About Our Dances
We sing, dance and pray together for peace within ourselves and the world.
The Dances of Universal Peace are simple dances set to the music we create with our own voices inspired by all of the world’s religious traditions. By singing and praying in the spirit of the many spiritual traditions of the world we can help bring healing to the cultural divisions that have been for centuries driving our world to war in the name of “religion.” The Dances of Universal Peace are a spiritual practice that brings us in touch with our sacred selves in an environment that allows us to honor the sacredness in each other. When we dance face to face, we are not just dancing with the person in front of us, but also with the divine spirit that is manifested through that person.
When We Gather
Ithaca Dances of Universal Peace
First Saturday of the Month
Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca, NY
The Ithaca Dances of Universal Peace will host its first in-person circle in over two years on May 7th at 7:15pm.
Much care, thought and discussion have gone into creating a safe, welcoming event amidst the ongoing pandemic. For now, we're inviting fully vaccinated friends who have tested negative for Covid within 24 hours to join us. Proof of both is necessary to attend.
FREE Covid testing will be available at the door to the first 40 participants who need it.
Please arrive between 6:30-7:00pm for this free service.Please do not attend if you're experiencing any Covid-related symptoms. (This includes head colds and aches, allergy, flu and GI symptoms.) Those with symptoms will be compassionately required to leave. Our Covid policies and protocols are works in progress.
We'll keep you posted as they evolve. We appreciate your understanding. We plan to continue to offer regular in-person and occasional online circles via Zoom to stay connected with our wider community that has flourished during the pandemic.
Our theme for May is (simply) PEACE. We'll sing, dance and pray for peace; within ourselves, among our friends, family & community, and on earth. We'll share Dances inspired by many of the world's sacred traditions. The focus will be on simple, familiar Dances.Participants are encouraged to practice however it feels safe to them;
with or without masks, holding or not holding hands, etc. A $10-15 donation is requested to help cover the cost to rent the Foundation of Light.
Weekly Sufi Meditation
Every Tuesday - currently via zoom
First Baptist Church, 309 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY
Each Tuesday throughout the year, 5:30-6:30pm, we gather to meditate and share spiritual practice. We often share sacred readings from the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, as well as other spiritual guides, poets, and inspirational sources. Meditations and practices can include silence, breath, sound, visualization, movement, prayer, song and chant, "zikr" or remembrance of unity, "wazaif" or attuning to divine attributes, and small group sharing and reflection.
1st Tuesday each month: Healing Service with Eileen Kotzer
2nd Tuesday: with NurQalbia Candice Emmons
3rd Tuesday: Dance Deepening & Zikr with Azad Volckhausen
4th Tuesday: Breath with Jalil Beuchel
5th Tuesdays: with Alia McDowellCo-sponsored with the Ithaca Sufi Center.
Connect With Us
Ithaca Dances Email
Dances of Universal Peace International
Dances of Universal Peace North America
Ithaca Dances Facebook
