Into The Night: A Solstice Celebration
Sat, 21 Dec 2024 (EST)
05:30PM - 11:00PM
First Reformed Church
18 S Broadway
Nyack, New York 10960-3121
As the longest night of the year embraces us, we gather to honor the solstice—a time of ancient traditions and rich opportunities for introspection. This darkest period invites us to look within, to reflect on the shadows and light in our lives. In many cultures, this night symbolizes rebirth, as the sun is 'reborn' and light slowly returns.
Join us as we delve into the mystique of the solstice, celebrating renewal and the promise of dawn. Let us journey together into the night, embracing the magic and mystery of the solstice.
**Please Note: We are excited to feature an additional element to our programming this month - a cacao ceremony hosted by Fairy Hawk - preceding our standard dance programming. Attendees planning to participate in the cacao ceremony at 6pm must register in advance and arrive early. Once the cacao ceremony begins, the doors will close from 6:00-6:45 to maintain sanctity. Attendees who do not register for the cacao ceremony in advance will be admitted to the dance at the conclusion of the cacao ceremony at 6:45pm.
Ecstatic dance is a form of freeform movement where participants let go of inhibitions and dance to the rhythm of the music without following any structured steps or routines. It's a way to express oneself authentically through movement in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Ecstatic Dance Nyack's program features six key components:
Join us as we delve into the mystique of the solstice, celebrating renewal and the promise of dawn. Let us journey together into the night, embracing the magic and mystery of the solstice.
**Please Note: We are excited to feature an additional element to our programming this month - a cacao ceremony hosted by Fairy Hawk - preceding our standard dance programming. Attendees planning to participate in the cacao ceremony at 6pm must register in advance and arrive early. Once the cacao ceremony begins, the doors will close from 6:00-6:45 to maintain sanctity. Attendees who do not register for the cacao ceremony in advance will be admitted to the dance at the conclusion of the cacao ceremony at 6:45pm.
Ecstatic dance is a form of freeform movement where participants let go of inhibitions and dance to the rhythm of the music without following any structured steps or routines. It's a way to express oneself authentically through movement in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Ecstatic Dance Nyack's program features six key components:
- Opportunities to meet fellow community members and strengthen relationships at the start and end of each event.
- A dance warm-up that prepares the body and spirit for an evening of dance and somatic exploration.
- An extended set of curated dance music.
- A meditative sound healing experience to bring restoration after lively dancing.
- Complimentary fresh fruit and water, plus organic, locally-foraged beverages and snacks for sale from local artisans.
- A non-denominational altar to facilitate introspection and affirmation of one's own personal values, memories, aspirations, and intentions.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
5:30pm-6:00pm: Admission for Cacao Ceremony
6:00pm-6:45pm: Cacao Ceremony by Fairy Hawk (doors remain closed)
6:45pm-7:15pm: Doors Open, Mix & Mingle
6:00pm-6:45pm: Cacao Ceremony by Fairy Hawk (doors remain closed)
6:45pm-7:15pm: Doors Open, Mix & Mingle
7:15-7:25: Opening Remarks
7:25pm-8:10pm: Contact Beyond Contact Warm-up by Adrea Robles
8:10pm-9:55pm: Ecstatic Dance Journey by Shango
9:55pm-10:25pm: Closing Soundscape Journey by Yuj Archetype
10:25-10:40 Closing Circle
10:40pm-11:11pm: Socialize & Farewells
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING
- Comfortable and loose-fitting clothes that let you move your body and free yourself
- A water bottle or container to refill at the venue
- Good vibes and an open heart and mind
ECSTATIC DANCE NYACK GUIDLINES
- First, Dance with Yourself: If you choose to dance with others, do so from a place of giving, not taking. All physical contact with fellow dancers must be consensual. Consent is Freely Given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific (FRIES). To separate from a dance partner, you can show hands in prayer to signal your respectful departure.
- No Alcohol: Movement is medicine. The spirit of alcohol is not welcome at Ecstatic Dance Nyack. To maintain a space of sensitivity, authentcity, awareness, and clarity, we invite you to experience the depths of your own being without alcohol. Plant medicine is welcome only if used privately, respectfully and responsibly. No smoking within 50 feet of the premises.
- No Speaking: Ecstatic Dance empowers participants to explore and express themselves with movement and body language. The cessation of speech unblocks wellsprings of feeling and emotion that are otherwise limited by words. Connect with yourself and others in a new way.
- No Phones: Havent you spent enough time looking at it already?
- No Photography or Video: What happens here stays here. To allow for fully authentic expression and exploration of our deepest emotions, free from all forms of shame and guilt, participants can be assured that their experience will never be known outside the walls of Ecstatic Dance Nyack.
- No Shoes: To stay grounded, protect everyone’s feet, and maintain cleanliness, please do not wear shoes on the dance floor. Socks and special indoor-only dance shoes are permitted.
- Be Yourself: This is a judgment-free zone. Allow your body the freedom to move however it needs. All ranges of emotion and expression are welcome here, from joy to sorrow, and everything else. Let movement and music guide you to feel and display every part of yourself. All of you is welcome here.
About Fairy Hawk
Fairy Hawk Is a Curendera, Liberation Activator, Ritual Artist, Yogi, Indigenous Advocate and Sacred Sacrament Ceremonialist. Her mission is for humanity to remember their original divinity and to awaken and activate their gifts from within. She provides ancient tools, practices and Sacraments that can assist in this remembrance and activation, such as Channeled Readings, Reiki, Kundalini Yoga, Breathe Work, Intutive Body work, Light Language Activations, and Intuitive Ritual Body and Canvas Art. Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manifestyoursoul
Why Cacao?
Cacao is known as a powerful plant medicine, long revered in indigenous cultures for its ability to open the heart, foster connection, and elevate consciousness. 🌿❤️ It’s no wonder cacao has been used in ceremonies for centuries — its natural compounds can enhance mood, stimulate the senses, and ground you in the present moment.
About Adrea Robles
Adrea Robles has over 20 years as a LMT and yoga teacher, inspiring people to tune into and take care of their bodies.
As a Reiki Master-Teacher, she understands the impact our actions, thoughts, and emotions have on our energy and those around us.
Since discovering Ecstatic Dance, she has been hooked, as the freedom to honor your body's natural urge to move brings release, healing, flow, and joy and the positive energy generated here benefits all those who attend.
She is trained as a Contact Beyond Contact facilitator and is excited to share this practice of human connection via dance as a warm-up for this month's dance. CBC combines diverse dancing modalities, such as Content Improv and Passing Through, with healing modalities to help people authenticity connect with one another.
About Shango
Bringing indigenous and world sounds that uplift, enlighten and open the chakras, Shango brings his vision to life through the motion and raw power on the dance floor. Art and music collide, healing the audience of their traumas using movement, chanting, mantras, crystal vibrations, live drummers, and tribal ethereal release within the audience, purposefully increasing the power and influence of the healing energy directed toward the crowd each event, creating a massive healing movement in Philadelphia and beyond. World Music, House music, Cumbia Music, soulful hip hop & r&b, jazz fusion and binaural beats. Using music to help heal mental struggles. Learn more about Shango: Linktr.ee/DJShango
About Yuj Archetype
Yuj Archetype is a subtle energetics artist, somatic alchemist, musician and movement artist. He has developed a multi-disciplinary art for integration and embodiment in his self-mastery work. Throughout his practice and explorations, sound, the voice, music, movement and body language are essential parts of understanding transformation, authenticity, and creativity. Follow Yuj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuj.archetype
About MOON•MA Elixir Bar
MOON•MA Elixir Bar will be serving up herbal elixirs and dance fuel snacks with all organic and locally foraged ingredients. There will also be handmade herbal drink mixes, tinctures, body oils, & more to take home with you.
The mission behind MOON•MA is to share the healing power of nature through simple and effective daily rituals. A cup of tea. An oil massage. An herbal elixir. Through consistent moments of presence with the natural world, we can set ourselves up for optimal health, connection, and vitality.
Morgan, the creator of MOON•MA, is also a yoga teacher, artist, and is deeply passionate about women’s health, leading monthly women’s circles and ceremonies honoring the sacred rites of passage of pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
Learn more about MOON•MA: https://bit.ly/3CpOF8d
Mutual Aid
No one will be turned away due to lack of funds, so if you need assistance, please email us: ecstaticdancenyack at gmail. Conversely, if you have plenty, we invite you to pay it forward with our Generous Dancer ticket option to support our financial assistance program.
Stay Connected with Ecstatic Dance Nyack: https://linktr.ee/ecstaticdancenyack