2001 - 2002
Brian Burke,
Open Secret School of Whirling
Twenty-eight years ago, Brian began a unique journey that has culminated in his "avocation" becoming his vocation. At the age of twenty-three, he attended a lecture on Sufism and a 12th century poet Rumi, and watched a demonstration of "whirling". Whirling is a technique of meditation through movement (see video clip - coming soon!). Brian was entranced and devoted himself to mastering the practice. He is the only Canadian to have toured with the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey.
Brian's oldest daughter, Mira, began whirling at age seventeen (see video clip below). She performed at last year's Montreal Jazz Festival before a crowd of 120,000. This spring, she completed a tour of Western Europe and Turkey with the Mercan Dede Ensemble of Montreal. Mira was breaking new ground because in Turkey, whirling is normally only performed by men. She received a standing ovation!
Open Secret School of Whirling has been launched! Beginner and Master classes have begun. In preparation for the official opening on March 21st, 2003, Learn to Turn workshops were held at UBC's the Chan Centre, and the Roundhouse. Performances were sold out.
Mira leaves December of 2002 on her next tour with Mercan Dede and Brian leaves January 1st, 2003 for Turkey to begin an international arm of Open Secret School of Whirling.
To see a video of whirling, please click below:
Phone: 604-986-9806
Email: raqib@paralynx.com
Website: www.vcn.bc.ca/rumi Read his listing in the directory. Read his media coverage.
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