bhakti fest
Sept 2009
In the middle of the desert, in the crazy heat of late summer: the unlikeliest time and place for a gathering of over 1,500 chantaholics thirtsty for their drink of choice. Yet there we were – the largest kirtan gathering American soil has ever seen – being led in song by all our favorites: Jai Uttal, Gaura Vani, Wah!, the Mayapuris, Dave Stringer, C.C. White, Mukti, and a few dozen others. For three days the main stage area was abuzz with chant 24/7 – one band would take the stage as the another stepped off it, a continuous mandala of chant. And such a variety of styles! From the most traditional Indian-style bands, to the electric guitars and thumping basses of chant-rock bands. I was working in the Bhakti Bar booth, getting the word out about Andrew Zenoff’s new kirtan-community-building-business, which was conveniently located with a prime view of the main stage. So exciting to be part of the kick-off of what will surely be an annual highlight of the kirtan-circuit year.
