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May 15, 2009 (San Francisco North Bay, CA) — Celebrating 31 years of “Harmony From the Roots Up”—and continuing its focus on progressive ideals, community activism, and uplifting music—the producers of the Harmony Festival (http://www.harmonyfestival.com) are pleased to announce a very special Sacred Sunday Show celebrating World Peace Day on Sunday, June 14, 2009. On this single day, an historic gathering of representatives from the world’s great religious groups—Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Pagan, New Age and Indigenous—will come together in harmony as a declaration of peaceful solidarity in Sonoma County and throughout the world. Representing the Jewish faith, performing on the Main Stage 4:30-6pm will be MATISYAHU, the American Hasidic Jewish musician who has studied Torah at Hadar Hatorah as well as performed on David Letterman, MTV and VH1. The wisdom of his faith is expressed through his unique musical style, a blend of reggae, rap, funk, rock, beatboxing and cantor-like chants. In 2006, he was named Top Reggae Artist by Billboard magazine and was recently named a spokesperson for clothing designer Kenneth Cole. He and his new band, The Dub Trio, will be performing songs from their new album “Light” (www.matisyahuworld.com). As well, Rabbi Yisrael Rice will lead a Gratitude Meditation 3:15-4:15pm in the Lotus Pagoda. On behalf of Christians everywhere, performing on the Main Stage 12-1:30pm will be REV. MICHAEL BECKWITH WITH RICKIE BYARS BECKWITH AND THE AGAPE AND SOCIAL PROPHET CHOIRS. Reverend Beckwith is founder and spiritual director of the Agape Community Church in Culver City, CA. His wife and the church’s musical director, Rickie Byars Beckwith founded the Agape International Choir in 1998 with 30 voices. The Choir is now a multi-ethnic group with an average roster of 200 members whose voices have been heard from Santa Monica to South Central; from Somalia to South Africa; from all across the United States to all around the world. Dr. Beckwith will also appear as a speaker in the Earth Temple Dome 2:30-3:30pm, and Rickie Byars Beckwith will lead the Wisdom Council panel in Goddess Grove 4:30-5:30. www.agapelive.com Representing eleven generations of Muslim vocal history at 2:30-3:45pm is SHABAZ from Pakistan, showcasing the voices of siblings Sukhawat Ali Khan and Riffat Salamat (formerly the Ali Khan Band) with a modern global dance floor sensibility. Representing Pagan and Earth-based spirituality is STARHAWK, a veteran of progressive movements, from anti-war to anti-nukes and a highly influential voice in the revival of Goddess religion who has brought many innovative techniques of spirituality and magic to her political work. She is also a committed global justice activist, organizer, and author of many books, including The Spiral Dance, The Fifth Sacred Thing, and the award-winning Webs of Power: Notes from the Global Uprising. Her latest is Earth Path: Grounding Your Spirit in the Rhythms of Nature. In addition to appearing on the Main Stage briefly on this day, Starhawk will also be speaking 1:15-2:15 in Earth Temple Dome and leading the closing ceremony of the Goddess Stage 7:45-8:15pm. www.starhawk.org. A consistent presence throughout the Sacred Sunday Show will be the JERUSALEM PEACEMAKERS, speakers from Jewish, Muslim, and Christian backgrounds who will be speaking between acts on the Main Stage. Over the weekend, they will also be presenting a series of programs on Healing the Children of Abraham (3:45-4:45pm, Earth Temple Dome), they will be joined by special guests leading chants in Hebrew and Arabic (Friday, June 12, 6:15-7:15pm, Lotus Pagoda), and showcasing films on their work at the Kraft Hall (with a special sneak preview for volunteers and early campers on Thursday night, June 11). www.jerusalempeacemakers.org Local Elders of Indigenous cultures lead the closing ceremony 6:45-7:30pm. The Sacred Sunday Show program, and the 31st annual Harmony Festival, will close on Sunday, June 14 with KITARO personifying the New Age movement, performing an evening After Party benefit concert for ACE indoors in Harmony Hall (9:30-11pm, separate ticket required). Kitaro's style is the epitome of the contemplative, highly melodic synthesizer music often associated with the new-age movement. He has been nominated several times for a Grammy in the New Age category and won the Golden Globe for his soundtrack for Oliver Stone’s movie "Heaven & Earth". Representing people of all faiths at this gala After Party is ONE WORLD ORCHESTRA WITH TINA MALIA, SHIMSHAI, BLANE LYON, AND ROCKER-T (midnight – 2am Monday, June 15; separate ticket required). Tina Malia’s original lyrics and earthy rhythms are rooted in American folk and soul music; Shimshai blends traditional folklore songs of South America and Sanskrit mantras of India into a unique mix of reggae, jazz, kirtan, folk, and world beat; Singer/songwriter, multi- instrumentalist, dancer and producer Blane Lyon’s voice expresses reverence to soulful uplifting music combining Funk, Soul, Reggae, Electronica, Dub, and Acoustic grooves; Rocker-T was an integral part of the formation of the New York City Ska and Hip Hop scenes and is a gifted multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, DJ, performer, producer, and MC whose singing and chanting has become known worldwide as “sing-jay”. The uniquely progressive Sunday Sacred Show and After Party programming is the Harmony Festival’s way to honor and celebrate World Peace Day. It is being produced to honor THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM, whose collective intention is to make a statement of peace in the Middle East. Line-up is subject to change, please refer to web site for final schedule. The Sunday Sacred Show is part of Harmony Festival, the West Coast’s premier music and progressive lifestyle event—described as a hybrid between Burning Man and Bioneers—which will once again be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California, this year on June 12, 13, and 14. General festival information is available at www.HarmonyFestival.com, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it, or 415-721-7515. ### |
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