It was a fantastic evening of world music at the Epiphany Chapel at UBC as part of the “Encountering the Other” conference. First there was Sulam’s diverse Jewish music, then a magical fusion of Indian and Japanese music, and finally four amazing musicians bringing the energy and richness of Arabic music.
Music can be so good for the soul. I could feel my spirit rising through the evening, giving me strength for sending healing energy tomorrow (Tuesday) to a regular participant at Chanting & Chocolate who is facing surgery to remove a large carcinoma from her leg. It’s slated for around 3pm PDT, when I’m planning to chant “Oh Wondrous Healer” for Rachel Devorah bat Esther ve-Aryeh. Wherever you are, please join me in chanting, add your prayers or simply offer positive thoughts for successful surgery.
Every group had percussion, strings and wind instruments but what amazing variety and talent. Sulam (top photo) was Wendy Rubin, Elana Brief, Charles Kaplan, Laura Duhan Kaplan and Martin Gotfrit. The Indian-Japanese fusion was Alcvin Ryuzin Ramos on the shakuhachi flute, Amarjeet Singh on tabla and Mohamed Assani on sitar. Emad Armoush, Gord Grdina, Radoie Panici and Kenton Loewen held the audience spellbound with their set of Arabic songs.
