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Friday, May 6, 2016 Vol. 9 No. 37
Shakti Fest Celebrates Creative Divine Feminine Energy Joshua Tree May 13 – 15 By Jackie Devereaux Joshua Tree, CA – If you like yoga, meditation and Kirtan music than Shakti Fest 2016 is for you. This hippie, musical, God-fest returns for its sixth year May 13 - 15 at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. Organized by Bhakti Fest who led the way in conscious festival events, Shakti Fest is unique as a springtime celebration of the divine feminine spirit, described in Hindu philosophy as the “dynamic force which moves the universe.” The
festival features world famous yoga teachers, Kirtan music stars, wisdom workshops, and a healing sanctuary. “When we started Shakti Fest as our spring celebration six years ago, we had no idea it would become such a beloved event,” noted Sridhar Silberfein, founder of Bhakti Fest. “It’s wonderful that we are able to honor the spirit of the universal mother right around Mother’s Day.” The Shakti Fest 2016 music lineup includes inspiring Kirtan (a.k.a. chanting) artists
Jai Uttal, Donna De Lory, Larissa Stowe, Saul David Raye, Govind Das & Radha, Girish, Prema Hara, Jaya Lakshmi & Ananda, Spring Groove, Prajna Vieira & the Mukti Kirtan Ensemble, and Amritakripa. The centuries-old practice of devotional chanting is considered to connect humans with themselves, the universe, and spirit. World-class yoga teachers are the heart of Shakti Fest, and spring in Joshua Tree is a beautiful time to practice indoors and out. 2016 Shakti
By Desert Star Staff Bud Light Music continued their quest to bring the people of America together by activating the second installment of their exciting lineup of Bud Light Music “Stage Moments” that took place during the Stagecoach Music Festival on April 29 in Indio, CA. Grammynominated and multi-platinum selling artist Sam Hunt electrified the crowd with an energetic performance mixing up Hip Hop and Country Music seamlessly
during his 55 minute set playing crowd favorite songs including, “Ex To See,” “Single For The Summer,” “Take Your Time,” and a cover of Drake’s hit, “Marvin’s Room.” Sam closed out the night by surprising the Stagecoach crowd bringing out Legendary Hip Hop artist Snoop Dogg, and chart-topping artists G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha. G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha kicked off the Bud Light Stage Moment performing their hit record, “Me, Myself and I,” followed by Snoop Dogg
joining them onstage to perform an amazing melody of “Next Episode” and “Drop it Like It’s Hot.” To close out his set, Sam joined all of the artists onstage to jam out to his hit song, “House Party.” Before the group left the stage, they posed for a group selfie amongst the thousands of excited fans in the crowd and encouraged them to “Raise One To Right Now” while toasting with cold Bud Light beers. MORE ON STAGECOACH ON PAGE 4
‘This Bud’s for you’
Fest teachers include Shiva Rea, Mark Whitwell, Saul David Raye, Sara Ivanhoe, Mas Vidal, Laura Plum, Kia Miller, Tymi Howard, Leeza Villagomez, and desert favorite Kristin Olson leading Shaktienergy invoking sessions in a variety of yoga styles. Shakti Fest 2016 Workshops will cover topics including Ayurveda, spiritual nutrition, tantric energy, astrology, Vedic science, healing trauma, bhakti art, Hindu mythology, and hoop dance, with internationally
known speakers including Michael Brian Baker, Jeffrey Armstrong, Syamarani, Lorin Roche, Ph.D. and Mirabhai Devi. A pre-festival intensive will also be offered with Saul David Raye, while Govind Das & Radha lead a post-festival intensive. Festival passes and intensive tickets available with discounts offered to local residents, veterans, military, seniors and students. Go to https://tickets.brightstarevents. com/event/ShaktiFest2016.
Sam Hunt (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Anheuser-Busch)