Vintage drumming DVD recorded at IDHHB during the visit from Claudio Naranjo and his wife Elena, as well as Antonio and Senora Asin, with Lily Nova, Lisa Garrison, Dick Hart and Menlo Macfarlane.

The Material:

Simurgh is the Persian word meaning "thirty birds". The story of the Simurgh is the search of thirty birds for their King. It's the story of thirty birds looking for thirty birds, as described in the Sufi Classic, The Conference of the Birds.

This idea is addressed in a warm-hearted, lively and humorous look in on the actual events of a work day at the school. A demonstration is presented by Mr. Gold of how to build the Simurgh, one creature made from many bodies, through drumming and dancing in many hidden traditions. (Refer to Talk of the Month, Issue #37, for more information about the Simurgh).

Mise En Scene:

Claudio Naranjo's wife, Elena, had promised one of the children in the community she would do her best to be there for the party on her fifth birthday. The day after the celebration, the Naranjos, Fourth Way teacher friends of Mr. Gold's, and the Asins, their friends, joined with many of Mr. Gold's close pupils for a day of work together. What you see on this videotape is the progression of the topic of the Simurgh as it was investigated throughout the work day, completely unrehearsed, as it happened.