Portland couple bringing sacred inspired music to Yuma

  Yuma audiences will have a chance to enlighten themselves and enjoy live music at the same time Monday when Serenity Yoga, 720 E. 22nd St., hosts Portland natives Benjy and Heather Wertheimer, who perform as Shantala.

  As more and more people turn to yoga and the inspirations of Eastern wisdom in their quest for peace and understanding, the traditional Indian style of devotional chanting known as kirtan has been growing in popularity.

  Sacred chanting has its roots in the sacred music of ancient India, and Shantala tries to enlighten listeners with their blend of passionate music and sacred lyrics.

  "This is a great concert to see. This couple is very well known and has traveled the world with their unique sound," said Stephanie Martin, owner of Serenity Yoga.

  "I have had the pleasure of seeing them perform live in Costa Rica and as they are touring through Arizona, I was pleased to have them stop here to share with our community," Martin said.

  Through their live kirtan performances and their latest CD, "The Love Window," Shantala takes audiences on heart-opening musical journeys, layering beautiful vocalxs with rhythmically transformative instrumental sounds.

  Benjy has studied Indian classical music for over 20 years with some of the greatest masters of the tradition, including Ali Akbar Khan and Zakir Hussain, and also tours and records with Krishna Das.

  Heather is an accomplished singer, songwriter, guitarist and yoga teacher with a soul-stirring voice who also performs with virtuoso guitarist Michael Mandrell.

  "They perform beautiful music and I want this to be open to the community. They real create an atmosphere of incredible energy and love. They are just incredible," Martin said.

 The concert begins at 6 p.m. Monday. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door for the hour-plus concert. For advance tickets, call Martin at 344-0078.

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Stefani Guerrero Soucy can be reached at
ssoucy@yumasun.com or 539-6857.