ChantFest Victoria
A Musical Celebration of Spirit
Sunday, February 10th, 2008
1:30—9:30 pm
Location Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Road, Victoria. Directions Bus #11 (Tillicum/UVic) goes right by the church along Arbutus Road. If you are driving, there is ample free parking on site.
ChantFest begins with an opening ceremony at 2:00 pm, followed by an afternoon of workshops led by chant leaders from many faith traditions. A vegetarian dinner will be provided by area faith groups at 6 pm. The day will culminate in an Evening Chant Celebration, in which the chant leaders will combine their talents to lead the whole festival in chant (7:30—9:30 pm). Full ChantFest passes include all these events. People can also choose to purchase tickets separately for the Evening Chant Celebration. (See tickets for details)
How you can contribute to a great experience:
Arrive at 1:30 pm to check in (or 7 pm for the evening celebration).
Come with positive energy and an open heart.
Bring water and a cushion to sit on, if you wish. (Chairs provided.)
Wear clothing that is comfortable and lets you breathe.
Refrain from wearing scented products—perfume, hair sprays, etc. Some people are allergic.
Turn off cell phones and pagers.
No flash photography.
If you have a Full ChantFest Pass, you will be able to choose one workshop in each time slot, i.e. you will be able to participate in two separate workshops. Do your best to arrive at your workshop on time, and please plan to stay for the entire workshop. People coming and going are disruptive to the group and to the chant leaders.
Before you enter the workshop, take a few moments to center yourself. Take some deep, calming breaths. Become aware of your body and allow yourself to feel grounded. Set your intention. Be mindful of why you are here and what you want the quality of this experience to be for you.
After each chant ends, there are always a few minutes of silence as the vibrational energy that has been created is felt in the room and in your body. Breathe slowly and deeply and let the experience to soak in. Experienced chanters feel this is the “best” part of the chant. Gradually the energy will shift and you'll know when its okay to reach for your water bottle or rustle your papers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is ChantFest Victoria?
ChantFest is Victoria's first participatory festival of chant. It’s a musical celebration of Spirit. There will be multi-faith chant workshops during the afternoon where chant leaders from different traditions will teach and lead chants. A community dinner provided by many faith communities will be followed by an Evening Chant Celebration during which each of the chant leaders will lead the entire group in chants from their tradition.
Who organized this?
ChantFest Victoria is a non-profit event whose proceeds will go to benefit the Victoria Multifaith Society, whose mission is to foster an environment of trust among people of different faith traditions. A small group of enthusiastic volunteers got the ball rolling. They recruited others, including our sponsors: University of Victoria Interfaith Services, Cadboro Bay United Church, the Sacred World Song Project and Ewart Media. Everyone is volunteering their time, and the Chant Leaders are being paid a small honorarium. We are hoping to raise as much money as possible for Victoria Multifaith Society.
What is chanting?
Chanting is rhythmic, often melodic, continuous speaking or singing of words or sounds. It has been around for at least 5,000 years. It ranges from devotional songs to simple repetitive phrases. Chanting mantras or chanting the name(s) of the Divine is an ancient spiritual practice common to many faiths and traditions which consider chanting, individually or in groups, as a route to spiritual development. It is seen as a way to attain a higher state of consciousness and connect with the “Divine Mind”. Mantra means, in rough translation from the Sanskrit, “words of power to quiet the mind.” Even if you’ve never chanted before, you’re probably familiar with the most common Sanskrit Mantra, “Om”. Chanting is a wonderful mode of meditation and relaxation.
I've never chanted before. Do I have to know how to sing?
You do know how! It’s not the quality of your voice that matters, it’s the spirit you bring to the event. Chanting is easy and you will pick it up quickly. The words are simple and repetitive. The melodies are easily mastered. Many chants are “call and response”. People of all ages can join in the chanting. If the chant is in a language that is unfamiliar to you (Sanskrit, for example), any close approximation is fine. There will be song sheets provided.
Can I record the workshops?
Ask each chant leader before the workshop starts, and abide by their decision. If they give permission, use recording devices discreetly, so that no one is distracted or intimidated.
How do I get a Chantfest Pass?
You can purchase them online with a credit card. Or mail your cheque to Watters & Associates, to 1531 Yale St., Victoria, BC V8R 5N5 with your name, phone and email address. The deadline for purchasing passes is February 5th. (No tickets will be sent. Your name will be on a list at the door. )
Can I come just for the Evening Chant Celebration?
Yes. If you are not participating in the afternoon program, you can still buy a ticket for the Evening Chant Celebration, either online or at the door the evening of the event (space permitting). We can only accept cash at the door. We cannot process debit or credit cards at the event. (No tickets will be sent. Your name will be on a list at the door.)
What does it cost?
The Full ChantFest Pass includes the afternoon chant workshops, dinner and tea break and the Evening Chant Celebration. The Full ChantFest Pass costs $45 for adults. If you’re a student with a valid student card, we are offering a special rate of $15, or 2 students for $25. The Evening Chant Celebration alone is $15 ($10 for students).
Are there Group Rates?
Yes. If you have a group of 8 or more, call Sabine Teetzel at 721-8338 for information about our group rates.
Why do I have to pre-register for a ChantFest Pass?
Seating is limited and we need to know how many people to make dinner for. The deadline is February 5th.
What should I bring with me?
Positive energy; an open heart; a cushion to sit on if you'd like to sit on the floor (chairs will be available, too); water to drink; and comfortable clothes.
Are refreshments provided?
Yes, there will be an afternoon tea break and a full vegetarian dinner for those who have purchased the Full ChantFest Pass, provided courtesy of various Victoria faith communities,
What about special dietary needs?
The dinner will be a tasty and nutritional vegetarian meal, but we can't accommodate special diets. You may wish to bring your own food if diet is a concern.
Will I be able to buy CDs?
Yes, the chant leaders will have their CDs available for sale at a special ChantFest rate of $15. Please bring cash, as we can't take credit cards at the event.
Is the event wheelchair accessible?
Cadboro Bay United Church is partially wheelchair accessible. There are ramps and handicap washrooms on the main floor. The Sanctuary and the Great Hall are accessible. The Youth Room is accessible only by a staircase.
Are children welcome?
Children are welcome if they truly want to be there and if they are old enough to understand the spirit of the event. They need to be able to stay engaged for the entire 90-minute time of the chant workshop. Please be respectful of your fellow chanters and their right to a peaceful, contemplative experience.
Other questions? Phone Dacia (Day-sha) at 250-588-3922