Legend: BLUE-open, RED-closed, GREEN-by donation
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Sunday, April 01, 2007

spring sing

there don't seem to be many kirtans/concerts/musical events in april; most of them are ongoing monthly yoga studio kirtans. i suppose it's possible that the passover and easter holidays have something to do with it. regardless, there are some interesting offerings in this month's collection:

Community Choir Concert led by Maggie Wheeler and Emile Hassan
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood
Sunday, April 1st 2:00-3:00 PM
Cost: $10 per adult; children 12 and under are free


Join us for the first ever Golden Bridge Community Choir concert! Let your hearts and spirits be lifted by the beauty of this incredible community choir!
Proceeds will be donated to the Kuwangisana Project providing home based care, education, counseling and support for people living with HIV/AIDS in Mozambique.

An Afternoon of Music And Poetry
Harmony Yoga Redondo Beach
Sunday, April 1st 2:00-4:00pm
COST: Donation at the door


Come listen to the music of Andy Hill, Renee Safier and the yoga inspired poetry of Brian Michael Tracy.
For more information contact Brian Tracy at poet@midnightteapoetry.com or go to his web site at www.midnightteapoetry.com for complete details.

Community Chanting with Rick and Suwon
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Friday, April 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th (Every Friday) at 7:30pm
Cost: FREE


Kirtan in the Canyon with Andrew and Michele and Friends
Yoga Desa, Topanga
Saturday, April 7th (First Saturday of each month) 7:30pm


Call and response chanting with live devotional music. A truly wonderful experience.

Kirtan Chanting with Govindas and Radha
Power Yoga West, Santa Monica
Saturday, April 7th (The first Saturday of every month) 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: Donation


Govindas & Radha will hold a candlelit evening of Kirtan Chanting, as always on donation basis.
Come sing from the deepest corner of your heart!
Bring meditation cushions or blanket (no yoga mats). Wear comfy clothes.

Yoga Bash with David Romanelli and Matthew Moon
Exhale Santa Monica
Thursday, April 12th 7:30-11:00pm
Cost: $15 suggested donation to benefit exhalesoul


Exhale’s Santa Monica location is one of the most beautiful yoga studios in the world. The yoga room offers a stunning view of the ocean and a gong whose vibration will soothe your soul...
But on April 12th...the gong will rock your world!
Join yoga teacher David Romanelli, rock star Matthew Moon and exhale’s massage therapists and estheticians for an evening of flowing yoga, great live music, FREE food and drinks from I Cugini and Ma’Kai Lounge, and late night rubdowns. Sample a variety of spa therapies from acupuncture to massage and stop by the Astara table for complimentary mini facials and giveaways.
For more info, meditate on this mantra: AMAZING SPRING NIGHT OF YOGA, MUSIC AND GOOD TIMES FOR FREE!

ExhaleSoul Benefit: Om Chant with Max Strom
Exhale Venice
Friday, April 13th 7:45-9:00pm
Cost: $15 minimum donation


Join Max Strom for an evening of his renowned Om chants. Max has been leading large gatherings to chant Om for peace since 1996. The pronunciation of the word "OM" (pronounced A-U-M) symbolizes the totality of all. This idea of totality exists in the English word "Omnipresent" that includes OM as its prefix. We also have words like Omnipotent, and Omniscient, all of which have the concept of totality in their meanings. The Christian term "Amen" is said to have some link with "Om" as also the Islamic term "Amin". Both are phonetically similar. Chanting Om for an hour helps to create a tone of peace within our own being which we then carry out into the world to teach peace by example.
All donations will go towards YouthAIDS.

Kirtan with Daniel Stewart
Rising Lotus Yoga, Sherman Oaks
Friday, April 13th (the second Friday of every month) 8:15pm
Cost: Donation


Come join us for an evening of ecstatic chanting. No singing experience needed, only a willingness to open your heart (and your mouth) to the blissflul flow. Kirtan (from the sanskrit word for singing) is easily learned and instantly memorable. The form is simple: a lead group calls out the melodies. The crowd responds. Sanskrit, the language of ancient India, is also the mother tongue of many modern languages. But the true meaning of its sounds are in the effect they create. As everyone's breathing becomes synchronous, a feeling of unity and timelessness arises. When we sing without restraint our heartfelt expression brings peace and joy and meditation follow effortlessly.

Drum Circle
Yoga Blend, Burbank
Friday, April 13th 8:30-10:30pm
Cost: Donation only!


Come join us for this incredible tribal celebration!
If you have a drum, bring it...if not, plenty will be on hand.
Come to listen, play, dance or do yoga…
A wonderful release for the mind, body and spirit!

Open Your Heart with Backbends with Dearbhla Kelly and Live Music with Allie Stringer
Goda Yoga, Culver City
Saturday April 14th 2:00-4:15pm


Open-heartedness is the key to joy. In this challenging class you will use backbends to release blocked energy and make space in the heart. Through a combination of breath, chanting, and asana you will unlock the heart and make way for the expansive joy and bliss of your true nature.

Kirtan (call and response chanting) with Travis Eliot
Santa Monica Yoga
Saturday, April 14th (the second Saturday of every month) 8:00-9:30pm
Cost: Donation


Zen Dancing Ritual World Concerts with Micheline Berry, Craig Kohland & Shaman's Dream
Exhale Venice
Saturday, April 14th 8:30-10:00pm
Cost: $15; $20 at the door


Where ecstatic dance and live world music meet, Zen Dancing® induces peak states of ecstatic embodiment and deep union with the pranic "flow" between dancer and drum, breath and beat. The language of dance is universal and since 1996 Micheline Berry, Craig Kohland and their world ensemble Shaman's Dream have been resurrecting and defining the ritual world dance in Los Angeles, CA. Their live concerts are akin to a world ethnotronica odyssey that will sweep you up in a wave of trance dance marked by the evocative indigenous sounds and deep visionary grooves that have become the signature of their music.
No experience necessary...simply come prepared to move and let the music take you where it will.

Urban Yogini: Awakening the Ecstatic Feminine through Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Somatic Dance + Live Music with Micheline Berry
Exhale Venice
Sunday, April 15th 12:30 -3:00pm
Cost: $35


Join Micheline and live musicians for a Spring ritual yoga practice designed to awaken, activate and deepen the flow of Shakti Prana - the sensual and vibrant creative principle that exists as latent potential within us all. This special yoga journey integrates a deep, liquid practice of yoga asana, somatic afro-brazilian dance movement and meditation. You will come away from this practice feeling deeply empowered, juicy, rejuvenated and connected to the sacred dance of your own yoga practice. Open to women of all yoga levels. Please bring a Yoga mat and come prepared to move, sweat, laugh and let go!

Classical Guitar Concert with Tom Farrell
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Sunday, April 15th, 6:30pm
Cost: This event is free, donations are always welcome


Join us for a very special Satsang.
We will begin with a brief meditation, followed by Classical music, including works by Bach, performed by Tom Farrell. The performance will be followed by a light meal and the company of yogis!
A Chicago native, Tom Farrell received his M.M. from Northwestern University. During his studies, he had the opportunity to perform for many world class artists such as Sergio Assad, Oscar Ghiglia, Nigel North and William Kannengeiser. In January of 2000, he was awarded first place in the Society of American Musicians Classical Guitar Competition. After graduation he participated in the world famous master classes taught by Oscar Ghiglia at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy. Since then he has performed throughout the U.S. and has been commissioned to compose music for theater and dance, including Thodos Dance Chicago and the Remy Bumppo Theater Company. A recent project includes the score of a short film by Italian director, Alessandro de Cristofaro.

Soul Flow: Creative Dance with with Basia/ Haridass
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Friday, April 20th 7:30-9:30pm
Cost: $15 or $25/couple


Join Basia for a wholesome and soulful evening! Call forth your playful nature, gain confidence for new adventures with freedom and joy. Move gracefully toward your personal intention.
This fun evening includes creative dancing with a healing journey through the chakras, flowing music to connect you with Universal love, group interaction and playfulness, and a meditative closing circle. A wonderful way to spend an uplifting Friday night!

Family Yoga And Groove Night
Your Neighborhood Studio
Saturday April 21st 7:00-9:30pm
Cost: By Donation


We start the night with a basic 1 hour yoga class to get your warmed up, then we head into the get your groove on portion! The dance steps are easy to follow and focus on you finding your groove!
Bring the whole family or come alone. All ages welcome!

Chanting with Steve Ross
Maha Yoga, Brentwood
Saturday, April 21st 8:00pm
Cost: Donation (for our musicians)


Fill your heart with divine bliss as Steve leads us through beautiful chants. Guaranteed to have you floating out of the studio. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a cushion to sit on and enjoy.

Kirtan Concert with Larisa Stowe and Shakti Tribe!
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Saturday, April 21st 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: $15/Advance, $20/Door


Awareness Center Grand Re-Opening Celebration!
Chant, dance, and groove the night away with Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe. They create an unprecedented blend of ancient Eastern mantras with the contemporary sounds of the West. Larisa's voice is absolutely mesmerizing, as these empowering messages of peace and love transport your heart and soul on an inspirational journey ... including sacred chants in Sanskrit, Aramaic and English. www.larisastow.com
Get your tickets soon... because this concert will be sold out.

Experience the Bliss from the Singing Crystal Bowls
Annie's Yoga, Sherman Oaks
Sunday, April 22nd 1:30pm
Cost: $12 if paid 24 hours in advance or $15 at the Door


Soak up the frequencies of the singing crystal bowls while enjoying a guided chakra cleansing and balancing for the ultimate healing effect.**

** Side effects may include: a feeling of blissfulness, balance within your energy field, uplifted spirits, relaxation, personal well-being, renewed sensed of self, peacefulness, rejuvenation and possibly even a remembrance of your soul's purpose. Yes, all this in one hour!
This meditation is best enjoyed lying down in a comfortable Shavasana position.
Facilitated by Nicole Vanderhof, Certified Hypnotherapist

Youssoupha Sidebe in Concert
City Yoga, West Hollywood
Saturday, April 28th 8:00pm
Cost: $15 in advance / $20 at the door


Just for starters, Youssoupha Sidibe wrote and performed on the 2007 Grammy nominated album with Matisyahu. Youssoupha has performed and/or collaborated with India Arie, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Charles Neville, Futureman, Michael Franti, and Matisyahu. His latest collaboration, "Shalom/Salaam" was the artist Matisyahu on Sony BMG. The album entitled "YOUTH", released in March 2006 went gold and contains the collaborative single as well as another track "Ancient Lullaby" featuring Youssoupha on Kora.
Youssoupha's performances and healing workshops are inspiring and empowering for people of all ages. The sound of the Kora seamlessly blends with the powerful human emotion and faith that Youssoupha embodies. His Sacred Sound brings a new dimension to the celebration of humankind.
Youssoupha was born in Senegal, West Africa and studied music at the National Musical Conservatory of Senegal. He plays the Kora (African harp), which is a traditional instrument played by the Griots or Jalis. Through the ages, Griots have held the position of keeping the history and genealogies of various clans and families. Historically, Kora songs were composed and performed honoring principle figures in African history. This profession is very common in various West African societies.
For more information please go to http://www.youssouphasidibe.com

Satsang with Guru Mata Keshavadas (Rama Mata)
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Sunday April 29th at 6:30pm.
Cost: Suggested Donation of $15, however no-one will be turned away. All are Welcome!


We are blessed and honoured to have Guru Mata Keshavadas (Rama Mata) with us for Satsang on A gifted singer and story teller, Rama Mata will share with us an evening of music around the stories and music of Krishna.
Rama Mata - Guru, continues the lineage of Sant Keshavadas of Kari Katha (teaching through music and the telling of stories). Considered by many to be a saint in her own right, now called "Guru Mata" and vows to continue Guruji's divine work.