \nFarima Berenj\nFarima 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.. \nDr. Lloyd Miller\nDr. 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… \nNariman Assadi\nNariman 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. \nIn 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 also teaches daf\, tombak\, and music for children. URL:http://farimadance.com/event/haft-dastgah/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Class ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7Gam-Flier-edit2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Farima Dance":MAILTO:info@farimadance.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200708T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200708T200000 DTSTAMP:20260413T050732 CREATED:20190904T171207Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200703T022327Z UID:19301-1594231200-1594238400@farimadance.com SUMMARY:Whirling Workshop Series 3: Silent Whirling DESCRIPTION:Silent Whirling: Sema and Dancing to the Rhythm and Melody of the Heart\nWhirling in silence\, solely to the rhythm of one’s heart\, enables us to focus on finding calm and peace within moving meditation. Although circumstances vary\, those who practice silent whirling meditation within a group are often more likely to experience and share a wide range of emotions. In this class\, you will learn to find peace in silence. \nRegister Online \nFor more information\, call the Montalvo Box Office at 408-961-5858 10am-4pm Mon-Fri. \nAbout the instructor\, Farima Berenji\nFarima Berenji is an award-winning\, internationally acclaimed performing artist\, instructor\, dance ethnologist\, and choreographer. 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. Specializing in ancient\, sacred\, classical\, and folkloric dances\, she travels worldwide to research\, perform\, teach\, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance. Farima is founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective\, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO)\, and a 2018 TEDx lecturer and performer. Read more… URL:http://farimadance.com/event/workshop-series-3/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Class,Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://farimadance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/17.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR