Sitar player Imrat Khan of India will appear at Saturday's Festival of World Sacred Music. Photo courtesy Gitana Productions.

“There is something in music that transcends and unites. This is evident in the sacred music of every community . . . music that expresses the universal yearning that is shared by people all over the globe.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Music from many of the world’s faith traditions will be played at Saturday’s St. Louis Festival of World Sacred Music,  Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Blvd. in the city’s Central West End neighborhood.

The festival begins at noon. The last performer takes the stage at 7 p.m. Artists appearing include both local favorites and musicians with worldwide followings.

“Every culture creates music that is sacred, music that
expresses universal emotions. The Festival of World
Sacred Music reflects our commitment to global healing, by bringing
together international and local musicians who represent diverse
spiritual and religious interests,” said Cecilia Nadal. Nadal is executive director of Gitana
Productions, the not-for-profit arts and education group that is producing the festival.

As I look through the list of those appearing, I see there truly is something for just about everyone here. Faith traditions from Asia, Africa, Europe and North America all are represented.

Appearing are: Ustad Imrat Khan of India, sitar and surbahar (bass sitar); Lakota musician John Two-Hawks, indiginous flutist and singer; Brother Seamus Byrne, Irish singer, flute and bodhran player; Prajwal Ratna Vajrachary, Buddhist ritual dancer;  Alerica Anderson gospel singer, songwriter, and composer; Margaret Waddell, singer of 12th century Benedictine chants; vocalist Iya Ashabi, Yoruba-derived African musical ceremony; and harpist Amy Camie and her ensemble, with a musical  interpretation of the Mesopotamian myth of Nanna and Ningal.

Tickets for the festival are $15 for adults, $12 for those older than 65 and for students with ID, $8 for children 12 and under. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. For tickets or more information, call Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556 or visit Gitana’s Web site. The event’s schedule  is listed there, along with places to buy tickets in person.