https://www.dancesilkroad.org/home daily 1.0 2026-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/ed15be60-d455-432d-9579-d44cb91bac6e/29749746_182399955714465_3617369993433069765_o.jpg Home - World-Renowned Performances Ballet Afsaneh is available for concert and event performances, lectures, master classes and other activities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/0aef4549-baea-477f-afab-9aea0501924d/000-12080332_10206858809206410_3765191700677276963_o.jpg Home - Afsaneh Dance Academy Dance is the universal language .... come dance with us! Master artists and performers share their joy and knowledge with students of all ages and backgrounds. Come experience the transforming, creative power of dance and music in all its many forms from Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and more. Learn online and in-person. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/97baa361-ebe7-4fae-a6fb-675fb71b0e0d/Trio+turning_PAL_BalletAfsaneh_RhythmixCulturalWorks.jpg Home - Make a Difference! If you would like to support our unique work in producing, teaching, and rejuvenating Central Asian expressive arts and communities or, if you have been touched by our performances, youth programs, or international projects, please consider making a direct donation (which is tax deductible) to Afsaneh Art & Culture Society. https://www.dancesilkroad.org/about daily 0.75 2024-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/7769b942-8f55-49f4-8d5e-c85aac79c77b/city_hall_stairs07.jpg About Afsaneh Arts - About AACS Afsaneh Art & Culture Society (AACS) serves the Central Asian, Iranian- and Afghan-American communities and people who appreciate art from all cultures. AACS programs provide eloquent testimony to the unique Central Asian expressive arts and promote appreciation for the diverse expressions of our mutual humanity. Originally founded in 1986 as a performing arts ensemble Ballet Afsaneh by Director Sharlyn Sawyer, the organization incorporated in 1991 as a non-profit. Over its twentysix-year history the organization’s mission has evolved and broadened in scope. Now in addition to the professional performance ensemble, AACS provides community education programs, publications in various media, international exchange projects, collaborations, and fiscal sponsorship for the projects of associated Central Asian arts groups. Through this work Afsaneh Art & Culture Society seeks to promote positive visibility for the Central Asian community, preserve cultural assets for future generations, and to enrich the creative legacy of the expressive arts on the world stage. Click HERE for Past Performance Highlights Programs are supported in part by earned income generated from over 18 annual public performances, and by grants from the California Arts Council, the James Irvine Foundation, Community Foundation Silicon Valley, Arts Council Silicon Valley, the City of San Jose, the Christensen Fund, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Walter & Elise Haas Fund, Marin Arts Council, Zellerbach Family Fund, corporate donors such as Applied Materials and Adobe Systems and through the generous contributions of many individuals in the community. We welcome your participation in this dynamic organization. Consider becoming a volunteer or making a tax deductible contribution to Afsaneh Art & Culture Society. Your donations directly support AACS education and performing arts programs that serve your community All donations are tax deductible https://www.dancesilkroad.org/our-sponsors daily 0.75 2021-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/c311d9f0-d92d-4895-9ca3-f3a1907372c7/Screen+Shot+2021-11-11+at+1.34.14+PM.png Our Sponsors - Our Sponsors Afsaneh Art & Culture Society gratefully acknowledges the following organizations, individuals and businesses for supporting our programs and activities. Contributions from many sources have enabled AACS to provide over twenty-five years of continuous service in the arts for our communities. Consider joining our list of supporters by Donating Online. — Sharlyn Sawyer Executive Director Funding Partners William and Flora Hewlett Foundation James Irvine Foundation The Christensen Fund Sam Mazza Foundation Walter & Elise Haas Fund Flora Family Fund Zellerbach Family Fund California Arts Council Arts Council Silicon Valley Community Foundation Silicon Valley City of San Jose Marin Arts Council LEF Foundation Jewish Community Endowment Fund Alliance for California Traditional Arts Puffin Foundation CA$H Grant Program - Theater Bay Area Presenting Sponsors Iranian American Society of New York Inc British Museum - London Aga Khan Foundation Farhang Foundation UC Stanford - School of Humanities UC Stanford - Persian Students Assoc. California Institute for Integral Studies Persian Iranian Parade Foundation Society of Afghan Professionals Afghan Women’s Alliance International Afghan Coalition Iranian Federated Women's Club Payvand School Theatre Padida – Tajikistan Turquoise Bridges WESTAF World Arts West San Francisco World Music Festival ODC Theater Julia Morgan Center for the Arts LA Music Center - World City Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater The Persian Center - Berkeley CA https://www.dancesilkroad.org/donate daily 0.75 2021-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/589c99e9-156b-41e6-a6a1-477dd80f1d0a/BalletAfsaneh-Contemporary1-photocredit-AliahNajmabadi-no+brnd.jpg Donate - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.dancesilkroad.org/danceversity daily 0.75 2025-10-20 https://www.dancesilkroad.org/pgd daily 0.75 2021-12-09 https://www.dancesilkroad.org/past daily 0.75 2024-03-05 https://www.dancesilkroad.org/our-team daily 0.75 2022-07-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/5ff4a3ea-ac03-4b08-84bf-d50bd98afa97/download-1.jpg Our Team - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/53c2c21d-2b83-42f8-be5f-6b98548ded2d/IMG_5658-Cropped.jpg Our Team - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/bb34ee37-2c49-40b1-955f-29dc3bacdde9/243179535_10219646515344347_3344234236905304617_n.jpg Our Team - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.dancesilkroad.org/onlineclasses daily 0.75 2025-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/431a01f7-8afd-432b-a31c-68f8836e9b67/FloydBrown_1830.jpg Online Classes - Classes & Workshops The Afsaneh Dance Academy offers online and in-person Class options. See below for details. Online Classes in Persian And Afghan Dance: Ballet Afsaneh Members Samia Karimi teaches Afghan Dance and Natalie Nayun teaches Persian & Tajik Dance online through Pomegranate Garden Dance. Visit the website to sign up! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/6182234e-bb88-46c9-8b5b-bcac021081cd/SCR-20251020-nimb.jpeg Online Classes - 4-week series (11/4-11/25): Tuesdays, 5pm PDT⁠ | Afghan Dance Technique + Choreography with Natalie Nayun Class Description: Join Natalie Nayun in this fun and accessible Afghan dance choreography! Class will be geared towards all levels of dancers with layered options being given to more advanced dancers. Class starts with a full-body warm-up. Dancers are then taught combinations that will build to a full choreography. We will be dancing to Laila by Hamayoun Angar! Price: $100 Location: Zoom online To Register: Pomegranate Garden Dance https://www.dancesilkroad.org/book daily 0.75 2023-05-28 https://www.dancesilkroad.org/contact daily 0.75 2022-01-06 https://www.dancesilkroad.org/photos daily 0.75 2021-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/4e11849a-208c-4181-befc-e426324b005f/29351918_182398052381322_1244990312605877519_o.jpg Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/06087150-103f-4529-9332-83cd0d992e3b/29386076_10216928389181095_1621631908389584896_n.jpg Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/f51e38eb-b80b-4538-8335-d9f52ea55a8b/29665359_182398815714579_1118176036476227033_o.jpg Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/348e3da8-0191-453f-be8e-92da87bffd33/31576784_2045995279004972_2679439485325803520_n.jpg Photos 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https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/0521b38d-03fb-4278-b198-b323f7087a2f/Mariam-blueSilk-Photoshopd.jpg Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/697a4fc1-084f-491e-a8b7-5476633d4ecb/Mariam-Kulob2013.JPG Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/2e4081fa-df1d-4886-a388-003d1069e14f/Mariam-peacock+2011.jpg Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/65363cf2-5773-4d5d-96d6-04d47605e115/MariamPeacockTail2011.jpg Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/6e8ec4fd-35b5-48d5-8486-ba054874e2d5/Natalie+Nayun+-Ballet+Afsaneh+Persian+Dance-2019.jpg Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/b1daab72-9593-4920-af74-de453308f9e8/Norooz2015-Yellow1024x683+2.jpg Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/cb9fd831-f7bb-43ed-ab15-5bf70a82b22f/Qashqai-woodacre.jpg Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/d0542471-a468-4e61-89bd-946b17dd7080/Trio+turning_PAL_BalletAfsaneh_RhythmixCulturalWorks.jpg Photos https://www.dancesilkroad.org/upcoming daily 0.75 2024-09-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/bc05bd25-20be-45b2-a5c0-cf6159464e68/Website-Thumb-Poster.jpg Upcoming - TUTI GALA 2024 – Celebrating Arts & Music Saturday, October 19th 7pm-9pm Join Ballet Afsaneh at the 3rd Annual Tuti Gala 2024 and be part of an elegant evening that inspires, enlightens, and entertains. Let’s celebrate the magic of Afghan culture together and promote a message of unity and appreciation for arts, music and culture. Location: San Jose Civic 135 West San Carlos Street San Jose, CA 95113 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/e2c03007-c755-435f-9eed-d07bce038c7a/427872467_725143439759456_3197745567186153964_n.jpg Upcoming - NOWRUZ GALA 1403 You're invited to the Gala celebration of 1403 Nowruz at San Francisco City Hall hosted by San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Ahsha Safai, Supervisor District 11, in partnership with Persian Women In Tech on Friday, March 22, 2024! Location: San Francisco City Hall https://www.dancesilkroad.org/tdi daily 0.75 2021-12-09 https://www.dancesilkroad.org/zaryab daily 0.75 2021-12-09 https://www.dancesilkroad.org/videos daily 0.75 2022-04-24 https://www.dancesilkroad.org/persiandanceintensive daily 0.75 2025-11-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/69687fbb-25e4-45c4-98c0-564d64eef1d0/IMG_5171.jpg Persian Dance Intensive - Persian Dance Intensive Weekend https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/91257fd2-6e34-4a02-abda-47342d610707/IMG_2905.jpg Persian Dance Intensive - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/a1b89a92-874c-49e4-b80f-0ee70b545a19/IMG_2912.jpg Persian Dance Intensive - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.dancesilkroad.org/classes daily 0.75 2025-10-08 https://www.dancesilkroad.org/classes/p/private-lesson monthly 0.5 2026-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/1673050620557-DGE98UZYUT69HY3JESJ1/RNTBE3554.jpg In Person Classes - Private Lessons https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/1683052955481-J519V4LZHNWXVJ122A3F/281880302_1116177712261770_630554028631529111_n.jpg In Person Classes - Private Lessons https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/1683052922869-FEBF0Q0F6EA5DBWWUT6K/268804921_1025886547957554_1867455483553890606_n.jpg In Person Classes - Private Lessons https://www.dancesilkroad.org/classes/p/april2026 monthly 0.5 2026-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/5d90e94e-5268-463d-901a-c6e021355842/55949914_10156428015135805_7127653409175371776_n.jpg In Person Classes - Central Asian Dance Technique Series | Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45pm | 6-Week Series, April 1-May 13 - 55949914_10156428015135805_7127653409175371776_n.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/1689789228386-NQVLX9R1HV8H1HIYQ8NS/56310247_10156441786375805_8044806029847822336_n.jpg In Person Classes - Central Asian Dance Technique Series | Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45pm | 6-Week Series, April 1-May 13 - 56310247_10156441786375805_8044806029847822336_n.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/5cc26347-5336-41f7-8212-1ac399881ba0/FloydBrown_1830.jpg In Person Classes - Central Asian Dance Technique Series | Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45pm | 6-Week Series, April 1-May 13 - FloydBrown_1830.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/618d7356e2833a30688b57e8/1683053136574-XG7D5O3ICKBO89KQI8S5/66462903_469043530308528_2419932480355172352_n.jpg In Person Classes - Central Asian Dance Technique Series | Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45pm | 6-Week Series, April 1-May 13 - 66462903_469043530308528_2419932480355172352_n.jpg