Thursday, February 27, 2014

Dancing under the Stars

In July 2014 Tsegyal Gar, one of the centres of the International Dzogchen Community, situated in Massachusetts, USA, will hold a special event — the Inauguration of the Universal Dance Mandala.



This mandala is the largest of its kind in the world and will be used for the contemplative practice of Vajra Dance, which is transmitted to members of the Dzogchen Community by their master Chogyal Namkhai Norbu and taught by qualified teachers. Read more about Vajra Dance here. 
The Univeral Mandala is now housed in a magnificent building, completed in 2013.


Vajra dance teachers and dancers from around the world will gather on July 11, 12,13 for the inauguration at Tsegyal Gar with Chogyal Namkhai Norbu.


As well as the Vajra Dance event there will be a light hearted, extra curricular activity taking place, called Dancing Under The Stars, where different international Dzogchen communities present an original choreographed modern dance piece in competition with another gar. ( Gar in Tibetan means  encampment of practitioners. There are  Dzogchen Community gars on each of the continents of the globe, as well as a number of lings — ling means place).


In July a team from Tsegyal Gar (USA) will dance off against a team from Namgyal Gar (Australia & Pacific). Each will present an original modern dance piece 12 - 15 mins duration, which captures the nature of their community in an inclusive and creative manner.

In Australia preparations are under way with troupe of people already working on their dance moves under the expert facilitation and direction of choreographer Suze Smith. The next rehearsal period will be at Namgyal Gar South at Easter (April 18-21). It is not too late to join!

Click here for one of the music tracks we will be dancing to.

The dance team members will pay their own air fares to the USA and accomodation at Marie Stella Beaver Lodge just a walk away from Khandroling, where the inauguration and dance competition will be held.



Namgyal Gar Gakyil has announced a generous contribution towards  production costs and part accommodation of the dance team at Beaver Lodge which sleeps twelve people. There is still room for others to stay with us for $30 - $50 US per night. By sharing our accommodation you will also be contributing to the dance team effort. The Lodge is booked from July 7 - 22, so you can catch the inauguration and dance comp and stay on for the retreat wih Rinpoche, July 16-20.




If you would like to make a donation towards our production costs or have any questions about the Dance Comp please contact us here.

This blog post is written on behalf on the Namgyal Gar Dance Team Committee: Catherine Horner, Suze Smith and Jan Cornall.

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