PORT TOWNSEND — “Eclectic” and “universal” are the words of choice for Shantala duo Benjy and Heather Wertheimer.
The pair will return to Port Townsend for a Kirtan concert — think call-and-response chanting, dancing, meditation and a blend of instruments from India and the West: the tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar and keyboards — at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Madrona MindBody Institute at 310 Fort Worden Way.
Advance tickets are $20 at the Port Townsend Food Co-op or online at www.madronamindbody.com through Sunday.
Tickets at the door will be $25. Children between the ages of 13 and 18 will pay $10 at the door, and those younger than 12 are admitted free.
No musical experience or spiritual belief is required to attend. However, attendees are invited to participate in the chant and dance, perhaps heightening a sense of “awareness, bliss and devotion,” according to the event description.
Heather and Benjy have released five albums of sacred chant music since 2003, including “Living Waters,” “Jaya,” “LIVE in Love,” “Sri” and “The Love Window.”
Yoga + Joyful Living magazine named Shantala one of the top Kirtan “Wallahs to Watch.”
Bassist Jared Mayand and Port Townsend musician David Michael will join Shantala as guest artists, though “guest” might be an understatement for both artists.
Mayand recently joined Shantala and will be making his debut in Port Townsend, according to a news release from Purnima Productions. Michael is not new to Kirtan music, either. Considered a pioneer of world fusion music, Michael has collaborated with Benjy for more than 35 years.
For more information, call David Michael/Purnima Productions at 360-301-4451 or email harp@olympus.net.
