Join singer/songwriter Noah Aronson as he welcomes Sufi master Amir Vahab and Vodou priests Oneza Lafontant and Gran Bwa for a fascinating evening of sacred song. Every SMNY event is more than just a concert. It’s an intimate gathering where you’ll make new friends, interact with the artists and gain deep insights into the heart and soul of your spiritual and cultural neighbors. Come and experience the world-changing power of music.
Where: Private home in Lower Manhattan
When: Wednesday, May 25; 7:00pm Reception; 7:30 Performance
Cost: FREE ($25 suggested donation)
No walk-ins. You must be on the doorman’s list to enter.
Click here to RSVP and confirm your reservation.
Only those with confirmed RSVPs will be given the host’s name and address.
There are a cat and a small dog on the premises.
This event will be recorded on audio and videotape. You will be asked to sign a release form.
MEET THE PERFORMERS:
Houngan Öneza Lafontant & Gran Bwa
is a Haitian Chèf Bitasyon, or Vodou heritage keeper, and a cultural activist who works as a teaching artist in New York area schools – using traditional Haitian music and arts to raise awareness of history, human rights, and social justice issues. Gran Bwa is a Vodou priest and multidisciplinary artist who was born in Haiti and came to Brooklyn in the 1980s. As a Houngan Asogwe (High Priest) in Vodou, Gran Bwa is a respected leader in Brooklyn’s Haitian community.
Amir Vahab
Honored as a peacemaker and virtuoso, Amir Alan Vahab is one of New York’s most celebrated and distinguished composer / vocalists of Sufi and folk music. His songs weave fiery instrumentals and melodies of the ancient lands of the Middle East that include Persian, Turkish, Azeri and beyond.
Noah Aronson
is an energetic and soulful composer/performer whose unique musical style propels his music into communities across the country and in Israel. Noah serves on the faculty of the annual Hava Nashira and Shabbat Shira workshop in Okonomowoc, Wisconsin and the Shirei Chaggiah workshop in London England. Noah is currently serving as the Creative Director of Sacred Music NY.
What is Sacred Music NY?
SMNY fosters social change through an immersive celebration of spiritual music. We strive to bring members of diverse cultural and faith traditions together to forge concrete, ongoing relationships that will engender an authentic sense of unity within the diversity of the New York metropolitan area.
What is Sacred Music?
While some people may think of sacred music as relating only to God or religion, at SMNY, we celebrate soulful music, regardless of its source. We believe that human beings throughout history have used music to express the deepest yearnings of their hearts to the source of meaning in their lives, and that those yearnings link us all together in a profound way. That’s why you’ll find genres as diverse as Vodou or Sufi chant alongside Christian worship rock or New Age music. To us, sacred music is nothing less than the soundtrack of our souls.
Want to host a concert in your home?
If you have enough room for at least 20-25 people, then let us know. Along with our volunteers, our hosts and musicians are our most precious assets. We’re building a movement to combat hate, ignorance and fear by inviting the very strangers into our homes whom we know the least about and finding common ground through music.
Want to join the SMNY team?
Even if you’re not a musician or you don’t have a large enough space to host an event (this is NYC after all), we still want and need you. Everything from graphic design, lighting, sound, video, editing, copywriting, social media, cooking, planning, brainstorming,etc. If you can do it, we probably need it. Join the SMNY team today.
Support SMNY
We’re just getting off the ground, so every little bit helps. Please make a donation here.
Sacred Music NY, Inc. is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Sacred Music NY, Inc. must be made pabahble to Fractured Atlas only. The value of admission to this event is $25. Any contribution above that amount is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
