Bhakti Fest Midwest 2013: The Festival of Yoga, Kirtan and Wisdom Returns to Madison July 5-7

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Susan

Bhakti Fest, the originator of yoga and kirtan festivals in the now wildly popular yoga festival scene is pleased to announce the return of Bhakti Fest Midwest, for its second season July 5-7 at Willow Island Alliant Energy Center, in Madison, WI. As the only major festival in the region, the event brings yoga, kirtan music and wisdom workshops to America’s heartland. And to celebrate our patriots on Independence Day weekend, Bhakti Fest Midwest offers free admission to active duty service members and veterans.

Sridhar Silberfein, the founder and producer of the Bhakti Fests notes, “We are so pleased to bring the Bhakti energy back to Madison. Last year we took a risk on the Midwest and we were overwhelmed by the outpouring of regional support. We are thrilled to make Bhakti Fest Midwest an annual tradition. Taking place over the long Independence Day weekend, Bhakti Fest Midwest is a wonderful way to celebrate mental, physical and spiritual freedom in a beautiful setting and bask in the liberating power of numerous top yoga teachers, kirtan artists and workshop leaders.”

The kirtan (a.k.a. chanting) artists at Bhakti Fest Midwest include international superstars of kirtan Jai Uttal, Wah!, and Dave Stringer, plus regional favorites including Milwaukee’s Ragani, Columbus’ Mike Cohen, Minneapolis’ Kirtan Path, Wild Moon Bhaktas and Sitara & Kalyani with Pavan Kumar, Chicago’s Amy and the Bliss Tribe and Rich Logan, and many other inspiring performers.

Similarly the yoga lineup features world class yoga teachers Saul David Raye, Govinddas & Radha and Yoga Slackers, along with the Midwest’s yoga leaders including Detroit’s Eric Paskel, Milwaukee’s Pam Bliss, Columbus’ Laurel Hodory, Chicago’s Daren Friesen, Indianapolis’ Nikki Myers, and more. Continue reading →

East Nashville’s Craig Jackson Band Releases New Americana Rock EP produced by Ken Coomer

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Susan

Here he goes again! As the title of the final track on the Craig Jackson Band‘s new effort suggests, Jackson is back with a fine mix of countryfied Americana style rock tunes on Sweeter Songs, a 6 song ep set for release on his Green Records label April 30th.

Jackson was fortunate to work with much sought after Nashville-based producer, Ken Coomer. The magic happened at Creative Workshop, one of the many top notch recording studios in Berry Hill, an area just south of town that has come to be known as Nashville’s “second Music Row.”

The six song EP is a mix of rock & roll, folk-pop, and Americana which teams Jackson with all-star musicians including bassist David La Bruyere (John Mayer, Shawn Mullins), Juno award-winning blues guitarist Colin Linden (Lindi Ortega), backing vocalist Scotty Huff (Keith Urban, The Mavericks), and organist John Lancaster. Adam Ollendorff (Will Hoge, Kaycee Musgraves), who also appeared on Jackson’s 2009 release Damn The Roses, contributes electric guitar, 12-string steel and lap steel, while Aaron Oliver adds upright bass to “Much Too Long.” Continue reading →

Shakti Fest 2013 Brings Divine Feminine Wisdom to Joshua Tree May 17 – 19

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Susan

Celebrating its third season, Shakti Fest the spring celebration of the divine feminine produced by Bhakti Fest, the originator of yoga and kirtan festivals in the booming American yoga and spirituality festival scene is celebrating its third season May 17 -19 at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, in Joshua Tree, CA. In addition to Bhakti Fest’s unique focus on kirtan music, along with hosting the country’s top yoga teachers, Shakti Fest brings together some of the top wisdom teachers of our time for over 25 workshops.

The Shakti centered workshops highlighted include Mirabai Devi’s “Living in Light: Anchoring the Power of the Divine Feminine” and Laura Amazzone’s “Shakti and the Tantric Wisdom Goddesses!” Devi’s session seeks to fully awaken, the Divine Feminine – the highest level of feminine expression and manifestation in the universe with a workshop filled with light as she guides attendees through an experience of transformation and healing that will culminate in a blissful state of divine awakening, an open heart, a healed body, and an expanded consciousness including a special Shakti Light Transmission for 2013. Amazzone’s session will be an experience of how the Tantric Wisdom Goddesses are the Shakti of spiritual empowerment, transformation and liberation–and discover how they are present within everyone.

Other workshops include kirtan superstar Krishna Das presenting “Awakening Bhakti” where he will share some secrets of leading kirtans; Meditation expert Dr. Lorin Roche PhD explains the way we each manifest Shakti differently through an exploration of The Radiance Sutras; HoopGirl Christabel Zamor will lead a special session of Shakti generating spiritual hooping; Zat Baraka leads a tantric breathwork workshop on the power of self-initiation; noted spiritual artist Paul Heussenstamm leads “Mandalas as Psychic Maps;” Brazilian yogini Nubia Teixeira leads a classic Indian dance class in her unique style; Joshua Tree Retreat Center Director Victoria Gevoian leads a workshop in “The 8 Key Tibetan Breaths;” Timothy Leary’s son Zach Leary, a longtime Bhakti Yoga practitioner will lead daily Hanuman Chalisa recitations. Additionally Bhakti Fest’s spiritual god father Ram Dass will give a special video message. Continue reading →

California’s Only Spring Yoga Festival, Shakti Fest Brings Top Teachers to Joshua Tree May 17 – 19

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Susan

Shakti Fest, California’s only Spring yoga festival in the now booming yoga festival scene is celebrating its third season May 17 -19 at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, in Joshua Tree, CA. In alignment with Shakti Fest’s focus on the divine feminine spirit, some of the country’s top yoga teachers will give their inspiring classes at this incredible location along with performances from top kirtan artists, wisdom workshops and more.

2012 saw an explosion of yoga festivals, and the Shakti Fest lineup is ushering in the 2013 season with a stellar line up of the yoga world’s top instructors including yoga DVD leader Shiva Rae, spiritual activist Saul David Raye, Weight Watcher’s yoga programmer Sara Ivanhoe, Yoga of Heart author Mark Whitwell, popular vinyasa teacher Kia Miller, Exhale Center for Sacred Movement director Cristi Christensen, LA Yoga editor Felicia Tomasko, Bhakti Yoga Shala founders Govind das & Radha, and Slackline yoga originators YogaSlackers, along with over 10 other teachers. For the full yoga line up please see http://bhaktifest.com/category/festivals/shakti-fest/yoga/. Continue reading →

Kent, Ohio’s Indie Folksters Bethesda Unleash The Reunion April 9

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Susan

“an album that can sit comfortably and confidently next to any of the current crop of Mumfords and Avetts” - Emmet Smith, The Cleveland Plain Dealer

After great gigs at Bonaroo and SXSW, and having already conquered their northeast Ohio home base, indie folksters Bethesda are ready to bring their current yet old timey sound to a larger audience with their third release The Reunion, available April 9 through InKind Music/Sony RED. Sounding like Mumford & Sons with Florence Welch singing lead, a high-stepping video, and touring plans throughout the year, the group are sure to pick up many new fans in 2013.

Named after the ancient sacred healing waters in Jerusalem, Bethesda delivers an uplifting experience through consciously crafted songs, stirring live shows and the desire to create a community from the new believers that they meet.

The Reunion’s ten tracks feature Shanna Delaney’s crystal clear vocals joined with Eric Ling’s warm vocal harmonies and rhythm guitar, energetic lead guitar and banjo by Jesse Scaggs, richly interwoven fiddle from Christopher Black, knee-slapping rhythms from Justin Rife on drums, and Dan Corby laying down the bottom on bass which, as an ensemble, crescendo into a indie-approved, Americana hipster-hootenanny. Bethesda traveled to Denver, Colorado to work with Tim Gerak at Mammoth Cave Studios, tapping into the local folk scene. Continue reading →

Celebrating the Divine Feminine through Kirtan at Shakti Fest 2013 in Joshua Tree May 17 – 19

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Susan

Celebrating its third season, Shakti Fest the spring celebration of the divine feminine produced by Bhakti Fest, the originator of yoga and kirtan festivals in the now wildly popular yoga festival scene, is pleased to announce their 2013 festival, May 17 – 19 at the Joshua Tree Desert Retreat Center, in Joshua Tree, CA. Top stars of the worldwide kirtan music scene will perform at the festival.

Some of the music is traditionally performed, yet many of today’s kirtan musicians create contemporary adaptations based in jazz, blues, rock, and rap. This artistic integration of cultures has become extremely successful and draws a following as diverse and unique as the music itself. For a taste of kirtan, please download Shakti headliner Jai Uttal’s bluesy “Jai Ma” for free here.

The kirtan (a.k.a. chanting) artists at Shakti Fest also include the top two female kirtan players – Wah! and Donna De Lory as well as Dave Stringer, Prema Hara, Larisa Stow and Shakti Tribe, Govind das & Radha, Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band, and many other inspiring performers. Continue reading →

It’s a Boy for NBC Early Today Host and Humanitarian Veronica De La Cruz

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Susan

Photography by: Adele Godfrey, http://www.adelegodfrey.com
Makeup by: Alisa Jurnari
Hair by: Mary Wood

The popular host of NBC’s Early Today Show, MSNBC anchor and founder of the Eric De La Cruz Hope for Hearts Foundation, Veronica De La Cruz, gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The television journalist’s 8 pound, 4 ounce bundle of joy was born with dark hair and green eyes and has been named Hartley Eric, after the journalist’s brother who died in 2009.

“Before my brother died, I started an online campaign to raise money for a life-saving heart transplant,” noted De La Cruz. “Thousands of compassionate Twitter followers came out to support the effort and we lovingly referred to them as Eric’s Twitter Army. They all displayed banners on their online avatars that read, ‘<3 Eric,’ which is where my son’s name comes from. If you look at my own social media profile, you will see still see a heart followed by the name Eric. That is what inspired my son’s name.”

De La Cruz and her mother Rose have been over the moon at little Hartley’s arrival, with the new mom noting, “After the pain and devastation of losing Eric almost four years ago, having a healthy baby feels like an incredible miracle. Of course, he couldn’t be any more beautiful. I think I can safely say I have finally met the love of my life.” Continue reading →

Shakti Fest 2013: The Festival of Yoga, Kirtan and Wisdom Celebrating the Divine Feminine Returns to Joshua Tree May 17 – 19

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Susan

Bhakti Fest, the originator of yoga and kirtan festivals in the now wildly popular yoga festival scene is pleased to announce their first 2013 festival, Shakti Fest, celebrating its third season May 17 – 19 at the Joshua Tree Desert Retreat Center, in Joshua Tree, CA. Yoga, kirtan music and wisdom workshops celebrating the divine feminine spirit will be highlighted.

Mukti Silberfein, a founder and producer of the Bhakti Fests including Shakti Fest notes, “We are pleased to bring the Shakti energy to Joshua Tree for a third year. Taking place in May, a week after Mother’s Day, Shakti is a wonderful way to experience the divinity of mother earth in a beautiful setting and bask in the feminine power of numerous top yoga teachers, kirtan artists and workshop leaders.”

The kirtan (a.k.a. chanting) artists at Shakti Fest include the top two female kirtan players – Wah! and Donna De Lory as well as the genre’s superstar Jai Uttal, plus Dave Stringer, Prema Hara, Larisa Stow and Shakti Tribe, Govind das & Radha and many other inspiring performers. Continue reading →

On April 23 Liberty Hill Awards Alex Gansa & Howard Gordon, Alison Morgan & Parke Skelton, and Charles F. Johnson

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Susan

Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa will receive the Upton Sinclair Award at Liberty Hill’s Annual Dinner April 23

Liberty Hill Foundation’s annual Upton Sinclair Dinner celebrates and honors community leaders at the frontlines of change in Los Angeles and beyond. This year’s recipients of the namesake Upton Sinclair Award are co-creators and executive producers of Showtime’s award-winning series, “Homeland”, Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon. Political activist-philanthropists Alison Morgan and Parke Skelton will receive the Founder’s Award and award-winning television and film producer Charles F. Johnson will receive the Creative Vision Award.

The 2013 fundraising gala takes place on April 23 at the Beverly Hilton. Liberty Hill expects more than 600 friends, supporters, and allies to join in celebration of their 2013 honorees. All proceeds will support Liberty Hill’s mission of change, not charity. Through grants, training programs, and campaigns, Liberty Hill advances social justice in Los Angeles.

The Upton Sinclair award is given annually to a person whose lifelong crusade for equality and justice inspires us today. This year Liberty Hill is proud to present the award to two outstanding individuals, Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon, executive producers of “Homeland.” Friends and collaborators since their senior year at Princeton, Alex and Howard also worked together on television’s “Spenser for Hire,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The X-Files,” and “24.” Alex’s additional television credits include being executive producer and writer on “Dawson’s Creek,” and “Entourage,” as well as writing for numerous other television shows. Howard Gordon’s twenty-five-year career in television includes work on “Angel,” “Sisters,” “The Inside,” and “Strange World.” Continue reading →

Bhakti Fest Announces 2013 Festivals

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Susan

Bhakti Fest, the originator of yoga and kirtan festivals in the now wildly popular yoga festival scene is pleased to announce their 2013 festivals. BhaktiVentures will produce three festivals this year, the fifth anniversary of Bhakti Fest West in Joshua Tree, California taking place September 5 – 8, the third annual Shakti Fest also in Joshua Tree May 17 – 19, and the second annual Bhakti Fest Midwest in Madison, Wisconsin July 5 – 7.

With an increasingly crowded schedule of yoga festivals and conferences each year, Bhakti Fest differentiates their events with an elevated focus on yoga beyond asana, bringing in an extensive focus on devotional chanting known as kirtan, along with breathwork or pranayama, and workshops that incorporate a variety of spiritual traditions and other modalities.

Bhakti Fest debuts their season in May with Shakti Fest at the incredible Joshua Tree Desert Retreat Center, with a three day event that celebrates divine feminine power. Taking place a week after Mother’s Day, Shakti Fest brings a spirit of creation and empowerment through kirtan headliners Wah! and Donna De Lory, yoga teachers including Shiva Rae, Kia Miller and Sara Ivanhoe, Laura Amazzone’s Shakti and the Tantra Wisdom Goddesses workshop, and Mirabai Devi’s Living in Light: Anchoring the Power of the Divine Feminine seminar. Continue reading →

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