The Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is set to host “The Dances of Universal Peace” on Friday, May 31, from 3-5 p.m., an event which Oma and Don Landstra hope will evolve into a recurring celebration.

“The Dances of Universal Peace are a joyous, mindful sharing, for newcomers and experienced dancers alike,” Oma Landstra said. “Danced in a circle, it is a spiritual practice, which opens our hearts to earth-grounded feelings of peace.”

Landstra spoke of the “deep, spiritual resonance” created by the dances, all of which are taught by leaders, and are “all-inclusive,” to the background beats provided by singers and musicians playing guitars and drums.

“From the beginning of time, sacred movement, singing together and sharing music have each existed throughout the world,” Landstra said. “The Dances of Universal Peace are a celebration of life, which bring people together with heart and meaning, as feelings of oneness are created.”

Landstra traced the origins of the Dances of Universal Peace specifically back to the late 1960s, in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, as part of the lessons of Murshid Sam Lewis, a Sufi teacher and Zen Buddhist.

“Murshid Sam spent time in Konya, Turkey, where Whirling Dervishes practiced their ecstatic dances,” Landstra said. “He was inspired, and was asked to return to his native San Francisco, to teach the hippies to dance these creative, celebratory, happy dances. Thus, he created the Dances of Universal Peace, which are now danced all over the world. Sharing this unity, joy and peace brings in a lovely rhythm and heart energy to each of our lives.”

Landstra said that John Galm will lead the May 31 Dances of Universal Peace in Port Townsend, to which everyone is welcome, free of charge, although donations will be accepted.

Galm has led such dances for many years, and from his very first participation in them, he’s also attested to feeling a “deep, spiritual resonance” through the dances, which he credited with drawing from many traditions.

“Originally, the Dances of Universal Peace began from Sufi traditions, and now, there are more than 400 Dances of Universal Peace, which invoke shared inspiration from Hindu, Hebrew, Christian, Native American and Buddhist origins,” Galm said. “Participation, not presentation, is the focus. We all join hands in a circle around the musicians. The leader teaches the lyrics, melody and movements. We are trying to revive these dances, after they stopped due to COVID.”

Galm and Landstra noted that the Dances of Universal Peace had previously been practiced for many years in Port Townsend.

"We hope to spark enough interest for them to come together again, every month,” Landstra said. “In my own experience, sharing these dances is a joyful expression of unity, and a celebration of life. Themes of peace, healing and joy are shared together.”