Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/118686
F FEStIvAl ESTIVAL LOVERS CAN SPEND THE SEASON JAUNTING from Spain's Sonar to Australia's Big Day Out, but the best are in the U.S. West. Top local producers keep our festival hearts beating through their creativity, hard work and perseverance. We asked the burning questions: What are the secrets to producing a successful festival? And what makes their festival unique? moksha 7/12–14 Photo: Om Kailas www.mokshafestival.com Moving this year to the scenic terrain of Topanga Canyon, Moksha 2013 is one of LA's top yoga and spirituality festivals. Yogis will enjoy a vast array of styles including hatha, vinyasa krama, kundalini, Iyengar, Anusara, NAAM, sattva yoga, pranayama & meditation, and Yoga Nidra. Vocal classes, Sui movement, breathwork and yoga philosophy talks will also occur. "Snatam Kaur is surely the biggest draw," said Arvind Chittumalla, founder and producer. "We have also created a music program for different tastes on the three days of the festival: Friday, sacred music with a rock/ hip hop twist. Saturday is very traditional kirtan. Sunday, a mix of sacred music in different languages—Hebrew, English, Sanskrit, Gurbani. Lili Haydn, a well-known instrumentalist (violin) and singer, is a unique addition." And there is a separate area for spiritual art. MokShA'S ToP 5 SECRETS FoR SuCCESS • Stay true to the festival's mission and don't compromise authenticity for fame or money. • Recognize the oneness and sacredness in different spiritual paths. sat nam fest 4/10–14 www.satnamfest.com/west Sat Nam Fest is an immersion into the beauty of kundalini yoga at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. Its mission is to unite those who cherish love, music, sadhana (spiritual movement) and community. Discover morning sadhana, kriya, deep meditations and ecstatic chanting in the desert. Top teachers such as Gurmukh, Guru Singh and Tej lead transformational classes, and musicians Snatam Kaur, Mirabai Ceiba and the GuruGanesha band touch your soul at this beautiful gathering of experienced kundalini yogis and beginners alike "We believe that even the most challenging yoga can be achieved with smiles and joy," writes producer Sat Darshan. lucidity 4/12–14 www.lucidityfestival.com Held in the relaxing and peaceful woods of Live Oak Campground in Santa Barbara, Lucidity strives to be an open-source transformational arts and music festival. The Lucidity vision is that each of us has ininite potential, the ability to let go of fear and embark upon the journey of becoming what we want to see in this world. Performers include Zion I, Phutureprimitive, Elite Force, Luminaries, He's My Brother/She's My Sister, 10 Festival.indd 10 • Consistently organize the festival regardless of the dificulties. • Create an experience people will not normally ind in daily life. • Make it affordable and accessible to all. Bluetech, Gladkill, Poor Man's Poison, Lee Koch and more. Workshops abound on yoga, consciousness, creation, low arts, healing and movement. Children's earth day 4/21 www.childrensearthday.org The 13th annual STAR Eco Station's Children's Earth Day features performances and exhibitions by students, environmentalists and special guests. Wander the grounds and discover family- and eco-friendly food, vendors, crafts, games and more. Named "best Earth Day pick" by the LA Times, the event is free. 10101 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City 90232. shakti fest 5/17–19 & Bhakti fest 9/5–8 www.bhaktifest.com These sister festivals satisfy those yearning for a substantial helping of yoga and kirtan in a unique, expansive location. "What makes these festivals unique is the emphasis on kirtan and the high quality of the kirtan artists," said representative Susan von Seggern. "Jai Uttal is at all three events, as are Govindas and Radha, Dave Stringer, David Newman (Durga Das), Mayapuris and Saul David Raye." Shakti Fest, a Celebration of the Divine Feminine, also features Donna De Lory, Larisa Stow, Shiva wholelifetimesmagazine.com 3/26/13 5:50 PM