It's A Way Of Life: Dance Class Series
April 3rd -May 3rd
DECEMBER
Dancing Festival of Lessons and Carol
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Matinee: 2:00 pm
Evening: 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Matinee: 2:00 pm
For tickets: $15.00
Sr. Deborah Lorentz, SSS
818-784-4515 x 3306
Holy Spirit Retreat Center Chapel
4316 Lanai Rd.,
Encino, CA 91436
The Valyermo Dancers in partnership with the Sisters of Social Service invite you
to their "Dancing Festival of Lessons and Carols" concert choreographed by John West.
This is an inter-faith, multi-cultural celebration of the Advent and Christmas seasons open to everyone.
Wander to Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino and celebrate the joyous expectations of Christmas
through music, dance, poetry, and scripture based prayer. Come be part of our prayer and cheer!
Phone: 818-784-4515 Fax: 818-784-0409
Saturday, December 10, 2016
2:00 pm Concert
Sunday, December 11, 2016
2:00 pm Concert
Holy Spirit Retreat Center Chapel
4316 Lanai Rd.,
Encino, CA 91436
Once again the celebrated Valyermo Dancers pair their sacred art with the mission of Holy Spirit Retreat Center to offer two concert presentations of their Dancing Festival of Lessons and Carols, choreographed by John West
Spend an afternoon at Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino and celebrate the joyous expectation of Christmas through dance, music, poetry, and
Scripture-based prayer. Open to all, this is an interfaith, multi-cultural and multi-lingual celebration of the season of light. If this is a return visit,
you will likely find new works added to your previous favorites.
Sidestep the commercial hurry and wander to Holy Spirit Retreat Center to celebrate Advent and Christmas.
Come be a part of our cheer!
HSRC contact: Sr. Deborah Phone: (818) 815-4496
May
The Balance of Living
As we continue to practice living through practicing sacred dance, this workshop will focus participants on the dance
and spiritual concepts of balance and imbalance; of centering and being off-center in various planes of living and movement
Sacred Dance Workshop at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Encino, Ca.
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A., M.Ed, M. A.
May 28, 2016
9:30 am -3:30 pm
This Sacred Dance Workshop provides an opportunity for dance prayer to be experienced by the dancer and non-dancer alike. Our time
together should serve as a resource of personal reflection and learning about living through the challenges we face as a Gospel people.
We cannot escape the forces that will try to knock us off of our path, but we can learn how to recover and use that energy to become better
selves, better members of our faith communities. Come and experience this new dimension of prayer.
John West is an oblate of St.Andrew’s Abbey and founder of the Valyermo Dancers. A gifted dancer,choreographer and liturgist, he has
been conducting dance workshops at St. Andrew’s. He is also a lecturer and educator at the international and national collegiate and
university levels. His professional associations include membership in the prestigious North American Academy of Liturgy.
To register, please contact: Sr. Deborah (818) 815-4496 or Holy Spirit Retreat Center (818) 784‐4515
Location: 4316 Lanai R d. Encino, Ca. 91436
A $10.00 non-refundable deposit to register.
$45 with lunch and $35 without lunch
FEBRUARY
February 25- February 28, 2016
BOUNDLESS MERCY/ MISERICORDIA INAGOTABLE
Los Angeles Religious Education Congress
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Avenue
Anaheim CA
The Valyermo Dancers will participate in the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim.
The dance company will serve as ministers of liturgical movement for the Opening Event, the Friday
Spanish Liturgy; Saturday English and Spanish Liturgies; Sunday closing liturgies.
Friday, February 26, 2016
8:30-9:30 am Opening Event & Welcome (Arena)
5:15 pm Spanish Liturgy - Archbishop José Gomez (Hall B)
Saturday, February 27, 2016
1:00-2:30 pm Moving With God’s Inexhaustible Mercy Within Us by John West
Workshop Period 5 #26 session
Hilton, Laguna Room
5:15 pm Protección de La Tierra Liturgy in Hall B
Care for the Earth Liturgy in the Arena
Sunday, February 28, 2016
8:00-9:30 am Eucharistic Liturgy in the Arena
3:30-5:00 pm Closing Eucharistic Liturgy, Archbishop José Gomez
MOVING With God's Inexhaustible Mercy Within Us
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A.,M.Ed.,M.A.,
February 27, 2016
Los Angeles Religious Education Congress
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Avenue
Anaheim CA
Hilton, Laguna Room
Period 5
1:00-2:30 pm
The Gospel often calls us to be like little children with their boundless energy and loving spirits: it invites us to dance with their spirit
and that of the angels, the promise of heaven just before us. Come enjoy this sacred recreation and the joy of God with us, Emmanuel!
This interactive workshop welcomes all levels of experience.
John West is an educational consultant for Independent schools and schools for the gifted. He is an oblate of St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, Calif.
and founder of the Valyermo Dancers. As a lecturer in medieval and sacred dance, a gifted choreographer, dancer, and liturgist, he has been conducting
workshops at St. Andrew's Abbey as well as international and national collegiate and university venues. He and his company are regular participants in
the Religious Education Congress; John also serves on the Congress Liturgy Committee. His professional associations include membership in the
prestigious North American Academy of Liturgy.
JANUARY 2016
Dancing Into the Soul of the World
"When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way."
-Wayne Dye
January 15th-18th 2016
Valyermo Mid-Winter Dance Workshop
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A., M.Ed., M.A., and Fr. Philip Edwards, OSB.
With contributing artists ValLimar & Frank Jansen
St. Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, CA
$350 single room; $287.50 shared room.
Price includes meals.
The work and prayer of sacred dance becomes the vehicle for this weekend of celebration and praise of the unifying breath of the living God who created
our diverse, multi-formed, humanity. Dancers, musicians, and poets of good faith are called together this weekend to translate religious, biblical, and liturgical themes into moving art reflective of God’s creative presence in all of humankind. The days are full of scripture, dance, prayer, and fellowship; the evenings are open to silence and reflection. Sunday night provides the participants the opportunity to offer, in the company of the monks, the work of previous days in a worshipful setting. (Bring, along with your imagination and creativity, a Bible, a moleskin or journal, your musical instruments, dance work clothes, and clothing suitable for liturgical celebrations.)
Please Contact St. Andrew’s Abbey: retreats@valyermo.com or call (661)944-2178 http://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/
John West is an oblate of Valyermo and founder of the Valyermo Dancers. A gifted dancer, choreographer, and liturgist, he has been conducting workshops at St. Andrew’s,
as well as at the international and national collegiate and university levels. His professional associations include membership in the prestigious North American Academy of Liturg
JUNE
Aware of Being Moved
We are called on a journey of faith that leads us to
recognize landmark experiences along the way.
These landmarks help reinforce our belief and hope that we are
where we need to be at the right time. We often do not
arrive by our own conscious design, but by the silent yet
powerful winds of the Spirit. We arrive because we have
been moved, emotionally, physically, spiritually.
Come surrender to the movement through the beauty
and power of sacred dance.
Sacred Dance Workshop at St. Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo Ca.
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A., M.Ed., M.A.
June 18th , 2016
9:00 am -4:30 pm
To register, please contact St. Andrew’s Abbey: email to retreats@valyermo.com or call (661) 944-2178
Workshop tuition: $40.00, includes continental breakfast, coffee, tea, and water.
These beverages are available throughout the day. Lunch is served following the noon Mass.
John West is an educational consultant for Independent schools and schools for the gifted. He is an oblate of St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, Calif.
and founder of the Valyermo Dancers. As a lecturer in medieval and sacred dance, a gifted choreographer, dancer, and liturgist, he has been conducting
workshops at St. Andrew's Abbey, Holy Spirit Retreat Center, as well as international and national collegiate and university venues. He and his company are regular participants in the Religious Education Congress; John also serves on the Congress Liturgy Committee. His professional associations include membership in the prestigious North American Academy of Liturgy.
DECEMBER
Dancing Festival of Lessons and Carols Concert
Discovering the Living Desert and Creator Spirit
July 21th -23rd 2017
Valyermo Summer Sacred Dance Workshop
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A., M.Ed., M.A., and Fr. Philip Edwards, OSB
Creation and our shared role in it usually display themselves in the lush of spring and summer; the green of forest and blue, teaming shores and depths of water.
Come rediscover the “seamless beauty” of Mother Earth, God’s original gift of “all that is” in the midst of the mysterious desert and the warmth of the California summer. Participants will revisit the dance of creation as called by the psalms, the dance of Miriam at the Exodus, and the spirituality of the Desert Mothers. We will come to sing and dance together “Laudato, Si.”
Dancers, musicians, artists, liturgists, and poets of faith are called together this weekend to translate our care for the Earth into movement reflective of God’s creative energy in all of humankind. The days are full of scripture, dance, prayer, and fellowship; evenings are open to silence and reflection. Participants will have the opportunity to offer the work of previous days in a worshipful setting. Bring comfortable clothes to move with ease.
Please Contact St. Andrew’s Abbey: retreats@valyermo.com or call (661)944-2178 http://www.saintandrew
MAY
Finding Moments of Gratitude, Healing, and Joy
Holy Spirit Retreat Center
Sacred Dance Workshop
May 20, 2017 9:30 am-3:30 pm
Let your life’s dance include steps, great and small, that give thanks for what you have, preparing you for the joys and gifts to come. The more actions of gratitude we seek and do, the more joy and balance we will find. Come celebrate and practice these steps of life in the dance! This Sacred Dance Workshop provides an opportunity for dance prayer to be experienced by the dancer and non-dancer alike. Come and experience this new dimension of pray
FEBRUARY
February 24- February 26, 2017
EMBRACE TRUST/ CONFIA
Los Angeles Religious Education Congress
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Avenue
Anaheim CA
The Valyermo Dancers will participate in the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim.
The dance company will serve as ministers of liturgical movement for the Opening Event, the Friday
Spanish Liturgy; Saturday English and Spanish Liturgies; Sunday closing liturgies.
Friday, February 24, 2017
8:30-9:30 am Opening Event & Welcome (Arena)
5:15- 6:45 pm Joy of Love In Marriage Liturgy
Spanish Liturgy - Archbishop José Gomez (Hall B)
Saturday , February 25, 2017
10:00-11::30 am Moving With Trusting Hearts and Minds for Grace to Enter from Unlikely Places Workshop Period 4 #4 23 session
5:15-6:45 pm Inmigrantes, Exiliados y Refugiados Hall B
- Immigrants, Exiles & Refugees in the Arena
Sunday, February 26, 2017
8:00-9:30 am Eucharistic Liturgy
3:30-5:00 pm Closing Eucharistic Liturgy, Archbishop José Gomez
JANUARY-MARCH 2017
It's A Way of Life
Keep healthy in body and spirit by
integrating physical and spiritual exercises
through modern dance in a sacred mode
John West, Director of the Valyermo Dancers and workshop facilitator at both St. Andrew’s Abbey and HSRC, offers
two series of modern dance classes that integrate both physical and spiritual exercises. Using his rich background in
Graham, Humphrey-Weidman, Horton, and Dunham techniques, John will lead students from teens and young adults
to seniors to improve their physical condition and ward off the intimidations and restrictions of stress and limited
physical abilities. With attention to the physical core and the spiritual core, movers and dancers will develop a sense of
community and joy in the celebration of Life and the gifts of the Creator. The classes will offer a unique opportunity
for friends and those in relationship to speak and communicate in & through dance,
“the hidden language of the soul" [Martha Graham].
"I will transform the valley of trouble into a gateway of hope.”
-Hosea 2:15
January 13th-16th 2017
Valyermo Mid-Winter Dance Workshop
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A., M.Ed., M.A., and Fr. Philip Edwards, OSB.
St. Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, CA
$350 single room; $287.50 shared room.
Price includes meals.
Hope is the dream of the soul awake; hope has no boundaries. Though we believe hope is a perennial flower of the human spirit, its seeds must be discovered, watered, and tended in each of our lives. That calls for time apart, time to reflect and tend to the spirit. This workshop is an invitation to come to the Abbey as a gateway and to use this retreat to sow those seeds of hope deep within; to look forward to a full healing and harvest of our soulful selves. Dancers, musicians, artists, liturgists, and poets of faith are called together this weekend to translate hope into movement reflective of God’s creative presence in all of humankind. The days are full of scripture, dance, prayer, and fellowship; evenings are open to silence and reflection. Sunday night provides the participants the opportunity to offer the work of previous days in a worshipful setting and in the company of the monks. Bring comfortable clothes to move with ease.
Please Contact St. Andrew’s Abbey: retreats@valyermo.com or call (661)944-2178 http://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/
Holy Spirit Retreat Center
4316 Lanai Rd.,
Encino, CA 91436
Sr. Deborah
Phone: (818) 815-4496
Ten Session Series:
Thursday evenings 7-8:30 pm
*January 12, 19, 26
*February 2, 9, 16
*March 2, 16, 23, 30
Fee: $20 per session or
prepaid series of ten: $180
SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER
It's A Way Of Life
John West, Director of the Valyermo Dancers and workshop facilitator at both St. Andrew’s Abbey and HSRC, offers two series
of modern dance classes that integrate both physical and spiritual exercises. Using his rich background in Graham,
Humphrey-Weidman, Horton, and Dunham techniques, John will lead students from teens and young adults
o seniors to improve their physical condition and ward off the intimidations and restrictions of stress and limited
physical abilities. With attention to the physical core and the spiritual core, movers and dancers will develop a sense of
community and joy in the celebration of Life and the gifts of the Creator. The classes will offer a unique opportunity
for friends and those in relationship to speak and communicate in & through dance,
“the hidden language of the soul” [Martha Graham].
Six Sessions Series:
Thursday evening
7-8:30 pm
September 14, 21, 28
October 12, 19, 26
Fee: $20 per session or
prepaid series of six: $155
Holy Spirit Retreat Center
4316 Lanai Rd.,
Encino, CA 91436
Sr. Deborah
Phone: (818) 815-4496
The Sacred Space of Humanity
The Sacred Space of Humanity
Valyermo Mid-Winter Dance Workshop
January 12th-15th 2018
This workshop is an invitation to step into the sacred space of the Abbey and use it as a portal into
the sacred space of our humanity. Overcoming the division and fraction between one another
calls for the "application of Trust"--prayer.
Dancers, musicians, artists, liturgists, and poets of faith are called together this weekend to move beyond words into heartfelt and embodied prayers for and about the dignity, mutual respect, and faith love we share in the ongoing work of Creation.The days are full of scripture, dance, prayer, and fellowship; evenings are open to silence and reflection. Sunday night provides the participants the opportunity to offer the work of previous days in a worshipful setting in the company of the monks. Bring comfortable clothes to move with ease..
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A., M.Ed., M.A., and Fr. Philip Edwards, OSB.
St. Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, CA
$350 single room; $287.50 shared room.
Price includes meals.
Please Contact St. Andrew’s Abbey: retreats@valyermo.com or call
(661)944-2178
John West is an oblate of St. Andrew’s Abbey and founder of the Valyermo Dancers. A gifted dancer, choreographer and liturgist, he has been conducting dance workshops at St. Andrew’s and Holy Spirit Retreat Center; a member of the Religious
Education Congress Liturgy Committee. A lecturer and educator at the international and national collegiate
and university levels, his professional associations include membership in the prestigious North American Academy of Liturgy and the Sacred Dance Guild Board of Directors
NOVEMBER
Moving in Wisdom, Dignity, and Homage to the God in US
Sacred Dance Workshop at St. Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, Ca.
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A., M.Ed., M.A.
November 14, 2015
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
A day of gathering to proclaim and manifest through dance a transformative healing drawn f the human family. What can you bring as a sign of your personal light?
To register, please contact St. Andrew’s Abbey: email retreats@valyermo.com or call (661) 944-2178
http://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/
Workshop tuition: $40.00, includes continental breakfast, coffee, tea, and water.
These beverages are available throughout the day. Lunch is served following the noon Mass.
John West is an oblate of Valyermo and founder of the Valyermo Dancers.
A gifted dancer, choreographer, and liturgist, he has been conducting workshops at St. Andrew’s, Abbey.
His professional associations include membership in the prestigious North American Academy of Liturgy.
OCTOBER
Remembering To Tell The Story
Sacred Dance Workshop at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Encino, Ca.
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A., M.Ed, M.A.,
9:30 am- 3:00 pm
Dance is a “tongue,” a language of its own:“…why should not mankind speak again in its most ancient
language of the mystery of movement and counter movement: the one movement which proceeds from this
world to God, and the other movement which proceeds from God to this world?
[Gerardus van der Leeuw]
This Sacred Dance Workshop provides an opportunity for dance prayer to be experienced by the dancer
and non-dancer alike. Each of us holds onto family stories that we share from one generation to another.
Join us to celebrate and dance those stories and memories together. The workshop will include reflection
on the multicultural experience of the triduum of Hallowtide – Oct, 31st through November 2nd –and the
dance of remembrance.
Fee: $45.00 with lunch; $35.00 without lunch $10.00 non-refundable deposit with registration.
John West is an oblate of Valyermo and founder of the Valyermo Dancers.
A gifted dancer, choreographer, and liturgist, he has been conducting workshops at St. Andrew’s Abbey.
His professional associations include membership in the prestigious North American Academy of Liturgy.
Register at Holy Spirit Retreat Center
818-784-4515 Fax: 818-784-0409
hsrcenter@earthlink.net
www.hsrcenter.co
St. Lawerence Martyr in Redondo Beach
Dec. 16th
2 pm & 7 pm
“We belong, from the cells
of our bodies
to the finest
creations of our
minds,
to the intricate
constantly
changing
cosmos."
[Sallie McFague]
Valyermo Sacred Dance Workshop
July 20-22
Moving with the Elements of Life in Cosmic Kinship
Led by John West, Obl. OSB, B.A., M.Ed., M.A., and Fr. Philip Edwards, OSB
Workshop participants will come to rediscover the "seamless" biblical and scientific relationship we share with the elements that compose and surround Mother Earth, God's original gift of "all that is." Set in the beauty of St. Andrew's Abbey and in the spirit of "LaudatoSi," songs and dance will be offered in thanksgiving and praise for God's Sacred Creation and our kinship with it.
Dancers, musicians, artists, liturgists, and poets of faith are called together this weekend to translate our care for the Earth into movement reflective of
God's creative energy and Spirit. The days are full of scripture, dance, prayer, and fellowship. Participants will have the opportunity to offer the work of their
days in a worshipful outdoor setting. Bring comfortable clothes to explore nature and to move with ease.
*Here is the link to make online reservations for the Summer Dance Workshop: http://summerdanceworkshop2018.eventzilla.net/web/event?eventid=2138928920
or
Please Contact St. Andrew’s Abbey: retreats@valyermo.com or call (661) 944-2178 http://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/
Dancing Festival of Lessons and Carols Concerts
Holy Spirit Retreat Center
Dec. 2nd and Dec. 3rd
2pm
DECEMBER
Festival of Lessons and Carols Concerts
Celebrate the Season With Us
October and November
Experience Sacred Movement
It's A Way of Life Dance Series #4
Tues. and Thurs. 7-8:30 pm
Oct. 16- Nov. 8th
Holy Spirit Retreat Center
January
2018
DECEMBER
December 8th & 9th
2:00 pm
Holy Spirit Retreat Center
4316 Lanai Road
Encino, CA 91436
December 15th
2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Honoring Rosemarie Kelley
O'Donnelll Hall
American Martyrs
700 15th Street
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
JANUARY 2019 DON'T MISS OUT!
The Sacred Dance Into Divine Love
Mid-Winter Sacred Dance Workshop
January 18-21
St. Andrew's Abbey
Please go to our COMING SOON page for current events
