chris wong in sync
A significant number of people have been calling the Sacred Music Festival office. Many are looking for information about the third annual festival, taking place Nov. 10-12 at three Vancouver venues. But Nancy Fischer, the driving force behind the event, says quite a few people also want to talk about "sacred experiences" from their lives.
Although it might surprise people who know me, I can relate to the notion of sharing sacred stories. Last week, Fisher and I were doing exactly that as we sat in comfy chairs in a quaint Main Street patisserie. Fisher, executive director of the festival and singer in Rumi and Lalla (one of the groups performing in the festival), told me about being raised as an Anglican and later embracing Buddhism, western Sufism and Judaism. I told her about being an altar boy in the Catholic church and how, years later, I was the best man at a Jewish wedding where I was fascinated with the cantor's powerful chants.
Of course sacred experiences aren't exclusive to organized religions. In fact one of the Sacred Music Festival's main strengths is its non-religious and inclusive approach. The festival has followed an open-minded definition of sacred sounds, as culturally and spiritually diverse music rooted in ancient traditions. So the festival's programming actually appeals to a varied audience-from true believers to agnostics.
I've been especially interested in the festival artists that reflect their cultures and express spirituality through what I would call world music. So in this year's line-up, I'm looking forward to performances by Indian percussionist Trichy Sankaran, the Vietnamese Khac Chi Ensemble, Celtic singer Teresa Doyle from Prince Edward Island, Turkish musician Latif Bolat, and the Total Experience Gospel Choir from Seattle. I'm also excited about hearing the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, which successfully performed Moshe Denburg's "Rapprochements" suite last year, and will do works by Mark Armanini, Grace Lee and Pepe Danza in this year's edition.
Thankfully, the Sacred Music Festival hasn't programmed new age music. The upcoming festival, however, will include an "ancient sound and healing workshop" and "autumn seasonal healing concert" featuring Fabien Maman and Tama-Do Artists. Maman is a musician/composer, acupuncturist, "bioenergetician" and martial artist who uses instruments ranging from Chinese gongs to a "sound pyramid", which will be tuned to pentatonic scales and stars in the sky at the time of the festival.
"We're expanding our vision of what are sacred traditions," says Fischer about the decision to include Maman's "healing music" and singer Pauline Le Bel's celebration of the "Goddess" tradition. I plan to stay well clear of Maman's tones. But the beauty of the Sacred Music Festival is I'll be able to stick around that day and hear groups like Koushkani, Ferreras and Houle that will resonate with me and provide spiritual sustenance in these post-September 11 times.
The Sacred Music Festival takes place at St. Andrews Wesley Church (Nov. 10), Temple Sholom Synagogue (Nov.11) and the UBC First Nations Longhouse (Nov. 12). For information and tickets, call (604) 732-6632.
If you're in the mood for jazz, then there are numerous options in the coming days.
The Vancouver Sweet Basil Jazz Festival takes places Nov. 1-17 at venues such as O'Doul's Restaurant & Bar and Tom Lee Music. Programmed by singer Michel Pan, the festival will feature local musicians, ranging from professionals to high school students. Go to www.sweetbasiljazz.com for info.
Zula is putting on an excellent double-bill featuring visionary keyboardist Wayne Horvitz in both groups. His 4 + 1 Ensemble, including trombonist Julian Priester and violinist Eyvind Kang, and an acoustic version of the funky Zony Mash will perform Nov. 10 at Norman Rothstein Theatre. Call (604) 257-5111 for tickets. More info . . .
Finally, Metalwood will play Nov. 11 at the Cellar. If past Metalwood shows at the Cellar are any indication, the gig will be a sonic blast. Call (604) 738-1959 for reservations.