Shapeshifters Ecstatic Dance w Sara Bensman

Friday, May 22nd Evening Dance Wave 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Warmup 7pm | Opening Circle 7:30pm Facilitator | DJ Sara Bensman Intention: Shapeshifters I Am a Prayer by Joy Harjo I am a prayer I am a prayer of rain in the desert when the flowering ones need a drink I am a prayer I am a prayer of sun when there is no end to night I am a prayer I am a prayer of ocean when there is no more blue I am a prayer I am a prayer of clouds when few make rain songs I am a prayer I am a prayer of roads that lead everywhere but home I am a prayer I am a prayer of white birds who cannot fly through a storm of fear I am a prayer I am a prayer of fire who arrived to care for humans, then was misused to destroy I am a prayer I am a prayer of wind, whose breathing carries seeds, pollen, and songs to feed the generations I am a prayer I am a prayer of moon who wears the night as a shawl to hide that which should never be spoken I am a prayer I am a prayer of grief, when life gambled with death and gave up families for guns I am a prayer I am a prayer of smoke, wandering the broken houses, the littered ground looking for a white flag of reason I am a prayer I am a prayer of mountains, those tall humble ones who agreed to lift our eyes to see I am a prayer I am a prayer of forever making a path of beauty through the rubble of eternity I am a prayer I am a prayer of poetry speaking the soundlessness of the dead who return to speak in prayer I am a prayer with children on my back roaming the earth house of destruction and creation I am a prayer without end Gnosis, the knowing that comes from experience, from fully understanding something from the inside out, transforms our soul, and opens us to empathy, connection and a sense of oneness. To know something physical, such as a river or a coat, we must try it on, envelope ourselves in its texture, form, scent and movement. Our ancestors became the lion, the eagle or the willow tree through the transformational magic of trance in order to know how a lion hunts, an eagle sees, or a willow bends, but also simply to know those beings. This shapeshifting dance is an invitation to explore the essences of others in order find ourselves within our "family of things." About the DJ Sara Bensman Sara’s mix-making arises from musical exploration. She seeks to understand energy through somatic responses to sonic vibrations. Her facilitation is propelled by a desire to help build and sustain community by creating a safe, loving container for self-expression, connection and release. If you’d like to listen to her sets visit https://soundcloud.com/sara-bensman ~~~ ** Please note that the dance starts at Warm up. The doors close promptly at Opening Circle and any that come late will be turned away. Please be on time to ensure a safe and secure container. ** Ticket Prices: $15 - $30 or name your price. No one turned away for lack of funds! Pre-registration Recommended: https://ashevillemovementcollective.org/event/sara-bensman-20260522/ VOLUNTEER! We need volunteers. Volunteer and dance for free! Register to volunteer at: https://ashevillemovementcollective.org/volunteer/ IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS: Door will close at the beginning of the opening circle. Please note: NO ENTRY AFTER OPENING CIRCLE BOTH WAVES! Collective agreements: https://ashevillemovementcollective.org/our-dance/ About AMC: Asheville Movement Collective envisions a world that moves in harmony where all are free to be their authentic selves within a loving community. Our mission and aim are to inspire authenticity and healthy community through free-form dance by hosting dance waves for personal and community transformation. AMC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Location: 50 Bell Rd, Asheville, NC 28805 See you on the dance floor!