Join Farima Berenji and Simorgh Dance Collective for an evening of dance, poetry and sufi whirlingFriday Nov. 13th at the Abbey Studio in CumberlandThe Abbey Studio in Cumberland welcomes back international dance artist and scholar Farima Berenji for an evening of dance performances, poetry and sufi whirling. We will start the evening with Persian classical and Georgian dance performances by our special guest Farima. Also, expect to see performances by Simorgh (Farima’s Comox Valley Dance Collective), Russian Romany ’gypsy', Flamenco fusion and other styles of dance that night by guest dancers coming for the workshops that weekend. Following the dance performances, with Farima’s guidance we will learn personal and spiritual Sema (Sufi Whirling) as well as other turning practices, while listening to sacred poetry and music.
In March 2015, after the last weekend intensive, Farima’s Comox Valley Dance Collective was formed, the 1st Canadian wing of her intentional Simorgh Collective project. The Farima Dance Collective currently has member companies in Alaska, Turkey, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Mauritius, the San Francisco Bay Area and now in the Comox Valley! The Comox Valley Dance Collective is a group committed to furthering studies in Persian dance and dances of the Silk Road under the guidance of Farima Berenji as part of her larger collective project Simorgh. Collective members have been meeting for regular practices ever since at the Abbey Studio and have performed at many community events sharing the dances/culture respectfully in our community.
Farima travels worldwide to perform, teach dance and wellness. Her love and passion for dance and history has led her on an extraordinary life-long journey throughout the world, from her home countries Iran and Azerbaijan to other neighboring Silk Road countries such as Armenia, Kurdistan, and Turkey. Farima is strongly connected to spirituality & healing and is under the guidance and teaching of Mevlana Order Sufi master and dervish Dr. Rahmi Oruç Güvenç of Turkey. She hopes to guide people to the historic beauty and richness of the Silk Road culture and to help people find their inner bliss through dance, music, and sacred healing. For more info about Farima visit farimadance.com."The Sema ceremony represents the human being's spiritual journey, an ascent by means of intelligence and love to Perfection (Kemal). Turning toward the truth, he grows through love, transcends the ego, meets the truth, and arrives at Perfection.”Feel free to bring and share a poem, Percussion instruments and/or snacks to share. Please wear white or light coloured clothing and wear socks or soft soled shoes. All ages welcome, sliding scale $10-15 at the door, doors open at 7:30PM, Performances 8PM, Sema Gathering 9-10:30PM. We hope that you join us for a magical weekend of whirling and traditional dances from the Silk Road.For more information call Cathy at (250) 218-0704 or email cdstoyko@uniserve.com The Abbey Studio is located at the corner of 1st & Penrith Ave. in Cumberland.