Anna Halprin’s Planetary Dance

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Location: DMU lawn outside The Leicester Gallery De Montfort University

Time: 1pm – 3.30pm

Image credits: 1. View of Call for Peace with Anna Halprin’s Planetary Dance, Dohee Lee and Jahan Khalighi, performers, 57th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, 2017, Venice. Photo: Alessandro Illuzi. 2. Stephen Grossberg_Planetary Dance Map

“Every step is a prayer, and we should pray together to heal the Earth..” ~ Anna Halprin

The Planetary Dance is a ritual of healing and community renewal that has been enacted for the last 46 years, created in California by the internationally renowned dance visionary – Anna Halprin.

Tamalpa UK is honoured to be able to host a Planetary Dance as part of the residue, what remains exhibition at De Montfort University this summer. 

At its heart is the Earth Run, a simple dance that everybody can do. Participants are guided to identify a personal and collective intention, to whom they wish to dedicate the dance to. Participants are invited to walk, jog, run or to stand in a series of concentric circles, creating a moving mandala. As participants move to the steady heartbeat of the drums, they become one collective body.

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The Planetary dance is an invitation to people all over the world to join in a dance for peace in their own communities and for peace with the Earth. It brings people of all ages and abilities together to “dance for a purpose”

The Planetary Dance is a participatory dance rather than a theatrical performance. Each step upon the Earth becomes a prayer for healing.

Tamalpa UK invites you to participate in this community dance on Saturday 24th May 2026.  Join Audicia Lynne Morley, Lian Wilson and Musician Derek Houghton to explore what it is you would like to take a stand for in 2026 that supports the theme of Peace.

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Origins of Planetary Dance

From 1979 to 1981 six women were murdered on Mt. Tamalpa’s, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. The trails were closed and the community lived in helplessness and rage. At the time, Anna and Lawrence Halprin were leading a community workshop called “A Search for Living Myths and Rituals.” The participants decided to enact a positive myth in dance: The reclaiming of the Mountain. That ritual, called In and On the. Mountain, was performed over several days and included a walk along the very trails where the killings occurred. A few days after the ritual, the killer was caught and peace returned to the mountain. Don Jose Mitsuwa, a Huichol shaman then 109 years old, visited Anna Halprin and heard this story. He said, “This mountain is one of the most sacred places on Earth. I believe in what your people did but to be successful in purifying this mountain, you must return to it and dance for five years.”

2026 will be the 46th year of the Planetary Dance which has now been performed in more than 46 countries around the globe.

Each Year Anna Halprin and the Planetary Dance Committee CA dedicated the dance to a particular intention that was important for the community and announced as a meta theme that could be offered globally.

In 2025 the theme was Climate Action, the Metta Theme for 2026 is Calling for Peace.

Since its beginnings people of all ages and abilities have come together around the globe in this universal and accessible form, dancing for peace with the Earth for peace in their communities. A dance for peace among people and peace with the Earth.

mportant Information

This is a free event, registration is not required, you are welcome to turn up on the day.  If you are interested in participating and would like any further information, please email Hugo at hugo.worthy@dmu.ac.uk

The Planetary Dance is a peace dance, it involves the movement activities of running, jogging, walking and pulsing to the beat of live drumming.

The event takes place outside on a green lawn, (weather permitting) suitable footwear is required.

A bottle of water is required to stay hydrated.

Personal responsibility: You are responsible for assessing your own physical condition and suitability to participate. If you have any injuries, medical conditions, or concerns, you should consult a medical professional where appropriate and inform the organisers and facilitator before taking part. While reasonable care is taken, participation carries a small risk of minor injury. By attending you this event you are agreeing to participate voluntarily.

Photography/filming (if applicable): The session may only be documented by the organisers or facilitators of the event.  By registering and participating in this event you agree to be photographed and filmed.

All exhibition events are free and open to the public

Click here to see full programme of events, including an introduction workshop to the the Tamalpa Life Art Process

Planetary Dance website click here