ChantFest 2007
Evening Chant Celebration
This participatory multi faith event celebrating many chanting tradtions will take place in the Sanctuary of the Canadian Memorial Church on the corner of West 15th Avenue at Burrard.
Please enter through the main doors on 15th Avenue. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Celebration begins at 7:30 p.m.
Gina Salá
The Master of Ceremonies for the Evening will be Amir Peter O'Loughlin who has been a teacher in the Sufi Order International for over 25 years, and currently is its National Representative in Canada. In addition to his roles in the Sufi Order, Amir is a musician and recording artist whose album "Merhaba" (with Seemi Ghazi and others) has garnered praise in both North America and Europe. Amir will lead some Sufi chants and introduce the other performers including Lorne Mallin, Myrna Rabinovitch, David Embry Solest, Gina Salá, Pepe Danza and Navaro Franco and Jerry DesVoignes.
Gina Salá is a vocalist, composer, music director,
sound healer, and teacher from Seattle whose love
of the human voice has taken her to performing and studying
throughout much of the world. She has performed at the US Pentagon,
the US Capital, the United Nations, and recently finished
a contract as principal singer for Cirque du Soleil’s “O”.
With a repertoire spanning 20 languages,
Gina Salá shares her passion for singing us awake to who we are!
web: www.ginasala.com
Navaro Franco and Pepe Danza
Joseph “Pepe” Danza and Navaro Franco will lead
us singing spiritual ritual and ceremonial Afro Brazilian chants.
The chants will be accompanied by dynamic African drums and percussion.
There will also be cascades of melody and singing with the mbira (Zimbabwean Thumb Piano).
Pepe Danza is a local musician, performer, teacher, bandleader,
recording artist, and producer
(Ocean of Rhythm Studios).
His electrifying virtuosic drumming is complimented by the wide range
of other world instruments that he plays. Pepe was musical director of
Vancouver's Sacred Music Festival. He has studied, performed, and taught all over the world.
web: www.pepe-music.com
Navaro Franco has been drumming and dancing for over 20 years.
She performs and teaches drumming,
African Dance, Trance Dance & Ecstatic Dance (Tribal Bliss Dance & Drumming).
She has a passion for creating community spaces for healing
and joy through rhythm and dance. Navaro has studied with master
teachers in Africa, the U.S. & Canada. She co-directs
Drum Prayers with Pepe Danza & is a founding member of the Diva Drum Collective.
email: navaro@tribal-bliss.com
Jerry DesVoignes
Jerry DesVoignes is a singer, composer,
teacher and sound healer who is dedicated to building
community through sound and voice. Jerry has spent
many years developing several styles of Harmonic "Throat"
Singing such as Tibetan and Tuvan. He is the director of the
One Voice Harmonic (vocals in the Tantric traditions) and the
MantraVani Orchestra, a sacred/world music ensemble.
He is a student of Baba Hari Dass. Jerry also has over
20 years experience in teaching yoga and leading kirtan for
thousands of people.
He offers both personal lessons and workshops such as:
Wisdom of the Voice, Bhakti Yoga Course, Voice Empowerment.
He also offers monthly gatherings such as Bhakti Night,
Chanting in the Round, Sacred Journeys, and Walking the Labyrinth.
Jerry will be joined by members of the MantraVani Orchestra.
web: www.healingvoices.net