Sounds Like Change: Over A Thousand Dedicate Their Voices to New Era

Sounds Like Change: Over A Thousand Dedicate Their Voices to New Era

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the eve of Obama's inauguration, anyone passing the Church of the Holy City, blocks from the White House, may have been confused at what they saw: an altar filled with Kirtan performers and dancers, a giant winged angel playing a sitar in the pulpit, and hundreds of self-described "conscious revolutionaries and sacred activists" singing and dancing. "Think praise band meets dance club/mosh pit in a church," writes Melissa Garvey of Yoga Journal.

For more than five hours, the sell-out crowd of 400 clamored at the Inaugural Chant4Change Kirtan Festival. Over 800 more tuned into a webcast of the event. Internationally renowned yoga instructor Shiva Rea led an invocation and introduced Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits, Daphne Tse, Saul David Raye and a surprise performance by Grammy-nominated artist Toni Childs, whose soaring rendition of 'America the Beautiful' closed the evening. "I haven't felt so much love, hope and energy in many years," said Grammy-nominated Jai Uttal.

Kirtan is a sacred Indian folk tradition sometimes called the "music of yoga". Steve Rosen, author of the Yoga of Kirtan, addressed the significance of the festival. "Kirtan changes people. It puts us in touch with our real essence. It reminds us that we are of one substance, all part of the same spiritual family. The things that Obama is trying to do have to start at that level. You can't pour water on the branches and leaves and twigs of a tree and expect it to grow. Tonight is about pouring water on the roots of change."

Interspersed with classical Indian dance by Bhakti Kalalayam and a riveting acrobatic drum performance by The Mayapuris, the eclectic evening generated an unexpected degree of interest with international media. Kirtan singer and festival producer Gaura Vani spoke about his intentions for the event. "This event is another example of how people are all coming together. A wave of transformational energy is empowering the new administration. The purpose of Kirtan is to transcend our differences and see ourselves as connected in service of the divine. Change is really happening."

Chant4Change took place on January 19, from 6:30pm to 11:30pm, at the Church of the Holy City located at 1611 16th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Send inquiries to press@chant4change.com

Source: Chant4Change

CONTACT: Jay Clark of Chant4Change, +1-443-742-1000

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