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Sacred Music Concert To Bless the New Millennium

Sonia Chopra

Two years ago, Judy Mitoma, a dance professor at UCLA, received a letter from the Dalai Lama. In that letter, the Dalai Lama discussed bringing together the global community to perform sacred music to welcome the new millennium.

"Among the many forms in which the human spirit has tried to express its innermost yearnings and perceptions, music is perhaps the most universal," he wrote. "There is something in music that transcends and unites. This is evident in the sacred music of every community... music that expresses the universal yearning that is shared by people all over the globe."

The Dalai Lama's suggestion comes to fruition when the World Festival of Sacred Music takes place in and around Los Angeles starting this Saturday and ending on October 17. A smaller version of the concert is scheduled for Chicago.

The festival runs through 2000 with events in Cape Town, Hiroshima, Seoul, Stuttgart, London, Milan, Moscow, and at one venue in Brazil and Thailand each. It will be held in Bangalore, April 2000.

Artists such as the Indian classical singer Lakshmi Shankar and Jai Uttal, an American who has been influenced by the music of Bauls, social reformers from Bengal, are among the singers, composers, lyricists, musicians and dancers from more than 30 countries who will participate in the festival. Events will be held in venues both large and small, indoors and outdoors; a number of the 85 events are free, and most others cost less than $ 20.

The Dalai Lama will address the festival at the Hollywood Bowl on October 10. The four-hour long event includes a choir of Tibetan monks, an American Indian a cappella trio (Ulali), and an interdenominational gospel choir led by singers from Los Angeles' First AME Church.

Mitoma feels privileged to have the "gift of this project".

"This is my passion, my life's work and I wanted many voices to echo that," said Mitoma, who is on sabbatical from her job in the department of World Arts and Culture to work on the festival.

"Music resonates deep, deep into the soul and the world of music with its many form of ancient, traditional and contemporary ideologies will appeals and reach to all," she added.

The dignity of the festival was a priority to her.

"I worked very hard to ensure that this not be another rock concert because of its deep message and commitment to humanity," she said.

Last year, when community meetings were held, Mitoma said people wondered how the festival would take place with since they had no money and no corporate sponsors.

The organizers did not want money from corporate sponsors, so they held own fund-raisers, which bought in anywhere from $ 3,000 to $ 10,000 each. The city of Los Angeles donated $ 75,000 and there were donations from the Rockefeller Foundation and the California Arts Council.

"This project was very community-driven. We had no money and only a short amount of time," said Sara Wolf, managing director of the festival, who quit her job as a marketing director for the Public Corp for the Arts in Long Beach to work for the non-profit World Festival.

"There's some beauty in not having money," she told the Los Angeles Times, "because you're not coming in with a fixed agenda tied to the money. It's been an amazing adventure."

Her views were echoed by Jennifer Harris, the Chicago liaison for the festival.

"It was the magic of the Dalai Lama and the coming century that bought people together," said Harris, a writer at Art Institute in Chicago.

"I have always dreamed of being part of something like this. It drew me completely. The personal, creative work just surpasses the spirit. It is both a challenge and a blessing," Harris said.

The main draw in the festival at the beginning, Mitoma said was the Dalai Lama but as "time passed up, the festival became bigger and bigger and grew to its own stature, independent of any one person."

The planning of the festival in Los Angeles challenged the organizers because of the huge geographical area to cover.

"In away, this the most appropriate city. The festival mirrors the diversity of the community here," said events producer Aaron Paley, director of Community Arts Resources.

"The festival reflects the city at the end of the century. The sacred music is the key to connect the people. It's a wonderful, exciting and great event in our lives," Paley said.

"To do this in small synagogues, temples and neighborhood cultural points to represent the whole city was a challenging task," Paley said.

Organizers made an attempt to divide the concerts into two categories: Sacred Music in Sacred Places, which will be held in churches and temples, parks and community centers and Sacred Music in Public Places, which will be held in theaters, universities and museums.

CARS was responsible for Sacred Music in Sacred Places and received over 250 applications. Many were turned down, as their work did not reflect the festival's ideology.

"We also tried to throw in a couple of surprises, like a Sri Lankan group performing in an African church, for instance," Paley said.

In Chicago, the festival will take place October 23rd and 24th at Old St. Patrick's Church, 711 W. Monroe. Loyola University will host a kick-off performance by Tibetan monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in India on October 22.

Set in the oldest church in Chicago, which survived the Great Fire, the performers will include monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in India; the musical group Linnaeus; Old St. Patrick's Choir; Chicago Children's Choir; Indigenous North American Drum; spoken-word performances by Jennifer Harris and Andrew Arbetter and Reggie Gibson; Natyakalalayam Dance Company; and Musicam Sacram.

"The ultimate goal of the festival is to unite people to usher in the new millennium and hopefully, avoid all the tragic and unfortunate events of history in this century," Harris said.

Saturday, October 9
5 am­10 pm -- To All Relations '99. Senshin Buddhist Temple, Downtown Los Angeles.
Sunrise­Sunset Festival of Music 2000. Barnsdall Art Park, Los Feliz (Hollywood).
9 am­midnight -- A Day of Drumming, MacArthur Park, Long Beach.
11 am -- Mandala Sand Painting: The Architecture of Enlightenment (Daily through October 13);
4 pm -- Lecture by Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, The Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery. UCLA Hammer Museum of Art, Westwood.
Noon -- John Lennon 'Imagine' Birthday Celebration Star on the Walk of Fame, Hollywood.
1 pm -- Los Angeles Latvian Choir, Armenian Women¹s Chorus Latvian Lutheran Church, Los Angeles.
2­6 pm -- Enter the Heart of the Mountain. Malibu. pm 2 pm -- Percussion Artists Workshop. Japanese American National Museum Art, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- Songs of a New Dawn. First Presbyterian Church, Encino.
7.30 pm -- Sacred Music of the Labor Movement. United University Church, Los Angeles (USC campus).
7.30 pm -- Rahul Sakyaputra and Alchemy Handbell Ensemble. St James Presbyterian Church, Tarzana.
8 pm -- The Triumphant Spirit: The Founder's Church Cathedral Choir. Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society, North Hills.
8 pm -- Shahram Nazeri and the Dastan Ensemble. Japan American Theatre, Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Ancient Strings of Peace: Prince Diabaté and Wozani. Wilshire United Methodist Church, Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Bhakti: An Evening of Devotional Music and Sacred Poetry with Kirby Shelstad and Suzanne Sterling. Yoga Works, Santa Monica.
8 pm -- Sacred Music and Dance of Cambodia and Bali: Gamelan Sekar Jaya and Danse Celeste. Schoenberg Hall, UCLA, Westwood.
8.30 pm -- Zen Dancing: Shaman's Dream World Music Ensemble. Maha Yoga, Brentwood.

Sunday, October 10
4­8 pm -- Sacred Americas Concert. Hollywood Bowl.

Tuesday, October 12
7 pm -- Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra. Agape International Center of Truth, Culver City.
7.30 pm -- Festival of Japanese Gagaku. Tenrikyo Church, Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Meredith Monk: A Vocal Offering. Harold M. Williams Auditorium, J Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Mystic Voices: Music of Devotion in Islam and Hinduism. Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Constance Demby: Tones of Remembrance. Community United Methodist Church, Pacific Palisades.
8 pm -- Marlui Miranda and Perla Batalla. Performing Arts Center, Cal State, Northridge.
8.30 pm -- Krishna Das: Maha Yoga, Brentwood.

Wednesdsay, October 13
Noon -- LA Baroque Orchestra. Madison Site Theater, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica.
6 pm -- Mariachi Sol de America and Xipe Totec. Plaza de la Raza, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- The Sacred Sounds of Jewish Mysticism: Adam del Monte and Cantor Eva Robbins. Westwood United Methodist Church, Westwood.
7 pm -- Spirit Level. Museum of Cultural Diversity, Carson.
7 pm -- The Mystical Arts of Tibet: Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing. The Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery. UCLA Hammer Museum of Art, Westwood.
7 pm -- Jocelyn Montgomery: Solo Interpretations of Hildegard Von Bingen. Kohn Chapel, Sinai Temple, Westwood.
7 pm -- Elk Whistle and Robert Een. Kol Tikvah Temple, Woodland Hills.
7 pm -- Rhythm Is the Cure: Alessandra Belloni and Melody is Magic. Suzanne Teng & Mystic Journey. First Presbyterian Church, Encino.
8 pm -- Lila Downs. Harold M. Williams Auditorium, J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Sacred Voices of Women. Performing Arts Center, Cal State, Northridge.

Thursday, October 14
Noon -- Music from Our Souls: Sacred Music Is for Everyone. Fiesta Hall, Plummer Park, West Hollywood.
7 pm -- Women of Spirit: Perla Batalla and Sacred Fusion: Shanti Shivani and Annette Cantor. Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- My Heart is in the East: Zaatar and Kan Zaman. Bahai Center, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- Pasha Ninateen and Adaawe. University Catholic Center-UCLA, Westwood.
7 pm -- Pacific Winds: Qi-Chao Liu, Nawang Khechog, Bill Shozan Schultz. Sinai Temple, Westwood.
7.30 pm -- Andrae Crouch Choir and Cantor All Stars. Temple Israel, Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Hae Kyung Lee and Dancers. State Playhouse, Cal State, Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Thanjávur. New Mission Theater at Rancho Cordillera del Norte, Northridge.
8 pm -- Vas. Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles.

Friday, October 15
10 am -- Music for Our Souls: A Celebration of Yoga Fiesta Hall, Plummer Park, West Hollywood.
6 pm -- World Music Prayer for Peace: Sangeet School of World Music and Dance. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, Topanga Canyon.
6.30 pm -- Pilipino Choir. Saint Lucy Catholic Church, Long Beach.
7 pm -- Songs from the Soul - An Evening of Sacred Music in the Courtyard. Cahuilla Bird Singers, Burat Wangi, Emekeke, First AME Church, and Synthesis. Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- All Rise in the Land of I Am: The Agape International Choir. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- Gwen Wyatt Chorale and Francis Awe and the Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble. Wilshire United Methodist Church, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- An Evening of Kirtans. Self-Realization Fellowship (3 locations), Pasadena, Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades.
8 pm -- Amvaaj - Waves of the Unseen: Banafsheh Sayyad. UCLA Theatre 200, Dance Building, Westwood.
8 pm -- Hae Kyung Lee and Dancers. State Playhouse, Cal State Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Mass of Ages: Holy Family Filipino Chorale. Holy Family Church, Glendale.
8.30 pm -- Chanting with Jai Uttal. Yoga Works, Santa Monica. Saturday, October 16
9 am­1 pm -- LA River Revival. Gateway entrance at the Heron Gate, Los Angeles.
1 pm­3 pm -- Music Walk. El Dorado Nature Center, Long Beach.
Noon­5 pm -- Many Winters: Gathering of Traditional Elders. Angels Gate Cultural Center, San Pedro.
2­5 pm -- Shape-Note Singing. Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center, Eagle Rock.
2­5 pm -- Where the River Meets the Sea. Del Rey Lagoon Park, Playa del Rey.
3 pm -- Music from Our Souls: Sacred Drumbeats. Fiesta Hall, Plummer Park, West Hollywood.
3­8 pm -- Voices of Our Ancestors. California Plaza, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- Geri Keams. Stories and Songs of My People and Spiritual Devotional Music of Sri Lanka. Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- Zurich Boys' Choir. Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church, Beverly Hills.
7 pm -- The Poetry of Peace - Spiritual Music of the Middle East: Sheva and Omar Faruk Tekbilek. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Los Angeles.
7 pm -- An Evening of Kiirtans. Self-Realization Fellowship, Fullerton.
7 pm -- Songs of the Spirit: Onionaires and Women¹s Sacred Music: Zhena Folk Chorus. Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society, North Hills.
7.30 pm -- The Jeffrey Barnes Bahai Choir: The Sounds of Oneness. Los Angeles Baha'i Center.
8 pm -- Marlui Miranda and Ulali. Warner Grand Theater, San Pedro.
8 pm -- Amvaaj - Waves of the Unseen. Banafsheh Sayyad UCLA Theatre 200, Dance Building, Westwood.
8 pm -- Psalms in Dialogue: Los Angeles Chamber Singer¹s Cappella. Mary Chapel, Mount St. Mary¹s College, Brentwood.

Sunday, October 17

10 am -- First AME Church Open House. First AME Church, Los Angeles.
10 am -- Songs of Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Ram Das Ashram, Los Angeles.
Noon -- Millennium Hum I with Bonnie Barnett. Electronic Café International, Santa Monica.
1 pm -- Music India/Music America: Traditions and Innovations . Founder's Church, Los Angeles.
2 pm -- Lakshmi: Bharata Natyam. Mark Taper Auditorium, Los Angeles Public Library.
2 pm -- Gospel - The Excellence of Praise: Clara Ward Singers, Blind Boys of Alabama, The Starlights, Los Angeles Mass Choir, Little Ricky Tucker, The Gospel Mine Boyz. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, CSULB, Long Beach.
2 pm -- Ihu: Marlui Miranda Sinai Temple, Los Angeles.
4 pm -- Nritya Mandala: Malathi Iyengar and the Rangoli Dance Company. Fullerton Museum Center, Fullerton.
4 pm -- Marcia Dickstein and the Debussy Trio. Bing Theatre, LACMA, Los Angeles.
4 pm -- Organ Festival. Second Baptist Church, Los Angeles.
5 pm -- Jazz Vespers. First Lutheran Church, Glendale.
5­6.30 pm -- Honoring the Sea. Beach at Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica.
6­9 pm -- Sacred Music of Los Angeles Concert. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Los Angeles.
8 pm -- Psalms in Dialogue: Los Angeles Chamber Singer's Cappella. Mary Chapel, Mount St Mary's College, Brentwood.

If you would like to post any information about forthcoming events or community happenings, please email the details to bettypais@aol.com

Information and photographs can also be mailed to Betty Pais at 87-52 108th Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond Hill, NY 11418-2229, USA.

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