Scattering Stars

“We come spinning out of nothingness, scattering stars like dust.” ““ Rumi

Dancer Carolina Fonseca is a master of gypsy duende dance from around the world, including Sufi, flamenco, and Rajasthani dance. In this workshop, she teaches the basic philosophical and physical elements of the meditative spinning dance practiced as a devotional ritual by Sufi whirling dervishes, or semazen.

The movements traditionally comprise a worship ceremony wherein the purpose is to release the ego by spinning in accordance with the planets in the cosmos. The poet Rumi, whose work will influence this workshop, was known to commonly recite his own poems while whirling.

The workshop is followed by a free, short performance by Carolina in the museum’s Spiral lobby, at the base of the spiral staircase.

All levels, from novices to expert dancers, are welcome, as are all adults and children aged eight and older.

“Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free.” ““ Rumi

About the Instructor

Originally from Portugal, Carolina Fonseca’s movement roots began as a Chinese acrobat and competitive rhythmic gymnast. Her studies took her to Belgium, Central Asia, Far East, Middle East and the United States (New York City Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater School), and then to Rajasthan, India, where she learned Gypsy Dance.

She developed then her work by traveling and learning from families and virtuous gypsies chaste in different countries such as Romania, Transylvania, Hungary, Turkey, Egypt, Spain, France and Belgium and Maghreb.She studied Japanese Theatre Noh Theatre with Masato Matsura in Paris and Indian classical Kathakali Dance Theatre in Kerala, South India.

She has taught and performed in festivals, theaters, and sacred performances around the world, including solo presentations in the New York Gypsy Festival.

Carolina is directing her next show, Soul (Alma), in Central Asia in 2014 where she was invited to work as a dancer and teacher in Macau, Bali.Further presentations are slotted in India for 2013/2014.