Past Performances
Parvaz
February 2025
Parvaz (Opening of Feathers for Flight) was a traditional Iranian choreography performed by 24 of Nikki's dedicated dancers. Nikki carefully crafted this dance to represent a variety of Iranian Dance styles from diverse regions of Iran.
Parvaz took viewers on a captivating journey through Iran. It showcased Sama dance, Classical Persian dance, Bandari dance, and Kurdish dance.The performance featured colorful traditional costumes and grand visual moments. It unveiled the beauty of authentic Persian culture at the New York Live Arts Center in Manhattan. Janelle Issis's JBelly School of RAQ supported this piece.
Meet Me Between Tehran & Mbabane
February 2024
"Meet Me Between Tehran and Mbabane" choreographed by Nikki Farahanchi & Dani Chris, directed by Nava Derakhshani, and composed by Shayan Azizi for Mabou Mines iNYC in February 2024.The performance used shadow-play and a blend of Iranian and West African dance. It told the story of an Iranian family fleeing Iran for safety in Southern Africa.
The show captured the feelings of leaving home and the challenges of watching your homeland hurt from afar. The 2022 Woman Life Freedom movement in Iran was a key focus of the performance. It included reading names of lost lives, cutting hair, and joining in protest chants. This choreography featured Sufi whirling, Afrio-Persian dance, and an exploration of shadow-play.
Neek Dance Ensemble
June 2024
Eshghe Bandar was a Bandari performance by Nikki's tenured performance group the Neek Dance Ensemble. The Neek Dance Ensemble performed at the 2024 Persian Parade and Persian Night at the Secret Room in Manhattan. This dance featured Bandari, a lively dance from the Persian Gulf.
The dance combined traditional and modern music. It aimed to show the lively spirit and culture of southern Iran to viewers. Bandari is most known for using fluttering hands to show tambourines and its influence from both African and Arab dances.
Azar Show
May 2022
Azar was a 2022 Iranian American diaspora production featuring a wealth of rich Persian culture at the University of Michigan. This show debuted six of Nikki's choreographies and authentically showcased several Persian dance styles, including Classical, Bandari, Gilaki, Baba Karam, Kurdish,Azerbaijani, and Contemporary Persian dance.
Involving over 30 performers, this piece proudly displayed Persian dance, poetry, and art to the University of Michigan community at the Hill Auditorium.