50th Anniversary Dances Around the World [Video]

June 2018 marked the 50th Anniversary of the first Public Dances of Universal Peace led by Samuel Lewis in San Francisco.  Dance Circles around the world were invited to gather to dance and sing, and capture on video their group dancing the Kalama, one of the Original SAM Dances.  

Here's the compiled video.  Enjoy!  

Iowa Retreat Registration

From Points of Light Music:  

Registration is open for the retreats with Anahata Iradah in April!  Early Bird Rates and Registration continue until March 3.  See details at each link.  

For Dancers:  Dancing Ourselves Awake

For Dance Musicians & Leaders:  The Music & The Dance

Interview with Anahata and retreat updates posted on the Facebook events.  Help spread the beauty and power of the Dances by Updating your attendee status and Sharing the event with others!

Ya Fattah!  Toward the One.

- Morgan, Conie, and Mary Ann

For Sufis: Imam Bilal Hyde April Retreat

THE INNER CERTAINTY OF LOVE

A Residential retreat with

Imam Bilal Hyde

When:  Friday, April 5 - Sunday, April 7, 2019
Where:  Assisi Heights Spirituality Center 

1001 14th St. NW
Rochester, MN 55901

This workshop will explore the depths of universal love as revealed to all the messengers. This retreat is open to all, no experience necessary. As the mystical heart opens to divine love, we encounter our true reality. This healing process is deeply rewarding, spiritually and practically.

Registration information:
Full weekend Fri night thru Sunday lunch
Cost $385 (housing and meals included)

Commuter and partial weekend rates available

Shuttle service available from airport 

To register, please email marioncoit@hotmail.com or call Marion Coit at 507-398-6028.

(Updated 2/10/19)

2019 April 26-28: Anahata in Central Iowa

From Morgan Rivers, of Des Moines, IA: SAVE THE DATE!!!

More details to come, but I wanted to share with you the dates for our next Retreat at the Newton Christian Conference Center:  April 26 – 28, 2019

I’m pleased to say that Anahata Iradah will be returning and offering the retreat for us entitled: “Dancing Ourselves Awake”

With the theme:


"What if each dance called forth from us the ability to be so present that time stands still and we are living exactly in the present moment? What would we need to do, to adjust, to let go of to allow that to happen? What would we need to do to dance ourselves awake?”

Anahata will be orchestrating the retreat sharing primarily her Dances, inviting in other leaders and musicians as guided. (As last time, she will be leading a training for Musicians/Leaders of the Dances prior to the retreat)

Here is her bio in case you missed her in 2017:  Anahata is a senior teacher in the Mentor Teacher’s Guild of the International Network for the Dances of Universal Peace. She is a gifted musician, teacher, composer, songwriter, meditation teacher, DVD author and documentary film producer. The revered Buddhist teacher Shinzen Young has been her personal guide in the path of Vipassana meditation. With his encouragement she has combined the Dances of Universal Peace and Buddhist meditation techniques and teachings. She orchestrates spiritual pilgrimage to India, Nepal and Brasil. The quality that stirs her heart most is the attribute of kindness. She is currently working on an ambitious environmental project to make Troup County, GA (where she lives) a “zero waste” community.

 

Jul 28: Earth and Sky: Elemental and Astrological Walks of Universal Sufism

Here's a Link to sign up through Meetup.com:

The Minnesota Dances of Universal Peace

May 24: Dances in Ely

Where:  Ely Folk School (see below for address and map)
When:  Thu, May 24, 7-9 p.m.

Dances of Universal Peace are singing, moving meditations that incorporate singing divine names and phrases with simple folk-dance movements into an experience that helps us connect with the sacred that flows with love within and around us. Spiritual inspiration and guidance from all spiritual traditions are embraced as we open ourselves to the deep peace within our hearts that we may live by this inner peace and manifest peace in our world.

No experience necessary. All are welcome.

$6 suggested donation

The Dances will be led by Carol Orban, Carl Karasti and special guest Conie Borchardt.

June 23: Dances in Rochester

 

When:  Saturday June 23, 2018, 7-9 p.m.
Where:  Rochester's Assisi Heights - TEK Room, lower level

Come and weave a circle of sacred presence with experienced seekers and curious newbies alike. We honor spiritual traditions of the world by singing sacred songs and dancing simple steps in a circle of universal prayer. No former experience is necessary. You'll learn the words, songs and steps we'll be
using in a comfortable setting. There are no performers and no audience members. This is a circle of healing presence. Come and find out more for yourself.

All are welcome.

The leader will be Francis Gurtz, a "Certified Dance Leader" who's been participating in these Dances of Universal Peace for over 25 years.

Updates from the Light Upon Light Center

From Karima:  Our Dances are changing! [On the 4th] Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. we'll be heading out on a voyage of discovery piloted by moi, little old Irish-music-playing Sufi Muslim writer and creator of (literary) Intelligent Earth-Saving Alien Squid! (I sound like Gilderoy Lockhart, don't I? Non Harry-Potter fans, please disregard.) Inshallah there will be joy, laughter, deep diving and assorted wonders. You'll never know what happens unless you're there!

Aziza’s Note About Dances Changing:  Sometimes it's really good to be surprised, to NOT know, and to just show up with an open heart.  My nerdy translation:  Hakim is taking a break from running the Dances in their more “traditional” form, and Karima is excited to offer a Sufi Community Gathering featuring a version of the Dances and whatever else comes as inspiration. Here's a chance to enjoy time with a bunch of Sufis exploring the path of the heart using movement, music and more.  Karima’s Dances are very likely to be different from Hakim’s – we are so blessed to have both streams in one family!

Next Dance is Sunday, April 22, 2018, 2-4 p.m.

Where:  Center for the Performing Arts, 38th St. & Pleasant Ave. in South Minneapolis

Easter Dancing in Northeast

Sufi Dancing  

Sunday, April 1st
7:00 - 9:15 P.M.

at Holistic Gateway

Suggested Donation: $10

Come and weave a circle of sacred presence with experienced seekers and curious newbies alike. We honor all the traditions of the world by singing sacred songs and dancing simple steps in a circle of universal prayer. No former experience is necessary. You'll learn the words, songs and steps we'll be using in a comfortable setting. There are no performers and no audience members. This is a circle of healing presence. Words can't do justice to the beauty that unfolds here. Come and find out more for yourself.

All are welcome

The host of this circle is Saleem Adam Wolter, a "Certified Dance Leader" who's been participating in the dances since 2010, and has been on a program of intensive study with mentors since April 2014.

He can be reached by phone: 612-237-6690 or email: AstrologerSaleem@gmail.com

For more info on the dances: 

Dances of Universal Peace North America

And the universal Sufi order they come from:

Sufi Ruhaniat International
 

Aramaic Dances in Coon Rapids

Aramaic Dances of Universal Peace

With Will Hale

Aramaic was the common spoken language throughout the Middle East at the time of Jesus and the tongue in which he expressed his teachings. The Aramaic Lord's Prayer presents a whole cycle of renewal. Each line could have several translations into English, each of them a meditation and contemplation in itself. This will be an opportunity to personally rediscover the mystical roots of the words of Jesus.

When: Wednesday March 28, 2018, 7:00 PM* 
Where:  Unity North Church, http://www.unitynorthmn.org/
11499 Martin Street NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Admission:  Free Will Donation

*Please arrive 5 minutes early – we want to start on time and be able to hold a sacred place for our prayers

The Dances of Universal Peace are an inter faith gathering, blending sacred phrases, chant, music and movement into a living experience of Unity and sacred community. No experience necessary.

For more information you may contact Will Hale 651-307-3849 will@willhale.com.

Sufi Dancing  

Sunday March 4th
7:00 - 9:15 P.M.

at Holistic Gateway

Suggested Donation: $10

Come and weave a circle of sacred presence with experienced seekers and curious newbies alike. We honor all the traditions of the world by singing sacred songs and dancing simple steps in a circle of universal prayer. No former experience is necessary. You'll learn the words, songs and steps we'll be using in a comfortable setting. There are no performers and no audience members. This is a circle of healing presence. Words can't do justice to the beauty that unfolds here. Come and find out more for yourself.

All are welcome

The host of this circle is Saleem Adam Wolter, a "Certified Dance Leader" who's been participating in the dances since 2010, and has been on a program of intensive study with mentors since April 2014.

He can be reached by phone: (612)237-6690 or email: AstrologerSaleem@gmail.com

For more info on the dances: 

Dances of Universal Peace North America

And the universal Sufi order they come from:

Sufi Ruhaniat International 

Apr 20-22: Dancing Our Life Purpose Retreat

Dancers, Save the Date!


 

What:  Dancing Our Life Purpose: A Dances of Universal Peace Retreat

Over the course of this weekend, we will immerse ourselves in the Dances of Universal Peace and the Elements of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air to clarify and energize our individual sense of Life Purpose.Sessions will be curated by Morgan Rivers, Conie Borchardt, Heather Hayat Godsey, and Saleem Adam Wolter with assistance from dance leaders and musicians in the region. The Sunday morning Universal Worship service will be coordinated by Heather Hayat Godsey with support from cherags in the region.
 

When:  Friday evening, April 20-Sunday afternoon, April 22, 2018

The Dance Retreat begins on Friday evening with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and continues through lunch at Sunday noon. There will be dance sessions Friday evening, Saturday morning, afternoon, and evening. Sunday morning, the retreat will conclude with Universal Worship.

Where:  Newton Christian Conference Center,
5064 Lincoln Street, Newton, Iowa

The retreat location is the lovely Newton Christian Conference Center just outside of Newton, Iowa. A variety of onsite lodging is available between $29-82 per night and meal packages are available.

Early Bird Registration ($100) for the Full weekend is available until March 1, 2018, midnight. After this date, the Full Weekend is $125. Individual Day Registration is also available.

More Details and Online Registration at https://2018dsm-retreat.eventbrite.com

 

Contact Morgan@healingpartners.biz or kochmaryann2014@gmail.com with questions.

Please invite fellow dancers, leaders, and musicians! 

• Print and post this flier
• Share this facebook event
• Share on Meetup.com.

 

---

For Dance Leaders and Musicians

Come and offer your dances and your musical support for the Dances! Let us create these circles together!

We will gather a day earlier to find our attunements and then gather for an hour on Sunday afternoon to reflect on our shared experience. Your service in leading and playing music for the retreat is your registration fee. Room and board is your only financial commitment.

Dance Leaders and Musicians, please contact Conie@PointsOfLightMusic.net with questions. 

Jan 27: Dances in Rochester

When:  Saturday January 27, 2018 7-9 p.m.
Where:  Rochester's Assisi Heights - TEK Room, lower level

Come and weave a circle of sacred presence with experienced seekers and curious newbies alike. We honor spiritual traditions of the world by singing sacred songs and dancing simple steps in a circle of universal prayer. No former experience is necessary. You'll learn the words, songs and steps we'll be
using in a comfortable setting. There are no performers and no audience members. This is a circle of healing presence. Come and find out more for yourself.

All are welcome.

The leader will be Francis Gurtz, a "Certified Dance Leader" who's been participating in these Dances of Universal Peace for over 25 years.

Jan 7: Sufi Dancing in NE Mpls

Sufi Dancing

Sunday January 7th

7:00 - 9:15 P.M.

at Holistic Gateway

Suggested Donation: $10

Come and weave a circle of sacred presence with experienced seekers and curious newbies alike. We honor all the traditions of the world by singing sacred songs and dancing simple steps in a circle of universal prayer. No former experience is necessary. You'll learn the words, songs and steps we'll be using in a comfortable setting. There are no performers and no audience members. This is a circle of healing presence. Words can't do justice to the beauty that unfolds here. Come and find out more for yourself.

All are welcome

The host of this circle is Saleem Adam Wolter, a Certified Dance Leader who's been participating in the dances since 2010, and has been on a program of intensive study with mentors since April 2014.

He can be reached (text works) at (612)237-6690

For more info on the dances:

Dances of Universal Peace

And the universalist Sufi order they came from:

Sufi Ruhaniat International

Dec 17: Annual Rumi Celebration

What:  Rumi Celebration - 19th Annual evening of music, chanting, poetry, and sacred dance in honor of Sufism's Greatest Poet

When:  Sunday, December 17, 2017, 7-9p

Where:  Tula Yoga & Wellness, 99 Snelling Ave. N, St. Paul, MN (see map below)

Who:  with the Wild Moon Bhaktas, Hakim Bushnell of Light Upon Light Sufi Center, Rev. Ted Tollefson of the Mythos Institute, and you ... Bring a poem to share!

Suggested donation:  $10-15

 

Dancing December Updates

Where to Dance in December 2017: 

Francis Gurtz

Saturday, December 16, 2017, 7-9 p.m. @ Rochester's Assisi Heights with Francis Gurtz leading

 

 

Saturday, December 16, 2017 - NO Dances at St. Mary's Episcopal, St. Paul (for more details about these changes go to Points Of Light Music's page). 

Hakim Bushnell

Sunday, December 17, 2017, 7-9 p.m. - 19th Annual Rumi Celebration @ Tula Yoga, St. Paul with Hakim Bushnell of Light Upon Light Sufi Center leading dances, along with Wild Moon Bhaktas, and Ted Tollefson from the Mythos Institute.



Saleem Adam Wolter

Monday, December 18, 2017, 7-9 p.m. @ Holistic Gateway, NE Mpls - NEW Dances on the 3rd Monday of the month!

Sunday, December 24 - NO Dances with Light Upon Light Sufi Center (due to the Holiday)

Sunday, January 7, 2018, 7-9 p.m. @ Holistic Gateway, NE Mpls

Oct 27 in Morris, West Central MN

What:  Dances of Universal Peace

Where:  A Place to Move, 714 Columbia Ave, Morris, MN
When:  Thursday, October 27, 2017, 7-8:30 p.m.

Facebook event link to share with others!  Ask Conie for more details. 

Tasnim in Madison this weekend

For more information:  https://www.madisonsufis.com/special-events

July 2 at Spirit United

A Dance Circle on a Sunday morning!  Come!  Come!  Join us!

 

When: Sunday, July 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Where:  Spirit United (map below), 701 Lexington Parkway N, St. Paul, MN  55104

Saleem and Conie will be your leaders for the morning. 

 

 

June Dances in Rochester

Be an instrument of peace.

Join us! 

Saturday, June 24, 7-9 pm
Assisi Heights Spirituality Center
1001 14th St NW, Rochester, MN

Lead by Francis Gurtz.
Questions?  Contact Marion Coit, marioncoit@hotmail.com or 507-398-6028.

Summer Schedule Changes

Beloved Dancers, Please note the following changes on your Dance card:

• Light Upon Light Sufi Center will be holding its annual sabbatical closing in June this year.  There will be no Dance Circle on the 4th Sunday, June 25. 
• The St. Paul 3rd Saturday Dance Circle at St. Mary's has begun its summer vacation.  A regular schedule with resume in September.
• Saleem, our Dance Leader host at Holistic Gateway, assures me the 1st Sunday Dance Circle will continue unabated.  7-9pm on Sun, Jun 4, Jul 2, and Aug 6.

Kids Dances in Des Moines

Morgan, Certified Dance Leader, invites you saying,

 

 

Come, Come…kids of all ages.  ( :

 

It’s always a blast of JOY.



 

 

Feel free to download and use this poster

to invite others at your place of worship or via email. 

Sat May 20 @ Rochester: Become an Instrument of Peace

From Marion C:  

BECOME AN INSTRUMENT OF PEACE
Join us in the Dances of Universal Peace. 

Francis Gurtz

The dances are spiritual practices in motion. We use the sacred phrases, scripture, and poetry of the many spiritual traditions of the earth. The Dances blend chant, live music and movement into a living experience of unity and peace.

Francis Gurtz will be leading us.

When: SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017, 7-9 PM
Where: Assisi Heights Spirituality Center
1001 14th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota

Free will Donation at the door. 

Francis teaching a dance at the 2015 Villa Maria retreat.

Photos by Dean Johnson.

Newton Retreat Bonus: Fri Night Dance (4/28)

You're invited to the Musician-led Dance Circle that precedes the Anahata-led Dance Retreat on Saturday and Sunday.  The format will be a little different as Anahata will be giving musicians feedback throughout. 

What:  Musician-led Dance Circle
When:  Friday, April 28, 7-9 p.m.
Where:  The Chapel of the Newton Christian Conference Center,
5064 Lincoln Sreet, Newton, IA 50208 * 641-792-1266

Fee:  Free! 

If you'd like to come early for dinner and stay overnight with breakfast in the morning, please let Morgan Rivers know at Morgan@healingpartners.biz at your earliest convenience.  Lodging and meal details are listed on this registration form for Saturday and Sunday's retreat. 

Mar 26: No Dances at LUL



From Hakim of Light Upon Light Sufi Center:  

Dances of Universal Peace Potluck, scheduled to occur on Sunday, March 26, 2017 2:00 PM has been cancelled. Please update your plans accordingly.

If you have further questions, you can email me through the Contact Us link on Meetup.

Dear Ones, As you see, the Dances of Universal Peace/Potluck at both the Center for Performing Arts and Hakim and Karima's home is cancelled for the month of March. There is a large Sufi meeting in Madison that weekend, the Jamiat Ahm of the Sufi Ruhaniat International. Many of the people who would ordinarily attend the Dance/Potluck will be in Madison winding up a four day retreat. I have attended these retreats before. They are held every year around the country and are an absolute feast of bliss, sound, light, and movement. It is a rare opportunity to have one held this close to us. It is not too late to sign up! An event such as this is a great help in finding one's balance in these upset and upsetting times. It could be just what we need to return to a calm happiness and solid sense of proper direction. It may well be the heart's ease we are missing.

♥ JAMIAT AAM 2017, THE ANNUAL OPEN GATHERING OF THE SUFI RUHANIAT INTERNATIONAL
"Nurturing the Heart, Caring for the World".
Al-Jami is to gather, to bring together. The annual Jamiat Aam retreat is an opportunity to draw our community together. We welcome our family from near and far Calling all Seekers, Mureeds, Dancers & Mystics to join us, March 23-26 in Madison, WI. http://ruhaniat.org/pdf/mar17/JA2017.pdf

Much Love, Dear,

Hakim

Mar 25: Collette's Memorial Meeting

Colette at the 2015 Villa Maria retreat.

Dear Family, friends, Quakers, coworkers, Dancers, Zumberas, cyclists, singers, climbers:

To celebrate the life of Colette Jackman Miller, a Memorial Meeting for Worship will be held, under the care of Rochester Friends Meeting (Quakers). It will be in Crawford Hall at Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Rochester, on Saturday March 25th, 2017 at 2:00 pm. Informal dress is fine.

The Quaker Meeting will consist of an hour of silent worship, with all attenders welcome to “speak out of the silence” if they feel so moved. After the Meeting we will sing a few songs, followed by light refreshments and further informal sharing.

The address of the church is 111 Third Avenue SW. However, please use the west entrance door, which is on Fourth Avenue SW, just north of Second Street SW.

There is free street parking downtown, as well as the Damon parking ramp, whose entrance is on Third Avenue just north of the church and across the street from the Mayo Clinic Gonda Building.

In Love and Light,
Francis

p.s. Do contact Francis with any questions, either by email (gurtzmiller AT gmail DOT com) or at (507) 282-8966.

Apr 8: Rumi Meets Sofia: A Love Story

Coleman Barks

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities will be hosting renown Rumi scholar and translator, Coleman Barks, former Poet Laureate of Rhode Island Lisa Starr, and Sofia, a three-person musical ensemble, for a beautiful evening of music, poetry, and interfaith connection. The artists will weave readings of Rumi's mystical poetry with Jesus of Nazareth's Beatitudes sung in their original Aramaic. 

When:  Saturday, April 8, 7-10 p.m.
Where:  Bigelow Chapel
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
3000 5th Street Northwest, New Brighton, MN 55112
For:  The event is also accepting donations for two non-profit organizations as part of the event: Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment (RISE) and The Advocates for Human Rights.
Fees:  $50-75
Register:  Eventbrite

In Memoriam: Colette Miller, 1935-2017

It is with a sad heart to share with the Dances community the obituary for our beloved Colette of Rochester, MN.  Her smile was bright, her enthusiasm undefeatable, and her love was long. 

 

A Quaker Meeting to Remember is being planned and will be announced here. 



Colette at the 2015 Villa Maria dance retreat.

Please keep Francis and their family in your hearts and prayers during this time. 

Coming Soon: Dances in Winona

Long time Dancers from Winona, MN, Raqiba and Ron, have been chatting with dance leaders about leadings some dances at their intentional community some time this spring/summer. 

Conie took a visit and thinks these spaces will be just right for dances.  What do you think?

Inside their community room.
(don't worry, we'd move the Ping-Pong table and swing some of those couches back against walls)

At the outdoor pavilion:  cover for rain or strong sunshine
and open space for dancing under the blue sky
(sand volleyball, anyone?)

Stay tuned as details develop! 

In Madison: Jamiat Aam, March 23-26

For more information, visit the Special Events page on the Madison Sufis website, http://www.madisonsufis.com/.