“Everything in dance is poetry. Every movement describes a story, a feeling. The dancer takes the audience into a world of fairy tales.” ~Farima Berenji
Join us for ancient Iranic rituals celebrating Yalda (winter solstice), the longest night of the year and the birth of Mithra. Shab-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, […]
A Lecture by Scholar and Ethnologist, Farima Berenji We have always known of Christmas on December 25th, with a traditional decorated tree, candles, and gifts. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ yet its rituals and traditions far precede that time. Unquestionably, our ancestors adopted the rituals from an ancient Iranian pagan religion known as Mithraism, […]
Channel - Connect - Transform Become outside yourself in dance! Channel your passion into another being or element and uncover how you can use your body to speak and guide you. All forms of life have a language within them. There is a subtle energy in every element, object, animal…. and the manifestation of the […]
An evening of ancient mystical healing rituals including breath work, Sufi zikr circle, Hu meditation, sufi walk meditation, and more facilitated by Farima Berenji. Open your heart, body, and mind in this mystical session of meditation, breath work, and healing led by Farima Berenji. We will seek the foundation of spiritual healing in the mysticism […]
Celebrate Persian New Year with dance and musical performance, as well as food. Special guest Masih Alinejad with dance performances by Farima Berenji and the Simorgh Dance Collective, and live music by Homeyra Banejad and Ensemble. Masih Alinejad Masih Alinejad is an Iranian women's rights activist, journalist, and author. Alinejad launched the “My Stealthy Freedom” […]
Sangam Arts & Guru Shradha presents Femina In celebration of women... Local master choreographers and artists representing artistic traditions from around the globe will present 75 minutes of glorious music and dance. Featured styles include Cambodian (Charya Burt), Chinese (Haiyan Jackson Dance), Indian (Bharatanatyam – Vidhya Subramanian & Odissi- Guru Shradha), West African (Cheza Nami), […]
Once monthly dance workshop on Central Asian ethnic dance taught by Nancy Rose Aktas, Farima Berenji, and Dr. Gurbuz Aktas. Cultural styles taught include Uzbek, Tajik, Afgan, and Azeri. Workshop dates are January 13, February 10, and March 10. Both men and women are welcome! Students have an opportunity to perform in a future dance […]
Roya-e-Ranghin A Dance and Music Journey Through Persia Join the Simorgh Dance Collective for a dazzling concert that celebrates the diverse cultures, music, and dance traditions of Persia. Featuring ethnic dances performed in costume by the Simorgh Dance Collective, and Farima Berenji. Includes pre-show dinner banquet. Doors open at 6:30 PM The Simorgh Dance Collective […]
Cultural & Mystical Tour of Iran Discover Iran’s beautiful cultural heritage and mysticism of the Silk Road! Led by Farima Berenji, internationally recognized dance scholar and award-winning world dance choreographer and performer. This unique travel experience and opportunity focuses on the history, mysticism, art, music, and dance traditions of Iran and the Silk Road. Guests […]
Join Farima Berenji for a four hour workshop in Sufi dance. Venture deep into your heart to meet your sacred self and learn various styles of Sufi whirling practices including breathing techniques and moving meditation. The workshop will be divided into two parts: Part I: Fundamentals, 10 am to 12 pm Breathing, basic techniques, and […]