Dances of Universal Peace comes to Lewes Aug. 29 to Sept. 1

The eastern regional Dances of Universal Peace community will gather in Lewes for its annual Labor Day event. Locals are welcome.

The series will take place Friday to Sunday, Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 at St. Peter’s Church, 211 Mulberry St. in Lewes and at Canalfront Park in Lewes.

A special Labor Day Weekend series of dances will celebrate the ending of summer. No musical or dance experience is necessary.

Samuel Lewis, a Sufi mystic, created the dances to illuminate the unity of religious ideas. He forged a community of remembrance where song, dance, and fellowship carry humans back to brotherhood/sisterhood in union with their divine nature. The dances use simple music, lyrics, and movements to touch the spiritual essence within and without.

Participation, not presentation, is the focus. All join hands in a circle around the musicians, and the leaders teach the words, melody, and movements.

Songs and movements include themes of peace, healing, and the celebration of life's great mystery. Dancers create a sense of solidarity and community and celebrate the underlying unity of all the spiritual traditions of the earth.

Whether invoking the compassion of the Buddhist Qwan Yin, celebrating the energy of Hindu Krishna, or experiencing the related emotion of any other spiritual figure, dancers take part in a dynamic relationship among the group, individuals, and the self.

Schedule at St. Peter’s is as follows: 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29; 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31; and 9:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 1. A Kirtan for Peace will take place at 10 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 31 at Canalfront Park.

All are welcome to any or all sessions. Fee is $10 to $15 per session (sliding scale). For info contact yasminhaut@gmail.com or call 717-329-2133 or 302-645-6133.