Friday Rally & March for Peace and Justice

Celebrate Friday night with the Dances of Universal Peace. These energy and consciousness raising circle dances, formerly known as Sufi Dancing, blend folk-style dancing with words and themes from the world's religions.  They are a way to joyfully experience the innate heart-connection with each other and with The One, the Spirit that moves through all.

Each dance is fully taught, very EASY to learn, and guided. So fear not! First-timers are welcome and greatly encouraged to participate. In fact, each dance is taught as if the group has never danced before. Children who can follow instructions and maintain a sacred atmosphere are also welcome.

We meet every Friday at the Acadia Ballroom building (1829 NE Alberta St, Portland OR) at 7:30pm Contact Jack: 503-954-2942. $5.00 donation requested.

You can dance once a week or once a year, it doesn’t matter. Just bring your smile, the light in your eyes, and a desire to have fun!

Thank you!

Jack

  +++   Additional Information +++++ As in these timeless mystic traditions, the Dances use simple music, lyrics, and movements to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. No musical or dance experience of any kind is required and everyone is welcomed to join in. Participation, not presentation, is the focus. No special attire is required, although comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is best. Participants join hands forming a circle with the Dance leader and other musicians in the center. Throughout the evening, the leader teaches the group the words, melody, and movements for the next Dance and often provides some background history about that particular Dance. The teaching is always done from a compassionate heart in a comfortable, quiet, and often sacred setting. 

The movements and songs drawn from over 400 Dances include themes of peace (both inner and outer), healing (the Earth, individuals, and the global family), and the celebration of life's great mystery. Dancers focus on peace and harmony creating a sense of solidarity and community while celebrating the underlying unity of all the spiritual traditions of the Earth. By experiencing these many traditions, a greater understanding and appreciation of other cultures, as well as one's own heritage, is gained. 

When Dance lyrics include sacred phrases in their own native languages, special attention is given to insure that all have ample opportunity to pronounce the foreign words comfortably and correctly. Leaders usually make a point to have the group first speak and then sing the unfamiliar words. Most Dances are only four lines long and repeated many times, so learning is usually quick and easy - within ten minutes people are moving, singing, and sharing together. 

The mood of the Dances is infinitely variable, evoking feelings of love, joy, and compassion. Whether invoking the compassion of the Buddhist Qwan Yin, celebrating the playful energy of Krishna, or experiencing the related emotion of any other spiritual figure, dancers take part in a dynamic relationship between the group, individuals, and the self.

Friday Rally & March for Peace and Justice

Iran Teach-in

A post from member group AIFC:

Iran Teach-in
with Reese Erlich
author of The Iran Agenda, and who was in Iran
in the aftermath of the election

Friday, July 31
Time TBA
Multicultural Center, Smith Memorial Student Union
Portland State University

Cosponsored by American Iranian Friendship Council and
Middle East Studies Center of PSU

Celebrate Friday night with the Dances of Universal Peace. These energy and consciousness raising circle dances, formerly known as Sufi Dancing, blend folk-style dancing with words and themes from the world's religions.  They are a way to joyfully experience the innate heart-connection with each other and with The One, the Spirit that moves through all.

Each dance is fully taught, very EASY to learn, and guided. So fear not! First-timers are welcome and greatly encouraged to participate. In fact, each dance is taught as if the group has never danced before. Children who can follow instructions and maintain a sacred atmosphere are also welcome.

We meet every Friday at the Acadia Ballroom building (1829 NE Alberta St, Portland OR) at 7:30pm Contact Jack: 503-954-2942. $5.00 donation requested.

You can dance once a week or once a year, it doesn’t matter. Just bring your smile, the light in your eyes, and a desire to have fun!

Thank you!

Jack

  +++   Additional Information +++++ As in these timeless mystic traditions, the Dances use simple music, lyrics, and movements to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. No musical or dance experience of any kind is required and everyone is welcomed to join in. Participation, not presentation, is the focus. No special attire is required, although comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is best. Participants join hands forming a circle with the Dance leader and other musicians in the center. Throughout the evening, the leader teaches the group the words, melody, and movements for the next Dance and often provides some background history about that particular Dance. The teaching is always done from a compassionate heart in a comfortable, quiet, and often sacred setting. 

The movements and songs drawn from over 400 Dances include themes of peace (both inner and outer), healing (the Earth, individuals, and the global family), and the celebration of life's great mystery. Dancers focus on peace and harmony creating a sense of solidarity and community while celebrating the underlying unity of all the spiritual traditions of the Earth. By experiencing these many traditions, a greater understanding and appreciation of other cultures, as well as one's own heritage, is gained. 

When Dance lyrics include sacred phrases in their own native languages, special attention is given to insure that all have ample opportunity to pronounce the foreign words comfortably and correctly. Leaders usually make a point to have the group first speak and then sing the unfamiliar words. Most Dances are only four lines long and repeated many times, so learning is usually quick and easy - within ten minutes people are moving, singing, and sharing together. 

The mood of the Dances is infinitely variable, evoking feelings of love, joy, and compassion. Whether invoking the compassion of the Buddhist Qwan Yin, celebrating the playful energy of Krishna, or experiencing the related emotion of any other spiritual figure, dancers take part in a dynamic relationship between the group, individuals, and the self.