The woman who first introduced tantra to ignite the love-lives of westerners over twenty-five years ago, Margot Anand, will present workshops and speak at the Elders’ Forum at the Byron Spirit Festival.
After a successful 2012 festival, an expanded lineup of international artists has been announced for the 2013 Byron Spirit Festival, to be held March 1–3, 2013.
Mullumbimby will again play host, say organisers, with many of the town’s venues and halls utilised for the events and workshops.
Participating in the festival will be a variety of teachers, presenters and performers from Australia and around the world, with the festival offering workshops in yoga, conscious dance, world music, tantra and healing.
Co-organiser Alison Pearl says the music lineup will include the following international acts: Nahko & Medicine for the People (USA), Dave Stringer (USA), Sacred Earth, Guru Dass (USA), Vesica Pisces, Murray Kyle, Carmella Baynie, Tahir & the Qawwali Ensemble, Daphne Tse (Bali), Temple Step Project, Si Mullumby and Wild Marmalade. She says returning musicians and bands include Deva Premal & Miten and Manose, Future Sound of Yoga, Kevin James Carroll, Lucknow Sankirtan, and Edo & Jo. Yoga instructors: Louisa Sear, Mark Whitwell, Lance Schuler, Louisa Sear, Mark Breadner, Simon Borg Olivier, Nicole Walsh and Julie Smerdon.
‘We are humbled to welcome back Bundjalung lawman Lewis Walker and the Gyuto Monks,’ says Ms Pearl, ‘who will unify participants in traditional and contemporary celebration and ceremony’.
For the yoga enthusiasts, instructors Vanessa Kudrat (USA), Twee Merrigan (USA), Louise Solomons (Yogalates), Delamay Devi, Jemma Rivera, Amber Spear and Duncan Peak will be giving workshops. ‘The 2013 tantra program will be lead by world-renowned tantra pioneer Margot Anand,’ says Ms Pearl, ‘who will be joined by Melbourne’s Emma Power and Eyal Martina Hughes, as well as local identity Zenith Virago.’
Elsewhere, she says the dance program will feature the Dances of Ecstasy film and workshop led by Peta O’Doherty and Leyolah Antara.
‘The festival has also commissioned a Sufi poetry performance by orator James Coates in collaboration with percussionist Michael Askill,’ Ms Pearl says.
‘Healers and dancers welcomed back include Geash Bowler, Gwynn Williams, Jenny Groves, plus many more to be announced in the coming months.’
Limited earlybird tickets are available at http://www.spiritfestival.com.au/tickets or visit www.facebook.com/spiritfestival.
