Moving Mandala Ecstatic Dance Journey: Wild Bloom
Description
Moving Mandala: Wild Bloom
Ecstatic Dance Journey with Live Music + DJ in the Sanctuary
For this special Mother’s Day weekend edition, Moving Mandala returns for a magical third gathering at the luminous, stained-glass sanctuary of Trinity Memorial—with a live music + DJ ecstatic dance journey.
This is a living Earth dance experience—an invitation to move in rhythm with the body, the breath, and the greater field of life.
Guided by a dynamic 10-piece ensemble with DJ fusion, this immersive journey unfolds as a full-spectrum arc: from grounded arrival, to expressive expansion, to deep integration through sound.
Rooted in the wisdom of the mandala—
the circle as a living field,
the center as the heart,
and each dancer as a radiant expression of life in full bloom.
Gently held within this moment in the seasonal cycle, we honor the spirit of the Great Mother—
the Earth that sustains us,
the rhythms that move through us,
and the innate impulse within all life to grow, create, and blossom.
🌸 THE THEME—WILD BLOOM
Spring has arrived in her fullness.
This is the moment when what has been stirring beneath the surface bursts into color, texture, and aliveness. A time of vitality, creativity, sensuality, and unapologetic expression.
Whether you’re new to ecstatic dance or a longtime mover, this space welcomes you to explore at your own edge.
This dance is an invitation to bloom wildly—
to embody your fullness,
to move authentically with what is alive in you now,
and to celebrate the beauty of your unfolding as part of a greater, living tapestry.
Bloom in your own way.
There is no right way to dance here.
🙏 HOW TO PREPARE
To honor the container and your own blossoming:
Wear pastels or floral clothing to celebrate spring bloom that feels comfortable for full-body movement—think vibrant, expressive, and alive.
Arrive bathed, in clean clothing, and scent-free (no perfume, oils, strong fragrances, or body odor) to respect the space and the sensitivities of others.
Bring water bottle & water, your own cup, and reusable wares to support a low-waste gathering.
Take a moment before arriving to tune into your intention—what is blossoming in you this spring season?
💃🏻 ECSTATIC DANCE GUIDELINES
Ecstatic dance is a freeform, nonverbal movement journey. The invitation is to dance however your body wants to move. This is a space of freedom, safety, and collective respect.
We welcome you into this temple with a few simple agreements:
No talking on the dance floor
Let the body speak. Let the music carry the conversation.Move however you feel
Fast, slow, grounded, wild—your dance is your medicine.Respect every body
This is a consent-based container.. If you wish to dance with someone, offer with presence—a gesture, eye contact, a smile.
If they choose not to engage, honor the “no” with grace.
A simple bow with hands at heart (🙏) is a beautiful way to decline or close a dance.Phones away—no cameras, no recording
This is a sacred, present-time space. Let yourself—and everyone around you—be fully free.Alcohol & substance-free space
This is a sober space. We rise from within with clarity and the energy of awakening.Shirts stay on for all genders
This is a family-friendly sacred container—the dance floor is our mandala, and we keep the temple clothed.Shoes off
Feel the earth beneath you, the pulse of the music, and the presence of the collective. (Exceptions for clean, indoor-only shoes if needed for support.)Family-friendly container
Adults self-regulate, and parents help children stay mindful of fellow dancers and the shared space.
To protect the safety of the space, anyone who does not honor these guidelines may be asked to leave without a refund. Thank you for upholding the integrity of the dance.
💌 THE INVITATION
Come blossom.
Come move what is alive within you.
Come celebrate the beauty, the messiness, the radiance of being fully expressed.
Step into the mandala.
And let yourself bloom—wildly, fully, together.
💫 The Journey
Your evening unfolds as a ceremonial arc:
- 7:00 pm
Arrive & Settle—Doors open
You’ll be warmly welcomed by Matthew Golben as you check in and cross the threshold into the sanctuary—glowing with festive light and immersive mandala projections—inviting you to gently attune to the field. Arrive early to connect and mingle over heart-opening elixirs and sensuous vegan treats from Jaya Kava and Butterfly Heart. Nourish the body with myofascial release offered by licensed massage therapist Ellis Kantrowitz, supporting you in softening, opening, and preparing for the journey ahead. And adorn yourself with face painting and henna by Isabelle Mangoni—another way to express what’s blossoming within.
- 7:30 pm
Opening Circle
We gather in the mandala—breath, presence, and intention weaving us into a shared center. Together, we enter the field of Wild Bloom.
Warm-Up + Ecstatic Dance Journey
We begin with a guided somatic warm-up to awaken the body and open the energy channels led by Elana Stern—Tantra Guide and founder of Tantra Collective and ONE LOVE HUB—with live musical accompaniment. Then, we organically blossom into dance, guided by our live music ensemble—featuring Matthew Beck, Aaron Craelius, Michael Blount, Krystina Vázquez, Timmayo the Grateful, and friends—as they lead an immersive, wave-based journey, building from grounded to expansive, ecstatic, and alive. The music becomes a living landscape—rhythmic, melodic, tribal, and transcendent—inviting you to move as nature moves: raw, intuitive, and free. Dance as your blossoming. Dance as your expression. Dance as life moving through you.
Sound Bath & Closing
We gently descend into a restorative sound bath of live music allowing the energy of the dance to soften, settle, and integrate. A space to receive, restore, and root into the fullness of what has opened held by the Earth beneath us.
The dance journey is amplified by an RCF sound system by Vortexual, illuminating visuals by Brian MunGavin-Mraz, a sacred altar by Jayme Rose, cozy corner by White Feather, and warm welcome by Matthew Golben, with setup support from Ben Fadool and Brian Urbiztondo—bringing the mandala to life through sound, light, artistry, service, and prayer.
🔥 Lineup
Timmayo the Grateful, Host & DJ
Timmayo the Grateful is a Philly native and a true wizard of his craft—an artist who feels most at home guiding dance-floor journeys that dissolve boundaries and awaken the soul. Rooted in Philly’s hip-hop and house scenes, he grew up immersed in movement culture: battling with breakdance and house crews, practicing in parks, teaching kids to dance as a way to keep them inspired and off the streets, and contributing to events alongside local legends like King Britt, members of The Roots, and other underground pioneers. His path has since carried him far and wide—from didgeridoo ceremonies with Aboriginal elders in the Outback to studying sound with maestros in Peru’s Sacred Valley, to curating ecstatic dance events on Lake Atitlán. First introduced to ecstatic dance more than ten years ago in the Bay Area, he has been a devoted practitioner and facilitator ever since, helping create and DJ Ecstatic Dance Puerto Rico and producing pop-up dances throughout Guatemala. A multi-instrumentalist, skydiver, massage therapist, and occasional yoga teacher, Timmayo brings a lifetime of movement, mysticism, and musical exploration to every set. He’s studied with artists such as Mose, Yemanjo, Captain Planet, and Scott Nice, continually evolving his sound as the digital landscape shifts. As Master of Ceremonies, he seamlessly weaves global textures and rhythmic worlds—entrancing dancers into flow states where dreams feel tangible and magic moves through the room. Arrive for the warm-up to fully sync into the experience. This is a journey you won’t want to miss.
Elana Stern, Host & Facilitator
Elana Stern is a devoted guide in Tantra Yoga, walking the path of love and supporting individuals, couples, and groups in cultivating sacred connection, embodied presence, and lasting transformation. She was drawn to meditation as a teenager, studied Eastern Philosophy and Religion academically, trained with celebrity fitness icons in NYC, and earned Yoga Teacher certifications in both Vinyasa Yoga (Cindy Lee lineage) and Restorative Yoga. Her foundation is further enriched by training in Tibetan Buddhist, Transcendental, Vipassana, Mindfulness, and Sonic Meditation modalities, as well as Pranayama breathwork and Reiki techniques. Her journey expanded through advanced certification with Yoga Chitta—a Black-owned yoga school serving the BIPOC community-where she mentors yoga teacher trainees. After a life-altering kundalini awakening opened the portal to deeper energetic and tantric realms, she became a certified facilitator of Tao Tantra Arts (Mantak Chia and Osho lineages) and a graduate of the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA). With a vision for evolving consciousness in Philadelphia, Elana founded the Tantra Collective—producing monthly offerings for embodied spiritual connection—and ONE LOVE HUB, the city's co-created community for conscious events. With decades of practice in movement, meditation, and energy healing, Elana's teaching bridges the physical and the spiritual. She invites you into a deeper relationship with your body, your breath, your heart, and each other—where love becomes the path home to your divine nature.
Matthew Beck, Multi-Instrumentalist
Matthew Beck is an Intuitive Reader, Energy Healer, and Sound Bath Facilitator who creates soundscapes with live-looped flutes, guitar, percussion, bowls, rattles, spoken word and recordings from nature. He weaves music with the intention to transport listeners below the surface into their ethereal nature, essence and formless dimensions within the body. In addition to his healing practice, Matthew runs the creative agency, Elevate Living Courses where he has supported over 400 healers, therapists, organizations, and spiritual teachers in developing their businesses and professional trainings.
Krystina Vázquez, Vocalist & Crystal Bowls
Krystina Vázquez weaves a meditative musical journey of somatic healing and self-discovery. Drawing from a deep connection of the music as medicine and guiding listeners into a space of healing at the core. Her sound bath integrates soothing vibrations from quartz crystal singing bowls, vocal harmony through a loop station, some percussion instruments, and an overall ethereal experience, blending both beauty and magic.
Aaron Craelius, Guitarist & Cellist
Aaron Craelius is a guitarist and cellist whose love of music began in childhood and has deepened over decades of exploration. With a passion for diverse musical traditions and world cultures, Aaron brings a mindful presence, sensitivity, and humility to every note he plays. He is devoted to creating heart-centered spaces for Kirtan and devotional music, and regularly hosts song circles with his family as part of their sacred communal practice. A longtime student and teacher of Tai Chi and meditation, Aaron weaves embodiment and stillness into his musical offerings—inviting others into connection, harmony, and inner peace.
Michael Stauffer, Bassist
Michael loves exploring different musical styles through playing and dancing. Each style offers him a different journey for discovering and expressing its unique character, whether it’s dark and gritty or delicately intimate. His interests range from rock to Afro-latin to vocal groove to classical. Michael plays guitar, bass, recorder, and percussion and his latest joy is learning to play and groove to Afrobeat bass.
Michael Blount, Percussionist
Michael Blount ("Brotha Mike") was raised in North Philadelphia by community-active pastors. He developed an early passion for service and leadership while serving as a church drummer and children's leader, using rhythm as the core of his work to create safe spaces. This foundation propelled him into a career of strategic Afrocentric community service, starting with drum classes in a library basement that quickly scaled into after-school programs, eventually leading joyful rhythmic performances for crowds up to 20,000 at major festivals. Now the East Coast Branch Manager for the international rhythmic mindfulness company RhythmetriX, Brotha Mike integrates sociological sciences and practical psychology with his craft, upholding the principles and cultural torch passed down by his Philadelphia elders. He embodies the spirit of Sankofa, recognizing ancestral wisdom as the essential platform for the community's future.
Timothy Hill, Drummer
Timothy was born and raised in Greece singing and playing music from the Greek folk as well as the European hymn traditions. After finishing a degree in music he worked as a drummer, percussionist, trumpet player, vocalist, composer, arranger, music director, and educator in the US and Greece. Currently his main projects consist of playing cornet and singing with vintage jazz band Parlour Noir, writing musicals and music directing for Yes! And...Collaborative Arts, leading his own mediterranean jazz group The Carryons, as well as numerous other smaller projects. He lives in Philadelphia with two of his kids and enjoys handstands, practicing music, gardening, and cooking good food.
Julian Hartwell, Pianist
Julian Hartwell is a pianist, composer, and producer here to heal, uplift, remind, andi nspire through the sacred medicine of sound. Julian draws on a vast trove of musical influences and inspirations to craft a distinct voice truly his own, from the worlds of jazz, neoclassical, pop, sound healing, and more. 2026 sees Julian currently leaning more into a self-described “piano-driven jazz pop” sound as well developing more of his voice in songwriting. He has three full-length albums and an EP out in all the places music can be found.
Sarah S., Vocalist
Sarah is a South Indian-American musician with roots in the Middle East. Having grown up within the Indian diaspora in the Gulf, her music is inspired by Indian and Arabic melodies. Since emigrating to the United States, she is deeply inspired by jazz and blues, led by the improvisational styles of Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald. As a recording artist, she independently produces and releases sci-fi, electronic music under the moniker ‘saKs’, inspired by her day job as a neuroscience researcher.
Mariama Koroma O'Brien, Percussionist
Mariama Koroma O'Brien, originally from West Africa, is a pillar in our Philadelphia community. Mariama is an educator, instrumentalist, dancer, and healer. She sings traditional African songs and chatting, which comes deep from her heart. Mariama plays with many varieties of artists and musicians as well as traveling to teach, perform, and dance. Mariama is part of a conscious movement dance experience in the community, Root, and 5Rhythms. She also plays in the Karen Smith Drums Ensemble.
Ellis Kantrowitz, Myomassage
Ellis Kantrowitz is a licensed massage therapist specializing in myofascial release and has been practicing bodywork since 2012. He integrates techniques from around the world, including perinatal, deep tissue, and sports massage; Reiki, cupping, gua sha, intuitive massage, and active isolated stretching. He also offers astrological counsel and holds two 200-hour yoga teacher trainings, with a deep connection to the eight-limb path. Ellis is passionate about teaching, continual learning, and helping people access their truth through deeper, more embodied connection with their bodies. Men’s work, mental health advocacy, nature and permaculture, racial justice, and equality are central to Ellis’s life and values. He is also a professional singer-songwriter and performer who shares messages of awareness and activism through music and community engagement. During Moving Mandala, Ellis offers Myomassage to support dancers in softening, opening, and preparing the body for movement—helping you arrive more fully, release more freely, and integrate the journey with greater ease.
Butterfly Heart, Vegan Nourishment & Treats
Brian Stark is the heart behind Butterfly Heart, creating nourishing, plant-based cuisine made with love to bring about joy. His passion for cooking began at age five, when his mother—who ran a home bakery—taught him the fundamentals of baking. He grew up watching his grandfather manage a restaurant, sneaking into the kitchen to observe the chefs, and learning from his grandmother while captivated by PBS icons like Julia Child. With over 30 years in the culinary world—beginning professionally in his early teens, well before formal culinary school training—Brian has always known cooking was his calling. For him, food is more than sustenance; it is an offering. He is deeply grateful for the opportunity to nourish community, support healing and connection, and bring warmth to the dance floor. His plant-based creations are crafted with care, creativity, and reverence—thoughtfully prepared, healthy, and planet-conscious meals made straight from the heart.
Jaya Kava, Alcohol-Free Elixirs
Jaya Kava began as a heartfelt, community-rooted project founded by Jen Hombach, born from backyard gatherings and speakeasies for yogis and seekers. Formerly a beloved local kava lounge and plant-based café in Queen Village, Jaya Kava has since evolved into a mobile pop-up and a cherished presence at conscious gatherings across the Philadelphia region—offering warm, heart-opening elixirs as an intentional, alcohol-free way to arrive grounded, open, and connected. Since its very inception, Jaya Kava has been nourishing our community with care and devotion—supporting dancers in arriving grounded, open-hearted, and fully embodied.
❓ FAQs
- What is ecstatic dance?
Ecstatic dance is a freeform, nonverbal movement journey. The invitation is to dance however your body wants to move. Please see the community guidelines above for the essence of the practice.
- Do I need prior dance experience?
Not at all. This dance journey is about embodiment, sovereignty, authentic movement, and freedom of expression. No experience is needed—just an open heart and a willingness to honor the container.
- What kind of people attend?
This is an inclusive space for a diverse, conscious community of humans of all genders, orientations, and backgrounds. Singles, couples, families, and friends gather here with a shared desire for movement, presence, and authentic expression.
- Can I come alone or with a partner?
Come solo, with friends, or with a partner. This is a sovereign journey into your own body, held by the support of community.
- Is there an age restriction?
This is a family-friendly event; all ages are welcome. Children under 10 are free. Adults with children are asked to be mindful of dancers, guidelines, and the space. All adults are invited to self-regulate and move with awareness and respect.
- What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement—pastel or floral colors to celebrate spring bloom.
Expect to be barefoot (exceptions for clean, indoor-only shoes if needed for support; no outdoor shoes in the sanctuary).
Bring a water bottle & water.
Bring your own cup and reusable wares to support a low-waste gathering.
- How should I prepare?
Arrive freshly showered and scent-free—no perfumes, colognes, essential oils, scented products, or strong body odor—to honor sensitivities and support nervous system comfort for all.
- Is it important to arrive on time?
Yes! Doors open at 7pm, and Opening Circle begins at 7:30pm. The warm-up and dance set are part of a continuous journey, and we invite you to experience it from the start.
- Is alcohol or intoxicants allowed?
No. This is a sober event. The invitation is to be clear, present, and attuned in body, mind, and spirit.
- Will there be food and drinks at the dance?
Yes. Arrive early to enjoy light, nourishing snacks and heart-warming elixirs. Our friends at Jaya Kava will be serving warm, heart-opening non-alcoholic drinks, and Butterfly Heart will offer nourishing vegan, gluten-free dishes and sensuous plant-based treats available for purchase.
To support a low-waste gathering, we warmly encourage you to bring your own cup and reusable wares.
- Is parking available?
Trinity Memorial is located in a charming residential section of Center City Philadelphia at 22nd & Spruce Streets, where street parking is very limited.
If you plan to park on the street, please allow extra time and patience. You may have better luck heading south toward (or beyond) Washington Avenue for more availability. Be sure to observe all posted signs and avoid leaving valuables visible in your vehicle.
We strongly encourage ride-share, biking, public transit, or parking in a nearby garage for a smoother arrival.
Nearby paid garages:
E-Z Park — 2101 Chestnut Street
E-Z Park — 1924 Chestnut Street
(215-733-0700) - Where do I enter the venue?
Please enter through the glass doors on Spruce Street, just west of the corner of 22nd Street.
- Can I buy a ticket at the door with cash?
Advance registration is strongly recommended, as our events often sell out, and pre-registration allows us to prepare the space with care and welcome you in with ease.
Once capacity is reached, a waitlist will be offered. If tickets remain available, you’re welcome to register at the door by completing your purchase online using your mobile device.
Please note that all ticket sales are completed online to ensure waiver and guidelines agreements are properly acknowledged.
- Why do you ask for my contact information?
Your name, email, and mobile number help us send important event details and maintain a safe, intentional space. Incomplete or inaccurate registrations may be canceled.
- Why has the ticket price increased for this event?
This special edition of Moving Mandala features a live music-led ecstatic dance journey, brought to life by an extraordinary ensemble of musicians.
The price increase helps us honor the artists and support the real costs of producing a live, immersive experience. At the same time, this offering is a true community collaboration in service of the dance—with producers and musicians contributing immense time, care, and artistry beyond what ticket sales alone can fully sustain.
By joining us, you’re part of bringing this medicine to life—supporting the musicians, the healing space, and the shared field that makes experiences like this possible.
Our intention is to continue moving toward a model that is more sustainable and equitable, while stewarding spaces that offer meaningful, high-quality experiences for all.
We’re grateful to create this together.
- What is the refund policy?
Tickets are non-refundable. Anyone asked to leave for violating guidelines will not receive a refund.
- What is the COVID protocol?
Masks are optional. Please arrive in good health, wash your hands upon entry, and stay home if you’re unwell. Your care supports the well-being of all.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
