Special Weather Means We Have Tickets at the Door Tonight!
Please pass the news along – here’s all the details:
Who’s playing?
Myself and the Kirtan Calling including (are you ready for this?) Keith Dyck, Miriam Neuman, Leane Koss, Cat Smilie, Bob Hanley and special guest Sheena Grobb.
Where?
On an outdoor rooftop space called Cloud 284, located at 284 Arnold Avenue. Parking might be a drag, you might have to walk a bit so bring your runners.
When?
7 PM – 9 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)
Tickets are how much?
$21, cash only at the door please
Can I reserve on in advance?
No sorry, all advance tickets have SOLD OUT
How can I tell my friends?
The “share” buttons for Twitter, Facebook and beyond are below! Also see the poster down and to the right.
Bring along?
A comfy yoga mat, cushion or back jack. No lawn chairs please, but folk fest chairs are fine.
Yummy Hemp Heart treats by: Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils
For more info about Kirtan (FAQ): http://www.livekirtan.ca/?p=606
Tension is who you think you should be.
Relaxation is who you are.
~ Chinese Proverb ~
Everything You Need to Know…
To Attend a Kirtan Concert, Book a Live Kirtan Band for your Event, or Host a Kirtan Party for Family and Friends
What is a Kirtan Party?
An opportunity to gather your friends and family and provide a live, interactive and totally inspiring music experience for them.
Is this appropriate for kirtan beginners?
Oh yes, the only pre-requisite is that you can breath. The band carries the music part so no one has to feel any pressure about doing it “right.”
Is kirtan difficult?
It’s only difficult if you try not to sing 
. Repetitions of mantras are a’plenty, so you never have to worry that you’re not going to get it. Everyone catches on and everyone sings.
Can you dance to live kirtan music?
Oh yes, here’s a kirtan dance recording from someone’s iPhone that you can catch the vibe. And a video that will make you dance!
Can a kirtan be used as a way to mark a sacred event?
Yes, kirtan (interactive or performed without audience participation) fits beautifully such as a wedding, house warming or other life transition that deserves some extra special attention.
Can you bring a kirtan band to my festival?
Yes, send any requests to beth at bethmartens.com.
How much do I have to invest in a kirtan party?
A rough guideline is 15 people at $15 per person, for solo kirtan leader, Beth Martens to guide kirtan for one hour. Want to get the band, as many as 7 additional and fantastic players with two drummers? Then we’ll talk!
How much space do I need to host a kirtan party?
Your living room is fine, a big living room if you want a whole band.
Is kirtan a religious practice?
No, but it is a highly charged spiritual experience that is joyful, infectious and whose effects are transformative.
Can there be children at a kirtan party?
Yes, depending on how deep a focus you are hoping for. A general guideline is your own comfort zone. And if you really want to get down and fully focussed, get a babysitter, or have one in the zone so kids can be entertained elsewhere if need be. Little ones are known for their ecstatic nature and can try and command the attention – that effect may or may not be what you hope for.
Do people drink alcohol at a kirtan party?
Because of the focussed nature of kirtan chanting, keeping alcohol to a casual and social level is recommended, but there are no rules!
Where can I listen to your music?
You can get my CD’s on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and nearly any other online music source these days. Please visit my online store to get copies of my three titles (with one more to follow): www.bethmartens.com/onlinestore
Do you have any videos of kirtan?
Please visit Youtube for a really fun video of Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu (may all beings be peaceful).
Kirtan concert at St. Norbert Arts Centre
What dates/times are you available?
Check my online schedule at this link.
What if I can’t find a date on your schedule that works for me?
Call me at 204-775-1100 and we’ll talk!
What language are mantras in?
Most times in Sanskrit, some are Hindi and many in English as well! Meanings are explained so people actually know what they are singing.
Is kirtan the same as yoga?
Yes, kirtan is a form of yoga – yoga through the repetition of mantras, meditation and joy.
What is the origin of kirtan?
Kirtan was born in the 15th century of India and has grown up around the last two decades in which yoga has become popular. Read this “Enchanting Mantras” article on kirtan and Beth Martens’ music that was published in the Winnipeg Free Press, written by regular kirtan singer/journalist, Carolin Vesely.
How do I know if my friends and family are going to enjoy this if they’ve never heard it before?
1. Send them to iTunes to sample all the songs that are recorded.
www.itunes.com/bethmartens
2. Share this video of Two Foot Take Off to give them the vibe!
Is kirtan very serious and heavy?
Not even close, the purpose of doing it is to be happy and joyful.
What is the purpose of doing kirtan?
Joy, focus, community connection, supporting each other around healthy lifestyles.
How do I book you?
Email: yoga at bethmartens.com
Phone: 204-775-1100
Background/bio: www.bethmartens.com
Everything You Need to Know…
To Attend a Kirtan Concert, Book a Live Kirtan Band for your Event, or Host a Kirtan Party for Family and Friends
What is a Kirtan Party?
An opportunity to gather your friends and family and provide a live, interactive and totally inspiring music experience for them.
Is this appropriate for kirtan beginners?
Oh yes, the only pre-requisite is that you can breath. The band carries the music part so no one has to feel any pressure about doing it “right.”
Is kirtan difficult?
It’s only difficult if you try not to sing . Repetitions of mantras are a’plenty, so you never have to worry that you’re not going to get it. Everyone catches on and everyone sings.
Can you dance to live kirtan music?
Oh yes, here’s a kirtan dance recording from someone’s iPhone that you can catch the vibe. And a video that will make you dance!
Can a kirtan be used as a way to mark a sacred event?
Yes, kirtan (interactive or performed without audience participation) fits beautifully such as a wedding, house warming or other life transition that deserves some extra special attention.
Can you bring a kirtan band to my festival?
Yes, send any requests to beth at bethmartens.com.
How much do I have to invest in a kirtan party?
A rough guideline is 15 people at $15 per person, for solo kirtan leader, Beth Martens to guide kirtan for one hour. Want to get the band, as many as 7 additional and fantastic players with two drummers? Then we’ll talk!
How much space do I need to host a kirtan party?
Your living room is fine, a big living room if you want a whole band.
Is kirtan a religious practice?
No, but it is a highly charged spiritual experience that is joyful, infectious and whose effects are transformative.
Can there be children at a kirtan party?
Yes, depending on how deep a focus you are hoping for. A general guideline is your own comfort zone. And if you really want to get down and fully focussed, get a babysitter, or have one in the zone so kids can be entertained elsewhere if need be. Little ones are known for their ecstatic nature and can try and command the attention – that effect may or may not be what you hope for.
Do people drink alcohol at a kirtan party?
Because of the focussed nature of kirtan chanting, keeping alcohol to a casual and social level is recommended, but there are no rules!
Where can I listen to your music?
You can get my CD’s on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and nearly any other online music source these days. Please visit my online store to get copies of my three titles (with one more to follow): www.bethmartens.com/onlinestore
Do you have any videos of kirtan?
Please visit Youtube for a really fun video of Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu (may all beings be peaceful).
Kirtan concert at St. Norbert Arts Centre
What dates/times are you available?
Check my online schedule at this link.
What if I can’t find a date on your schedule that works for me?
Call me at 204-775-1100 and we’ll talk!
What language are mantras in?
Most times in Sanskrit, some are Hindi and many in English as well! Meanings are explained so people actually know what they are singing.
Is kirtan the same as yoga?
Yes, kirtan is a form of yoga – yoga through the repetition of mantras, meditation and joy.
What is the origin of kirtan?
Kirtan was born in the 15th century of India and has grown up around the last two decades in which yoga has become popular. Read this “Enchanting Mantras” article on kirtan and Beth Martens’ music that was published in the Winnipeg Free Press, written by regular kirtan singer/journalist, Carolin Vesely.
How do I know if my friends and family are going to enjoy this if they’ve never heard it before?
1. Send them to iTunes to sample all the songs that are recorded.
www.itunes.com/bethmartens
2. Share this video of Two Foot Take Off to give them the vibe!
Is kirtan very serious and heavy?
Not even close, the purpose of doing it is to be happy and joyful.
What is the purpose of doing kirtan?
Joy, focus, community connection, supporting each other around healthy lifestyles.
How do I book you?
Email: yoga at bethmartens.com
Phone: 204-775-1100
Background/bio: www.bethmartens.com
The Soul’s Voice CD Release Open House & Celebration
Online on Boxing Day – Get 2 Free Tracks from The Soul’s Voice!
Cloud 284
January 31, 2012 6 – 10 PM
Cloud 284 Winnipeg, MB
Kirtan concert in the temple devoted to employing five awesome musicians – Keith Dyck, Miriam Neuman, Leane Koss, Phoebe Man – and myself to record our group project.
Finding Your Voice Group Yoga Coaching for Women in Winnipeg
Six Weeks Starting February 2012 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Cloud 284
284 Arnold Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
7:30 – 9:30 PM
An intimate group coaching for women only. Spaces are limited, early bird until September 8 only.
Map For Finding Your Voice Group Coaching for Women:
Finding Your Voice is for you if you are…A singer looking for her real voice
A speaker who wants to chant
A writer who needs to get out of her head
A woman who is ready to get out of bed every day and fulfill her creative life purpose.
Done all this? Could be for you too if you are now trying to have a voice in your personal life too.
Do you want to be part of creating something that doesn’t need you to join? And won’t kick you out…
The Meaning of Kirtan
In the words of Dave Stringer …
Kirtan is consciousness-transformative, directing the singers to vanish into the song as drops merge into the ocean. From a linguistic perspective, Sanskrit is the mother tongue of many modern languages, and a kind of periodic table of elemental sound -meaning.
The mantras are primarily recitations of the names given to the divine. But perhaps the true understanding of the mantras can be found in the sense of unity, well-being and timelessness that they elicit. The mantras quiet the mind, and the music frees the heart. Ecstasy is both the process and the product.
The primary musical feature of kirtan is the use of call and response, a figure that also deeply informs bluegrass, gospel and jazz. Kirtan is not a piece of dusty ethnomusicalogical taxidermy, it’s a living, breathing organisms spreading its genes out into the world.
The Bhaktis had no use for orthodoxy. They saw the expressions and form of the divine in every direction they looked. From this perspective, even music that cannot be characterized as traditional can still be expressive of the Bhaktis’ original intention.
Inquiring into the origin and nature of the universe, both Western science and Eastern philosophy arrive at the obstacle of the mind. How can the mind come to see beyond itself? Is it a matter of spiritual practice, or sadhana, or is it simply a problem of chemistry?
Everywhere you look, the mysteries deepen in unexpected new directions. Isn’t it amazing that you can now look at an MRI of someone’s brain, and see how chanting changes it? Singing, we move ourselves into a field out beyond questions and answers. Encountering bliss, the mind is still.”
Kirtan…sparks the joy in you and your voice through Sanskrit mantras and meditation – said to be the perfect cure to murky waters.
No experience is required to thoroughly enjoy oneself.”
