The World Festival of Sacred Music is back with another eclectic program of music and dance performances that highlight the diverse range of sacred heritages in Los Angeles. Originally inspired by the Dalai Lama’s call for a festival of music on every continent to celebrate the dawn of the new millennia, this two-week series takes place once every three years and seeks to provide “…opportunities for people to come together and investigate issues of tolerance and diversity within our complex, urban environment,” according to Judy Mitoma, Festival Director.
This year the festival focuses on global environmental crises, with a particular emphasis on global warming’s impact on small island nations. The festival will open with Honoring the Sea at Dorothy Green Beach in Santa Monica and close with the premiere performance of Water is Rising at UCLA’s Royce Hall, which features thirty-six artists from the world’s smallest countries — the island nations of Kiribati, Tokelau, and Tuvalu.
Makoto Taiko. A Part of Luckman’s World Arts Day.
Choir of St. James’. James Buonemani, Director; Alan Morrison, organ.
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. Photo by Raghu Rai.
Ali Akbar Moradi. Photo by: Hossein Salmanzadeh.
Shows are scattered across the greater LA area at a variety of venues, such as Wayfarers Chapel, The Los Angeles Art of Living Center, Ballona Freshwater Marsh, Beth Shir Shalom and First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, just to name a few. Check out the complete festival schedule and find one or more events that speak to you.
DETAILS
When: Saturday, October 1, 2011 to Sunday, October 16, 2011
Where: Various locations. See festival web site.
Cost: Varies, but many events are free
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